Chapter 160: Narrow Pass

The road began to change long before anyone said it out loud, the steady rhythm of travel giving way to something sharper.

Land rose gradually beneath them and the path narrowed into a stretch of uneven stone that forced both horses and the riders into a slower pace.

Loose gravel shifted underhoof, small stones skittering down the edges where the path dropped steeply into shadowed ravines.

No one spoke as they navigated the treacherous road.

Han Shuying remained composed through it all but her gaze moved more frequently, tracking not just the path ahead but the ridges above them and the jagged outcroppings where shadows gathered too easily.

Ru Yi felt it before she saw it, the change in her awareness coming through when Han Shuying’s arm tightened around her waist.

It was in the faint adjustment of the reins, the quiet, almost imperceptible shift in the way Han Shuying pressed closer.

"What is it?" Ru Yi asked quietly, her voice low so she wouldn’t alarm the others.

Han Shuying was more focused on the ridge above, then to the narrow curve ahead where the path bent out of sight.

"We’re not alone," she whispered directly into Ru Yi’s ear. The ghost of her breath made Ru Yi shiver.

Han Shuying rode closer to Lieyin’s horse. "I think we have company."

Lieyin turned right away, her attention sharpening as she scanned the terrain ahead with a more focused eye. "Where?"

Han Shuying tilted her chin upward. "Above us."

The silence that followed was heavy as the sisters tried to look for whoever it was. "I don’t see anything," Lieyin muttered.

"You’re not supposed to," Han Shuying replied evenly. "That’s the whole point of being ambushed."

That didn’t help, but a second later there was movement on the side. Lieyin and Yexue saw them this time.

Yexue swore under her breath, her hand instinctively moving closer to the weapon at her side. "Do you think they’re bandits?"

"Very likely," Han Shuying answered. "Or something worse—" her smile was fleeting, "assassins."

"That’s very reassuring," Lieyin shot back.

Han Shuying didn’t bother with a response. "Don’t stop, and don’t let your gaze wander towards them."

"I already know that," Lieyin spoke through gritted teeth. Everything about the woman was getting on her nerves. She had to remind herself it was all for Qingyue.

The group moved forward, but slower and more aware of every sound that was sharp against the quiet.

They turned the bed, the drop beside them steepening into something that vanished into the shadow below. The edge was so close that a single misstep could send both horse and rider over without warning.

"Stay close," Yexue said quietly.

Ru Yi didn’t speak, her focus was fixed ahead as she forced her heartbeat to slow down. Her awareness remained split, half on the path, half on the presence behind her. The quiet readiness to attack in Han Shuyin’s posture.

There was a sudden crack—

The sound of stone breaking loose above them split the silence before anything else could. It was followed by the unmistakable rush of movement as rocks tumbled from the ridge overhead, scattering down toward the narrow path.

"Move!" Han Shuying snapped.

The horses reacted instantly, surging forward under the sudden command. Hooves scrambled for stable ground as the first stones struck the path behind them, sharp impacts sending smaller fragments skidding dangerously close to the edge.

Lieyin’s horse faltered. It was just slightly but enough for its front hoof to slip against loose gravel. Its weight shifted wrong which had it stumbling toward the edge.

Lieyin swore, pulling hard on the reins as the horse reared, its footing unstable. The back legs scrambled for purchase where there was none.

For a split second she was going over.

But Han Shuying moved fast. She released the reins with one hand, and leaned sharply to catch Lieyin’s arm. Her grip was firm and unyielding as she anchored her in place with a force that cut through the chaos around them.

"Hold," she said sharply.

Lieyin didn’t argue or resist. Yexue pushed her hands back to circle them around Lieyin’s waist in an awkward position to keep herself from falling.

The horse struggled beneath them, its weight shifting dangerously before finally finding stable ground again. Its hooves caught against a patch of firmer stone just enough to steady itself.

Fortunately, the two sisters never fell from the horse.

Han Shuying made sure they were stable before releasing her hold on Lieyin. Like it had all been effortless on her end.

Breathing harder now, Lieyin tightened her hold on the horse. "You..." she started, then stopped. The words to show her gratitude wouldn’t come, it didn’t fit in her mouth.

Han Shuying wasn’t bothered. "Focus, the people trailing us would want to take advantage of this."

"Thank you." It was Yexue’s defeated voice.

Han Shuying gave her a single nod of acknowledgement before riding ahead.

Soon enough, they slowed to a stop near a cluster of low trees. The shade offered a brief reprieve from both the climb and the watchful presence that had followed them through the pass.

Lieyin dismounted first, her boots hitting the ground as she stepped away from her horse. Yexue came down after her, already scanning the area.

Meanwhile Han Shuying placed her hands on either side of Ru Yi’s waist and helped her down.

Yexue’s eyes caught on something near the edge of the clearing. She crouched slightly, her fingers brushing against the ground before lifting a small branch.

"What is it?" Han Shuying asked, coming up behind her.

"A branch."

Han Shuying frowned. "And?"

"The cut is still fresh." And pale where the wood had been exposed. The edges hadn’t darkened yet, and a faint scent of sap lingered in the air. "I think Qingyue passed here."

"Recently?" Lieyin asked.

"By the look of it, yes." She dropped the piece of wood. "If my calculation is right, we’re only half a day away from her."

"Good." Han Shuying called out. "Let’s get this over with."