Chapter 13: Obedience

“Master.”

Su Wei had heard every word with absolute clarity. She dropped directly to her knees in front of Su He. When she looked up, the earlier confusion in her eyes was completely gone, replaced by something akin to release.

Su He stared down at her haughtily. After meeting her gaze for a few seconds, she raised the slender wooden stick. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped it, and then she swung her arm down—

Su Wei didn’t even blink. But the expected pain never came. She widened her eyes in surprise. Her master had only tapped her gently on the head.

“Get up.” Su He brushed past her with quick steps, the hem of her clothes stirring a light breeze that softly ruffled Su Wei’s loose hair. “Gu will forgive you this one time.”

Su Wei’s fingers curled inward briefly, and then she scrambled to her feet and hurried after Su He. The moment she came to a halt before her master, a branch was tossed toward her, and she caught it on pure reflex.

Su He dusted off her hands. “Practice that form once. Let me see.”

“Understood.”

Su Wei tightened her grip on the branch. Her eyes turned sharp and intense, her entire aura shifting to one of lethal seriousness. Though she was still injured, her movements were fluid and decisive, with no hint of hesitation.

“Master.” Su Wei concluded the form and respectfully bent at the waist, offering the branch back. “I’ve embarrassed myself in front of you.”

Su He did not take the branch. Instead, she stepped behind Su Wei and loosely wrapped her arms around her. Her hand firmly supported the Shadow Guard’s wrist, grip tightening until it was almost crushing. She murmured low, “No. You were very good.”

“Su Wei, what did you discuss with the Leader today?” Su He held Su Wei’s hand and gently guided her a small step back. A sharp crack split the air, but Su He’s gaze softened. “You seem much happier.”

Su Wei strained to gather her concentration. She was being led by Su He to pivot her body, her arm striking out in response to the movement. In her hand, the branch transformed into a separate, deadly blade. She could feel the warmth of Su He’s fingertips, the heat behind her neck—sensations that slowly, completely enveloped her.

“When Gu was young, to survive, I had to learn martial arts. Afraid of being discovered, I applied ointment every day to erase the calluses.” Su He let out a soft chuckle. “Su Wei, your waist is surprisingly flexible.”

Su Wei didn’t speak. She focused intently on the new techniques Su He was teaching her. The wind stirred by their movements whipped their hair into the air, tangling together in fleeting moments of contact before swiftly parting, as if they had never touched at all.

“Later, Gu killed Gu’s own Shifu. Because she would have exposed Gu. Would have jeopardized Gu’s plans.”

Su He suddenly stopped the movement. Her arm circled Su Wei’s waist, holding the girl fixed in place. She asked, “Do you think she hates Gu?”

Su Wei answered without hesitation. “No. She would have understood your reasons, Master.”

“What a coincidence.” Su He’s grip tightened, and she heard Su Wei’s stifled grunt of pain. She buried her face in the crook of the Shadow Guard’s neck, leaving only her eyes visible. “That’s exactly what she said before she died.”

“Master, I told the Leader… that Shadow Nine will always be your Shadow Guard.”

Su He let out a low, throaty laugh. She pinched Su Wei’s face, forcing the girl to turn and look at her. Then, with brazen arrogance, she whispered something directly into Su Wei’s ear.

But Su Wei didn’t hear a single syllable.

The branch slipped from her grasp and clattered to the ground, splitting cleanly in two.

Su Wei’s back was pressed against the door. She was disoriented, her hands fluttering helplessly near Su He’s shoulders. Her own cloth blindfold had been tied over her eyes, and the warm pressure on her lips made her shoulders flinch back involuntarily. Her hands hovered in the air, afraid to come down.

She knelt at the bedside, her hands bound together in front of her. She heard her master’s command. Su He’s foot rested on her leg as she drawled, “Are you Gu’s dog?”

Su Wei nodded. She wanted to speak, but a piece of cloth had been stuffed into her mouth. She looked so obedient, tilting her head askew as she waited for Su He’s next order. Then she heard her master say:

“Good little dog. Take off your clothes yourself.”