Token Acquired

Mingyao was finally next in line.

She had waited patiently, standing shoulder to shoulder with the other participants, blending in as though she were just another hopeful contender.

The attendants tried to wave her forward, offering her a discreet shortcut, but she refused each time. It had to be real. If Chen Xiao was watching, he couldn't suspect a thing.

The man in front of her took his turn, but failed miserably. He writhed and wailed, his desperation on full display, yet the hosts remained indifferent. They escorted him out of line.

Mingyao inhaled, stepping forward—

A broad shadow blocked her path.

"So, this is where the money is at," a deep voice sneered shoving Mingyao aside.

Mingyao stumbled, catching herself against the counter. The attendants stiffened, glancing at one another. One of the attendant's the one nearest to them, hand twitched near her belt, but she held back.

"Sir, please move to the back of the line." the attendant said as she tried to reason with him. "The woman you just pushed was next.

The man grinned. "Do you know who I am?" His hand drifted to the hilt of a weapon strapped to his side, as he adjusted his stance, daring anyone to challenge him.

"I don't know or care," the attendant replied coolly. "Show some respect and move to the back. If you want a chance at this game, you need to queue like everyone else.""

"Queue? Me?" He let out a bark of laughter. "You expect the great Hun Dun to wait behind nobodies?" His eyes filled with disdain as they landed on Mingyao. "And especially behind a woman? How dare you humiliate the great Hun Dun!"

Mingyao straightened. "Excuse me, sir," she said coolly, "but I believe I was next."

Hun Dun glanced at her and scoffed his gaze darkening. In an instant, his hand shot forward, his thick fingers wrapping around her throat. His grip tightened. Air. She needed air. Mingyao clawed at his wrist, but he was unmoved, lifting her effortlessly.

"You should know your place, woman. Don't you dare speak before me."

One of the attendants edged closer. "Sir, you really shouldn't do that."

Hun Dun's gaze swept the stall. No guards. No interference. He sneered.

"Women should know their place." His attention turned back to Mingyao, the way she struggled, the way her legs kicked uselessly beneath her. With a cruel twist of his arm, he slammed Mingyao onto the counter. Her vision blurred from the impact, her lungs burning for breath.

"Mister, I must ask you to leave now, or else—"

"Or else what?" Hun Dun interrupted, his voice dripping with arrogance.

The air grew thick, the crowd frozen in horror. Fear had seeped through them.

Then—

"Let her go."

The voice wasn't loud, but it cut through like a blade.

Hun Dun's eyes snapped toward the source—a lean figure stepping forward.

The young man stopped, standing tensed, fists clenched at his sides tightly. His knuckles growing white. His chest rose and fell with each sharp breath.

Hun Dun let out a slow chuckle. "Oh? And what do we have here?"

"I said," Chen Xiao repeated, his voice stronger this time, "let her go."

Hun Dun's laughter was a low rumble. "And why should I?" He lifted Mingyao higher, her feet barely grazing the counter. She were nothing more than a trinket in his grasp.

"If you don't, I will—"

"You will what?" Hun Dun cut in, his grin wide. "Look at you. Scrawny. Weak. Do you think you can take on me—a powerful fighter of the Ghost Shadow Sect?"

"No, I can't," he admitted, "but someone will."

Hun Dun's laugh boomed over the soft murmurs of the crowd. "Hahaha! And who might that be?"

"You'll see,"

"Stop bluffing!" Hun Dun roared. "If you wish to save this woman, why don't you take her place? Kowtow and beg for my forgiveness—and maybe I'll let her go."

"Kowtow? Beg for forgiveness? She's done nothing wrong."

"Her mistake was defying me—challenging my authority. Women should know their place."

"You call that a mistake?" Chen Xiao shot back."What a pathetic mindset. You take pride in your strength, but all you do is throw it at those who can't fight back. You're not strong. You're pathetic."

"You dare question my strength?" Hun Dun growled. "I'll make you eat those words!"

With a furious roar, he hurled the barely conscious Mingyao to the side and charged at Chen Xiao. She hit the ground hard, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. Pain shot through her ribs, but before she could move, a thunderous sound filled the air.

Hooves.

A sudden whistling tore through the silence, followed by a dull thud.

A spear had lodged itself in the ground—just inches from Hun Dun's feet.

Hun Dun stilled, his eyes narrowing. He turned, and a slow, dangerous grin stretched across his face.

"If it isn't General Su's third son," he mused.

From atop a dark warhorse, Su Haoron sat, his expression unreadable. The moment he dismounted, his hand was already closing around his spear.

Hun Dun's grin widened. "Just in time," he chuckled. "My blade has been itching for a fight."

Then, like a spark igniting dry grass, the two warriors clashed.

The first strike sent a shockwave through the area. Metal rang, feets shifted, and onlookers scattered like frightened birds.

Mingyao groaned, rolling onto her side. Through the haze of pain and shock, she blinked back her daze. Confusion filled her—what was Su Haoron doing here?

She caught sight of Chen Xiao, her attention quickly drawn to his pale face and trembling eyes trembling.

"Are you alright, Lady Shen?" he asked softly, bending close to her.

She nodded weakly, her fingers brushing against her bruised throat. He extended his hand, pulling her to her feet.

"We need to get out of here," he urged.

"But Master Chen, I—I didn't get a token!" she protested.

"You don't have to worry about that, Lady Shen."

"But—"

"Trust me."

She hesitated. Then, he reached into his pocket and pressed something cold and smooth into her palm.

A token.

Her eyes widened. "You—"

"No time," he interrupted. "Can we run?"

Mingyao looked at him, then at the token, then back again.

A small smile ghosted her lips.

"Mhm."

And so, the two of them ran, their feet pounding the earth, wind whipping through their hair. Mingyao didn't know where they were headed, but she let Chen Xiao lead the way.

Her honey trap had worked.