Yu Liuli's eyes were covered by a black cloth. She only felt that she was being pushed forward. Although she lost her sight, she could hear the noisy sounds around her.

As you walk further ahead, the surroundings suddenly become quiet, and then a melodious and gentle Jiangnan folk tune begins to play.

Yu Liuli had no idea what was happening, but felt a chill run down her spine.

Suddenly, I felt a hard kick to my butt, and I lost my balance and fell into a deep pit.

After making close contact with the ground, Yu Liuli grimaced in pain, feeling as if her bones were about to be shattered.

At that moment, she heard others laughing at her. Feeling humiliated, Yu Liuli angrily tore off the black cloth covering her eyes.

When her vision suddenly cleared, Yu Liuli realized that she was in a fighting arena.

However, the audience in the ring wasn't below the stage, but rather standing high on the steps.

Yu Liuli felt a sense of unease. He was all too familiar with this kind of place. Chang'an was a prosperous city with no shortage of places to spend money like water, and underground fighting was a specialty of casinos.

However, it wasn't a fight against humans, but a life-or-death struggle against ferocious beasts.

Behind the tightly closed wooden door in front, the roars of ferocious beasts could be heard from time to time, each roar striking Yu Liuli's heart like a death knell.

Yu Liuli knew exactly what kind of situation he was in. The Dark Moon Pavilion was the most ruthless in its tormenting methods. He looked around in panic, desperately searching for familiar faces.

Until he saw a familiar figure on the viewing platform, Yu Liuli's eyes instantly lit up with hope, and she scrambled over to him.

With a thud, Yu Liuli knelt on the ground, desperately kowtowing to the people on the viewing platform, "Vice Pavilion Master, spare my life... I beg you to spare me..."

On the high platform, a woman dressed in light blue men's clothing sat in a rocking chair, enjoying being massaged and having her legs rubbed.

Her eyebrows were high and arched, thick and long, with a red mole the size of a sesame seed between them. Her eyes were alluring and affectionate like a fox's. A pure gold mask covered half of her face, adding to her mystery. She was tall and slender, and the men's clothing she wore made her look heroic and dashing, without any hint of coquetry.

Yu Liuli's wailing and pleading reached her ears, but she was not annoyed. Instead, she stood up with a smile in her eyes and walked towards him.

Ye Qingzhu stood on the high platform, her gaze meeting Yu Liuli's. Suddenly, she bent down, her eyes sparkling with a warm smile, and greeted him, "Yu Liuli, long time no see..."

Yu Liuli clung to him like a drowning man grasping at a straw, pleading, "Vice Pavilion Master, please save me! I, Yu Liuli, am willing to serve you faithfully for the rest of my life, even unto death..."

Ye Qingzhu smiled and said, "Your life is worthless to me. You ruined the decadent lifestyle that the Pavilion Master painstakingly built. The Pavilion Master ordered your execution, and I couldn't stop him."

Upon hearing this, Yu Liuli's heart sank. She struggled to climb onto the platform and pleaded, "Vice Pavilion Master, please save me..."

Upon seeing this, Qinglong, who had been watching the show with his arms crossed, stepped forward and kicked Yu Liuli down.

Ye Qingzhu watched silently without intervening, but instead reprimanded Qinglong, "Qinglong, Yu Liuli has worked with you and is considered a colleague, why resort to violence..."

Upon hearing this, Qinglong immediately dropped his nonchalant demeanor and looked at Ye Qingzhu with a beaming smile, "Understood, Vice Pavilion Master..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Qingzhu's gaze returned to Yu Liuli, scrutinizing him from head to toe. She slowly said, "Actually, you know I've always abhorred killing, but the Sect Master has already issued a kill order, unless..."

Ye Qingzhu hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Yu Liuli immediately understood; he knew Ye Qingzhu was giving him a chance. "Vice Pavilion Master, I'm willing to do anything you ask..."

"Since that's the case, I'll give you one last chance. If you still mess things up, don't blame me for not being able to save your life."

Yu Liuli thanked her profusely, "Vice Pavilion Master, rest assured, even if it costs me my life, I will definitely get this done."

Ye Qingzhu smiled at Wen Yan, turned to look at Qinglong beside her, and said in a deep voice, "Everything will proceed as planned."

"yes……"

After saying that, Qinglong jumped down the steps and pulled Yu Liuli away from the arena.

Watching the two figures leave, Ye Qingzhu slowly closed her eyes, sighed softly, and after a long while said, "It seems that we are destined to meet again."

…………

Ever since Shen Yao learned that Ye Qingzhu was still alive, Su Yan hadn't seen him for a long time.

To be honest, Su Yan was very worried about Shen Yao's condition, so she took Su Bao'er and Banxia to visit him at home.

"Sister Yan, you're pacing back and forth at the door. If you keep going like this, it'll be dark by the time you get there."

Su Bao'er sat on the stone steps, resting her chin on her hand, watching Su Yan hesitate at the door, yawning with boredom.

"Do you think I want to? But this is Shen Daizi's private matter. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me, an outsider, to get involved..."

Su Yan was conflicted. She knew that being deceived by someone she trusted was a terrible feeling.

But she didn't know how to comfort Shen Yao, so she thought of bringing two third wheels. When she got to the door, Su Yan hesitated even more and didn't even have the courage to go in.

Su Bao'er didn't know what Su Yan was hesitating about. She had left early in the morning and was still at the door. She had long been worn down and decided to get up and knock on the door.

Thump thump thump... thump thump thump...

"Is anyone home? Lord Shen, please open the door quickly..." Su Bao'er called out, knocking on the door.

The Shen family's ancestral home had long been desolate and dilapidated, and even the servants were old and frail. Su Bao'er was afraid that the people inside wouldn't be able to hear her, so she shouted very loudly.

After a long while, the door opened a crack, and Shen Yao, dressed in a single garment, with a scraggly beard and reeking of alcohol, stood before the three.

Seeing Shen Yao's extremely haggard appearance, Su Yan was shocked and almost didn't recognize him.

Su Yan looked at Shen Yao with concern and asked, "Lord Shen, are you alright?"

Shen Yao looked like a wilted eggplant, his eyes vacant and his mind blank. When he saw Su Yan standing at the door, he didn't say anything, but simply opened the door and turned to leave.

Su Yan, who was already worried, became even more concerned when she saw Shen Yao's current state.

When Su Yan entered Shen Yao's room, she saw wine jars scattered all over the floor, and things strewn everywhere, leaving no room to even step.

Indeed, heartbroken men are terrifying.

No, Shen Yao should be considered a 'good boy' whose feelings were bullied.

Shen Yao sat casually on the ground, wiping his sword while drinking alone.

Su Yan didn't say anything, but took out a few taels of silver from her bosom and handed them to Su Bao'er, instructing, "Brother Bao, take Banxia to Sister-in-law Sun's stall to buy some fresh vegetables and fish. We'll have dinner at Lord Shen's place tonight."

Su Bao'er took the money, glanced at Shen Yao, and nodded knowingly, "I understand..."