After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

The pavilion sits between two willow trees, whose branches sway gently in the wind, seemingly adding a touch of graceful charm to the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, the moonlight, like a silver veil, gently and softly spreads its light, clearly outlining every nook and cranny of the pavilion and revealing it without reservation under its clear glow.

The bright moonlight quietly shone into the deep eyes of the man leaning against the railing. A gentle breeze blew, and his hair, as black as ink, danced wildly, adding a touch of unrestrained and free spirit to the moonlit scene.

Duan Li gripped the sword tassel tightly in his hand, gazing at the gently rippling lake, lost in thought.

She walked to the pavilion and sat down, her voice extremely soft.

"got windy."

"Ah."

Duan Li slowly pulled herself out of her chaotic thoughts, and glanced sideways at Xiao Ran sitting by the pavilion.

At this moment, she gazed leisurely at the distant lake, a faint smile playing on her lips. The smile contained a sense of tranquility and serenity, and under the moonlight, she resembled a beautiful painting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Xiao Ran gently shook her head, parted her lips slightly, and said in an extremely soft voice, "It's time to wait."

"I..." Duan Li suddenly stood up and sat down not far from Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran didn't pay any attention, she simply reached out her hand and said:

"Look, the moon is so bright tonight, but these dark clouds are covering its light."

Duan Li looked in the direction Xiao Ran was pointing, where only the moon was shrouded in thin dark clouds, accompanied by occasional flashes of lightning.

It looks like it's going to rain.

"Do you want to go back?"

She looked at Duanli, whose eyes were flashing with lightning from the horizon.

Duanli did not respond, but silently picked up the sword tassel in her hand.

The crimson sword tassel, having been gripped tightly for so long, had lost its original neat shape and was now crookedly curled up in his palm.

"This sword tassel... belongs to my mother."

Duan Li's voice was low and slightly melancholy, his gaze fixed on the sword tassel, as if he could see his loved ones from the past through it.

Xiao Ran was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. In her memory of knowing Duan Li, Duan Li had never mentioned a single word about his family to her.

He continued, gripping the sword tassel tightly once more.

“My mother died in a fire. I was young then, and I only remember her crying and begging my master to take me out.”

The thunder seemed to grow louder.

The lightning flashing in Duanli's eyes resembled a raging fire.

“At that time, I was held in my master’s arms. I wanted to see her… but a peaceful smile bloomed on her face amidst the flames. The towering walls around her seemed like a cage. At that moment, she seemed to be free.”

Xiao Ran turned her gaze back to the lake, but her heart was filled with turmoil.

The pain of separation... how could she not understand?

She had watched her mother suffer on her sickbed until the very last moment, when her mother was still begging the aunt next door to take care of her.

The departure of a loved one is not a torrential rain, but a lifetime of dampness.

Xiao Ran wiped her eyes, composed herself, and said:

"Do you remember that place? I can help you find her..."

Whether she is dead or not.

Duan Li gently shook her head. "I don't remember."

"I think she probably didn't want me to seek revenge. Otherwise, why would she have smiled so peacefully at that moment?"