The Mighty Mage
Chapter 541: Hair Strand

Chapter 541: Chapter 541: Hair Strand

She didn’t need to look back.

Her vines, hidden earlier under the stone paths, burst out again, blocking the entrance to the alley. The guards who were chasing them crashed into the thick wall of plants and got tangled instantly.

"Hold on," Gu Jin whispered.

She activated her fire element just a little—only enough to burn away the scent trail behind them.

After a few turns and jumps over wooden crates and broken walls, they finally reached a hidden tunnel near the end of the street.

Qin Ye was already waiting.

"Over here!" he called.

Gu Jin ran in with Jiang Xuelan. Behind her, Jiang Wei and Ming Rou arrived a few seconds later, both panting and out of breath.

They shut the tunnel door.

Silence.

They were safe.

Inside the tunnel, Jiang Wei fell to his knees and held his daughter tightly. Ming Rou cried quietly, her hands shaking as she touched her daughter’s face.

Gu Jin leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.

The plan had worked.

Every step.

Every move.

She had calculated it all.

And now... Jiang Xuelan was free.

Jiang Xuelan blinked several times, her eyes wide as she stared at the two familiar faces kneeling before her.

"Mother? Father?" she whispered, her voice weak and full of disbelief. "Is it really you?"

"Xuelan!" Ming Rou cried, pulling her daughter into her arms. Jiang Wei hugged both of them tightly, tears already falling down his cheeks.

"It’s us, it’s really us! You’re safe now!"

Ming Rou kept whispering,

"We’re sorry, we’re so sorry... you had to fall into that rift because of us. We tried everything to find you. We were ready to die trying."

Jiang Xuelan’s tears burst forth. She clung to her parents, sobbing.

"I thought I was going to die today! I really thought this was the end..."

She tried to speak through her cries.

"I didn’t mean to come to this world. I was following behind you two when the sky cracked open.

That rift... it pulled me in before I could react. I pushed you both out of the way. I thought I could get back quickly, but..."

She shook her head.

"Everything was strange. I didn’t know this place hated outsiders. When I first met the princess, I didn’t even act carefully.

I told her I wasn’t from here. I thought she might help me... but she thought I was mocking her."

Gu Jin watched silently as Jiang Xuelan continued.

"They locked me up and tortured me," Jiang Xuelan whispered.

"I tried to fight back. I used my magic and escaped once. I really did... But then... I couldn’t use my mana anymore. My body stopped responding. I thought I was cursed..."

Qin Ye frowned. "Stopped responding?"

Jiang Xuelan nodded slowly. "They made a poison. A special kind for outsiders. If you breathe it in for more than 15 minutes, it stops your mana completely."

At those words, everyone panicked and began to check their breathing.

Gu Jin let out a light laugh. "Relax. You’re fine. I made sure of it before we entered the city."

Jiang Xuelan smiled weakly. "Yes. The poison takes time. If you inhale it briefly, you’re okay."

Jiang Wei and Ming Rou sighed in relief. Qin Ye wiped his forehead.

But then the mood changed.

"Xuelan! How could you push us away like that!" Ming Rou scolded, still hugging her.

Jiang Wei nodded. "You should have let us fall with you. We would have stayed together."

"No!" Jiang Xuelan cried.

"I couldn’t let you fall. The portal was unstable. I had only one second. If I hesitated, all of us would be lost!"

They all went silent.

Jiang Wei lowered his head.

"After you disappeared, we searched for you. The rift closed too fast. We tried everything... even methods that should never be used."

Jiang Xuelan’s eyes softened.

She nodded slowly.

"I know. If you went silent just now, it means you used a forbidden method. You don’t have to explain it. I’m just glad it worked."

Gu Jin stepped forward and handed two pills to Jiang Wei and Ming Rou.

"These will help with your injuries. My job is done. I’ve brought your daughter back. Now, keep your promise and choose peace."

Jiang Wei and Ming Rou both nodded with gratitude.

Gu Jin paused. "How are you planning to leave this world?"

Jiang Wei replied,

"We have a special array. Once we put enough mana into it, it will take us back."

Gu Jin nodded. "Good. You should return to the cave or stay hidden here. From now on, the city will be in chaos. There will be checks everywhere."

"Understood," Ming Rou said.

Gu Jin turned to Qin Ye. "As for you... if you want to find your sister, do it yourself. I’m not helping. You have nothing to offer me."

Qin Ye looked down. "Then... I want to follow you."

Gu Jin rolled her eyes. "Not interested."

She turned to leave.

But Qin Ye suddenly grabbed her sleeve. "If you leave me behind, I’ll shout. I’ll scream so loud that everyone finds this tunnel."

Jiang Wei and Ming Rou glared at him.

Jiang Wei growled, "You promised not to hurt us!"

Qin Ye shrugged. "I won’t hurt you. But I never said I wouldn’t talk."

Gu Jin laughed softly and motioned for him to come closer.

Qin Ye walked up, curious.

She leaned in and whispered, "You really think I don’t know who you are?"

Qin Ye froze.

His face turned pale. His eyes widened.

Gu Jin smirked. "I knew from the beginning. I just didn’t have time to deal with you. But if you act out again, I won’t hesitate. I’ll kill you right here."

Qin Ye trembled, but then his lips curved into a smile. "You’re exactly my type."

Gu Jin smiled back. "I’m a lot of people’s type. Most of them are six feet underground. Still interested?"

Qin Ye laughed softly. "Even more."

Gu Jin waved her hand. "Wait here like a good puppy. Try anything, and I’ll make you regret it."

Qin Ye nodded. "I just hope you stay this fun when we leave."

"Not interested," Gu Jin replied. "Just remember what I said."

Gu Jin waited until the streets outside quieted. Then she carefully opened the tunnel door and slipped out.

She ran into an alley, her steps quiet and fast. She looked around, pretending to be lost.

Soon, a guard spotted her.

"Hey! You there! What are you doing here? Show your identity!"

Gu Jin stopped and pulled out a card.

She had stolen it earlier and changed the picture with a light illusion spell.

The guard looked at the card and then at her face.

It matched.

"Alright, move along," the guard said.

Gu Jin nodded and walked away calmly.

Just as Gu Jin thought she had walked away completely, she heard a voice behind her.

"Wait."

Her steps slowed. Her heart beat faster.

She didn’t turn right away. Something about the guard’s tone made her nervous. Maybe something was off about her disguise. Maybe they noticed.

Gu Jin wanted to glance into a mirror, just to make sure her illusion spell was still perfect. But she knew if she did that, they would definitely grow suspicious.

So, instead, she turned around slowly, gracefully.

The guard stared at her for a long moment, eyes narrowing slightly.

Then he leaned closer to the other guard beside him and whispered something. The second guard looked at Gu Jin with interest, then nodded.

They both stepped forward.

"You need to come with us," the first guard said.

Gu Jin tilted her head. "May I ask why?"

"We can’t say," the second guard replied. "But you’re not in trouble. We just need to confirm something."

A few minutes later, the door opened, and a middle-aged man stepped out. He wore a crisp military uniform, and his footsteps were strong and steady. His eyes landed on Gu Jin.

For a second, he just stared.

Then his expression changed.

His eyes lit up with excitement, and he nodded several times. "They’re alike... they’re truly alike."

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow. She had a feeling.

Before she could ask anything, more footsteps echoed from inside.

Three more men came out. This time, one of them had an aura that was different from the rest.

His presence was strong—like a general or a high-ranking officer. His uniform had a special silver emblem, and his face was serious. But what stood out the most... was his appearance.

He looked a lot like Gu Jin.

The man stopped when he saw her.

His eyes narrowed.

He walked forward, slowly, carefully.

He studied her face closely, his brows furrowed.

Then he spoke. "Give me a hair. A strand with the root."

Gu Jin didn’t flinch. Her mind was already moving fast.

If he really was who she thought he was—

Then this wasn’t about her at all. It was about the girl she had rescued earlier. The girl in her space who still couldn’t step outside.

Maybe this man was the girl’s real father.