Han Liang and the Second Commander left the fortune teller behind, moving quickly through the narrow streets with growing tension. Their destination was Lii Lake, and every step was driven by urgency. They were no longer just searching—they were chasing a trail that could disappear at any moment.
They stopped briefly at an inn and asked the elderly keeper for directions.
"Go straight from here. The road will take you to the lake," the man said calmly.
Without wasting time, they thanked him, mounted their horses, and rode out at once.
Elsewhere, the slave traders were already preparing.
A buyer arrived and tapped on the door three times in a steady rhythm. The door opened immediately, and he stepped inside without hesitation.
"Where is he?" he asked.
"This time… even you will be surprised," one of the men replied with a crooked grin.
As the buyer approached, his expression shifted. Yuan Yu lay bound, half-conscious, his face pale but striking.
"Where did you find him?" the buyer muttered. "He looks like a noble… don't bring trouble upon yourselves. I hope he's not of royal blood."
One of the men laughed.
"If he were royal, would he be wandering alone? He had a companion—we took him the moment he was distracted. No one came looking. No one in the town spoke."
The buyer's gaze lingered on Yuan Yu.
"This one…" he said quietly, "will sell for a fortune."
Yuan Yu drifted in and out of awareness, the scent forced upon him dulling his senses. His body felt weak, his thoughts slow, yet somewhere beneath it all, a single thought remained.
Han Liang won't abandon me.
At dawn, they moved him.
His eyes were covered, a sack placed over his head, his body still bound. Without delay, they loaded him into a carriage and set off toward Lii Lake.
Han Liang and the Second Commander had been watching the lake since the night before. The cold air clung to them, and nothing had moved for hours.
Time passed slowly.
Han Liang's thoughts did not rest.
What if we're too late?
The weight of failure pressed down on him. He did not think of himself—but of Yuan Yu, of the trust he had been given.
As morning broke, movement began near the water. Workers moved across the dock, preparing the boat, cleaning and unloading.
Han Liang's gaze sharpened.
Then—
a sound.
A carriage.
Both men turned at once.
As it approached, they saw them.
Men stepped down first.
Then—
Yuan Yu.
Bound. A sack over his head. Still wearing the same clothes.
Han Liang's chest tightened.
They were not too late.
The two exchanged a glance.
"We strike at the right moment," Han Liang said.
Near Yuan Yu stood two large men and a well-dressed buyer giving orders. They were preparing to move him onto the ship.
That was the moment.
Han Liang and the Second Commander moved at once.
They burst from the trees, their attack sudden and precise. Shouts broke out, and chaos spread through the dock.
Han Liang drew his purple sword. As it left its sheath, a sharp whistle cut through the air. The blade gleamed with a presence that was anything but ordinary.
The Second Commander moved beside him, silent and deadly.
Each took a target.
The buyer tried to move Yuan Yu onto the ship, but Han Liang struck first. In two clean movements, he brought down the large man and pushed forward. No one could stop him. His blade moved with precision, clearing a path straight to Yuan Yu.
He stopped before the buyer.
"If you don't want to die here," Han Liang said coldly, "release him."
His gaze did not waver.
"I've been searching for him all night. Think carefully about my anger."
The buyer laughed, but unease flickered in his eyes.
"I didn't know he was yours," he said lightly.
The Second Commander had already taken down the remaining guard.
The buyer raised his hands slightly.
"If you let me go, I'll release him."
Han Liang smiled faintly.
"I'm letting you leave safely."
For a brief moment, everything stilled.
Then—
the buyer moved.
He threw Yuan Yu into the lake.
And ran.
"Don't go!" Han Liang shouted as the Second Commander moved to pursue.
Without hesitation, Han Liang leapt into the water. Yuan Yu sank quickly, his bound hands pulling him down. Han Liang reached him in seconds. He caught him firmly and pulled him upward.
"Don't be afraid," he said urgently. "I'm here."
Breaking the surface, Han Liang removed the sack from Yuan Yu's head. His breathing was shallow, his body barely responding.
He brought him to shore and cut the bindings quickly.
Then he lifted him slightly, pressing against his back to force the water from his lungs. Yuan Yu coughed weakly. Air returned.
Relief struck Han Liang so sharply that his breath nearly broke with it.
Han Liang pulled him closer, holding him tightly.
"It's over," he murmured. "Don't be afraid."
Yuan Yu leaned into him, half-conscious, his breathing still uneven. His head rested against Han Liang's shoulder.
Han Liang did not let go.
The Second Commander stood nearby, watching the surroundings. The men on the boat did not interfere. They only watched from a distance.