ANOTHER HOUR passed.
Then another.
The sun disappeared beyond the ruins, and darkness slowly descended over the Pei estate.
None of the three had stopped.
Elder Qinyan's movements had grown noticeably slower.
Her injured leg could barely support her anymore, and blood continued to run from the wounds covering her body. Every breath burned in her chest, but each time the man came within reach, her fists still struck with enough force to shatter the ground beneath them.
She no longer wasted strength chasing him. Instead, she planted herself wherever his movements would force him to pass and waited. Whenever Lord Pei or Elder Xu drove him toward her, Qinyan attacked without hesitation.
The man avoided one fist only for Qinyan to twist and drive her elbow toward his ribs. He blocked it with his forearm, and the collision sent a heavy shock through the surrounding ruins. Before he could retaliate, Qinyan stepped in and struck again.
Her injured leg buckled beneath the movement.
