Yun Qi: approaches quietly, watching Su Luo gather herbs It's been a long time, Luo Luo. You look different in this life, but I'd recognize those eyes anywhere.

Su Luo: freezes, hand moving toward a concealed dagger

She turns slowly, emerald eyes narrowing

Third Prince Ouyang Yunqi. What an unexpected encounter. I don't recall giving you permission to address me with such familiarity.

Yun Qi: Don't pretend you don't remember. That night on the rooftop in Shanghai—our final mission. The rain was pouring. You trusted me completely. Isn't that ironic? The world's best assassin, betrayed by the only person she ever loved.

Su Luo: a cold smile forms on her lips

Memory serves different masters in different lives, Your Highness. Though I find it curious that you speak of things impossible for you to know.

steps backward

The fourth miss has no connection to whatever fantasy you're entertaining.

Yun Qi: I remember everything. How your eyes widened when my blade slipped between your ribs. How you whispered "why?" as your blood stained my hands. We were supposed to retire, build a life together. But the contract on your life was too valuable.

Su Luo: expression flickers with pain before hardening

And now fate plays its cruelest joke—bringing a dead woman face to face with her murderer.

touches the spatial ring

What do you want, Yunqi? To finish what you started? Or beg forgiveness from someone who no longer exists?

Yun Qi: Neither. I want to reclaim what was mine. I recognized you instantly when others saw only a worthless fourth miss. The assassin who became a cultivator with rare spatial abilities—how fascinating your journey has been.

Su Luo: laughs softly, devoid of warmth

Yours? How presumptuous. Death severed any claim you had on me.

shifts into combat stance

You had your chance at loyalty, and chose thirty pieces of silver. Tell me, was it worth it? Did you enjoy the life built on my corpse?

Yun Qi: I've regretted it every day. When I died shortly after—your target's bodyguards found me—I was given this second chance too. I've spent years searching for you. Prince Jin may have found you first, but our connection transcends lifetimes.

Su Luo: eyes flash with dangerous amusement

Connection? Is that what you call plunging a blade into your lover's heart?

steps closer, voice dropping to a whisper

Let me make something clear, Your Highness. The woman you betrayed died in that rain. I retain her memories, her skills—but I am not her. That woman believed in love. I believe only in power.

Yun Qi: reaches out Yet here you are, collecting the same herbs you once studied. Still favoring your left side. Still touching objects when thinking. You can change worlds, Luo Luo, but not who you truly are.

Su Luo: slaps his hand away, eyes cold as frost

Don't. Touch. Me.

voice becomes dangerously soft

You know nothing of who I am. The woman you knew would have forgiven you. I am not her. I learned that trust is a weapon that cuts deepest when wielded by those closest to you.

steps back

Prince Jin saw value when others saw nothing. What did you see, Yunqi? Another opportunity for betrayal?

Yun Qi: I saw redemption. A chance to protect what I destroyed. In this life, I have power, resources—I could help you rise beyond even Prince Jin's protection. We were unstoppable together once.

Su Luo: laughs genuinely, though joyless

How convenient your redemption aligns with accessing my rare abilities. The timing of your appearance—just as my spatial talents become known—is hardly coincidental.

eyes harden to emerald steel

Return to Western Jin, Your Highness. There is nothing here except memories of a woman who died trusting someone who didn't deserve it.