#160: Accidental Murder

Her fingers brushed the razor-sharp edge of the blade as she calmly said, “There’s no need for such trouble. Before Li Jiancheng returns, I’ll find an opportunity to kill both Li Yuan and his sons!” As she uttered the final four words, a dull ache pierced her chest—Li Shimin…

Li Xuanba felt a chill run down his spine. Could it be… truly impossible? No, he must stop her! He absolutely couldn’t let her harm his father and Second Brother!

He racked his brain, unable to figure out how Yunyi knew about Ah Jin. He had never mentioned it to anyone, not even his father or Second Brother. How could she know? Had Ah Jin come to the Taishou’s residence again? He quickly dismissed this thought—yesterday, when he visited Feng Li, he specifically instructed Ah Jin not to come. He wouldn’t disobey.

Taishou’s residence… A sudden flash of insight struck him. Li Xuanba blurted out, “The guards! They told you, didn’t they?!” Seeing Yunyi’s lips press together silently, he knew he was right. Relief washed over him, and he burst into laughter. But halfway through, the icy chill of the dagger pressed against his neck once more. “After I cut off each of your fingers, let’s see if Third Young Master can still laugh!”

Li Xuanba spat on the ground, his voice dark. “If you kill me today, fine. But if you don’t, I’ll repay you tenfold in the future!”

“Don’t worry—you won’t get that chance!” As she spoke, Yunyi moved behind him, staring at his pale fingers from restricted blood flow. Her hand holding the dagger trembled slightly. Once this strike landed, there would be no turning back. But… when had she ever had the chance to turn back?

The Li family was a threat to the Emperor and a plague upon the Sui Dynasty. As the Emperor’s daughter, she had to eliminate them!

With this resolve, she steeled her heart and slashed at Li Xuanba’s left pinky finger. Just as it was about to sever, Li Xuanba suddenly retaliated, slamming his back into Yunyi and pinning her against the wall. The dagger in her hand was now firmly gripped in his palm, blood dripping steadily. Enduring excruciating pain akin to having his flesh carved away, he used the blade to cut through the rope binding his wrists!

Realizing his intent, Yunyi tried to pull her hand back, but Li Xuanba pressed down tightly, making it impossible for her to exert any force. She asked, “Aren’t you afraid of crippling your hands?”

“Forget crippling my hands—even if I die, I’ll kill you first!” As he spoke, the rope he had spent all night struggling to sever finally gave way. Once a gap formed, the rest loosened immediately. Ignoring the deep wounds exposing bone on his hands, he forcibly seized the dagger and lunged at Yunyi. She quickly dodged, followed by several consecutive strikes—all lethal, giving her no room to breathe!

Despite her best efforts to evade, Yunyi sustained cuts on her arms, and strands of hair were sliced off. Seizing an opportunity, she kicked Li Xuanba’s still-bound legs, causing him to stumble and fall. Before she could catch her breath, Li Xuanba tripped her as well, gripping the dagger and thrusting it toward her face. Yunyi hastily grabbed his wrist!

Though Li Xuanba had fasted for a full day and night, his strength still surpassed hers. The dagger slowly approached Yunyi, putting her in grave danger!

Yunyi’s eyes suddenly turned cold. The hand gripping Li Xuanba’s wrist abruptly released, and she shifted her head to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade as it grazed her ear and embedded itself in the ground!

Seizing the moment, Yunyi rushed forward to seize the dagger. Though momentarily stunned, Li Xuanba quickly regained his composure, clinging tightly to the dagger. Both refused to let go, creating a deadlock. A flicker of ruthlessness passed through Li Xuanba’s eyes as he forcefully flung Yunyi against the wall. Taking advantage of her pain, he swiftly grasped the remaining hilt and stabbed at her. At the critical moment, she managed to grab his wrist, forcing the dagger’s trajectory upward.

When Li Xuanba realized something was wrong, it was too late to stop the momentum. The dagger plunged deeply under his chin, burying itself to the hilt!

Everything froze in that instant. Li Xuanba’s eyes brimmed with shock and disbelief. This strike was meant for Yunyi—why had it ended up piercing himself instead?

Yunyi stared blankly at the scene. She had merely intended to dodge the attack; she never expected the redirection would cost Li Xuanba his life. She knew he had to die, but… she wasn’t ready to kill him yet, especially since Feng Li’s whereabouts were still unknown!

Li Xuanba tried desperately to speak but couldn’t open his mouth. Blood flowed continuously from the corners of his lips. The blade pinned his jaws shut, even penetrating his skull!

Li Xuanba collapsed backward, landing heavily on the ground. Dust floated in the dimly lit room devoid of sunlight. Yunyi snapped back to reality and rushed over, shouting fiercely, “Tell me where Feng Li is! Tell me!” Li Xuanba was her only lead—if he died, she would lose all trace of Feng Li.

Li Xuanba stared at her. After a long moment, a faint smile appeared on his unmoving lips. Good—at least this way, the woman wouldn’t find Feng Li. His father would uncover her plot. But he… he would never see his father, Elder Brother, Second Brother, or Caiping again. He so wanted… to see them one last time!

Caiping, forgive me. I can’t marry you as my legitimate wife. I… I wanted to so much.

In his blurred vision, he seemed to see his late mother, Dou Shi. Struggling to reach out… Mother, are you here to take me? Finally… finally, I can see you again. How wonderful!

The next moment, his outstretched hand fell limply to the ground. His final breath dissipated from his nostrils.

Yunyi slapped Li Xuanba’s cheeks forcefully, shouting, “Don’t you dare die! Tell me—where is Feng Li? Who is Ah Jin? Speak!”

No one answered her. The only other presence in the room was a corpse—and it certainly wouldn’t speak.

After a long while, Yunyi finally accepted the fact that Li Xuanba was dead. Her mind blank, she sat on the ground, staring at her blood-soaked hands. She had vowed to kill the entire Li family to avenge Mo Ping, but now that Li Xuanba lay dead by her hands, she felt no satisfaction—only memories of Li Shimin and Jiang Caiping. They would surely be devastated if they learned of Li Xuanba’s death!

Why had things turned out this way? She had come to eliminate the Emperor’s greatest threat, but… first Mo Ping died, then she formed ties with the people here—even with Li Shimin.

She silently gazed at her blood-covered hands. The next time she truly had the chance to kill Li Yuan and Li Shimin… could she really bring herself to do it? She didn’t know. Truly, she didn’t know!