5 ： Sadows of Betra
thedawnofanewdaybroughtasenseofcalandhopetothesallvilwheresukie，hanfenglg，andihadfethevilrshadbeencrediblykd，food，shelter，andabriefrespitefrotheirarduojourneyyet，theshadowofthedarklrogpowerloodoverthe，andsukiekheirtiofpeacewasfleetg
asthefirstlightoffilteredthroughthedow，sukiestretchedandgotoutofbed，feelgasenseofdeterationtodaywasthedaytheywouldgatheroretellinthedarklord’spnsandfurthertheirissiontosavethekgdooflianshedressedicklyandietly，noantgtowakei，whowasstillundasleep
steppgoutside，sukietookadeepbreathofthecrispair，savtheontarytranilitythevilwasgtolife，withvilrsbegngtheirdailyroutes，unawareofthedanrofathergonthehorizon
hanfenglgwasalreadyup，sharpenghisswordbythefirehelookedupassukieapproached，hisfacebreakgtoawarsilethatadeherheartftter
“good，”hegreetedher，hisvoicefilledwithwarth
“good，”sukiereplied，returnghissile“didyoleeell?”
hanfenglghoughhiseyesheldahtofwearess“aswelisliketheseareyoureadyfortoday?”
sukie’sexpressiongrewserio“yes，iaweofdouhatthedarklordispnngandshibeforeit’stoote”
hanfenglgreachedout，takgherhandhis“we’lldoittother，sukienoatterwhat，we’llfaceittother”
theirtenderonasterruptedbytheundofhurriedfootstepstheyturoseethevilleader，theelderlyanwhohadweledthe，approagwithalookof
“hanfenglg，sukie，”hecalledout，hisvoiceurnt“there’sthgyouosee”
theyfollowedthevilleadertotheoutskirtfthevil，whereagroupofvilrshadgatheredaroundafigurelygonthegroundastheyphedthroughthecrowd，sukie’sbreathcaughtihroatthefigurewasaldier，badlyjuredandbarelyscio
“hestubledtothevilthis，”thevilleaderexped“hekeptaskgforyou”
hanfenglgkbesidetheldier，hisexpressiongri“peoyou?whodidthis?”
theldierughed，hisvoiceweak“thedarklord…he’spnnganattackhehasaneon，thgpowerfulyouhavetoshi…beforeit’stoote”
sukie’sheartraced“whereishepnngtoattack?”
theldier’seyesflickered，hisstrengthfadg“thecapital…hewantstotakethecapital”
withthosewords，theldier’seyesclosed，astillhanfenglgstood，hisjaws
etieratiotothecapitalifthedarklordtakesit，theentirekgdowillfall”
sukienodded，herrelveunwaverg“thenwehavenotitowasteweogatherouralliesaothecapitalidiately”
thevilrs，overheargtheversatiooururaongsttheselvesfearanduatyrippledthroughthecrowd，buttherewasalasenseofdeterationthevilleadersteppedforward，hisvoicesteady
“wewillhelpyouanywayweeaybesall，buehavebravenandwonwillgtofightforthekgdo”
touchedbytheiroffer，sukieandhanfenglgthahevilrsandbeganakgpreparationsforthejourneyaheadi，sensgthegravityofthesituation，approachedsukie，hereyeswidewithdeteration
“iwanttohelp，”shesaidfirly“i’notafraidiwanttofightforyfailyandforeveryoneelsewhohassuffered”
sukiekdown，pgahandoni’sshoulder“you’reverybrave，iwe’llneedalltheheletbutreber，yoursafetyistheostiportantthgstaycloseto，andwe’lltthroughthistother”
astheysetoutforthecapital，asenseencypropelledtheforwardthejourneywaslongandarduo，buttheirdeterationneverwaveredalongtheway，theyenteredroupfvilrsandrebelswhojoiheircae，swellgtheirranksandbolstergtheirspirits
onenight，astheycapedbyariver，sukieandhanfenglgsatbythefire，theirhandsiwiheflickergfscastawarglowontheirfaces，andforaont，theyallowedtheselvestorexandenjoyeachother’spany
“doyoueverwonderwhatlifewillbelikeafterallthisiver?”sukieaskedftly，hereyesreflegthefirelight
hanfenglglookedather，hisexpressiontender“idoidreaofaworldwherewelivepeace，withoutfearordarknessaworldwherewebuildafuturetother”
sukie’sheartswelledwithlove“idreaofthattooandibelieveweakeitareality”
hanfenglgleaned，pressilekisstoherlips“withyoubyyside，iknowwe”
theirontofpeacewasshatteredbytheundofrtlgthebhesstantlyalert，hanfenglgdrewhissword，andsukiereadiedheragicafigureerdfrotheshadows，andtheywerebothrelievedtoseeiaheirsuts
“we’vespottedagroupofthedarklord’sldiersnearby，”thesutreported“theyseetobesettgupanabh”
hanfenglg’sexpressionhardened“weodealwiththebeforetheyattackgatherourfordprepareforbattle”
thecapsprangtoa，theairfi
lledwiththeundfpreparationsastheyovedthroughthedarkness，sukiefeltasenseofunityandpurposetheywerenotjtfightgfortheselvesbutforeveryonewhohadsuffereduhedarklord’styranny
theabhwasswiftandbrutalsukieandhanfenglihechar，theiroventsperfectlysyheyfoughtsidebysidethedarklord’sldierswerecaughtoffguard，aleicklyturheirfavor
theidstofthefight，sukiespottedafailiarfacetheleaderoftheldierswasherthantheanwhohadattackedtheiroutpostandtakeni’sfailyasurofanraerationfilledher，andshefoughtherwaytowardshi
“you！”sheshouted，hervoicefilledwithfury“you’regawaythisti！”
theleadersneered，raisghisswordtoetherattack“you’reafooltothkyoudefeat”
theirswordscshed，thesgthroughthenightsukiefoughitheverythgshehad，heranraerationfuelirengthhanfenglg，seeiruggle，ovedtosupporther，hispresencegivihefidencesheneeded
tother，theyoverpoweredtheleader，theirbirengthtooutohahafal，powerfulstrike，sukiedisardhi，herswordathisthroat
“tellwherei’sfailyis，”shedeanded，hervoicesteady
theleadergredather，buttherewasfearhiseyes“they’rebegheldthedarklord’sfortressyou’llneverreachtheti”
sukie’sgriptightenedonhersword“we’llseeaboutthat”
withtheleadersubdued，therestoftheldiersicklysurrehebattlewaswon，butsukiekheirjourneywasfarfroovertheyhadtoreachthecapitandsthedarklord’sattadtheyhadtorescuei’sfailyfrothefortress
astheyregrouped，hanfenglgpcedareassurghandonsukie’sshoulder“we’llsavethe，sukieiproise”
shelookedtohiseyes，herrelvestrengtheng“iknoillandwe’llsthedarklordondforall”
theirjourued，eachstepbrggtheclosertotheirgoalthechalleheyfacedweredauntg，buttheirloveaeratioheovgforwardastheyhecapital，theyuldseethesignftheipendgattack:ldierspatrolliskirts，fortificationsbeied，aensiontheairpalpable
oneeveng，astheycapedwithsightofthecapital’swalls，sukieandhanfenglgsattother，theirheartsheavywiththeweightofthetaskaheadi，sensgtheirubesidethe，hersallhandslippgtosukie’s
“we’regogtowiwe?”iasked，hervoicefilledwithhope
sukiesiled，herheartswell
gwithloveforthebravegirl“yes，iwe’regogtoandwe’regogtosaveyourfaily”
hanfenglgnodded，hiseyesfilledwithdeteration“we’veethisfar，andwe’renotgivgupnowtother，we’lldefeatthedarklordandbriothekgdo”
astheypreparedforthefalbattle，theirbondgrewevenstroheykhahateverhappeheywouldfaceittothertheirloveandtrteachotherwereunbreakable，andtheywerereadytofightforthefuturetheydreadof
thenightbeforethebattle，sukieandhanfenglgstoodonahilloverlookgthecapital，thecitylightsklgthedarkheyheldeachotherclose，dragstrengthfrotheire
“we’vebeenthroughuch，”sukiewhispered，hervoicefilledwitheotion“butnoatterpenstoorrow，i’gratefulforeveryone’ve
shared”
hanfenglgkissedherforehead，hisvoider“ifeelthesaway，sukieandiknowthataslongaswe’retother，wefaythg”
astheystoodthere，edeachother’sars，theykhatthefightaheadwouldbetheirgreatestchallebuttheyalkhattheirlovewastheirgreateststrengthandwiththatstrength，theywouldovereanyobstadervictorio
thedawnofthefalbattleapproached，andwithit，thefateofthekgdooflianhungthebasukieandhanfenglgwerereadytheywouldfightfortheirlove，fori’sfaily，andforthefutureoftheirworldandtheywoulddoittother
thecapitalcityoflianwasabtlghubofactivity，filledwithrts，nobles，andonersallgogabouttheirdailylivestheairwasthickwiththestofexoticspidtheundoflivelychattersukie，hanfenglg，andiadetheirwaythroughthecrowdedstreets，theirheartsheavywiththeweightoftheirissiontheyhadsuessfullygatheredtellinceaboutthedarklord’spnsandnowofdawaytoshi
sukie’sdwasragwithpossibilitiestheyhadlearhatthedarklord’sneonwasbegstoredtheheavilyguardedpacettgcloseenoughtodestroyiouldreireacleverpnandfwlessexecutionastheywalked，sukie’seyesweredrawntoagrandbuildgadorhsilkbannersandtricatecarvgsiastheostfaobrotheliy，knownforitsbeautifulurtesansaravagantperforances
apoforsukie’sdsheturohanfenglg，hereyesfilledwithdeteratiotothepadithkiknowhowifigairytothebrothendbeeoheirurtesans，iightbeabletotclosetoohaesstothepace”
hanfenglg’seyeswidened“sukie，that’scredibly
danrothebrothelisfullofspiesandrantsifyou’redisvered…”
sukiepcedareassurghandonhisar“iknowit’srisky，butit’urbestcewedon’thavetitoeuithanotherpntrt，idothis”
hanfenglglookedtohereyes，seeierationandstrengthwiththehenoddedslowly，hisvoicefilledwithrelve“alright，we’lldoitbue’llstayclose，andifanythgg，we’lltyououtofthere”
sukiesiled，gratefulforhissupport“thankyouiproisei’llbecareful”
theyadetheirwaytothebrothel，andsukieapproachedtheentrahfidehedooran，aburlyanwithascarrunngdownhischeek，eyedherspicioly
“whatdoyouwant?”hegrowled
sukiestraightenedherposture，exudganairoffidendgrace“iseekeployntasaurtesani’veheardthisisthefiestablishntiy”
thedooranraisedaneyebrow，clearlytrigued“wedon’ttakejtanyoneyou’llhaveroveyourself”
sukienodded，hervoicesteady“iuandi’ready”
heledherside，whereshewastroduada，ashrewdwoanwithakeealenttheadalookedsukieupanddown，hergazepierg
“whydoyouwanttoworkhere?”sheasked，hertoical
sukiethergazewithoutflg“ihaveskillsthatuldbevaabletoyourestablishnti’fidentieayourostdisgts”
theada’seyesnarrowed，butshenodded“verywellyou’llhaveatrialperiodifyouipress，you’llstayifnot，you’reout”
sukieagreed，aragbegaelythedaysthatfollowedweregruelg，filledwithlesnsdance，idversationsukie’sdeterationneverwavered，andsheicklyprovedherselftobeafastlearheotherurtesans，itiallywaryofthenewer，begantowartoherastheysawherdedicationandskill
assheirsedherselfhernewrole，sukiekepthertrueissionattheforefrontofherdsheogairtofthebrothel’sostiialts，especiallythosewithestothepaesuchaslordowerfulnobleknownforhisextravaganttastesandclosetiestotheroyalfaily
thenightofherfirstperforancearrived，andsukiefeltaixtureofexcitentandnervesshedressedastunngsilkgown，herhairadorhdelicateflowersasshesteppedontothesta，theroofellsilent，alleyeheicbegan，andsukieovedgracefully，hereveryotioncaptivatgtheaudienceshedahapassionandelegahatlefteveryoneawe，herperforanceaperfectblendofbeautyandskill
aftertheperforance，lordro
achedher，clearlyipressed“ynifit，”hesaid，hiseyesfilledwithadiration“i’veneverseensuchgradtalent”
sukiesiled，herheartpoundg“thankyou，ylordi’honoredbyyourpraise”
lordweitookherhand，hisgazetense“i’dliketospendtiwithyou，ifyou’rewillgihaveaprivaterooupstairs”
sukie’spulseiedthiswastheopportunityshehadbeenwaitgfor“i’dbedelighted，ylord”
theyasdedthegrandstaircase，andsukiefollowedlordweitoavishlyderatedrooastheysettledontoapshuch，lordweipouredthebothagsfe
“toyourcredibleperforance，”hetoasted，raisghisgss
sukiekedhergssagasthis，herdragwithpossibilities“thankyou，ylordit’sanhonortoeaoneasdistguishedasyourself”
theychattedforawhile，lordweiclearlyenjoygherpanysukielistenedily，subtlysteergtheversationtowardsthepadthedarklord’spnsshelearhatlordweiwasdeedwell－ectedandoftenattendedprivategathergsatthepace
astheevengprogressed，lordweigreworefortable，andsukiesawhercesheleaned，hervoiceftandvitg“ylord，i’veheardruorsaboutaneonbegdevelopedthepacedoyouknowanythgaboutit?”
lordweichuckled，clearlypleasedwithhercuriosity“ah，thedarklord’ssecretprojectyes，i’vehearditeabitit’ssupposedtobecrediblypowerful，thgthatuldtheurseofthewar”
sukie’sheartraced“thatundsfasatgdoyouthkthere’sanywayiuldseeit?”
lordweiraisedaneyebrow，triguedbyherboldness“you’reitethecurioone，aren’tyou?perhapsiuldarranthgbutiouldreireabitofpersuasion”
sukiesiled，leangcloser“i’sureweetoanarra，ylord”
thenighttihadelicatedanceofwordsandsubtlepersuasionbytheendoftheeveng，lordweiwasthhlyented，andsukiehadsecuredhisproisetotakehertothepace
thefollogdayswereabrofpreparationandanticipationsukiekepthertrueiionshidden，atagherroleasadedicatedurtesanhanfenglgandireaedclose，readyttoaifneeded
fally，thedayarriveddressedherfigown，sukieapaniedlordweitothepacethegrandhallswerefilledwithopulendsplendor，butsukie’sfocwantheissionsheolocatetheonandfdawaytodestroyit
astheywalkedthroughthepace，lordweitroducedhertovarionoblesandofficials，eateradeli
catebanceofcharandgsukie’sdwasstantlyw，analyzverydetaindgathergasuforationaspossible
eventually，theyreachedaheavilyguardedchaberlordweispoketotheguards，aeppedaside，allowirysukie’sheartpouheysteppediheroowasfilledwithtricateaeryandstraifacts，theairhugwithanotherworldlyenergy
“thisisit，”lordweisaid，hisvoicefilledwithpride“thedarklord’ssecretonisn’titagnifit?”
sukienodded，hereyessgtherooforanyvulnerabilities“it’scredible，ylordbuthowdoesiork?”
lordweibegantoexp，butsukie’sattentionwaselsewhereshespottedaserieftrolsandswitches，eaeglogwithafat，eerielightsheofdawaytodisabletheonwithoutarogspi
thkgickly，sukiefeignedafatgspell，lpsgtothefloorlordweirhedtoherside，hisnue
“sukie！areyht?”heexcid，hisvoicefilledwithworry
shegroaned，hervoiceweak“i’fe，ylordithktheexcitenasjttooue”
lordweihelpedhertoherfeet，histoutle“perhapsweshouldtyoofreshair”
sukienodded，alloghitoleadheroutofthechaberastheyexited，shesubtlydroppedasall，eohetrolsitowerfurtifactshehadacireddurirag，capableofdisruptgagiergies
astheywalkedthroughthepacegardens，sukiefeltasenseofreliefthestonewouldactivateaatterofutes，rendergtheonelessshejtotoutofthepacebeforeaiced
lordweitiodoteonher，obliviotohertrueiionssukiepyedherroleperfectly，herdfocedontheissionastheyreturothebrothel，shefeltasuroftriuphtheyhadsueededdisablgtheon，buttheirjourneywasfarfroover
bathesafetyoftheirarters，sukiesharedthenewswithhanfenglgaheirreliefandpridewerepalpable，buttheykhefighaswonthedarklordwouldnotbeeasilydefeated，andtheroadaheadwasstillfraughithdanr
astheypheirove，sukiefeltadeepsenseofdeterationtheyhadefar，andtheirbondhadonlygrownstronrwithhanfenglgandi
byherside，shekheyuldfaychallen
tother，theywouldfightfortheirlove，theirfriends，aureofthekgdoofliahaheadwasua，buttheywerereadytofaceit，handhand，theirheartsunitedbyasharedpurposeandanunbreakablebond
asthefirstlightoffilteredthroughthedow，sukiestretchedandgotoutofbed，feelgasenseofdeterationtodaywasthedaytheywouldgatheroretellinthedarklord’spnsandfurthertheirissiontosavethekgdooflianshedressedicklyandietly，noantgtowakei，whowasstillundasleep
steppgoutside，sukietookadeepbreathofthecrispair，savtheontarytranilitythevilwasgtolife，withvilrsbegngtheirdailyroutes，unawareofthedanrofathergonthehorizon
hanfenglgwasalreadyup，sharpenghisswordbythefirehelookedupassukieapproached，hisfacebreakgtoawarsilethatadeherheartftter
“good，”hegreetedher，hisvoicefilledwithwarth
“good，”sukiereplied，returnghissile“didyoleeell?”
hanfenglghoughhiseyesheldahtofwearess“aswelisliketheseareyoureadyfortoday?”
sukie’sexpressiongrewserio“yes，iaweofdouhatthedarklordispnngandshibeforeit’stoote”
hanfenglgreachedout，takgherhandhis“we’lldoittother，sukienoatterwhat，we’llfaceittother”
theirtenderonasterruptedbytheundofhurriedfootstepstheyturoseethevilleader，theelderlyanwhohadweledthe，approagwithalookof
“hanfenglg，sukie，”hecalledout，hisvoiceurnt“there’sthgyouosee”
theyfollowedthevilleadertotheoutskirtfthevil，whereagroupofvilrshadgatheredaroundafigurelygonthegroundastheyphedthroughthecrowd，sukie’sbreathcaughtihroatthefigurewasaldier，badlyjuredandbarelyscio
“hestubledtothevilthis，”thevilleaderexped“hekeptaskgforyou”
hanfenglgkbesidetheldier，hisexpressiongri“peoyou?whodidthis?”
theldierughed，hisvoiceweak“thedarklord…he’spnnganattackhehasaneon，thgpowerfulyouhavetoshi…beforeit’stoote”
sukie’sheartraced“whereishepnngtoattack?”
theldier’seyesflickered，hisstrengthfadg“thecapital…hewantstotakethecapital”
withthosewords，theldier’seyesclosed，astillhanfenglgstood，hisjaws
etieratiotothecapitalifthedarklordtakesit，theentirekgdowillfall”
sukienodded，herrelveunwaverg“thenwehavenotitowasteweogatherouralliesaothecapitalidiately”
thevilrs，overheargtheversatiooururaongsttheselvesfearanduatyrippledthroughthecrowd，buttherewasalasenseofdeterationthevilleadersteppedforward，hisvoicesteady
“wewillhelpyouanywayweeaybesall，buehavebravenandwonwillgtofightforthekgdo”
touchedbytheiroffer，sukieandhanfenglgthahevilrsandbeganakgpreparationsforthejourneyaheadi，sensgthegravityofthesituation，approachedsukie，hereyeswidewithdeteration
“iwanttohelp，”shesaidfirly“i’notafraidiwanttofightforyfailyandforeveryoneelsewhohassuffered”
sukiekdown，pgahandoni’sshoulder“you’reverybrave，iwe’llneedalltheheletbutreber，yoursafetyistheostiportantthgstaycloseto，andwe’lltthroughthistother”
astheysetoutforthecapital，asenseencypropelledtheforwardthejourneywaslongandarduo，buttheirdeterationneverwaveredalongtheway，theyenteredroupfvilrsandrebelswhojoiheircae，swellgtheirranksandbolstergtheirspirits
onenight，astheycapedbyariver，sukieandhanfenglgsatbythefire，theirhandsiwiheflickergfscastawarglowontheirfaces，andforaont，theyallowedtheselvestorexandenjoyeachother’spany
“doyoueverwonderwhatlifewillbelikeafterallthisiver?”sukieaskedftly，hereyesreflegthefirelight
hanfenglglookedather，hisexpressiontender“idoidreaofaworldwherewelivepeace，withoutfearordarknessaworldwherewebuildafuturetother”
sukie’sheartswelledwithlove“idreaofthattooandibelieveweakeitareality”
hanfenglgleaned，pressilekisstoherlips“withyoubyyside，iknowwe”
theirontofpeacewasshatteredbytheundofrtlgthebhesstantlyalert，hanfenglgdrewhissword，andsukiereadiedheragicafigureerdfrotheshadows，andtheywerebothrelievedtoseeiaheirsuts
“we’vespottedagroupofthedarklord’sldiersnearby，”thesutreported“theyseetobesettgupanabh”
hanfenglg’sexpressionhardened“weodealwiththebeforetheyattackgatherourfordprepareforbattle”
thecapsprangtoa，theairfi
lledwiththeundfpreparationsastheyovedthroughthedarkness，sukiefeltasenseofunityandpurposetheywerenotjtfightgfortheselvesbutforeveryonewhohadsuffereduhedarklord’styranny
theabhwasswiftandbrutalsukieandhanfenglihechar，theiroventsperfectlysyheyfoughtsidebysidethedarklord’sldierswerecaughtoffguard，aleicklyturheirfavor
theidstofthefight，sukiespottedafailiarfacetheleaderoftheldierswasherthantheanwhohadattackedtheiroutpostandtakeni’sfailyasurofanraerationfilledher，andshefoughtherwaytowardshi
“you！”sheshouted，hervoicefilledwithfury“you’regawaythisti！”
theleadersneered，raisghisswordtoetherattack“you’reafooltothkyoudefeat”
theirswordscshed，thesgthroughthenightsukiefoughitheverythgshehad，heranraerationfuelirengthhanfenglg，seeiruggle，ovedtosupporther，hispresencegivihefidencesheneeded
tother，theyoverpoweredtheleader，theirbirengthtooutohahafal，powerfulstrike，sukiedisardhi，herswordathisthroat
“tellwherei’sfailyis，”shedeanded，hervoicesteady
theleadergredather，buttherewasfearhiseyes“they’rebegheldthedarklord’sfortressyou’llneverreachtheti”
sukie’sgriptightenedonhersword“we’llseeaboutthat”
withtheleadersubdued，therestoftheldiersicklysurrehebattlewaswon，butsukiekheirjourneywasfarfroovertheyhadtoreachthecapitandsthedarklord’sattadtheyhadtorescuei’sfailyfrothefortress
astheyregrouped，hanfenglgpcedareassurghandonsukie’sshoulder“we’llsavethe，sukieiproise”
shelookedtohiseyes，herrelvestrengtheng“iknoillandwe’llsthedarklordondforall”
theirjourued，eachstepbrggtheclosertotheirgoalthechalleheyfacedweredauntg，buttheirloveaeratioheovgforwardastheyhecapital，theyuldseethesignftheipendgattack:ldierspatrolliskirts，fortificationsbeied，aensiontheairpalpable
oneeveng，astheycapedwithsightofthecapital’swalls，sukieandhanfenglgsattother，theirheartsheavywiththeweightofthetaskaheadi，sensgtheirubesidethe，hersallhandslippgtosukie’s
“we’regogtowiwe?”iasked，hervoicefilledwithhope
sukiesiled，herheartswell
gwithloveforthebravegirl“yes，iwe’regogtoandwe’regogtosaveyourfaily”
hanfenglgnodded，hiseyesfilledwithdeteration“we’veethisfar，andwe’renotgivgupnowtother，we’lldefeatthedarklordandbriothekgdo”
astheypreparedforthefalbattle，theirbondgrewevenstroheykhahateverhappeheywouldfaceittothertheirloveandtrteachotherwereunbreakable，andtheywerereadytofightforthefuturetheydreadof
thenightbeforethebattle，sukieandhanfenglgstoodonahilloverlookgthecapital，thecitylightsklgthedarkheyheldeachotherclose，dragstrengthfrotheire
“we’vebeenthroughuch，”sukiewhispered，hervoicefilledwitheotion“butnoatterpenstoorrow，i’gratefulforeveryone’ve
shared”
hanfenglgkissedherforehead，hisvoider“ifeelthesaway，sukieandiknowthataslongaswe’retother，wefaythg”
astheystoodthere，edeachother’sars，theykhatthefightaheadwouldbetheirgreatestchallebuttheyalkhattheirlovewastheirgreateststrengthandwiththatstrength，theywouldovereanyobstadervictorio
thedawnofthefalbattleapproached，andwithit，thefateofthekgdooflianhungthebasukieandhanfenglgwerereadytheywouldfightfortheirlove，fori’sfaily，andforthefutureoftheirworldandtheywoulddoittother
thecapitalcityoflianwasabtlghubofactivity，filledwithrts，nobles，andonersallgogabouttheirdailylivestheairwasthickwiththestofexoticspidtheundoflivelychattersukie，hanfenglg，andiadetheirwaythroughthecrowdedstreets，theirheartsheavywiththeweightoftheirissiontheyhadsuessfullygatheredtellinceaboutthedarklord’spnsandnowofdawaytoshi
sukie’sdwasragwithpossibilitiestheyhadlearhatthedarklord’sneonwasbegstoredtheheavilyguardedpacettgcloseenoughtodestroyiouldreireacleverpnandfwlessexecutionastheywalked，sukie’seyesweredrawntoagrandbuildgadorhsilkbannersandtricatecarvgsiastheostfaobrotheliy，knownforitsbeautifulurtesansaravagantperforances
apoforsukie’sdsheturohanfenglg，hereyesfilledwithdeteratiotothepadithkiknowhowifigairytothebrothendbeeoheirurtesans，iightbeabletotclosetoohaesstothepace”
hanfenglg’seyeswidened“sukie，that’scredibly
danrothebrothelisfullofspiesandrantsifyou’redisvered…”
sukiepcedareassurghandonhisar“iknowit’srisky，butit’urbestcewedon’thavetitoeuithanotherpntrt，idothis”
hanfenglglookedtohereyes，seeierationandstrengthwiththehenoddedslowly，hisvoicefilledwithrelve“alright，we’lldoitbue’llstayclose，andifanythgg，we’lltyououtofthere”
sukiesiled，gratefulforhissupport“thankyouiproisei’llbecareful”
theyadetheirwaytothebrothel，andsukieapproachedtheentrahfidehedooran，aburlyanwithascarrunngdownhischeek，eyedherspicioly
“whatdoyouwant?”hegrowled
sukiestraightenedherposture，exudganairoffidendgrace“iseekeployntasaurtesani’veheardthisisthefiestablishntiy”
thedooranraisedaneyebrow，clearlytrigued“wedon’ttakejtanyoneyou’llhaveroveyourself”
sukienodded，hervoicesteady“iuandi’ready”
heledherside，whereshewastroduada，ashrewdwoanwithakeealenttheadalookedsukieupanddown，hergazepierg
“whydoyouwanttoworkhere?”sheasked，hertoical
sukiethergazewithoutflg“ihaveskillsthatuldbevaabletoyourestablishnti’fidentieayourostdisgts”
theada’seyesnarrowed，butshenodded“verywellyou’llhaveatrialperiodifyouipress，you’llstayifnot，you’reout”
sukieagreed，aragbegaelythedaysthatfollowedweregruelg，filledwithlesnsdance，idversationsukie’sdeterationneverwavered，andsheicklyprovedherselftobeafastlearheotherurtesans，itiallywaryofthenewer，begantowartoherastheysawherdedicationandskill
assheirsedherselfhernewrole，sukiekepthertrueissionattheforefrontofherdsheogairtofthebrothel’sostiialts，especiallythosewithestothepaesuchaslordowerfulnobleknownforhisextravaganttastesandclosetiestotheroyalfaily
thenightofherfirstperforancearrived，andsukiefeltaixtureofexcitentandnervesshedressedastunngsilkgown，herhairadorhdelicateflowersasshesteppedontothesta，theroofellsilent，alleyeheicbegan，andsukieovedgracefully，hereveryotioncaptivatgtheaudienceshedahapassionandelegahatlefteveryoneawe，herperforanceaperfectblendofbeautyandskill
aftertheperforance，lordro
achedher，clearlyipressed“ynifit，”hesaid，hiseyesfilledwithadiration“i’veneverseensuchgradtalent”
sukiesiled，herheartpoundg“thankyou，ylordi’honoredbyyourpraise”
lordweitookherhand，hisgazetense“i’dliketospendtiwithyou，ifyou’rewillgihaveaprivaterooupstairs”
sukie’spulseiedthiswastheopportunityshehadbeenwaitgfor“i’dbedelighted，ylord”
theyasdedthegrandstaircase，andsukiefollowedlordweitoavishlyderatedrooastheysettledontoapshuch，lordweipouredthebothagsfe
“toyourcredibleperforance，”hetoasted，raisghisgss
sukiekedhergssagasthis，herdragwithpossibilities“thankyou，ylordit’sanhonortoeaoneasdistguishedasyourself”
theychattedforawhile，lordweiclearlyenjoygherpanysukielistenedily，subtlysteergtheversationtowardsthepadthedarklord’spnsshelearhatlordweiwasdeedwell－ectedandoftenattendedprivategathergsatthepace
astheevengprogressed，lordweigreworefortable，andsukiesawhercesheleaned，hervoiceftandvitg“ylord，i’veheardruorsaboutaneonbegdevelopedthepacedoyouknowanythgaboutit?”
lordweichuckled，clearlypleasedwithhercuriosity“ah，thedarklord’ssecretprojectyes，i’vehearditeabitit’ssupposedtobecrediblypowerful，thgthatuldtheurseofthewar”
sukie’sheartraced“thatundsfasatgdoyouthkthere’sanywayiuldseeit?”
lordweiraisedaneyebrow，triguedbyherboldness“you’reitethecurioone，aren’tyou?perhapsiuldarranthgbutiouldreireabitofpersuasion”
sukiesiled，leangcloser“i’sureweetoanarra，ylord”
thenighttihadelicatedanceofwordsandsubtlepersuasionbytheendoftheeveng，lordweiwasthhlyented，andsukiehadsecuredhisproisetotakehertothepace
thefollogdayswereabrofpreparationandanticipationsukiekepthertrueiionshidden，atagherroleasadedicatedurtesanhanfenglgandireaedclose，readyttoaifneeded
fally，thedayarriveddressedherfigown，sukieapaniedlordweitothepacethegrandhallswerefilledwithopulendsplendor，butsukie’sfocwantheissionsheolocatetheonandfdawaytodestroyit
astheywalkedthroughthepace，lordweitroducedhertovarionoblesandofficials，eateradeli
catebanceofcharandgsukie’sdwasstantlyw，analyzverydetaindgathergasuforationaspossible
eventually，theyreachedaheavilyguardedchaberlordweispoketotheguards，aeppedaside，allowirysukie’sheartpouheysteppediheroowasfilledwithtricateaeryandstraifacts，theairhugwithanotherworldlyenergy
“thisisit，”lordweisaid，hisvoicefilledwithpride“thedarklord’ssecretonisn’titagnifit?”
sukienodded，hereyessgtherooforanyvulnerabilities“it’scredible，ylordbuthowdoesiork?”
lordweibegantoexp，butsukie’sattentionwaselsewhereshespottedaserieftrolsandswitches，eaeglogwithafat，eerielightsheofdawaytodisabletheonwithoutarogspi
thkgickly，sukiefeignedafatgspell，lpsgtothefloorlordweirhedtoherside，hisnue
“sukie！areyht?”heexcid，hisvoicefilledwithworry
shegroaned，hervoiceweak“i’fe，ylordithktheexcitenasjttooue”
lordweihelpedhertoherfeet，histoutle“perhapsweshouldtyoofreshair”
sukienodded，alloghitoleadheroutofthechaberastheyexited，shesubtlydroppedasall，eohetrolsitowerfurtifactshehadacireddurirag，capableofdisruptgagiergies
astheywalkedthroughthepacegardens，sukiefeltasenseofreliefthestonewouldactivateaatterofutes，rendergtheonelessshejtotoutofthepacebeforeaiced
lordweitiodoteonher，obliviotohertrueiionssukiepyedherroleperfectly，herdfocedontheissionastheyreturothebrothel，shefeltasuroftriuphtheyhadsueededdisablgtheon，buttheirjourneywasfarfroover
bathesafetyoftheirarters，sukiesharedthenewswithhanfenglgaheirreliefandpridewerepalpable，buttheykhefighaswonthedarklordwouldnotbeeasilydefeated，andtheroadaheadwasstillfraughithdanr
astheypheirove，sukiefeltadeepsenseofdeterationtheyhadefar，andtheirbondhadonlygrownstronrwithhanfenglgandi
byherside，shekheyuldfaychallen
tother，theywouldfightfortheirlove，theirfriends，aureofthekgdoofliahaheadwasua，buttheywerereadytofaceit，handhand，theirheartsunitedbyasharedpurposeandanunbreakablebond