Ivy Shen kept recalling the past. She never expected that she would come here all alone, trying to help rescue her sister.
At that moment, Lacey suddenly gripped her hand tightly and frowned, "Why did you come here alone?" Just now, she’d been on guard and then overjoyed, totally forgetting Ivy had just survived so many brushes with death.
At that moment, her heart trembled. Just now, Ivy had been like a butterfly without wings, flying through blood and chaos, and yet Lacey had watched coldly from the side. But this wasn't just anyone—this was her little sister!
"I'm here to get you out," Ivy replied quickly, not noticing Lacey’s change in expression.
"Silly girl, how could you come here alone? Look at you—you're covered in blood! Just now, I didn’t... I didn’t warn you, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry..." Lacey looked at her, eyes full of guilt.
"Come on, you didn’t even recognize me just now! If it were me, I’d probably be even colder and wouldn’t bother warning anyone about a boiling oil trap." Ivy grinned, showing she wasn’t blaming her at all.
Her elder sister had learned to protect herself this way after suffering so much.
"Sis, this time, I’m here to take you out!" As she spoke, Ivy’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
Lacey was stunned. She’d seen that fierce look in Ivy’s eyes countless times in her dreams, but seeing it in real life was still shocking.
"Rescue me? Silly girl, don’t be foolish—this is the imperial palace, not just anywhere! You have to leave, quick, before anyone finds you!" As she spoke, she reached out to push Ivy away, urging her to escape.
"I know, that's exactly why I'm here—to bust you out of here! No way am I letting anyone hurt you ever again, not on my watch!"
"No, Xin'er, you have to get out of here! This place is way crazier than you think—just look at your injuries! Song Zhijue already set up a death trap all over the palace, there's no way out! Go, go now!" Lacey frantically tried to push her away, desperate for her to leave.
Seeing this, Ivy Shen ignored her and stood up, took a deep breath, and, channeling every ounce of her strength, chopped down on the iron chain wrapped around Lacey’s tail.
"Noooooooo—!"
"Ah—!" Ivy slammed her palm down, but who could've guessed her own inner power would bounce right back at her?
"Stop, Xin'er!" Lacey cried, trying to block her.
"What the—?" Ivy stared dumbfounded at the chain. She’d gone all out with that palm strike—how could the chain not budge even a little?!
Seeing Ivy frown, Lacey hurriedly explained, "Xin'er, don't waste your energy. That’s no ordinary chain—Cao Wan’er had it custom-made. They say it’s forged in Flame Valley, burning for eighty-one days straight! Only someone from Flame Valley can break it—everyone else, forget it!"
"Why? Does Song Zhijue have a key or something? Because if there's a key, you know I'm gonna find a way to swipe it!"
"Nope, no key at all," Lacey said, her head hanging low and her whole vibe just radiating sadness.