Chapter 34: Ashes

Tonight is a rare clear night; the persistent fog and rain have finally lifted, revealing the true night sky.

“Phew…”

Xingyu exhaled deeply, white mist slowly dissipating into the chilly night air.

The brim of her hat partially obscured her view, making the scene before her somewhat indistinct.

Above the horizon hung three crescent moons, casting a hazy glow. The outlines of buildings flickered faintly in the soft light, casting subtle double shadows.

Over the past two days, on her way home, Xingyu had circled the area nearby several times, gradually grasping the distribution of power here.

As the previous assailant had said, the gang situation in this place was currently chaotic.

The largest faction was the Ashes, followed by the Deep Cuts. Besides these, there were a few other loosely organized groups, mostly just a handful of people banded together.

Though the F Ring was impoverished, lacking even basic utilities like water and electricity, many residents still struggled to survive here. The lower cost of living and chaotic administration provided opportunities for opportunists.

Under such circumstances, the Ashes controlled a full five blocks—a considerable territory.

The land division in the F Ring was much larger than that of the C Ring, so these areas were actually twice the size of the six streets under the Rain Drop Commission.

Tonight, there were quite a few people stationed along the path Xingyu had to take to get home—

“Hey, kid!”

A tall figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking her way. The scar on his face looked especially fierce in the dim light.

“What do you want?” Xingyu looked up calmly.

The man spoke in a coarse voice, his unsettling gaze scanning her from head to toe.

“Where are you from? Why are you on our turf?”

“I live nearby, just passing through.”

The man strode closer, his steps unsteady, breath reeking of heavy alcohol.

“You know what’s been happening around here lately?” he snarled, spitting saliva almost onto Xingyu’s face.

She tilted her head slightly to avoid the spray.

“No idea,” she answered evenly, her voice calm.

Her eyes, hidden beneath the shadow of her hat, observed the other two men lurking not far off.

Such neat, methodical names for these gang members…

The man spat impatiently onto the ground, then grabbed Xingyu’s collar roughly.

“Don’t play dumb! You…”

His rough fingers dug into her clothing, the dirt under his nails scratching her skin, stirring a wave of disgust.

Suddenly, a voice called out from a distance.

“Ahong! Don’t pick a fight with the kid. Remember what the boss said…”

The man named Miao Hong’s muscles tensed instantly, then slowly relaxed.

He released her, sighing irritably.

“Consider yourself lucky. Go on! A kid like you wouldn’t know anything anyway.”

Xingyu raised an eyebrow.

“You’re quite polite.”

She didn’t leave, simply smoothing her collar.

Miao Hong frowned, clearly not understanding the sarcasm.

Xingyu walked past him slowly, feeling his sticky gaze linger on her, but she paid it no mind.

Suddenly, her body snapped forward like a drawn bow released. Her movement was lightning-fast as she kicked hard at the back of Miao Hong’s knee, producing a crisp snap.

Before he could scream, Miao Hong collapsed heavily to his knees, his face contorted in pain, sweat soaking his forehead instantly.

A cold gleam flashed. Xingyu’s short sword was already pressed against Miao Hong’s throat, the icy metal making him shiver.

“Don’t move,” she said in a low voice.

Given most gangs’ vengeful nature, they were probably here to investigate their recent losses.

Yet they hadn’t connected Xingyu to the assailant at all.

Was it because the night was too dark without streetlights to see the sword sheath strapped to her leg, or because her physique and appearance caused them to underestimate her?

“You…” The other two men noticed the disturbance and instinctively prepared to attack.

Xingyu remained still, her hand holding the short sword steady without a tremor. She stomped hard again on Miao Hong’s shin.

A sharp crack resonated, followed by his gut-wrenching scream.

Her brow twitched slightly—

She had only intended to intimidate them a little.

But just like that… she could break bones?

After last night, her physical condition seemed to have become… even more abnormal than she had anticipated.

The screams rang out like a warning bell. The two burly men halted abruptly. A flicker of fear flashed in their eyes but was quickly replaced by rage.

“He soiled my collar, I was just returning the favor, that’s all.” Xingyu’s voice remained calm but carried undeniable authority. “You’re the Ashes gang? I’m looking for your leader.”

The burly man sneered, revealing yellowed teeth.

“Looking for our boss? Who do you think you are? I want to see if you make it out alive!”

His hand instinctively reached for a weapon, ready to strike.

Ah… what a bother.

She really wasn’t good at dealing with people.

Her patience in communication was limited; if she didn’t get the response she wanted, she lost all desire to negotiate—

She only wanted to see the Ashes’ leader and ask a few questions.

By her reckoning, that wasn’t too much to ask.

Why were these gang members so difficult? Why wouldn’t they just tell her?

Murderous intent seemed almost tangible now, yet she remained unnervingly calm.

Two opponents… she could handle.

Xingyu’s fingers tightened unconsciously, the short sword leaving fresh bloodstains on Miao Hong’s throat.

He gasped sharply, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

Fine. If they insisted on being so secretive, she’d just find someone else to talk to.

In a brief moment of thought, she made up her mind. She abandoned further negotiation, her voice laced with inescapable menace.

“If you won’t speak, then die here. I will kill you one by one until someone answers my questions.”

The moment she finished, the air seemed to freeze.

Then a furious roar shattered the brief silence.

“Looking for death!” The burly man’s face twisted with rage and vulgar curses as he swung a stick studded with shards and nails, charging at her.

The club whistled past her ear, snatching strands of black hair in its wake. Xingyu felt death brush so close, her heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

She suddenly understood why Hill felt a surge of exhilaration during battle.

Without hesitation, her short sword struck like a black lightning bolt into the man’s back. The blade hesitated briefly, then cleaved through his shoulder blade. Drawing the blade out, blood spurted like a fountain, painting a scarlet arc in the air.

The man released a heart-wrenching scream, filled with agony.

The other gang member roared in fury and lunged at her. His fist, accompanied by a roaring wind, aimed straight for her face.

Xingyu swiftly dodged, stabbing her short sword precisely into his thigh. The sticky sensation told her the strike was effective. The man screamed loudly, losing balance and toppling forward. In a flash, she drove the blade into his chest.

Done.

Miao Hong, still kneeling in pain, watched his two companions fall and finally shouted, “Enough… enough! I’ll take you to the boss!”

Xingyu came back to herself.

Blood dripped down her blade; her breathing was only slightly uneven.

She habitually flicked the sword, sheathing it, then looked down at Miao Hong with a sarcastic tone.

“Wouldn’t it have been better if you’d just said that earlier?”

Miao Hong struggled to stand, his face etched with humiliation.

“...Follow me.”