The Crown Prince stepped forward, his expression sincere.
"Master White Mask," he said, "I apologize for what happened today. You are a guest in our country, and yet you were placed in such an uncomfortable situation. This—"
Bai-Xue raised her hand gently, stopping him.
"Your Highness," she replied calmly, "what happened today was neither your fault, nor is there any need for an apology."
The Crown Prince hesitated before speaking again.
"I do not wish for misunderstandings to arise between us," he said. "I hope that we can become friends. It would be an honor for me—and for our kingdom."
Bai-Xue looked at him quietly for a moment.
"Your Highness," she said softly, "friendship and trust are not built through words alone. A friendship formed for political convenience is merely a temporary alliance—it can break at any moment when interests change."
She met his gaze steadily.
"I, too, wish to have friends. But not like this."
A faint smile curved her lips.
"We will become friends one day... when the time is right."
With that, she turned and walked away.
As she passed him, a delicate fragrance brushed past the Crown Prince's senses.
His eyes widened slightly.
"That scent..." he murmured. "She... she smells like a girl."
His heart skipped a beat.
"So White Mask... is a woman."
No—more than that.
"A young girl... yet so powerful that none of us can stand against her."
A quiet smile formed on his lips.
"I want to know more about you," he thought. "And I am certain... that I will get that chance."
With that, he departed, his steps light, his expression faintly shy.
Bai-Xue walked through the bustling streets, blending into the crowd.
Soon, her gaze fell upon a familiar carriage—the Ning family's carriage, parked by the roadside.
She smiled faintly and approached.
Inside sat Ning Hai-Rang and Ning Shu-Hui.
If First Sister were here, hai-rang thought, she would be delighted. So many of the treasures we acquired today will be useful to her.
Her gaze softened.
Second Sister Hai-Rang... I still do not know where First Sister is.
Her eyes flickered toward Shu-Hui.
Fourth Sister, very soon you will receive the answer you seek.
Be patient... just one month.
Shu-Hui, gazing outside, suddenly noticed White Mask nearby and quickly stepped down from the carriage.
"Master White Mask," she said respectfully, "I am Ning Shu-Hui, the second daughter of the Ning family. If you wish, I can offer you a ride."
Bai-Xue glanced at her coldly.
Without speaking a single word, she turned and walked away.
Shu-Hui froze, then returned to the carriage.
Hai-Rang chuckled softly.
"Master White Mask is so cool," she said dreamily. "I really want him to become my master..."
Her thoughts drifted far away as she stared out the window.
Bai-Xue continued down the street, her mind racing.
"One month..." she murmured.
"What is the Ning family planning?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"I must find out."
Then she sighed lightly.
"But first... I need a place where White Mask can live in peace."
Suddenly, a noisy crowd caught her attention.
People had gathered in the middle of the street.
Curious, Bai-Xue moved toward the center—activating her invisibility technique so that no one could see her.
At the center of the crowd lay a young girl.
Blood flowed from her forehead. Her clothes were torn and filthy.
A drunken man stood over her, gripping a wooden stick, striking her again and again.
Nearby, a woman and another young girl stood watching—laughing, covering their mouths as if enjoying a performance.
The fallen girl made no sound.
No scream.
No tears.
No fear in her eyes.
It was as if she felt nothing at all.
Bai-Xue's eyes darkened.
"What a strong girl," she murmured.
She placed a finger lightly against her lips, smiling faintly, and activated her Divine Vision.
"...Interesting."
"Her heart is unwavering."
"She possesses a cultivator's will."
"Strong... truly strong."
Then her gaze sharpened.
"But why is she enduring this?"
"What reason could make her tolerate such cruelty?"
Her lips curved slightly.
"Well... well... well."
"This is becoming very interesting."
A man in the crowd spoke up.
"What's happening here?"
Another replied casually, "Ah, the Ham family again. Making a spectacle in the street, as usual."
The first man frowned.
"What happened this time?"
The second sighed.
"That drunken father tried to sell his eldest daughter to that old Count again. She refused... so this happened."
"Isn't that Count already keeping thirty-nine concubines?"
"Yes," someone sneered. "She would've been the fortieth."
The drunken man shouted as he struck the girl.
"You useless trash! You can't even help your own family! Just like your mother!"
He laughed cruelly.
"She killed herself just like this!"
(The crowd whispered—his first wife had committed suicide after he tried to sell her to merchants.)
The man turned, falling to his knees before a figure standing nearby.
"You can take her," he begged. "She belongs to you, Master!"
In the corner stood an elderly man, thin and filthy. Saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth, lust shining openly in his eyes.
Anyone could tell how disgusting he was.
He approached the girl and reached out.
"Stop resisting," he leered. "Come with me."
The injured girl finally spoke, her voice trembling but firm.
"No... no... I will not go with you."
"Don't touch me."
"Stay away from me!"
In an instant, Bai-Xue appeared behind the girl—still unseen.
She gently held the girl's face and pulled her upright.
"How much longer will you endure this?" Bai-Xue whispered.
"Have you ever thought about freeing yourself?"
"You can do it."
"If you wish to live without fear... without pain... then stand up."
"Listen to your heart."
"I am behind you."
The girl could not see Bai-Xue.
But she could hear her.
She could feel her presence.
"You can fly freely beneath this open sky," Bai-Xue continued.
"You can live by your own will—not by the rules of these worthless people."
"There is no need to remain under their filthy, anxious gazes."
A single tear slid from the girl's right eye.
It was as if, for the first time in her life, she felt pain—and kindness.
Slowly... she lifted her head.
Her gaze turned cold.
And she looked straight at the old man.