The wind howled furiously atop a snow-covered mountain, sending white snowflakes swirling through the air like restless spirits.
This place, meant to be untouched and tranquil—far removed from the clutches of human chaos—was anything but.
Small pools of blood stained the pristine snow crimson, and the sound of rustling robes broke the stillness. Dozens of figures moved swiftly, following the trail of blood like hounds chasing prey.
"She's here!" someone shouted, and the group surged forward—arriving at the peak where a breathtaking woman stood, panting for breath. In her arms, she held a beautiful child, swaddled tightly against the cold.
Her once-white robes were soaked in blood. Despair clouded her eyes, but within them also burned an unyielding defiance.
"Tang Xinxin, give up and accept your fate!" a voice roared.
She scoffed. Her voice was hoarse, but her words were laced with venom.
"You plotted against my husband and murdered his family."
Ever since the downfall of her husband's clan—destroyed by the four most powerful families—Tang Xinxin had been hunted. The hidden sects and assassins of the world were mobilized against her.
The pursuit had lasted two brutal months. She had slain countless experts, leaving corpses behind like broken puppets, but the cost was steep. Her body was ravaged with wounds. Her strength was depleted. Even her mind began to fracture from exhaustion.
But still, she stood.
Still, she fought.
A storm of killing intent rolled off her bloodied form. The surrounding experts hesitated, feeling a chill crawl down their spines. They knew—she was like an arrow at the end of its flight, yet no one wanted to be the one to test its final shot. Even at her weakest, she could kill the first fool who dared to step forward.
Tang Xinxin looked at them one last time, then turned her gaze down at her daughter… and beyond—toward the abyss below.
Black spots danced in her vision. Her time had come. But even in death, she would not let them take what they sought.
With her final breath, she whispered to the child, "Mum and Dad love you more than anything in this world. I'm sorry, baby."
The rest she whispered to herself. Then, summoning the last of her strength, she leapt from the mountaintop—cradling her daughter as they vanished into the sea of clouds below. A serene smile touched her lips.
"Everyone, find the bodies!" someone shouted.
The search began immediately. But no matter how long they searched at the foot of the mountain, neither mother nor child was ever found.