It felt like something was dripping on her eyelids. Caused Lan Qi to slowly open her eyes and she blinked briefly to regain consciousness.

   She was no longer in that burning hall.

   But in the middle of a forest filled with tall trees and dense leaves. Beneath her, Lan Qi felt a wet piece of cloth encircle her body with rain-stained soil. While Lan Qi looked around, the night was slightly brightened by the moon which seemed to be unobstructed by the thick rain-causing clouds.

   She found the blue bowman crouching in front of her, his back to Lan Qi. Not far away, all Lan Qi could see were trees and darkness.

   Lan Qi coughed and then cleared her throat subconsciously. Her throat was sore, the residual smoke from the fire had probably affected her a little. Then the blue bowman turned to look at her. 

   For a few seconds, they stared. But the man said nothing. He looks like he's sharpening something. As soon as Lan Qi got up and walked over to him, he was chopping a branch of wood with his ice knife. Maybe to make a fire.

   Fire.

   The palace was engulfed in flames.

   Was it true that none of the soldiers were looking for her? Then what about the father and mother? What about all the maids in the palace? Are they all okay?

   Lan Qi was about to open her mouth and say something but when she tried, no sound came out. The man in front of her was indifferent, caring far more about the branches than Lan Qi. Actually, who is this man?

   The man said nothing until he lit the fire with a dry stone on a branch. The cold feeling from the rain is still prickling. But all the weight that Lan Qi was feeling was covered with that chill. It was as if she didn't know what else to do but save herself.

   Once again, Lan Qi had to remind herself that she was alone.

   There are no palace maids, no palace guards.

   Even worse, there is no Emperor or Empress.

   Unknowingly, the scorching and igniting flames shattered the branches in front of her, making Lan Qi's feelings fall like a drizzle. She sobbed softly, remembering how much she loved that day. How all the plans today were so perfect before the robbers came. 

   Lan Qi had already ordered the maids to bring her a nice dress, and a beautiful hairpin crown and even tidied up her hair to make it look more elegant. But after all, who would have thought that tonight—Lan Qi had to be standing here instead? In the middle of the forest with a strange man who doesn't even ask about her condition?

   Even to speak, Lan Qi was unable.

   What should Lan Qi do after this?

   The warmth from the blazing fire in front of her persuaded Lan Qi to wipe away her tears. Refreshing all the fear that had gripped her. Palace can not be abandoned just like that. Someone will save her. General Long and the emperor's advisers will look for her. But not now. Everything is still too messed up. Moreover, no one knows how badly the robbers will act.

   As Lan Qi continued to stare at the yellow-orange flames, Lan Qi's chest filled with a new feeling. 

   The robbers.

   If today's Lan Qi survived, then that blue bowman was one she should look up to. And one day, Lan Qi had to promise that she would avenge these robbers. After all, Lan Qi had to do something.

   When Lan Qi was about to get up to approach the blue man who was sitting quietly, suddenly from a distance, Lan Qi heard footsteps. 

   More precise steps.

   Someone is approaching. 

   Before Lan Qi could process everything, the blue bowman had already raised his ice blade and then pushed Lan Qi back slightly. The light from the fire gave some clarity. Two robbers came in front of the blue bowman.

   “Well, well, it turns out that it is also useful to check the forest. Lightning Villain, aren't you tired of running all this time? Leave Princess Li Ming to us, then I won't have to bother tearing your flesh.”

   Lan Qi's breath hitched. She subconsciously gripped the blue bow man's hand tightly.

   “Stay away,” said the man. Sharp and cold. The robbers' expressions were smirks of pleasure. No matter how much they wanted to capture all the palace dwellers, Lan Qi was too helpless to think of that. 

   The robbers drew their swords. They already had swords, but that wasn't enough until they also held axes and spears in one hand in the other.

   Without saying anything else, the blue bowman pushed Lan Qi away with one hand. Without turning around, or without hinting at anything.

   “Come here, handsome boy—”

   The robber's sword swung, slashing through the air and barely decapitating the blue bowman. With agile movements, the man repelled and resisted the attacks of the robbers. They fought again, dodging each other and swinging swords. The blue bowman brushed aside, spun around, and counterattacked. One of the muggers got a kick to his leg until he screamed. The blue bowman pushed him to the ground. While the other robber shouted.

   "Damn brat!"

   The robber's sword slashed through the air, the blue bowman managed to dodge and with one swift move, he spun backward and wounded the robber with one hand. The robber collapsed to the ground and fell unconscious. 

   Lan Qi, who was standing behind one of the trees, held her breath. She came out with slow steps while glancing fearfully at the pirates who were already lying on the ground.

   “They…” Lan Qi's voice did not come out. But the blue bowman glanced at her and then sighed. Making thin smoke come out of his mouth. His bangs were slightly brushed aside. While keeping the knife in the scabbard. He stepped on the fire and then turned off the only source of warmth.

   In the middle of a forest where nothing could be heard, Lan Qi fell silent. The bowman also fell silent. They both stood still for a few seconds. But before Lan Qi made up her mind, the man started to leave. 

   Lan Qi was stunned for a moment. But her brain was telling Lan Qi to do something. She can't lose anyone anymore. She had to go with this blue bowman. Quickly, Lan Qi trotted over and took the blue bow man's hand until he stopped in his tracks. 

   “Please…”

   The man turned to her with an even look. 

   “Let.. me come… with you… you have… saved me… twice…”

   Lan Qi still didn't let go of his hand. She half hoped this cold man would give her a chance. Even though it looked like he didn't want to start a conversation or just help her get rid of the robbers, Lan Qi didn't want to be alone anymore. Not before she returned home to the palace.

   She looked up slowly, hoping for an answer in the man's blue eyes. But before Lan Qi could get her answer, an arrow shot through their midst. Lan Qi gasped and jumped backward. It fell to the ground. The man squinted in the direction of the bow. Deftly, retrieved the ice sword in its scabbard and repelled a bow that rushed past it. Parry easily. Lan Qi, who had fallen on the ground was about to get up, but out of nowhere, the robbers surrounded her again.

   “Well, well…” this time there were about five… or maybe six and seven. Behind them, in the middle of the dark forest, there was probably a lot more than Lan Qi had ever thought.

   She stared at the blue bowman who swung his ice knife and then spun the blade around to turn into a longsword. Lan Qi was mesmerized by the miracle for one second.

   “See what you will receive after this, Lightning Villain. You are mine."

   The robbers started scattering to attack the Lightning Villains. With an easy parry, the man repelled. Keep jumping to avoid, pushing, and fending off the robbers' spears and swords. The fierce battle was nothing. Because before the man was surrounded, Lan Qi screamed because someone was carrying her.

   “Shit—”

   Lan Qi kept screaming, her hands flailing in the air hoping to hold onto her body which the robbers were easily hauled away. But she couldn't do anything. Lan Qi's voice trailed off. Even though she didn't know if she was still making a sound, the blue bowman heard it. But great expectations prompted Lan Qi to continue screaming.

   The blue bowman had a hard time getting out of the siege of the robbers holding him down. The man's sword blocked and kept parrying all the attacks. Between the dark shadows and the growing distance, Lan Qi felt a cold air answering all that hopeful end.

   She will not be saved.

   The palace will fall.

   Everyone will die.

   And even on her fifteenth birthday, Lan Qi didn't even get to make a wish.

   Before Lan Qi's throat felt like it was about to snap from forcing out a sound, Lan Qi's vision blurred. In the dark and dense forest, under the hands of the robbers who seized her, a flash of light flew swiftly across the darkness. A small flat sword spun quickly towards the robber who was carrying her.

   The robber fell. Simultaneously with Lan Qi kissed the ground. The blue bow man's battle is not over yet. But for the second time, the smell of rain-wet earth sent Lan Qi faintly losing consciousness.

   Then, before she could completely close her eyes, she saw three small cheek blades bright blue as ice, shooting out again. Smashed the two robbers behind her to the ground. After that, Lan Qi didn't remember anything as she fell unconscious.

***