On the border of Dongning Kingdom.
Continuous mountain ranges, deep within dense forests.
Silence, save for the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
As if all the insects, birds, and beasts of the jungle had vanished.
A faint trace of killing intent permeated the surroundings.
Animals in the deep forest possessed keen senses, capable of perceiving danger. The moment they sensed it, they had already scattered.
A gentle breeze brushed past Zhan Xiaojun's cheek.
She plucked an herb and placed it into the basket on her back.
Then, she raised her bright, beautiful eyes and cast a casual glance at a spot not far away.
The seemingly calm grass revealed an unusual abnormality.
Zhan Xiaojun lightly curved her red lips, then raised her hand to touch the ring on her finger, thinking: It's been a while since I encountered anyone audacious enough to target me; how peculiar.
For over a year now, she had often gone up the mountain alone. The small animals on the mountain were very close to her. Although she couldn't command these animals to do her bidding like her third brother, she could become friends with these little creatures and be close to them.
Long before, when the little rabbit that had been hopping around her and accompanying her had suddenly run away in panic, she had already sensed the impending danger.
Furthermore, she could detect the presence of these people.
They were all martial arts experts of considerable standing.
The person hidden behind the grass sensed Zhan Xiaojun looking over. Although her gaze was not sharp, it inexplicably made them feel like facing a formidable enemy, a shiver of fear and chill creeping up from the soles of their feet.
It was a spine-chilling sensation.
Could a delicate young woman of seventeen or eighteen years old cause such an unbelievable feeling in someone in an instant?
No, this must be an illusion.
Zhan Xiaojun only cast that one glance and continued gathering herbs. After searching for several days, she had finally found it here – an herb patch, enough to fill an entire basket.
She had met an old woman who, years ago, had accidentally eaten some poisonous grass in the mountains. It wasn't fatal, but it had left her weak and sickly ever since. With no children and never having married, she was incredibly pitiful. When Zhan Xiaojun met her, the old woman was gnawing on tree bark.
After Zhan Xiaojun treated her, the old woman felt much better, but she still lacked one crucial herb. Her own medicinal supplies were almost depleted from her journey to the border. Thus, she had entered the mountains a few days prior to search for it, and after days of searching, she had finally found it.
The hidden individuals saw Zhan Xiaojun resume her herb gathering and assumed she hadn't discovered them.
Seeing Zhan Xiaojun meticulously focused on gathering herbs, the group, upon receiving a signal, emerged from all directions simultaneously.
*Swish.*
A long sword was drawn from its scabbard.
The sword light was chillingly sharp.
The killing intent was directed straight at her.
"Zhan Xiaojun, daughter of the Night King, perish!"
"Take her head! Use her head to strike fear into the Night King!"
"Die!"
Zhan Xiaojun was somewhat surprised. They were here for her father?
Even though their family had left the capital and no longer managed any affairs of Dongning Kingdom, they were still being targeted? Were they her father's enemies?
Father and Mother had mentioned before that they had enemies in Xixia Kingdom.
With time pressing, she couldn't afford to think too much.
They had likely been watching her for some time, believing that as a woman, she would be easier to deal with than her three brothers.
She sneered and swept her gaze over the assassins: "If you want my head, you'll have to prove you have the ability."
"A mere frail woman dares to speak such arrogant words!"
"Hahahaha! The Night King actually raised such an ignorant and overconfident daughter!"
Zhan Xiaojun took off her back basket and gently placed it beside a large tree.
Then, she turned her attention to the group of assassins.
Almost simultaneously, the assassins felt an inconceivable sense of facing a formidable foe.
It was even more chilling than when they were hidden in the surroundings.
A young girl of seventeen or eighteen, no matter how skilled, couldn't possibly be stronger than them, these elite dark guards! They had been trained for twenty years precisely for the day they would assassinate the Night King!
Today, the Night King's daughter was merely an appetizer!
No mistakes were allowed!
Moments later.
Three of the dark guards fell.
The remaining few exchanged glances, their faces filled with disbelief.
They had underestimated Zhan Xiaojun! Her martial arts were terrifyingly powerful! No wonder their master had said that even the daughters of the Night King and Queen should not be underestimated.
Zhan Xiaojun elegantly raised her hand and wiped a splash of blood from her cheek. These individuals were not mere assassins; they were top-tier killers or dark guards.
She frowned slightly. As she had only come up the mountain to gather herbs, she wasn't carrying any weapons and was unprepared.
This was undoubtedly going to be a fierce battle.
"It's getting dark, let's not waste any more time!"
"Finish this quickly!"
The remaining dark guards, considering Zhan Xiaojun a difficult opponent, attacked with even greater ferocity than before.
Zhan Xiaojun did not retreat one bit.
However, she knew clearly that she couldn't handle these dozen or so dark guards alone. Moreover, she sensed that more people were approaching.
During a brief lull, she fired a signal flare into the sky.
Hoping her third brother would see it.
Yet, she knew the hope was slim. This was deep in the mountains, and she had crossed several mountains to get here. Although her third brother was heading towards the border, he was still several days' journey away.
"I advise you to surrender! Although your martial arts are unfathomable and you can fight as well as several people, we have more reinforcements on the way, and you cannot escape! There's no need to waste further time!"
"We'll give you a chance to die a swift death. If you insist on resisting, don't blame us for being ruthless!"
"Such beauty! Before we chop off your head, let's have some fun! Hahaha!"
"Then let's send her body to the Night King and Queen. Perhaps they'll go mad!"
Hearing their lewd remarks, Zhan Xiaojun pursed her lips and whipped her whip towards them.
Instantly.
One of their heads fell amidst laughter.
Blood splattered onto the faces of those nearby.
"Then let's see when you can kill me," Zhan Xiaojun said, her gaze arrogant as she looked at them.
Even though she was at a disadvantage, not a trace of fear or retreat was visible.
Since childhood, she had never known what it meant to retreat!
Even if death was inevitable in the end, she would fight to the very last!
Two hours later.
A group of people arrived before a bottomless lake.
The night was as dark as ink.
The lake appeared even more chilling.
Zhan Xiaojun looked at the lake behind her, a gleam flashing in her eyes.
She was already wounded in multiple places, with considerable bleeding. She knew she couldn't hold on much longer.
"Still not surrendering? Truly the Night King's daughter, quite fierce! But it's a pity you were born into the wrong family."
A man walked up from behind the group.
He was flanked by several individuals, who held bright torches.
When he saw Zhan Xiaojun, a glint of greed appeared in his eyes. It was the first time he had ever seen such a stunningly beautiful woman.