Hidden Dead Ends

Outside Suiyang, the rolling yellowing grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see. Sparse clusters of trees dotted the landscape like patches of lichen. A narrow, winding stream meandered under the bright white moon, the only source of light in the quiet night.

Zheng Qingrong awoke to the cool touch of the evening breeze. Groggily, she sat up, realizing she was on a sloped grassy hill. Around her, there was nothing but the open field and the faint gurgle of the stream stretching into the distance. @@novelbin@@

A tall, imposing figure stood nearby, silently watching her.

“You’re awake,” said Li Chengyi, his deep voice calm but firm.

“Who are you?! Why am I here?!” Zheng Qingrong scrambled to her feet, her hands instinctively checking her clothes for any tampering.

She was dressed in a fitted black long-sleeve shirt and pants, chosen for practicality and ease of movement. Though snug enough to show her figure, they avoided the risks of snagging or tearing during action. As a martial arts enthusiast and amateur cold-weapon fighter, she had prepared herself for violent retaliation the moment she saw her sister’s body.

Unfortunately, she had overestimated her own strength. Against the three burly enforcers, she had barely lasted a few moments before being beaten down. If not for someone providing covert distractions, she wouldn’t have escaped as far as she had.