"Let them go, and I will spare your lives!" The cold voice, carrying a thread of chill, made the four feel a chill in their hearts. Normally, they feared neither heaven nor earth, having engaged in fighting and robbery numerous times. However, encountering someone like Luo Chao, who could behead someone with just a disagreement, was a first for them. They asked themselves: did they possess such courage?

Seeing the three-foot-long Purple and Cyan Sword in Luo Chao's hand, dripping with blood and emanating a cold aura, the four felt even more terrified. They believed that if they didn't release Yan Ruyu, their fate would be no different from that of the old man who had summoned them. In the next moment, they would merely become four corpses, perhaps even dying without their bodies intact.

"Run!" Exchanging glances, the four released Yan Ruyu and fled.

What a joke — money could be earned again later, but once life was lost, everything would be over. Though they lived with their heads metaphorically tied to their belts, they could not bear such meaningless casualties.

"Trying to run?" Luo Chao sneered, preparing to chase.

"Ayi, don't!" Yan Ruyu held Luo Chao's hand and shook her head, saying.

"I don't want you like this!" Reassuringly touching Luo Chao's face, Yan Ruyu said softly, "I hope my Ayi is a kind person, not one who resorts to violence over small issues. Though they are detestable, I don't want my Ayi stained with their filthy blood. I want you to be happy, not someone bloodthirsty. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Sister, I'm sorry, it's my fault. I won't do this again!" Hearing Yan Ruyu's words, Luo Chao was startled. Reflecting on everything from his conflict with Mu Yunfei to his expulsion, and the events involving Liu Qianyu, which had left an indelible scar on his heart—his everlasting pain. Even though Luo Chao appeared carefree and optimistic, as if he didn't care about anything, he knew the suppressed frustration and discontent within himself. This inner turmoil and dissatisfaction with certain societal matters nearly made Luo Chao lose himself, turning into a killing demon. After Yan Ruyu's reminder, he realized how close he was to losing his sense of self.

"Thank you, Sister, or I would have lost myself!" Luo Chao embraced Yan Ruyu, whispering gently into her ear.

"Do we need to say thank you?" Yan Ruyu chuckled softly, "Besides, you didn't do anything wrong, you just took it a bit too far. Ayi, can you promise me not to kill recklessly in the future? Even though this is a border area with lax regulations, there are still police. If you get caught, I won't know what to do."

"I'm sorry, Sister, for worrying you. Rest assured, I will listen to you and will never kill recklessly again. I can promise that!" Luo Chao said with a serious expression.

Yan Ruyu didn't know that her concern for Luo Chao would save many lives in the days to come.

"Let's go, staying here makes one uncomfortable!" Yan Ruyu frowned, glancing at the headless old man on the ground.

"Alright, let's go!" Luo Chao sheathed the Purple and Cyan Sword, took Yan Ruyu's hand, and walked towards the other side of the lake where the Princess Qianyu statue stood.

"Sorry, be a good person in your next life." As they left, Luo Chao silently apologized in his heart to the old man on the ground.

This old man, amidst the current chaos in Ruili, died with no one to care. Though Luo Chao had previously wished him dead, after Yan Ruyu untangled his heart, he felt a hint of regret. But by this point, words were superfluous.

"Oh, is someone praying to Princess Qianyu so late?" As they turned to the other side of the lake, they saw two points of candlelight in the distance. A slender figure was kneeling in prayer before the Princess Qianyu. Due to the distance, they couldn't make out the person's appearance for the moment, but Luo Chao found the silhouette somewhat familiar.

"Praying?" Luo Chao questioned as he looked at Yan Ruyu in confusion.

"In the Ruili area, Princess Qianyu is like a deity in people's hearts, a symbol of love. It's said that if someone prays sincerely before her, they can be with their beloved and live a happy life," Yan Ruyu explained.

"Such is the case, then I'll have to offer a sincere prayer in front of her next time!" Luo Chao chuckled, finding it somewhat absurd, then jokingly said.

"You, not even a hint of sincerity in what you say!" Yan Ruyu glared at him, scolding playfully.

"Hehe, alright, enough of this. Let's see who's praying; if she's a beauty, maybe she's a gift from Princess Qianyu to be my destined one!" Luo Chao joked as he walked hand in hand with Yan Ruyu towards the praying person.

"Conceited, have you no shame?" Yan Ruyu glanced at him, evidently unimpressed with Luo Chao's remark. That was way too narcissistic. And what did he mean by 'if she's a beauty'? What if she wasn't pretty? Just then, Yan Ruyu suddenly realized this guy clearly wanted to check if she was a beauty. Such a justifiable excuse, she suddenly felt an urge to smack this guy.

"Luo Chao, what's the matter with you?" Yan Ruyu suddenly felt Luo Chao halt his step, his body tensed as he stared intently at the praying figure.

It was a woman, typical of a Dai family girl. Wearing a light green long dress, her hair was dark and shiny, her waist slender, arms delicate and crystalline, with long, graceful legs. Her exquisite, nimble jade-carved feet were exposed.

Her eyebrows were softly arched, beautiful like a crescent moon. Her long eyelashes subtly made one feel her natural vibrancy, even with closed eyes.

Her smooth, tender, jelly-like face was as exquisite and bright as the morning light, akin to crystal gem hues, like snow reflected by the moon, perfect and flawless.

Her snowy neck was elegantly poised, with her waist slim yet voluptuous, flowing lines creating beauty even in a kneeling posture.

Her petite nose seemed intricately sculpted by the divine, exquisitely charming, unspeakably beautiful.

Her cherry-like lips, thin and slightly adorned with translucent gloss, made one irresistibly want to softly bite them.

Her slightly pointed chin needed no additional carving, for sharper would be too sharp, rounder would be too round—more would be excessive, less would be insufficient.

Even Yan Ruyu, herself a beautiful woman, couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration and a hint of affection for the woman before her. Especially as the woman knelt in sincere prayer, a faint, elusive smile gracing her gentle face. Her face was as pure as a celestial snow lotus; the purity seemed to radiate from within, and seeing her made one feel her tender heart akin to water. From her, one felt an innate femininity, fostering a nurturing desire to care for her attentively.

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