If Charles Yin hadn't called ahead to report their safety, the Yin Family might have stormed into Japan themselves to confront the Emperor.
The Yun Family also received news that Cecilia Gu was safe, along with the update that she'd regained her memory.
So right now, the Yun Family is pretty nervous, not sure how to face their only remaining heir.
After all, nobody knows better than Cecilia Gu how much the Yun Family used to mess things up.
Old Madam Yun is pretty relaxed, acting like she’s got everything under control.
But Mr. Yun and Mrs. Yun are a little uneasy.
Still, the fact that Cecilia Gu sent news of her safety herself shows she still cares about the Yun Family, right?
Honestly, they're overthinking it.
Cecilia Gu is no longer the person she was three years ago. She may have regained her memory, but now she has even more memories.
In that void space, Nora Yun’s protection and love for her meant that, no matter what issues Cecilia Gu had with the Yun Family, she’d let it all go for Nora’s sake.
Besides, is now really the time to think about that?
Clarence has already brought people to attack—right now, the priority is figuring out how to take down Clarence!
Everything is ready.
Cecilia Gu’s gaze swept up to the treetops, where two snipers were hidden. Then she glanced at the tent not far ahead, packed with explosives.
Her eyes moved to a rough path, where three layers of landmines were set.
She looked back at her own position—she was in a cave on a hillside, camouflaged on top, with traps set all around.
Forget being discovered easily—even if they found her, the enemy probably wouldn’t dare make a move.
If she blew up her side, half the mountain would collapse.
If the enemy was really that reckless, she’d go down fighting!
Cecilia Gu glanced at Charles Yin, hidden in the grass. If she hadn’t seen him lie down there herself, she’d never have guessed anyone was hiding!
The wind whipped by, carrying the salty tang of the sea, making everyone restless.
Cecilia Gu felt her legs going numb, but she still didn’t dare move, afraid her camouflage would give her away.
Everyone else was holding out—she absolutely couldn’t make a mistake!
Time ticked by, and just when Cecilia Gu thought she couldn’t hold out any longer, the enemy finally arrived!
Sure enough, as soon as the enemy reached the mountain, they opened fire on the tents!
The sound of shell casings hitting the ground overhead felt like it was pounding straight into her heart, making her whole body go numb.
How much does Clarence hate her, anyway?
Do they want her dead that badly?
Cecilia Gu glanced at Charles Yin’s hiding spot. Just how many women had that troublemaker attracted? If every jealous rival in the world took a shot at her, she’d be riddled with bullets!
After the barrage, someone immediately rushed into the tents to check for casualties.
"Not good, it’s an ambush—fall back!" someone screamed from inside the tent.
Too bad Japanese isn’t as concise as Chinese—you could spend forever saying one sentence.
Before he could finish, the explosives hidden under the tent went off!
Boom—a deafening blast sent the tents and everyone inside straight to meet their maker.
"Damn it!" Clarence hadn’t expected her sneak attack to run right into an ambush. Her eyes went bloodshot. "They’re still on this mountain—search for them!"
Before Clarence could finish, explosions erupted again and again along the mountain path.
"Miss Clarence, it’s bad! All our paths are blocked!" A dust-covered man ran over, shouting, "They planted landmines on every route up the mountain—everything’s been blown up!"
Clarence was speechless, standing there in shock.
How could this happen?
Weren’t they supposed to have retreated to this mountain, so fast that they couldn’t even bring the equipment to treat Cecilia Gu?
Why is there still an ambush here?
How did he even predict my escape route?
Clarence might be foolish, but she’s not completely clueless—she quickly realized Charles Yin had outsmarted her!
She wanted to kill Cecilia Gu here, but Charles Yin wanted to take out Clarence just as much.
Turns out, everyone had the same goal!
Once Clarence figured it out, she shouted, "We have no way out now! The only way to escape is to kill them all—charge!"
Charles Yin, you pushed me to this!
I’ll make you kneel before me like a dog, begging for mercy!
Cecilia Gu, today it’s either you or me!
Cecilia Gu bit her lip hard, not daring to move.
The battle outside finally erupted!
Charles Yin’s side had only about twenty people.
But Clarence charged in with over a hundred.
After losing a dozen or so to traps, there were still nearly a hundred left.
A four-to-one disadvantage made things tough for Charles Yin’s group!
Clarence’s people were all elite fighters, battle-hardened and experienced.
But Charles Yin’s people were professional bodyguards and even famous assassins—none of them feared death!
Charles Yin’s side was rushed, so they only brought part of their ammo and equipment.
Clarence, on the other hand, had plenty of time to prepare and brought tons of supplies.
Even though the minefield had cost Clarence a lot, overall she still had the upper hand.
It all came down to timing and terrain.
With both sides’ strengths and weaknesses clear, it was all about skill now!
Cecilia Gu stayed hidden in the cave, not daring to move a muscle.
[Irrelevant system message; skip translation.]
She could only squeeze her eyes shut, listening to the sounds outside and waiting for the final judgment.
Cecilia Gu knew the only thing she could do now was not drag her man down!
She was willing to believe Charles Yin could handle everything!
She believed her man could give her safety and peace.
The fight started quickly—and ended just as fast.
Cecilia Gu had no idea how much time had passed—she just knew her whole body was numb.
Staying in one position for so long would torture anyone.
Cecilia Gu’s vision was starting to blur!
She wondered if she’d pass out any second…
Just as Cecilia Gu was about to faint, someone suddenly ripped away her camouflage!
Her heart clenched instantly!
Could it be that Charles Yin lost?
Cecilia Gu instinctively swung her dagger, stabbing forward!
"Don’t move—it’s me!" Charles Yin saw Cecilia Gu’s move and grabbed her wrist. "They’ve all been taken out!"
Only then did Cecilia Gu open her eyes, dazedly looking at the blurry figure in her sight. Once she confirmed it was Charles Yin, she finally relaxed and passed out!
"Cici!" Charles Yin was startled!
Charles Yin tossed aside what he was holding and caught Cecilia Gu, carrying her out of the cave in his arms!
Cecilia Gu’s eyelids felt unbearably heavy, but she still managed to respond, gently squeezing Charles Yin’s arm to let him know she’d fainted from low blood sugar after crouching so long.
The battlefield on the other side was already cleared.
A man strode over to Charles Yin and reported, "Mr. Yin, everyone’s been captured! Fifty-six dead, twenty seriously injured, three with minor wounds—the rest are prisoners!"
"What about Earl Field?" Charles Yin carried Cecilia Gu up to the mountain top, glancing at the group disarmed and squatting on the ground.
"Earl Field’s lightly injured, getting treated now," the man replied. "We lost three people. Everyone else is fine."
That’s the power gap!
Charles Yin nodded, gently laid Cecilia Gu on a makeshift bed, and said to the others, "Take me to see Clarence!"
"Yes, Mr. Yin." The man immediately obeyed.
Charles Yin entered a newly set-up tent, where someone dragged in Clarence, her hands bound, and threw her onto the cold, wet ground.
"Miss Clarence, still alive and kicking?" Charles Yin sat boldly on a folding chair, dressed in army-green camouflage, looking every bit the commanding general.
Clarence’s gaze wavered, finally landing on Charles Yin.
It was her first time seeing Charles Yin in camouflage.
She’d only ever seen him dressed like a gentleman—never imagined he could look so rugged.
Wild and dangerous.
That kind of man drove her crazy.
And that kind of man was exactly why she was so humiliated now!
Clarence knew all too well—she’d stupidly fallen right into his trap.
That’s Charles Yin!
The man who dominates the world!
Suddenly, Clarence burst out laughing, shaking her head. "I lost, and that’s that! I’ve got nothing to say! Yin, you really are ruthless! No wonder my father calls you a demon!"
To take me down, you’d risk yourself and the ones you care about. If that’s not a demon, what is?
"Looks like Miss Clarence is ready," Charles Yin leaned back in his chair, his deep gaze making everyone lower their heads.
"Are you really going to go against the Clarence Family?" Miss Clarence snapped, her face twisted as she stared at Charles Yin. "I already warned them before I came! Charles Yin, if I die here, you’d better be ready for the Clarence Family’s revenge!"