08:51
Princess Lulu of Erzhou was found near death due to severe blood loss.
09:02
Lulu received treatment. Her vital signs temporarily stabilized, but she remains in a deep coma. Her injuries are extremely severe and unstable, with a constant risk of death.
09:11
Princess Na Fu of Erzhou, upon learning the news, rushed to the medical facility.
A comprehensive examination revealed multiple sharp-force lacerations and stab wounds all over Lulu’s body. The injuries were concentrated on both sides of her torso, her arms, and her neck. Massive blood loss led to severe hemorrhagic shock.
No obvious signs of struggle were found at the scene. Initial speculation points to an acquaintance being the perpetrator.
Huyin Town decided to apprehend and interrogate her twin sister, Na Fu, but Na Fu refused to cooperate and escaped amidst the encirclement.
10:45
An investigation confirmed the disappearance of two related individuals—Wei Yang and Anna.
11:15
Facing the Huyin Town residents who came to capture her, Na Fu ordered Ri Long Jia Li Ou to attack. To protect the townspeople, the red-robed nun Ah Li was severely injured by Jia Li Ou.
11:40
Under the threat of force from Na Fu and Jia Li Ou, Lilis agreed to meet with the two alone at her home for negotiations.
12:20
Negotiations concluded.
The Erzhou representative, Na Fu, and the Huyin Town representative, Lilis, failed to reach an agreement.
Premise: Lulu awakens naturally.
Na Fu declared the following—
If it is confirmed that Huyin Town assaulted Lulu, Erzhou will spare only the lives of the town’s residents other than the perpetrator(s). All others will be eliminated.
If Huyin Town refuses to admit guilt or cooperate, Erzhou proposes a traditional method of adjudication—**[The Rigid Duel]**.
Even if Lulu eventually awakens, Huyin Town must still voluntarily surrender all Zhuji. Erzhou will provide a new settlement and accept the residents of Huyin Town.
Huyin Town refused these terms and agreed to settle the matter by duel.
Ri Long Jia Li Ou, representing Erzhou, volunteered to be their duelist.
12:28
Huyin Town nominated Lu Duo as their duel proxy. Her personal opinion is unknown.
12:50
The time for the Rigid Duel is set: June twentieth, noon.
***
Everything was supposed to be getting better. Why did it turn out like this?
Lu Duo desperately wanted to know Wei Yang’s current condition. Had she also been attacked? She hadn’t seen Wei Yang one last time. There were still so many things left unsaid.
After Na Fu and Jia Li Ou left, the atmosphere in Lilis’s home was oppressive.
Lu Duo felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
Why did it turn out like this?
Why?
*’Lady Wei Yang…’*
Even if she were to die in the duel, she at least wanted to confirm Wei Yang’s safety before that.
Across from her, Lilis also wore a grave expression. She hadn’t anticipated things escalating to this point either.
“Forget it. Thinking about it now is pointless,” she began. “Lu Duo, we’re counting on you tomorrow. You are our last hope.”
Lu Duo didn’t look up.
The nuns had forcibly brought her here. Before she even fully understood what was happening, she had been pushed forward as Huyin Town’s duel representative.
“Miss Lilis, why are you all doing this?”
“Which part are you referring to?”
“Why are you all so convinced that the person who hurt Miss Lulu is Miss Na Fu? Why make such an incomprehensible judgment? And then try to interrogate her by force, which ended up injuring Miss Ah Li?”
Hearing this, Lilis actually let out a slight sigh of relief.
Good. She hadn’t noticed that.
“Isn’t it easy to understand?” Lilis said calmly. “There were no signs of struggle on Lulu’s body, meaning she wasn’t wary of the attacker. The most likely person is Na Fu.”
Lu Duo bit her lower lip.
“But Miss Lulu was found in Anna’s home. Why not suspect Anna? And Na Fu and Lulu are twins. How could she possibly hurt her own sister?”
Lilis gave a soft, cold laugh.
“Who knows? They’ve been eyeing Huyin Town’s unique Zhuji. They are princesses. Any injury to them is a responsibility Huyin Town cannot bear.”
“It’s entirely possible they planned all of this—sacrifice one, have the other act, then shift the blame onto Huyin Town as an excuse to forcibly seize the Zhuji.”
“As for why she was found at Anna’s place… perhaps it was to frame her. You know Anna is missing. She might have been silenced long ago.”
“But…” Lu Duo closed her eyes, recalling the scene. “I saw it with my own eyes. When Miss Na Fu rushed into the medical facility to see Lulu… she was crying…”
“Lu Duo, you’re still young,” Lilis said flatly. “That’s called crocodile tears.”
“So you do know I’m just a child.” Lu Duo raised her head, her voice trembling. “Then why don’t you adults listen to my opinion at all? Why are you forcing me into this duel I’m bound to lose?!”
“Lu Duo!” Lilis slammed the table. “We have no choice! No one can stand against the White Dragon! Not even the strongest among us, the Nine-Tailed Fox!”
She gritted her teeth.
Why didn’t this child even have the courage to sacrifice herself for the town?
Lu Duo whispered:
“…Does this town really still need to exist? If we hand over the Zhuji and go live in Erzhou, wouldn’t it be the same? At least we’d survive.”
So weak.
To even suggest abandoning their home.
Lilis fell silent for a moment, finally remembering one person—Lu Duo’s housemate, Wei Yang.
“Lu Duo, do you want to know where your housemate is?”
Lu Duo’s pupils contracted sharply. She snapped her head up to stare at her.
“Where is she? Where is Lady Wei Yang? You know her situation?!”
Hooked.
Lilis sneered inwardly.
“Of course. She isn’t missing.”
“What did you do to her?!”
“She was captured,” Lilis said coolly. “That little fox named Wei Yang.”
Lu Duo couldn’t believe it.
“Impossible… Don’t tell such obvious lies. I don’t believe Lady Wei Yang would—”
“She wasn’t visiting the townspeople one by one to apologize,” Lilis interrupted her. “That was just a cover. Lulu’s real goal was to eliminate the townspeople, one by one.”
“Anna was her first target.”
“Wei Yang learned about this from Na Fu. The only thing she could do to keep you from danger was to find Lulu before she could act.”
Lu Duo’s pupils trembled violently.
True?
Or false?
That ambassador… did it for her?
*’I’ll help you solve all your problems. An ambassador’s promise is worth its weight in gold.’*
Those words echoed in her mind.
She could no longer continue thinking.
Lilis pressed on.
“Wei Yang is under my control. If you lose the duel tomorrow and the Zhuji are taken, she will also die in the thunderstorm.”
Her head hurt.
Her heart hurt too.
But if it was for Lady Wei Yang… for the one who gave her that brief happiness—
She had to do it.
Lu Duo gave up thinking.
Watching her gradually break down, Lilis smiled with satisfaction and took a box from the nearby cabinet.
Lu Duo accepted it expressionlessly, clutching it tightly in her hand.
“Inside this is a divine artifact that can oppose powerful beings. Use it well.”
*’It’s okay, Lady Wei Yang.’*
*’I will win this for you. I will save you. So please, rest assured.’*
She raised her head, her gaze more resolute than ever before.
*’I will become a warrior.’*