Where is Lady Wenji?

The third day of the siege upon the Church’s main sanctuary was destined to be anything but ordinary. In the dead of night, Luan Yi led his troops in a daring assault on the northern gate, hurling incendiaries into the imperial camp until the whole area was engulfed in a sea of flames, the northern sky ablaze with crimson light.

At dawn, he returned to the sanctuary’s courtyard, only to find that the eastern gate had fallen, and imperial soldiers were pouring into the church like a flood. Exhausted, Luan Yi dragged his wearied body forward to aid the defense, swinging his hammer and cudgel without pause. Wherever he passed, flesh and bone were rent asunder, corpses strewn in his wake. With great effort, he rescued over twenty loyal guardians beset by the enemy. Fighting their way back, the seventy-odd survivors pressed on, while the defenders atop the high wall—where the factory adjoined the sanctuary—fought valiantly with bows to cover their retreat. At last, they managed to bring Luan Yi and his men safely within the walls.

Seeing the great doors sealed behind them, Luan Yi finally relaxed, a wave of crushing exhaustion crashing over him. He let the lotus-headed hammer fall from his grasp and slumped down in a corner, gasping for breath.

Li Zhuang appeared at his side, timely as ever, offering him a waterskin. “Master, have some water.”

Luan Yi gulped down a mouthful, wiped his lips, and asked, “Did everyone make it inside?”

“All accounted for. Look—” Li Zhuang pointed to the families of the guardians, huddled together in sleep beneath the wall, their numbers seemingly complete. His parents were helping the craftsmen make arrows at the forge. Diao Chan and her handmaid Qiqiao were tending wounds with the healer. “Where are Lady Cai and her maid?” he asked.

“Lady Cai?” Li Zhuang was startled, then realized someone was missing. He called out, “Did anyone see Miss Cai?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Luan Yi’s heart sank. Had Cai Yan been left outside? Without a word, he seized his hammer and strode toward the gate.

“Master, where are you going?” Li Zhuang asked.

Anxious and curt, Luan Yi replied, “What do you think? To rescue her!”

“Luan!” Diao Chan rushed over to block his path. “There are so many soldiers outside—if you go, it’s certain death. I won’t let you!” She clung to him, refusing to let him pass.

Frustration boiling over, Luan Yi shoved her aside. “A hero’s courage falters when love clouds his mind. If I cannot protect the woman I love, what claim have I to greatness? If I do not go and something befalls Lady Cai, how could I face my teacher again? Even if I survive, I would live ever in shame. I am willing to risk my life, not just for her sake, but for my own peace of mind.”

“Master, your loyalty is admirable,” Li Zhuang said, clasping his hands. “If that’s your wish, I’ll take my brothers and go with you.”

Luan Yi nodded and, ignoring the weeping Diao Chan, strode to the gate. On the signal, the defenders atop the wall rained down arrows to drive back the enemy below. The gate swung open, and Luan Yi, wielding cudgel and hammer, burst forth with a roar: “Stand in my way and die!” He crashed into the enemy ranks like a raging bear, each blow felling a foe. There was no longer any point in calling him a meat grinder—he was a juggernaut, a living engine of destruction. The guardians behind him fought bravely, shields raised and blades flashing, cutting a bloody path.

“Cai Zhaoji! Zhaoji, where are you? Luan Yi has come for you! Sister Cai, where are you?” he shouted, swinging his hammer as he searched the chaos. With every blow, he called out again.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice cried out, “Zi Qi, save me!” It was Cai Yan herself, not far off, in the southwest corner of the third courtyard—the old schoolroom.

A coarse shout rang out next: “Shut up, you little whore! The whole place is crawling with my men—your Zi Qi won’t come! Save your breath and serve me well; maybe I’ll make you a concubine if I’m pleased! Hahaha!”

“Yang Mou, you bastard, have some decency!” At once, Luan Yi realized the ordeal Cai Yan was about to face. Fury overtook him, his eyes turned blood-red, and he struck without mercy, smashing skulls with every blow, sending headless bodies crashing down, the sight chilling the hearts of the imperial soldiers. They stood trembling, spears in hand, too terrified to advance.

But Luan Yi did not pause. His hammer whirled ever faster, chasing the soldiers across the yard. Like a madman, he charged to the chamber door, kicked it in, and found Cai Yun collapsed in the corner, barely conscious, while Yang Mou, naked, was tearing at her last garment.

“Bastard!” Luan Yi thundered, startling Yang Mou, who never imagined Luan Yi could break through such a horde. Yang Mou fell backward in terror.

Luan Yi advanced in three long strides and kicked Yang Mou square between the legs, pulverizing him. Blood and filth spattered. Raising the hammer high, he brought it down upon Yang Mou’s head.

There was a series of sickening cracks. The ugly skull separated from the body, bounced off the walls, and rolled onto the couch.

Cai Yan, still in shock, now saw the bloodied head drop before her and turned pale as death, screaming uncontrollably. When someone approached, she thought Yang Mou had returned and fought desperately, beating at her rescuer with her fists, sobbing, “Go away, go away! Zi Qi, save me…”

Luan Yi held her shoulders firmly. “Sister… Zhaoji, it’s over. The villain is dead. It’s me, Luan Yi! I’ve come to save you.”

“Zi Qi? Is it really you?” Cai Yan recognized his voice and, regaining some composure, turned to him, her face alight with joy. “It’s really you—you saved me.”

Seeing the bruises and scratches marring her pale skin, Luan Yi’s heart ached, and he said, ashamed, “I came too late. Forgive me, sister.”

Cai Yan remembered what had happened and quickly checked herself. Thankfully, her last garment was intact. “Not too late… I’m still unharmed.”

At this point, what did it matter? Luan Yi cared for nothing now but her life.

“Loose the arrows!” came a shout from outside.

Luan Yi’s heart leapt. He kicked over a table and pulled Cai Yan behind it. Li Zhuang, who had entered with them, grabbed Cai Yun and ducked behind a cupboard. Of the five guardians who had rushed in, two fell where they stood, struck by a hail of arrows.

The ten defenders at the door, shields raised, managed to avoid the arrows, but were soon overwhelmed and slain by the attacking soldiers.

“Master, we’re in trouble! The place is surrounded—we can’t break out!” Li Zhuang whispered, sweating profusely as he peeked outside.

Luan Yi stole a glance. Sure enough, the enemy had set spear-men, shield-bearers, and archers in formation—no way even an immortal could break through. Was this the end for him, Luan Yi? So be it… Fourteen short years this life has been, but they were stolen years. Had fate not intervened, his twenty-first-century self would have died the day he pulled that plug. And yet, he had lived to see glory and riches, to know the love of China’s four great beauties… he had no regrets.

“Zi Qi, are we to die here together?” Cai Yan smiled through her tears. “So long as I am with you, I am content.”

“Die?” Luan Yi froze. The image of Yang Mou’s savage act flashed before him. Yes—he might die a man’s death, but what of Cai Yan? For a woman, capture was a fate far worse than death—humiliation, violation, torment…

No—I cannot let her fall into their hands. I cannot die so easily. But with the doors and windows blocked, how could they escape?

At that moment, a voice called out from outside: “Luan Yi, traitor! You are surrounded. There is no escape. Surrender now!”

“Surrender? No escape?” Luan Yi’s blood boiled. If there is no way out, I will make one myself! He tore off his armor and wrapped it around Cai Yan’s bare shoulders. “Wait here,” he told her.

Gripping his hammer, he strode to the eastern wall and swung three mighty blows. With a crash, the thirty-centimeter-thick masonry gave way, leaving a hole large enough for two to pass through.

Without hesitation, Luan Yi swung Cai Yan onto his back, called to Li Zhuang and the others, and dashed through the breach.

The soldiers had never anticipated such a move, and their numbers were thin on that side. Focused on the main door, they were caught off guard by the sudden explosion of brick and mortar. Luan Yi burst forth, bare-chested, his weapons a terrifying blur, cutting down all who dared stand in his way.

“Stop him! Shoot to kill!” the enemy officer shouted.

Arrows rained down upon them. Hearing the twang of bowstrings, Luan Yi turned, shielding Cai Yan with his body, and spun his hammers in a seamless web of steel.

Clang after clang echoed as arrows struck the spinning hammers. But after a dozen strokes, a sharp pain shot through his right arm…