Xu Zhuohua's eyes shone with an astonishing light, like steel that had been tempered in fire, carrying a scorching heat that pierced straight at Xiao Wuxin.
Her eyes were churning with too many indescribable emotions, like a bottomless pool, holding a thousand words, yet suppressed by some force. Seeing this, Xiao Wuxin felt a sudden tightness in his heart and a sense of inexplicable fear arose.
What kind of look was that?
It is the resolute determination to leap into the fray even after seeing all the truth and the dangers ahead, like a moth that knows it will burn but still flies towards that glimmer of light; it is the compassion that could have stood by and retreated unscathed, but instead chose to lend a helping hand, carrying the unbearable pity for those trapped in the mire; and it is the reluctance that is suppressed in the eyes, like a wronged child who is full of longing but stubbornly refuses to show it.
“Senior Brother Xiao,” she began, her voice trembling slightly yet exceptionally clear, “Many things leave clues. There are no true secrets in this world; the truth will always come out eventually. So tell me, are you willing to help?”
Xiao Wuxin fell silent.
That person always remained hidden in the shadows, like a lurking beast, and would never reveal himself unless absolutely necessary.
If he hadn't been driven to the brink, he would never have wanted to alert that person to take action—that would have been an almost desperate gamble.
But at this moment, Xu Zhuohua's gaze was fixed on him, her eyes filled with a mixture of earnestness and determination, like an invisible net.
He hesitated for only a moment, then a corner of his heart softened, and he finally nodded: "Okay, I will go to Nanjing and persuade that person in person."
Xu Zhuohua's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and she nodded. Then she turned to Cheng Muyun beside her, her tone regaining some of its calmness: "Cheng Muyun, send someone to protect Senior Brother Xiao."
Cheng Muyun frowned deeply, his fingertips unconsciously clenching the hem of his clothes.
He knew Xu Zhuohua too well. Beneath that seemingly calm tone lay barely suppressed anger, but even more so, a resolute determination that he dared not delve into.
Sending Xiao Wuxin to Nanjing at this time? It's practically suicide! The situation there is incredibly complex, and every step could lead to a fatal trap.
“But Nanjing is too dangerous,” he couldn’t help but say, his voice filled with obvious opposition.
Xu Zhuohua looked up at him, his face stern, his eyes showing no sign of backing down, and his words were clear as iron: "If you want the Dongzhou army, whoever it is, you have to show some sincerity."
No one knows how much pain she felt when she said those words.
She had no other choice. In order to save Cheng Muyun's life, she had to force Xiao Wuxin to take this risk.
She knew better than anyone that Xiao Wuxin was not destined to die and would always escape danger and live to the end safely; but what about her Cheng Muyun?
The road ahead is fraught with thorns; a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.
As long as it gives Cheng Muyun a chance to live, she would be willing to bear the infamy of forcing her friend, or even pay a heavier price.
Xiao Wuxin observed all of this, his brows furrowing slightly. He shifted his gaze from Cheng Muyun's troubled expression to Xu Zhuohua, bowing deeply. "Zhuohua, rest assured, I will definitely go to Nanjing. I, Xiao Wuxin, can offer this sincerity. Not only for the Dongzhou Army, but also for my good brother who grew up with me." He paused, his gaze settling on Cheng Muyun, his expression unwavering. "I will not let anything happen to him."
Xu Zhuohua quickly reached out to support his arm, her fingertips slightly cold.
The Xiao Wuxin before us possesses integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, befitting his countless achievements and deserving of a lasting legacy that may be recorded in history.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Xiao," her voice finally carried a hint of warmth, "With such courage, your dream will surely come true!"
A relieved smile slowly crept into Xiao Wuxin's eyes. He straightened his back and said firmly, "I firmly believe it too."
By the time the people protecting Xiao Wuxin were in place and the group boarded the car to Nanjing, it was already late at night.
Cheng Muyun and Xu Zhuohua walked side by side on the street as night fell.
The moonlight was clear and bright, and the stars were sparsely scattered across the dark blue sky, illuminating the bluestone path beneath their feet and making even the veins of the sycamore leaves by the roadside clearly visible.
But Cheng Muyun felt that everything in front of him was blurry, as if covered by a layer of fog that could not be dispelled.
He mechanically followed Xu Zhuohua's footsteps, feeling empty inside, unsure of where to go or how to proceed.
"Zhuohua," he said, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice so soft it was as if he were afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the night.
Xu Zhuohua turned her head at the sound. The moonlight fell on her face, softening her usual sharpness. She raised her head slightly to look at him, her eyes filled with a question.
"Will you blame me?" he finally asked, his gaze falling on his clasped hands, unable to look into her eyes.
Xu Zhuohua stepped forward and gently took his slightly cool hand in hers. The warmth from his palm gradually spread to her. She shook her head, her voice soft yet firm: "No. I know what you're thinking. You want the brothers of the Dongzhou Army to follow someone they can trust, and you want to lay a more stable foundation for their future."
Cheng Muyun suddenly looked up at her, feeling as if something had hit his heart hard, adding to his distress.
He would rather Xu Zhuohua, like an ordinary woman, hysterically complain about his indecisiveness and his passing the buck to others, than have her be so sensible and calmly accept the burden that she shouldn't have to bear.
"I'm sorry." The three words had been stuck in my throat for a long time before I finally uttered them with bitterness.
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