A piece of Japanese incense

Zhi Yihe took a barely perceptible breath. "Madam, on the brink of life and death, people always grasp at the light before them. At that moment, what you grasped had nothing to do with 'friends' or 'family'; it was simply the deep desire for 'life' and the craving for 'companionship' that lies deep within human nature."

She wasn't moved, nor did she mock. Instead, she had a kind of all-knowing, almost compassionate calmness: "Madam, can you dare say that in what you said to me at this moment, there is no trace of temptation, no trace of...trying to soften me and leave a way out for possible changes in the future?

Between friends, what's needed is unconditional trust and honesty. "Zhi Yihe's words weighed heavily on Feng Yan's heart," he said. "And between us, you hold the poison that could kill me, and I harbor a secret that could doom you forever. We're each holding the other's lifeline, calculating their reaction with every move, leaving a way out for ourselves. This kind of relationship... can only be that of allies, pawns, temporary companions, tugging at the edge of the abyss to prevent the other from falling in first."

The glimmer of fragility and hope on Feng Yan's face shattered and solidified at Zhi Yihe's cold words. The light in her eyes was completely extinguished, leaving only a bottomless exhaustion and the utter embarrassment of being completely exposed. Yes, a test? A trade-off? She couldn't deny it. In that life-or-death moment, did she truly not subconsciously think, "Zhi Yihe saved me; they owed me their help. They must help me." Even she couldn't explain it.

Feng Yan's voice returned to normal: "...You're right. It's me...I'm dreaming again."

Finally, Feng Yan raised his cloak and wrapped her up in it. She walked to the door, put her hand on the latch, and didn't look back: "Make a move, no regrets."

Shipwreck Bay, midnight.

Tingzhu and Yutuan were placed in a small cabin covered with thick hay and covered with rough but dry felt. Their eyes were closed, and Yutuan's hand was still unconsciously clutching a piece of Tingzhu's clothes.

The calming incense prepared by Koreeda Okazu himself was in a dosage that was enough to allow them to sleep peacefully through the most dangerous initial stage.

These two silly girls… if they were awake, they would definitely cry and refuse to leave, and would definitely say that they would accompany her through life and death. But hadn't they suffered enough following her? Displaced, frightened, and even nearly…

Zhi Yihe stood in the icy water, which reached her calves. The sea breeze blew her hair and slapped her cheeks. She stared at the two sleeping people without blinking.

"It's time to set off!" A boatman wrapped in a black cloak at the bow urged in a low voice.

With a gesture, the boat slid into deeper darkness and was quickly swallowed up by the surging waves and the thick night, until the dim light completely disappeared.

At that moment, several figures slid out from the rocks behind her. Without words or warning, a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist!

Zhi Yihe was shocked and instinctively resisted and struggled!

The other two black shadows approached her from the left and right in an instant. Their blades were not unsheathed, but they accurately pressed down her shoulder and arm joints, making her unable to move!

"Madam has ordered that the young lady return home! Sorry for the offense!"

Before she could finish her words, a damp cloak draped over her head. Then, a sharp, stabbing pain shot through the back of her neck, and a numbness swept through her entire body! She couldn't even utter a cry of surprise before her consciousness sank into endless darkness...

It was half a month later that I saw Feng Yan again.

She was led to the main hall. The hall was spacious and solemn. In the back of the hall, on a throne carved from a single piece of deep-sea black jade, sat a person—Feng Yan.

She was wearing a gorgeous robe with a black background and gold embroidery. The robe was embroidered with patterns of raging waves and dragons emerging from the sea in gold thread. She wore several glittering deep-sea pearl hairpins in her hair and had impeccable makeup on her face.

Below her and on both sides stood several generals and staff members, all holding their breath and concentrating with respectful postures.

"After being a guest for so many days, are you used to living here?" Feng Yan asked.

Feng Yan's "treat" was to continuously mix the "Chansi" poison into every meal and every cup of water. The dosage was controlled extremely precisely, which would not let her die from the poison immediately, but would ensure that she would always remain weak.

Feng Yan didn't trust her after all. Perhaps she didn't trust anyone.

Zhi Yihe did not answer, but just looked back at Feng Yan calmly.

Feng Yan didn't seem to expect her answer. "This lady, in the name of the City Lord's Mansion and as the Crown Prince, has submitted a letter to His Majesty requesting an audience. The letter states that the whereabouts of the Xiqi national treasure will be reported to His Majesty in person by you. The letter has been sent, and Your Majesty has agreed. We will depart in three days, so please make your preparations."

The huge hull of the "Angry Dragon" broke through the dark blue sea water. Under the canopy at the highest point of the ship's building, Feng Yan sat upright on a soft chair covered with snow-white sea animal skin.

In a relatively sheltered but limited-view corner below the ship's tower, Zhi Yihe, wrapped in a slightly loose cloak, sat leaning against a wooden box. Her face was paler than before she boarded the ship, her lips chapped, and her eye sockets sunken.

The sea breeze howled, carrying the chill of the deep sea. The boat seemed to be moving smoothly, with only the monotonous sound of waves crashing.

"Enemy attack! Protect the emperor!!" The sentry in the watchtower on top of the ship sounded the alarm!

Before the voice fell, a dense rain of arrows had already been launched from behind several huge dark reefs in the front and side, shooting towards the ship's tower.

"Mrs. Protector!"

"Shield formation! Quick!"

"Ballista! Port side! Target the reef!"

A huge cowhide shield was quickly erected in front of the ship's tower, and poisoned arrows were nailed into the thick shield and the hull.

The battle broke out immediately! Shouts, the clashing of weapons, screams, the roar of waves...

The guards fought hard to resist the rain of arrows from the front and the approaching speedboats. Their formation was tight and they temporarily made the ship's tower impregnable.

However, just as everyone's attention was drawn to the fierce battle on the front of the ship, several narrow speedboats painted dark blue camouflage, taking advantage of the gaps between the giant crossbows and the blind spots of the huge ship, quietly approached the stern of the angry dragon! The grappling hooks with iron claws "clicked" and locked onto the side of the ship!

"At the stern! Enemies are boarding the ship!" Finally, a guard noticed something unusual and screamed loudly!

But it was a little too late!

Dozens of black shadows had climbed up the ropes. After boarding the ship, they completely ignored the guards and Feng Yan who were nearby. All their attacks and brutal moves were directed towards the inconspicuous corner under the ship's tower.

"The target is her!" A guard leader saw the assassin's movements and lost his voice in horror!

Zhi Yihe opened her eyes immediately. When she heard the rain of arrows shooting towards the ship's tower, she did not feel too much emotion in her heart, and even had a hint of sarcasm - Feng Yan indeed had quite a few enemies.

But when she saw two assassins approaching her, stabbing her in the ribs and heart from the left and right, she realized it wasn't Feng Yan! It was her! These people were coming for her!

The erosion of "Twisting Silk" made her reaction more than a beat slower. She pulled out the dagger from her sleeve and barely blocked it, but her arm was numb from the shock!

"Stop her!" Feng Yan shouted, "Don't let her die! Protect her!"

The guards nearby, waking up from their dreams, hurriedly divided their forces and rushed to the stern, swords and knives were drawn, blades clashed, sparks flew.

However, the assassins were numerous, fearless, and had a clear goal! They fought for their lives, breaking through the guards' hastily formed defense line and killing Zhi Yihe again!

Zhi Yihe rolled and blocked in a panic in the narrow space. The intense movement triggered the poison, causing her to spit out a mouthful of blood!

Just as Zhi Yihe avoided an assassin's throat grab and retreated, trying to hide behind a mast -

My feet suddenly slipped!

Perhaps it was because she stepped on the edge of the overturned oil drum, or because her already weak legs were stained by the blood that splattered on the deck, that she lost her balance!

"Ugh!" She let out a short scream and fell backwards!

Behind her was the side of the ship! The place where the assassin's grappling hook had damaged the railing and loosened it!

"Catch her!" Feng Yan screamed!

One guard's eyes were bloodshot, and he stretched out his hand to grab her, but his fingertips only brushed against her fluttering sleeves!

After all, it was half a second too late.

Puff-!

Seawater rushed into her mouth and nose, and Zhi Yihe's body continued to sink under the pressure of poison and suffocation until it swallowed her...

On the deck of the ship, Feng Yan clearly saw Zhi Yihe falling into the water.

She threw herself at the railing, her fingers tightly grasping Tiemu: "Save her! Now! Pull her out! Alive or dead... No! At any cost! Pull her out alive!"