Chapter 11: Did I Let You Go?

Page 1/3

Qin Yin heard Yang Zhan’s words but showed no sign of being moved; her smile remained unchanged.

Yang Zhan glanced at her and couldn’t help but praise, “How can this girl be so beautiful?”

She was truly the epitome of refined elegance, elevated to the realm of a fairy.

However, Qin Yin spoke calmly, “General Yang, it is a great waste for you to be confined in this dungeon. I admire you deeply and naturally have no desire to meet you on the battlefield, so I devised a plan—to invite you to share a cup of wine.”

Yang Zhan chuckled, “So, you’re confident?”

“As long as General Yang doesn’t make the first move, I do have some confidence,” she said, tilting her pure, jade-like chin with a hint of pride.

But Yang Zhan’s expression, half-smiling and half-mocking, made Qin Yin’s smile grow even brighter.

“General, please don’t take offense. I have great respect for you, but to defeat you in a match would be a tremendous honor for me,” she added, her pride swelling.

“Your honor is built on these underhanded tricks and poisoning the wine?” Yang Zhan asked.

If Qin Yin hadn’t spoken, one wouldn’t discern her pride and arrogance; her radiant smile seemed capable of warming anyone’s heart.

It reminded Yang Zhan of a saying: those who smile often have good fortune.

Of course, Yang Zhan wanted to add now: that is, until they meet me!

The moment Qin Yin spoke, that proud, arrogant air returned.

“General Yang, rest assured, it is poisoned, but not fatally—just a mild sedative to keep you here as a spectator.”

Hearing this, Yang Zhan couldn’t help but agree with the saying.

He smiled, “Those who smile truly have luck. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have a future.”

“The fact that you remain so calm speaks volumes, General. But what do you mean by that?”

“Fortunately, you didn’t use a deadly poison.”

“Why?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

Qin Yin chuckled softly. “To be your opponent, General, I am quite proud. To win even one round means I’ll have bragging rights for life.”

Yang Zhan nodded in agreement. “Losing to me is something you can boast about forever—after all, you faced me.”

Qin Yin looked at him proudly. “General, with your reputation, you’re still so composed at a time like this. Aren’t you worried? If the three female prisoners are rescued, you probably won’t keep your position as the prison chief.”

“What do I have to worry about? The ones who should be worried are you. Do you really think that if you rescue those three women, you can escape Tiandu City unharmed? Or return safely to Fenglin Kingdom?”

Page 2/3

“We have our plans. No need for the General to trouble himself,” Qin Yin replied.

“Fine. Yet, I sent Eighteen to deliver a message, and you refused to listen. The spies and assassins you painstakingly trained are dead. Don’t you feel any remorse?”

“As long as the three are saved, including myself, what does death matter?”

At that moment, the smile vanished from Qin Yin’s exquisite face, and her pride faded. What remained was seriousness, determination, and resolve.

Yang Zhan chuckled twice but said nothing.

Suddenly, his ears twitched—there was a commotion near the dungeon.

Qin Yin heard it too. She picked up a nearby teacup, took a small sip, and seemed in good spirits.

“General, why not enjoy your meal and watch the show? Rest assured, if the rescue is successful, we will not trouble you. I even hope that one day, I can openly exchange your life for great glory.”

“Though you’re just a woman, speaking like this shows you have some spirit,” Yang Zhan remarked.

Raising the cup with poison, he drank it down in one gulp.

Qin Yin was somewhat surprised but nodded appreciatively. “The General’s reputation is well-deserved. A hero of the age can drink poisoned wine with such boldness. I’ll join you in this toast!”

At that moment, several servants dressed as waiters appeared upstairs, gathering around their table.

Yang Zhan didn’t even glance at them and began picking at his food.

“The flavor is good, but sadly, the Moonview Pavilion won’t open again soon.”

“Once exposed, it naturally can’t open. So, General, please enjoy yourself and eat more!”

“Qin Yin, what is your position in the Nightwatch Division?”

“I am honored to hold the Blood Moon Badge.”

“As far as I know, the Nightwatch Division has ten Blood Moon commanders. I didn’t expect you to be one of them.”

Qin Yin smiled. “I see the General doubts my abilities.”

“Very much so.”

Not long after, a man came rushing in.

He knelt, voice trembling, “Commander Qin, we failed!”

Qin Yin, who had seemed confident and proud, stood abruptly.

Her stunning face was filled with disbelief.

“You failed against just four prison guards?”

Page 3/3

At that moment, Qin Yin even doubted her own ears.

The kneeling man was visibly agitated. “Commander Qin, it wasn’t four guards, only two—and those two killed ten of our deployed operatives!”

Qin Yin parted her lips slightly in shock and sank heavily into a chair, still struggling to accept the truth.

After a moment, she took a deep breath and looked at Yang Zhan. “No wonder you’re so calm. The dungeon truly harbors hidden talents. I thought only someone like you existed here. I never expected even the lowly prison guards to be so formidable.”

Yang Zhan looked at the young woman before him. Her arrogance and pride were gone, yet she was not embarrassed or angry.

Instead, he regarded her with newfound respect.

“Maybe your operatives are just that incompetent. If you trust me, I could help train them.”

Qin Yin twitched at the corner of her eye and stared at Yang Zhan. “General, though we failed, don’t you think it’s unwise to provoke me further? What good could that do?”

Yang Zhan spread his hands. “You’re poisoned; what’s meant to happen will happen. Do you think saying a few kind words will set me free?”

Qin Yin raised an eyebrow. “Then say something! Maybe I’ll let you go!”

Yang Zhan laughed. “Alright, you’re quite a catch—looks like you could squeeze water from a stone.”

“You—!”

Qin Yin’s anger flared instantly as she slammed the table and rose to her feet.

The servants around them bristled as well.

Yang Zhan held his head high, looking at Qin Yin without a trace of fear or panic.

Instead, he smiled, “Why are you so upset? Didn’t I say nice things? I’m complimenting you, aren’t you grateful?”

Qin Yin took several deep breaths, then suddenly turned and commanded sharply, “Everyone, evacuate the Moonview Pavilion immediately!”

“Yes, Commander. What about this man?”

She glanced at Yang Zhan, narrowing her eyes slightly. “I promised I wouldn’t trouble you, and I won’t. Until we meet again—I hope you don’t regret teasing me today.”

With that, Qin Yin led her people down the stairs to escape.

Yang Zhan was somewhat surprised—this girl had just spared his life once more.

Do women who love to smile truly have such good fortune?

Still, Yang Zhan opened his mouth and said:

“How rude. Did I say you could leave?”