Just as Ren Yuanhao was about to leave, Balunkel suddenly snapped back to his senses and added, "The boss is right. Oh, and he told me to pass on one more thing—don’t take too long, or he’ll start killing hostages."
Ren Yuanhao sheathed his blade and leaped straight out of the shattered window. By the time Balunkel rushed to the ledge, Ren Yuanhao had already vanished into the maze of sun-scorched alleyways.
…
Around two or three in the afternoon, Ren Yuanhao and Shion appeared at the stables.
Rumored to house the finest horses in all of Sand City, these steeds were descendants of legendary **blood-sweating stallions**, capable of incredible endurance. If not for sandstorms or losing their way, they could cross the **Western Wasteland Desert** in a single day to reach **Xiling City**.
Coincidentally, the stable hand turned out to be a warrior who had once shared **fire-blade liquor** and roasted lamb with Ren Yuanhao—a man named **Amuyang**.
He led out two magnificent horses. Even from a distance, the deep chestnut coats shimmered, and true to their lineage, their sweat glistened like blood under the sun. These were undoubtedly **peerless mounts**.
"These two are the fastest we have left," Amuyang sighed. "Three months ago, I had three even better stallions—**thousand-mile runners**—bought by three men from the **Shang family**. The ones you’re holding now can only manage **eight hundred miles a day**."
"**Shang family?**" Shion stiffened as if struck by lightning. Her entire body trembled with sudden intensity as she lunged forward, gripping Amuyang’s collar. She pulled out a badge from her bag—an eagle soaring across a crest. "**Did they carry this emblem?!**"
"Miss, how—how do you have the **exact same crest**? The leader called himself **Shang Luoshui**..."
Before Amuyang could finish, Shion staggered back, her voice breaking. "No… that’s impossible. They all died in a sandstorm **five years ago**. You must be lying."
"Miss, calm down. I swear on the **Jackal God**, I’m telling the truth!" Amuyang’s eyes were clear, devoid of deceit. "Anyone buying horses like those, I remember. They were in a hurry—headed straight for **Guyao City** after the purchase."
Shion collapsed onto the sand, weeping like a lost child. "**Five years…** Why wouldn’t they come back? Why no word? Just because I’m a **woman**?"
Ren Yuanhao sat beside her, gently patting her shoulder. "Shion, your father and brothers must have had no choice. They **adored** you. That’s probably why they chose to face things alone."
"I have to find them—**now!**"
Shion scrambled onto the horse, only for the fiery stallion to nearly buck her off.
"Easy. I can’t let you go to Guyao alone." Ren Yuanhao caught her wrist.
"But I **have** to go! I’m an **Esper**—I can take care of myself! I—"
Before she could finish, Ren Yuanhao pulled her into an embrace, stroking her back. "**Wait.** Listen. In a place like that, even an Esper woman isn’t safe. **Ultrasonic dampeners** could neutralize you in seconds. Your strengths will become weaknesses. And that city? It’s an **ocean of chaos**—you’ll drown in its currents."
"Yuanhao, thank you… But they’ve been missing for **five years**. I’ve searched for **five years**. Now that I have a lead—**if it were you**, wouldn’t you go too?"
Her anger melted into exhaustion, her body softening against his shoulder. Ren Yuanhao wanted to argue but found no rebuttal.
She was right. He’d do the same.
"Fine. Come with me first."
The two borrowed a room from Amuyang. Only after locking the door did Ren Yuanhao sit beside Shion.
"Shion, **absorb the Esper Cores now**. I’ll guard you. That way, even in Guyao, you’ll stand a chance."
Shion took out the two cores. As an Esper, she’d never attempted absorption before—but with Ren Yuanhao here, her courage surged. Nodding, she channeled her qi, starting with the **Immortal Wind Body Core**.
The process drained energy fiercely, but with Ren Yuanhao constantly replenishing her, there was no risk—no exhaustion.
By sunset, the absorption was complete.
Normally, merging two cores would leave one bedridden for days. Yet Shion felt **no fatigue**—her qi, tempered by Ren Yuanhao’s support, had grown **purer**.
"How do you feel?" Ren Yuanhao was drained. Three hours of qi transfusion would tax even a monster like him.
Shion nodded—then suddenly **dropped to one knee**.
"**What are you doing?!**"
Ren Yuanhao caught her, but Shion held firm. "This is my family’s **highest honor**. Yuanhao, you’ve **rebuilt my life**. If I can ever repay you, I’ll do anything—**even as your servant**."
"**Nonsense.** All I ask is that in Guyao, you **don’t act recklessly**. Any woman who outsmarted me can’t be dumb."
He hauled her up, and Shion huffed, "**Still hung up on that?** Fine, I apologize!"
"Apologies aren’t enough. **Three penalty drinks.**" He held up three fingers.
"Deal! **Three it is!**" Shion grabbed his arm, ready to drag him out, but Ren Yuanhao held her back.
"**Save those drinks for our reunion.** Okay?"
Shion’s smile bloomed like a desert flower. "**As you wish.**"
"Then stay safe. Time to part ways."
Ren Yuanhao bowed like a gentleman—only for Shion, ever the desert daughter, to **crush him in a hug**, whispering with uncharacteristic softness, "**You take care too. I’ll wait.**"
"**Always.**"
Like true lovers, they lingered before stepping apart. Mounting their stallions, they turned in opposite directions—one toward the **cooling dusk**, the other into the **sweltering horizon**—kicking up dust as they vanished.
The Western Wasteland remained as desolate as ever, its sands whispering tales of **blood and wine** beneath the same ancient moon.
**How many riders, in how many lifetimes, would return?**