Yan Yingnan wanted to stop Cai Qin but was powerless to do so. Meanwhile, Fang Yi scaled the cliff using the rope that was tethering the fishing boat, arriving atop the vessel, facing Yan Yingnan.
Yan Yingnan stood firm, didn’t say a word, and brandishing a short knife, charged straight at Fang Yi.
Fang Yi, with a cold and dark demeanor, dodged the knife as Yan Yingnan lunged close. The blade aimed straight at Fang Yi’s chest, clearly intended to kill him in one strike before going to stop Cai Qin.
However, Yan Yingnan’s skills were ultimately no match for Fang Yi, and when it came to combat experience, she was far behind Fang Yi.
Fang Yi avoided the direct stab of the short knife, and said indifferently, "Song Haoyue’s fate is as such; he brought this upon himself. Yan Yingnan, you can’t protect him."
Yan Yingnan coldly said, "No need for such nonsense, either you die, or I perish."
In the next moment, Yan Yingnan launched another attack, her short knife like the shadow of a serpent.
Each knife stroke was filled with intense murderous intent, each move was aimed to be lethal.
However, there was ultimately a gap between the two of them.
Fang Yi executed the Divine Travel Steps, avoiding each knife from Yan Yingnan’s hands. Their bodies collided, but Fang Yi did not attack, merely defending and dodging. Yan Yingnan was helpless against this.
Finally, Yan Yingnan shouted in frustration, "Fang Yi! If you are a man, then fight! What’s the point in just dodging endlessly?"
Fang Yi chuckled and said, "I know you’re in a hurry to save Song Haoyue. My only target this time is Song Haoyue, you’re not related to this."
Yan Yingnan coldly replied, "I stand with him. If you want to kill him, you’ll have to step over my dead body first."
Her words were decisive and without hesitation, spoken from Yan Yingnan’s mouth.
Fang Yi let out an inexplicable sigh.
"What are you sighing for?"
"You’re so persistent, even if you die, he probably won’t shed a tear for you," Fang Yi said blandly.
Yan Yingnan’s face turned pale.
Fang Yi stared at her and said, "I’m right, aren’t I? It seems you’re very aware of it yourself."
Yan Yingnan fell silent for a while, but eventually a resolute expression appeared on her face. She said softly, "Even if I die for him, I am willing."
The next moment, Yan Yingnan launched another attack at Fang Yi.
Fang Yi sighed again, and struck back decisively and fiercely. This time, Fang Yi did not just defend and evade.
The short knife fell to the ground.
Fang Yi grasped Yan Yingnan by the throat, lifting her high.
"You’re no match for me, your struggles are futile," Fang Yi said indifferently.
But a fierce look appeared in Yan Yingnan’s eyes, and suddenly, she lifted her feet, aiming a kick at Fang Yi’s abdomen.
Fang Yi, already on alert, let go, and Yan Yingnan landed on her backside on the deck, momentarily forgetting to counterattack, as she realized the gap between her and Fang Yi was truly too vast.
With the willingness, but not the strength, this was what Yan Yingnan felt at that moment.
"I can let you go this once," Fang Yi said.
"Why?" Yan Yingnan stared at him intently.
"No reason," Fang Yi didn’t provide her with an answer.
Just then, the yacht came back, with Cai Qin standing on it, along with a disheveled fellow. Cai Qin threw this bedraggled guy onto the fishing boat.
Hitting the deck, Song Haoyue let out a low moan of pain. Fang Yi walked toward Song Haoyue.
Yan Yingnan screamed in horror, racing over, not to attack Fang Yi, but to stand between Fang Yi and Song Haoyue.
Fang Yi furrowed his brow and said, "Yan Yingnan, I told you, I can let you go once, but not a second time."
At this moment, Yan Yingnan’s beautiful face showed no fear, instead, it was filled with a pleading look.
"If... I mean if..." Yan Yingnan cautiously said, "If possible, could you exchange my life for his?"
Fang Yi revealed a look of shock.
By now, Cai Qin had also arrived on the boat. When she heard Yan Yingnan’s words, she too was immensely stunned.
Fang Yi’s gaze fell on Song Haoyue, but looking at Song Haoyue’s expression, it was extremely calm, like an ancient well without ripples, seemingly unaffected by anything that could stir his emotions.
Cai Qin, with a heart that couldn’t bear to, advised, "Miss, it’s not worth it to do this."
Yan Yingnan shook her head, still looking at Fang Yi with hope, that hopeful appearance truly made it difficult for anyone to refuse.
Fang Yi was silent for a moment, looking at the calm Song Haoyue, and said, "Song Haoyue, don’t you have anything to say?"
Song Haoyue indifferently said, "Victors revel, losers lament, I have nothing to say."
Fang Yi laughed, a somewhat neurotic laugh at that moment. He turned and walked a few steps, then kicked the dagger over to Yan Yingnan’s feet, "As you wish, one life for another."
"Fang Yi!" Cai Qin exclaimed, wanting to intervene.
However, Fang Yi’s cold demeanour did not permit any leniency.
Yan Yingnan slowly picked up the dagger, dazed for a brief moment, then turned to look at Song Haoyue, but Song Haoyue was looking into the distance, not meeting her gaze.
Yan Yingnan’s heart ached sharply.
But Yan Yingnan did not hesitate. She slowly placed the dagger against her jade neck, "Haoyue, I’m leaving."
Song Haoyue still looked into the distance, not responding, soundless.
With a soft thud, Yan Yingnan closed her eyes and drew the sharp blade of the dagger across her jade neck.
Fang Yi, who had been motionless, suddenly moved, wanting to stop Yan Yingnan, but it was already too late.
"Fang... Fang Yi, hope... I hope you... remem... remem...ber..." Yan Yingnan’s mouth was also filled with blood, the last word never came out.
On the fishing boat, there was an utter silence, the silence of death.
Fang Yi looked down at the Yan Yingnan lying at his feet, a pitiful woman, then at Song Haoyue, and now in Fang Yi’s heart, there was no longer the anger from before, only pity.
Cai Qin was also shocked still, feeling a kind of unbearable pain but helpless to do anything. After a long while, Cai Qin looked towards Fang Yi.
Fang Yi lit a cigarette and said nothing.
As for Yan Yingnan’s promise, Fang Yi kept it.
The gentle sea breeze became fierce at this moment, blowing Fang Yi’s hair across his forehead, slightly obstructing his view. The smoke Fang Yi exhaled was instantly dispersed by the sea wind.
Song Haoyue slowly stood up.
"Fang Yi, our grudge isn’t settled yet!" Song Haoyue said in a deep, hoarse voice.
"Heh." Fang Yi, with his back to him, lightly said, "A man who can’t even protect his own woman, what makes you think you can defeat me? Cold-blooded or heartless, you think you can win ? In my eyes, you’re extremely ridiculous right now, you’re not fit to be my opponent anymore."
Song Haoyue’s face turned as pale as paper.
"I promised a girl, I wouldn’t rest until I kill you. But now, out of respect for this woman who died tragically for you, I’ll spare your life for now. Song Haoyue, you better keep a close watch on your head."
Every word was as sharp as a sword, and on Song Haoyue’s pale face, there was an expression of utter defeat.
Fang Yi did not look at Song Haoyue, he no longer considered him an opponent, just a laughable fellow.
In the distance, lights came on and quickly approached.
A fishing boat slowly appeared.
On the bow, Li Xue waved her arms, shouting loudly in their direction.