Coroner's Diary

Wan Xing remained as silent and shadow-like as ever. Qin Guan looked at her, her eyes deepening momentarily with thought.

Beside her, Qin Xiang also stared at Wan Xing in astonishment. She had never known that this usually inconspicuous maid among the servants possessed such remarkable skills—and had even saved them...

"Alright, let's go now..."

Qin Guan responded swiftly, stepping forward to help Qin Xiang up.

"Miss, allow me."

Wan Xing moved forward and firmly steadied Qin Xiang with surprising strength. Qin Guan nodded, then glanced at Shang Lu lying unconscious on the ground before turning to exit the room. The flame of Qin Guan's fire striker flickered uncertainly as she looked back, seeing Wan Xing efficiently supporting Qin Xiang behind her, her expression as calm and unreadable as still water.

Qin Guan withdrew her gaze, her heart gradually settling into resolve.

When she had reached the entrance of the main hall in Benevolence Courtyard earlier, Qin Guan had sensed something odd about the incense inside. Thus, before entering, she had taken an antidote pill. Because of this, while others began to succumb to drowsiness, she remained conscious. Later, she feigned unconsciousness and was brought along into this underground Hidden Residence. She had been prepared—but what about Wan Xing?

At this moment, the vague suspicion that had flickered through Qin Guan's mind earlier became clear.

Following the passageway they had come through, they soon arrived before the ice chamber. Its door remained tightly shut, and the path leading toward the exit was equally silent. Qin Guan felt a slight relief and immediately headed toward the nearby storage room. They had come to rescue Qin Xiang, but they wouldn’t leave the others behind.

Qin Guan hurried straight to the storage room...

The cramped space barely accommodated them as Qin Guan slipped inside, followed by Wan Xing supporting Qin Xiang. Once the door was closed, Qin Guan retrieved her Medicine Sachet and fed each of them—Qin Shuang, Fuling, and the others—an antidote pill.

After administering the pills, Qin Guan kept watch for any movement outside. The antidote wouldn’t take effect immediately, and time passed slowly. Shang Lu wouldn’t wake anytime soon, but those above might descend at any moment.

"Miss, perhaps I should take you out first?"

Wan Xing suddenly spoke. Normally silent, she now seemed unusually urgent. Qin Guan glanced at her, but in the dim light, she could only discern the clarity in Wan Xing’s eyes.

Qin Guan shook her head. "Leaving now might alert those outside. It’ll be harder to come back and rescue the others."

Wan Xing appeared deeply concerned for Qin Guan’s safety. "But waiting any longer could also lead to trouble."

Hearing this, Qin Xiang clutched Qin Guan’s arm, afraid Wan Xing would take Qin Guan and leave her behind. Qin Guan swept her gaze over the unconscious figures and shook her head again. "Soon. Just a little longer."

At her firm tone, Wan Xing hesitated but said nothing more, instead pressing herself against the door to listen carefully for any sounds outside.

Qin Xiang’s eyes grew moist as she looked at Qin Shuang and Fuling. She hadn’t expected these young women to dare rescue her without Qin Yan’s presence—and now, everyone was trapped here because of her.

"Ah... M-Miss..."At one moment, the unconscious Fuling suddenly let out a soft moan. Qin Guan felt a wave of relief and quickly helped her sit up. The room was pitch black. Fuling first recognized Qin Guan, then Wan Xing, and finally Qin Xiang. She blinked in surprise. "Why is Fifth Miss here? Miss, how did you and Wan Xing find Fifth Miss?"

Qin Guan lowered her voice. "We woke up earlier. Don't speak yet. We've been locked up and need to find a way out."

Fuling steadied herself, likely remembering they were in the Herb Garden, and immediately frowned. "We were locked up by Divine Doctor Sun..."

Hearing this, Qin Guan couldn't help but smile bitterly. Before she could respond, Qin Shuang, who had been lying still, stirred. "Ah... my head hurts..."

"Shh, don't speak," Qin Guan warned in a hushed tone near Qin Shuang's ear. Qin Shuang froze but reacted faster than Fuling. "Ninth Sister... Fifth Sister... why are you..."

"Not now. We're trapped."

Qin Shuang pushed herself up from the ground and shrank back upon hearing this, clearly recalling their situation.

Soon, Wan Qing and Xiu Yun also regained consciousness. After giving them instructions and waiting for them to recover some strength, Qin Guan had Wan Xing lead the group out. The moment they stepped out of the storage room, Qin Shuang gasped. "I never imagined there'd be a Hidden Residence beneath the Herb Garden. What was this place originally for? Why would someone build an underground hideout?"

Even now, Qin Shuang had the leisure to ask such questions. Qin Guan didn't answer, while Qin Xiang nervously eyed the exit. Seeing no one respond, Qin Shuang hunched her shoulders. She was scared too—just using chatter to mask her fear.

Wan Xing guided them toward the exit. The others, who had woken later, were surprised to see the usually quiet Wan Xing taking charge. After ascending about twenty winding steps, the stone exit door came into view. Qin Guan shot Qin Shuang and the others a warning glance, and everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Just as they neared the door, Wan Xing paused and signaled for them to stop. She pressed her ear against the stone door, listening intently. Hearing nothing, she turned and nodded. Only then did Qin Guan motion for the others to follow.

Though they'd reached the door, how would they open it?

They stared at the heavy stone door, clueless. Then, Wan Xing raised her hand and lightly tapped the wall. The knocks sounded dull until one spot produced a slightly different tone. Qin Guan watched as Wan Xing pressed a gray brick, which sank inward with a click. Instantly, a faint mechanical whirring came from within the door, and moments later, it slowly creaked open, allowing a sliver of dim light to spill inside.Wan Xing raised a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture to those behind her before leading the way forward. Qin Guan followed closely, discovering they had entered what appeared to be a spacious study. Unlike other rooms, this one had an exceptionally lofty and solid ceiling.

A dim lamp glowed in the corner, indicating someone had been here recently. The room was elegantly furnished, with shelves and desks adorned with calligraphy, paintings, and scholarly implements. At a glance, Qin Guan noticed most of the books were medical texts.

"Be careful—this is Sun Haoyue's study..."

Qin Guan whispered the warning. No sooner had she spoken than the lamp's flame flickered abruptly. Simultaneously, the stone door behind them began to grind shut.

Wan Xing stood at the front, her gaze sharp as she scanned their surroundings. Seeing they had all emerged, Qin Shuang instinctively moved toward the exit. "Hurry—"

Before she could take two steps, Wan Xing suddenly raised an arm to stop her.

Qin Shuang froze in surprise, only to see Wan Xing's wariness shift into full alert.

"Someone's outside—be careful, Miss!"

Wan Xing's warning was meant for Qin Guan. At the same moment, a figure in white robes appeared at the study's only exit.

Sun Haoyue stood silently in the doorway, his gaze sorrowful as it swept over them. His eyes lingered briefly on Qin Xiang, whose face was pale with fear, before Dong Shu stepped into view behind him.

Master and servant stood at the threshold, their expressions unreadable, betraying no guilt despite being caught in wrongdoing.

"Where is Shang Lu?"

Sun Haoyue's question made it clear—he knew that if Qin Guan's group had escaped from below, Shang Lu must have noticed. Yet he hadn't followed, meaning they had subdued him.

Wan Xing raised her hands, ready to counter any attack. Her martial prowess far surpassed Sun Haoyue and Dong Shu's; dealing with them would be effortless.

But Sun Haoyue merely glanced at her. Then, an eerie draft swept through the room. The next instant, a row of dark holes appeared along the ceiling beams, glinting with cold, metallic points—hidden arrow mechanisms.

Wan Xing's brow furrowed. She shifted slightly, positioning herself protectively in front of Qin Guan.

"I never imagined Ninth Miss's medical skills would be so formidable."

Sun Haoyue ignored Qin Xiang now, focusing solely on Qin Guan. Half-hidden behind Wan Xing, Qin Guan had also noticed the mechanisms above. "A miracle doctor from Medicine King Valley should embody benevolence, healing the suffering of the world. How did you fall to this?"

As she spoke, Qin Guan looked past Sun Haoyue toward the room behind him. Layers of violet drapes hung there, dotted with faint lamplight like fireflies adrift in a vast purple Sea of Mist. Having glimpsed Madam Sun's sickbed from afar with Sun Muqing, Qin Guan recognized those familiar curtains at once—she knew exactly where they were.Qin Guan said solemnly, "Madam Sun lies there. If she knew that Divine Doctor Sun had taken so many lives to cure her illness, what would she think? If she knew that beneath her bed lay the organs and decaying corpses of innocent people, would she ever find peace even in her dreams? If she knew that the person she loved most had become a monster because of her, would she wish to never wake again? The world praises Divine Doctor Sun as a miracle doctor, but physicians are meant to heal and save lives. Has Divine Doctor Sun forgotten the family creed of the Sun Clan from Medicine King Valley?"

After Qin Guan finished speaking with a heavy tone, Sun Haoyue's perpetually compassionate and unperturbed gaze remained utterly unmoved. He merely asked in a tone as casual as discussing the weather, "Has Ninth Miss studied the medical arts of Medicine King Valley?"

Qin Guan hadn't expected this question. Sun Haoyue continued, "The 'Deep Dream' poison I used can only be countered this quickly by the Clear Heart Dew from Medicine King Valley. What did Ninth Miss use?"

His tone was calm, as if merely discussing medical techniques with Qin Guan.

Yet, seeing his complete indifference sent a chill through Qin Guan's heart. The mechanisms in the rafters stirred ominously—those were no mere sleeve arrows. The arrows hidden there could easily take their lives with a single shot. Among their group, perhaps only Wan Xing might escape. This was far from her original intention.

"It's said that Medicine King Valley's medical arts are profound, and now I see it's true. But even if Madam Sun's illness truly required replacing her heart with another's, how could Divine Doctor Sun bear to treat human lives as worthless as grass?"

As she spoke, Qin Guan turned to Dong Shu. "Were Aunt Lin's illness, Xiao Lizi's illness, and the deceased Da Cheng all 'cured' by Divine Doctor Sun's heart-replacement technique? And that man who harmed Xiao Songzi—whose body now holds his daughter's heart?"

Sun Haoyue regarded Qin Guan with a faint gaze, the compassion in his eyes seemingly scattered by her words, leaving only an empty coldness. Dong Shu, standing behind Qin Guan, sighed softly. "Since Ninth Miss left, why did you return?"

Qin Guan's lips curved slightly. "Dong Shu, cats and dogs don't distinguish life and death, but your young master has harmed more than just animals."

Dong Shu sighed again. "Ninth Miss has also studied medicine. Have you ever experienced saving countless lives yet being powerless to save your own dearest loved ones? Only then would you understand heaven's injustice."

Qin Guan's heart felt as if pierced by something sharp. Dong Shu continued, "Heaven is unjust. It drives people into corners with no way out. And when there's no way out... there's always one last path left: sin."

Dong Shu spoke with grave heaviness, showing no intention to conceal anything. Qin Guan felt a cold dread, while the others showed fear. Narrowing her eyes, Qin Guan said, "Good and evil are choices. Did Divine Doctor Sun ever ask Madam Sun what she would think about being saved this way?"

At this, Dong Shu's expression shifted slightly, and he suddenly looked at Sun Haoyue before him with deep pity. Seeing his silence, Qin Guan pressed further, "In his quest to save Madam Sun, did he ever consider how it would implicate all of you?"Dong Shu withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and smiled faintly. "Even if this humble servant hadn't reached the age of knowing destiny, I would still be willing to lay down my life for the young master. My life, Shang Lu's life, and the lives of many others outside were all saved by the young master. Heaven cherishes all living beings, and so does the young master. He merely wishes to save the one he loves most."

Qin Guan wanted to argue further, but seeing the expressions on Sun Haoyue and Dong Shu's faces, she knew her words would be futile. Steadying herself, she asked, "Then what does Dong Shu intend to do with us?"

Dong Shu sighed again, as if wrestling with an unbearable dilemma. "Ninth Miss, you needn't have returned. And even if you did, you needn't have learned so much. But now, you've sealed your own fate."

Qin Guan shook her head. "Dong Shu is mistaken. Do you still believe this matter can be swept under the rug? I've already sent word to the authorities. Soon, officials will arrive. The owner of the Longfu Inn knows we came to the Herb Garden, and my third brother will come looking for us. Dong Shu, no crime can truly leave no trace. It's not too late to turn back now."

"Turn back?" Dong Shu chuckled. "There's no need, Ninth Miss. You are a good person. In the next life, you will surely be rewarded."

As Dong Shu spoke, Sun Haoyue's gaze once again settled on Qin Guan. Strangely, Qin Guan didn't feel he was looking at her—rather, it was as if he were examining a corpse, pondering which parts might still be of use.

Instinctively, Qin Guan tightened her grip on Cold Moon. Meanwhile, Dong Shu asked uncertainly, "Young master?"

His words were clearly seeking Sun Haoyue's decision. In that instant, Qin Guan's eyes darted around the spacious, slightly empty study. If the mechanisms were activated, how could they protect themselves? With Wan Xing's skills, she could surely evade the rain of arrows. As long as they survived, there was still a sliver of hope—

Sun Haoyue swept another glance over them. But just as he was about to nod, voices suddenly rose from the courtyard outside. From afar, Qin Guan faintly recognized Aunt Lin's voice.

Her heart skipped a beat. Sun Haoyue heard it too and turned to Dong Shu. "Go see what's happening."

Dong Shu immediately turned and left. Seizing the moment, Wan Xing moved swiftly—but the instant she took a step, an arrow shot toward her. Wan Xing twisted her body sharply, the arrow grazing her shoulder with a tearing sound. A rip appeared in her sleeve, and the faint scent of blood filled the air.

Qin Guan's heart clenched in alarm, and Qin Shuang and the others gasped. Wan Xing raised a hand. "Don't move—"

In mere moments, cold sweat beaded on Wan Xing's forehead. Her voice carried a stern warning, and Qin Shuang froze in place, not daring to move another inch.

Wan Xing looked down at the floor beneath her feet.

The room was paved with black square tiles, one after another, of some unknown material—hard yet not cold. Now, Wan Xing stood with one foot on a particular tile. Sweat dripped from her temple as she said, "Don't move. Any movement will trigger the mechanisms."Qin Guan was not versed in the esoteric arts of mechanisms, but she could clearly see that Sun Haoyue hadn't moved at all when the flying arrow was shot earlier. This was enough to prove that he hadn't activated the mechanism.

While shocked by the presence of such a deadly mechanism in this residence, Qin Guan also found herself frozen in place, not daring to move a muscle. Wan Xing had merely taken one step forward and triggered a flying arrow—if they all started moving now, a rain of arrows would likely be unleashed in an instant. Though her heart pounded with tension, Qin Guan's gaze remained fixed on Wan Xing's face.

Wan Xing was now intently studying the ground, her head slightly tilted as if listening for something.

Following her lead, Qin Guan also tilted her head slightly to listen. Soon, she faintly detected the sound of something flowing.

Since Qin Guan had no expertise in this, she could only place her hopes on Wan Xing. At the same time, however, her thoughts drifted to whatever matter Aunt Lin outside had wanted to discuss. Lost in thought and listening intently, she suddenly thought she heard the thunderous sound of galloping horses.

"What do we do…" Qin Shuang was on the verge of tears, her face drenched in cold sweat. Her legs felt frozen stiff, and she stood rooted in place, not daring to move, casting a pleading look at Qin Guan.

Distracted by this, Qin Guan could no longer hear anything when she tried listening again.

She lifted her chin slightly, signaling to Wan Xing. "Follow her."

Qin Shuang stared at Qin Guan with wide eyes, clearly distrustful of Wan Xing. But Qin Guan's expression was firm, so Qin Shuang finally nodded. Even so, Qin Shuang held little hope in her heart and couldn't help glaring fiercely at Qin Xiang.

Qin Xiang stood weakly, her body cold and miserable, on the verge of collapsing. But she, too, knew she couldn't move and was barely holding on. Under Qin Shuang's glare, she felt both wronged and terrified, yet she also knew Qin Shuang and the others had come here for her sake. Tears streamed down her face as she looked back at Qin Guan, only to see Qin Guan's gaze fixed on the doorway.

Soon, Dong Shu entered the room. Compared to his slightly puzzled expression when he had left, his face was now filled with urgency and severity. He first glanced at Qin Guan and the others, then quickly whispered something into Sun Haoyue's ear. The group wasn't close enough, and Qin Guan couldn't make out what was said, but she clearly saw Sun Haoyue's brow furrow.

Seeing their expressions, Qin Guan's heart immediately eased—it must be Qin Yan arriving!

It was still early, so it couldn't be the authorities. After some thought, the only possibility was Qin Yan. He might have reached Sanyuan Village, learned they had come to the Herb Garden, and followed them here. The timing would make sense.

At this point, whoever had arrived was a good thing—at the very least, it would disrupt Sun Haoyue's plans.

As Qin Guan pondered this, another commotion arose outside the courtyard. Sun Haoyue cast a cold glance at Qin Guan and the others before turning to Dong Shu. "Go out and calm them…"

Dong Shu hurried out at once, while Sun Haoyue's expression grew increasingly icy.

He studied Qin Guan and the others, seemingly considering how to deal with them. Yet he showed no urgency or panic, as if waiting for Dong Shu's report…

Qin Guan met Sun Haoyue's gaze, and he stared back. His eyes held no trace of madness or obsession, but the sheer calmness in them slowly stirred unease in Qin Guan's heart.

"Senior Brother Sun…"Qin Guan suddenly blurted out, somehow calling him "Senior Brother." A faint glimmer flashed in Sun Haoyue's eyes before fading into darkness. Qin Guan immediately said, "Senior Brother Sun, think of Medicine King Valley, think of the Bai and Sun clans. It's not too late to turn back now. Madam Sun's illness can be treated again in Medicine King Valley. Even if it can't be completely cured, she can still live longer."

Sun Haoyue's gaze grew distant for a moment at her words, but soon his eyes turned cold again, like frost and snow covered by a layer of gloom, chilling and oppressive.

He remained unmoved, simply waiting for Dong Shu. Soon, Dong Shu's footsteps approached the door.

This time, his steps were quicker and more urgent than before. He walked up to Sun Haoyue and couldn't even wait to whisper in his ear. "They've already broken in. We couldn't stop them. The young master opened the door."

Sun Haoyue's brows furrowed instantly, but just as quickly, they relaxed again.

He looked at Qin Guan and the others, suddenly feeling an unprecedented sense of relaxation. Turning around, he gazed toward the bed beyond the expanse of purple Sea of Mist. "Dong Shu, do you still remember what we agreed upon before?"

"Young Master—" Dong Shu's voice suddenly choked. His eyes were filled with unspoken words as he stared at Sun Haoyue, yet faced with the young master's composed profile, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to say anything.

"I remember... This servant remembers..."

Sun Haoyue glanced at Dong Shu. "Good, then go."

That glance seemed like a final farewell. Sun Haoyue's gaze lingered on Dong Shu's face for a moment before he looked away.

Dong Shu, in turn, stared at Sun Haoyue with a face full of struggle and hesitation. His feet seemed rooted to the spot, unmoving for a long while, his hands clenched tightly into fists as if restraining himself from reaching out to stop Haoyue...

"Dong Shu, having these six months was already enough for me. Go now."

"Young Master... Very well..." Dong Shu nodded, his voice thick with emotion, before finally turning resolutely and stepping out the door.

Once Dong Shu left, Sun Haoyue's posture gradually softened. Seemingly aware of his own pallor, he adjusted his breathing until it was gentle before stepping into the ethereal purple Sea of Mist.

His steps were slow, as though afraid of waking the person sleeping on the bed. He intended to approach silently, but fate seemed unwilling to grant his wish—perhaps Dong Shu had forgotten to close the outer door when he left. Suddenly, a biting cold wind rushed in from outside, causing the purple Sea of Mist to ripple and churn unpredictably.

The cold wind lifted the hem of Sun Haoyue's white robes, and the layers of purple misty gauze in the room billowed and danced like waves. Amid the undulating curtains, Qin Guan finally caught an unobstructed glimpse of the figure lying on the bed. Bai Feiyan was covered by the brocade quilt, appearing exactly as she had when Qin Guan first entered. So many days had passed, yet Qin Guan felt as though Bai Feiyan hadn't shifted her position even slightly.

The distance wasn't close, and with the brocade quilt covering her, Qin Guan couldn't see Bai Feiyan's profile. Yet she could clearly make out the neatly arranged Cloudy Hair—her dark tresses had been elegantly pinned up, and even from afar, one could see the meticulous care taken by whoever had styled it. The lustrous hair was adorned with hairpins and ornaments, as if she were a finely dressed lady who had just returned from an outing and was now resting from exhaustion. Yet Qin Guan also remembered Sun Muqing mentioning that Bai Feiyan hadn't woken in many days.

A strange unease crept into Qin Guan's heart. In that brief moment, Sun Haoyue had already reached Bai Feiyan's bedside.

He leaned in, seating himself on the high stool beside the bed. Bending closer, he whispered something into Bai Feiyan's ear—words Qin Guan couldn't hear—and a faint smile appeared on his face. The expression was one of contentment and joy, as though he were whispering sweet nothings to her. After speaking, he reached out and gently smoothed Bai Feiyan's Cloudy Hair.He leisurely tucked in the brocade quilt and gently stroked Bai Feiyan's cheek, appearing no different from any devoted husband caring for his ailing wife. The smile at the corners of his lips never faded, so tender that Qin Guan almost couldn't reconcile the man before her with the lofty, frost-like Sun Haoyue they had previously encountered. The once untouchable figure now resembled a piece of flawless warm jade, luminous and translucent, offering gentle solace to the sickly Bai Feiyan.

As if forgetting Qin Guan and the others were present, Sun Haoyue murmured a few more words before suddenly reaching beneath the brocade quilt. Slowly, he drew out Bai Feiyan's hand. At the same moment, a rapid, dense patter of footsteps erupted outside the courtyard—so swift and urgent that Qin Guan momentarily wondered if hundreds had stormed into Benevolence Courtyard.

The disturbance instantly furrowed Sun Haoyue's brow, yet his smile remained. Clasping Bai Feiyan's hand, he pressed a reverent kiss to its back, his expression brimming with sincere devotion. Then, he placed her palm against his own cheek, as though willing her to feel the warmth of his skin.

But it was then that Qin Guan's eyes widened in disbelief.

This final motion exposed Bai Feiyan's arm beyond the quilt—revealing not the expected jade-like limb but a ghastly layer of deep purple cadaveric spots. Qin Guan had seen enough corpses to recognize the faint greenish hue of decomposition within those marks. Her mind blanked momentarily, her breath strangled by an invisible grip—

Bai Feiyan… Bai Feiyan was dead. She had been dead for some time!

Qin Guan stared at Sun Haoyue in shock, while Wan Xing and the others stood frozen. Some among them had seen death before; others hadn't. Yet anyone could tell this wasn't the arm of a living person. The mottled decay of that limb contrasted horrifically with Sun Haoyue's jade-like tenderness, sending chills down Fuling and Wan Xing's spines. Qin Shuang and the others were petrified—Madam Sun was dead. The woman Sun Haoyue had tenderly cared for day and night was a corpse...

No one spoke. Qin Shuang's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets as terror, dread, and revulsion overwhelmed her, instinctively driving her toward Qin Guan. But the moment she took a step, a sharp "whoosh" pierced the air. Qin Shuang screamed, suddenly remembering that movement would trigger the Arrow Rain Mechanism.

As her cry rang out, a powerful force struck her left shoulder, sending her stumbling backward. Simultaneously, Wan Xing darted with lightning speed toward a specific floor tile in the eastern corner of the room. Her foot tapped it once before she flashed southward to land on another tile. In those fleeting movements, over a dozen arrows shot toward the group. Qin Shuang, shoved aside by Wan Xing, narrowly avoided the projectiles—but her proximity to Qin Guan left the latter vulnerable. As the final two arrows hurtled toward Qin Guan, Wan Xing threw herself in their path.

A wet "thunk" followed as the metallic tang of blood filled the air. Qin Guan caught Wan Xing, horrified to find two arrows embedded like nails in her left shoulder blade. Her throat tightened. "Wan Xing—!"Wan Xing struggled to hold herself up, gripping Qin Guan's arm tightly. "The mechanism has stopped, let's go!"

Seeing that Wan Xing had not only deactivated the mechanism but also taken an arrow for her, Qin Guan's heart ached. Hearing the growing commotion outside in the courtyard, she hurriedly supported Wan Xing as they moved toward the exit. As long as they could leave this room, the people outside must be coming to rescue them!

Just then, Sun Haoyue, who seemed to have forgotten their existence, suddenly moved. He turned his gaze toward Qin Guan and the others, his brow slightly furrowed as if displeased by the disturbance they were causing to Bai Feiyan. Narrowing his eyes, he suddenly reached out and touched something by Bai Feiyan's bedside. In an instant, a deafening roar erupted, and the entire house began to shake violently!

Qin Guan, supporting Wan Xing, immediately stumbled.

Wan Xing hissed, "He's trying to destroy this place—Miss, hurry!"

Qin Guan's heart pounded. Meanwhile, Fuling rushed to help Qin Guan, but Qin Guan pushed her away. "Go, now!"

Wan Xing and Qin Guan's words terrified Qin Shuang to the core. Barely able to save herself, she had no strength left to pull Qin Guan along. Fortunately, Wan Qing and Xiu Yun, known for their strength, practically dragged Qin Shuang out. Qin Xiang, seeing everyone ahead of her, instinctively grabbed Wan Xing's arm. Already injured, Wan Xing couldn't bring herself to shake her off and instead used what strength she had to propel Qin Xiang forward. The metallic scent of blood grew even thicker in the air.

The rumbling grew louder, and in that moment, Qin Guan suddenly recalled Dong Shu's expression earlier. No wonder he had looked like he was bidding farewell—he must have known Sun Haoyue's plan. The moment he left, the moment outsiders broke in, this place would be destroyed. The room was rigged with deadly arrow mechanisms, and beneath it lay the Hidden Residence. Qin Guan had no doubt the entire structure would be obliterated. Summoning every ounce of strength, she pulled Wan Xing toward the exit.

"Miss, you go first—"

Wan Xing tried to push Qin Guan ahead, but Qin Guan was holding her injured left arm, leaving her unable to muster the force. "Miss, hurry—"

Wan Xing urged again, but Qin Guan refused to let go. Suddenly, the floor beneath her feet shifted unnaturally. The tightly fitted tiles abruptly split apart, and though she was just one step away from escaping, Qin Guan frowned and shoved Wan Xing forward with all her might.

The push sent Wan Xing stumbling forward, barely clearing the widening gap. Wan Xing paled, turning back to see the fissure expanding rapidly. At the same time, the massive roof beam came crashing down with a thunderous crash, cutting off Qin Guan from the others. Seeing Qin Guan left behind alone, Fuling turned and let out a heart-wrenching scream—She turned to leave, but in an instant, the entire roof seemed to collapse, debris raining down. Fuling's eyes turned crimson with desperation as she frantically tried to crawl back, only for a falling beam to narrowly miss her shoulder. Qin Shuang, whose legs had gone weak with fear, found unexpected courage in the face of certain doom. With one hand gripping Wan Xing and the other clutching Fuling, she dragged both of them backward, forcing their retreat.

Wan Xing hadn’t been wrong—the cataclysmic destruction left Qin Guan and the others utterly defenseless. After that desperate shove, Qin Guan had hoped to find another way out, but the path was blocked by the heavy beam. Just as she considered another escape, she suddenly felt the floor tiles beneath her feet sinking rapidly, descending at an alarming speed...

Qin Guan looked around but saw nothing to hold onto.

Her heart clenched as if she were plunging off a cliff. The next moment, a soft plop echoed, and in the same instant, icy water surged over her, engulfing her completely.

She felt as though she had fallen into a bottomless well. Tilting her head slightly, she could still faintly see the dim lamplight from the room above. Her hands found no purchase, and her body sank uncontrollably. In that moment, the scent of death pierced her heart with pain. Though submerged in bone-chilling water, she seemed to see once more the blood, fire, and cold arrows of that fateful night...

Just as Qin Guan resigned herself to certain death, something flashed into the square well opening above. Then, a shadow drew closer and closer. Her mind was too dazed to discern who it was—until a warm softness pressed against her lips...

Qin Guan’s eyes flew open in shock...

Within inches of her was that pair of dazzling, star-filled eyes she had seen in her dreams—eyes brimming with cold stars.