076 A Search Undertaken Unbeknownst to Each Other

“Injured?” The woman, wrapped in an air of icy indifference, glanced sideways at the man’s arm.

A wound, neither large nor small, cut across one side of his flesh. Though it was only a superficial slash, the injury was not to be underestimated.

“It’s nothing.”

At that moment, Si Qingchen fixed his gaze intently upon her eyes, as if hoping to glean some hidden detail from within them. Even the slightest trace that might overlap with the eyes in his memory would have sufficed.

Yet after a long moment, there was nothing left but cool detachment. The woman before him was as cold as a machine, and it seemed that, apart from “Wuhen,” nothing else existed in her heart.

Si Qingchen even faintly sensed that she did not care about him in the slightest. Otherwise, how could he explain her reckless dash into the forest? Or the way she had agreed to his “condition” without a single question? If that condition would harm “Wuhen,” would she simply… sacrifice herself?

At this instant, a sudden and stifling agitation welled up in Si Qingchen’s chest, enveloping him entirely. Before he could react, it dragged him down into the depths of his heart.

This shift in mood altered the very air around him, so much so that the woman at his side paused in surprise. She glanced at him again and saw his eyes narrow slightly, as if a trace of sorrow flickered in their depths.

Was it for someone else? For Shadow?

Realizing this, Mu Qingcheng’s heart suddenly felt hollow, a wave of disappointment sweeping through her.

Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, the same emotion flashed through both of them—both in their gaze and in their hearts.

The very next second, however, they looked away.

On the other side, opposite them—

The woman’s sudden intervention had made the black-clad men, already wary, huddle even closer together. Hidden at the center, the shadowy figure furrowed his brow, casting a deep glance at the dart embedded in the tree trunk.

Such skill, such force—if it came to single combat, none of them would stand a chance against her.

“Be careful. That woman is not to be trifled with.”

“Find a way to separate them. We can’t let the two stay together.”

“Understood.”

The black-clad men conversed quietly in their native tongue, glancing over with apprehension as they hastily discussed their strategy.

Mu Qingcheng’s gaze flickered as she drew a little nearer, but before she could speak, the man beside her said,

“They’re very afraid of you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

Their eyes met once more, and suddenly—an unspoken understanding softened both their gazes.

Si Qingchen heard the woman let out a cold laugh, then ask,

“Have you thought of a plan?”

“No. Why don’t you suggest one?”

“I will,”

She paused, flexing her hands, then spoke, her voice cold and sharp,

“How about we strike first?”

As soon as the words fell, she shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

“Alright.” The man shook his head helplessly, a hint of gentleness in his sharp eyes as he watched her figure, then quickly followed.

In an instant,

The black-clad men, still indecisive, were caught completely off guard.

Like two dark arrows—one yin, one yang—the pair cut forcefully into the enemy ranks, splitting them in two and putting an end to any unfinished schemes.

All their reactions were instinctive and unguarded, leaving them utterly unprepared.

Thus, Mu Qingcheng easily perceived that once their formation was broken, the black-clad men’s abilities diminished greatly.

The two of them fought side by side, left and right, handling the onslaught with little difficulty.

Within mere minutes, a third of the black-clad men had already fallen.

Some had lost their breath, some had lost their limbs—but those who went down would never rise again.

Yet just as hope appeared before them, the ancient trees overhead suddenly began to sway, their branches rustling ominously.

A tremendous roar, mingled with the scent of upturned earth, filled the air and invaded their senses.

Everyone froze, alert, and ceased all movement.

At the same time, Si Qingchen rushed instantly back to the woman’s side…