She had come to realize it.
Xie Beihan and Xiao Chizhan were enemies!
And sworn enemies at that!
She absolutely could not be caught between these two.
Perhaps this damned Xie Beihan thought she was Xiao Chizhan's person, and was toying with her, deliberately provoking Xiao Chizhan to lose his reason.
As she pondered, she couldn't help but recall his repeated promises to take her to Northern Qi. Could it be that this fellow had some perverse psychology, wanting to snatch anyone associated with Xiao Chizhan?
If that were the case, she absolutely couldn't become cannon fodder in their conflict.
Her waist was suddenly gripped, and Ye Luan cried out in pain, snapping back to reality.
She quickly coughed lightly, took the man's hand, and whispered, "He's provoking you on purpose. I don't know him. Don't fall for his tricks."
The moment she finished speaking, a voice from across them rang out again.
"Mmm, how can you say you don't know him? We met at the temple in Shangjing City, didn't we?"
Ye Luan's body instantly stiffened.
A terrifying killing intent erupted from behind her. Before she could react, a sharp sword, wreathed in a biting wind, pierced through the air right past her face.
The speed was astonishing, carrying intense killing intent, aimed directly at the crown of the man opposite.
Xie Beihan sneered and immediately drew his saber to block.
The two figures leaped into the air, instantly engaging in battle.
Fierce saber light and chilling killing intent exploded within the forest.
The overwhelming killing intent shook everyone nearby, making it impossible to stand firm.
Ye Luan felt a dull ache in her chest. She quickly mounted her horse and retreated to watch from a distance.
The martial arts of both men were incredibly high. The surrounding trees cracked under the force of the sword shadows, and many hidden guards spat blood.
She hid in the shadows, a spark of excited joy in her eyes.
Xie Beihan's martial prowess could actually contend with Xiao Chizhan. That meant he would be occupied. Should she seize this opportunity to slip away quietly?
But--
Once Xiao Chizhan realized what was happening, he would surely search for her everywhere.
By this time, the city gates were closed, and she couldn't leave.
After a moment's thought, she pulled out her hidden weapons and aimed at the purple-clad figure in the air. Fine silver needles shot out instantly.
A piercing killing intent struck. Xie Beihan narrowed his eyes slightly. As he dodged aside, Xiao Chizhan's saber found his shoulder.
"I warn you, don't set your sights on her."
The ruthlessness in his eyes was colder than the night itself.
Xie Beihan, however, seemed immune to pain. He yanked the saber free, wiped the blood from his hands with a handkerchief, and smirked dismissively, "This Prince is quite fond of her."
The pair of blood-red eyes before him grew increasingly terrifying and bloodthirsty.
Their battle was fearsome. All the surrounding branches snapped. The cold light from the saber tips seemed intent on tearing the very sky apart.
For the first time, Ye Luan witnessed such terrifying martial skill.
A chilling blade suddenly pressed against her lower back. She startled, her hand instinctively reaching for her hidden weapons.
"Miss Ye, I will not harm you. My master requests your presence for a chat."
It was Xie Beihan's man. He had deliberately tied up Xiao Chizhan to take her away.
In an instant, she thought of many things.
However, Huo Dao gave her no chance to refuse, instead flashing a palm strike that knocked her unconscious.
As darkness engulfed her, Ye Luan cursed.
Could they not be so insidious?!
She was truly impressed by the lightness of movement in this ancient world.
When she finally awoke, she found herself in a room.
Ye Luan sat up with a jolt. Hearing the chaotic, lewd cries from outside, she instantly realized where she was: a brothel.
Damn Xie Beihan, what was he bringing her to a brothel for?
Could this be his hidden base in Youzhou!
As she was contemplating this, a secret door suddenly appeared behind the desk, opening into a hidden chamber. The man with black hair and purple robes slowly entered.
He was not disheveled in the slightest. If not for the wound on his shoulder, no one would have known he had just been in a fight.
He walked towards her with a smile, a smile that, in Ye Luan's eyes, was exceedingly eerie and chilling.
"Where is this place? What is the meaning of the Crown Prince abducting me?"
Xie Beihan walked slowly and chillingly to the table, poured a cup of tea, and drank it leisurely.
"The Black Market's Ju Hua Lou. Jing Zhi entrusted me with looking after you. I'm leaving Youzhou, and I'm taking you with me."
Ye Luan scoffed and remained silent.
He suddenly walked over, pushed her against the wide-open window, and his handsome phoenix eyes held a teasing smile.
Her chin was gently lifted by him.
She felt a wave of dread and forcefully pulled away the blood-stained hand.
"Didn't the Crown Prince say he never used women? What is this now?"
Sensing her resistance, Xie Beihan narrowed his eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and a chillingly sinister curve formed on his red lips.
He leaned forward slightly, bracing himself on either side of her, and blinked innocently.
"This Prince is not using you; I'm merely pulling you out of the abyss."
Ye Luan sneered.
This man was also a complete madman.
Why would she go with him?
"You and Xiao Chizhan are enemies, so you want to trick me into going with you, to watch him become a demon and kill, and you'll be happy, won't you?"
As she spoke, he suddenly let out a laugh, his eerily red lips curving into a chillingly cold smile.
"Little girl, my desire to watch his predicament and my wish to save you are not mutually exclusive." He paused, then continued to chuckle in her ear, "I promised Jing Zhi I would look after you. You don't need to be afraid; I won't hurt you."
The two were far too close.
It was utterly repulsive.
Ye Luan wanted to stab him, but knowing she was no match, she could only maintain a distance and speak coldly.
"If nothing unexpected happens, Xiao Chizhan will soon bring his troops to slaughter this place, and all your men will die in Youzhou."
He let out a hum, then smiled, "Before coming to Da Liang, they never intended to return. Death is their destiny."
As he spoke, he seemed to recall something, a gleam of excited laughter in his eyes.
"You know, he didn't seem surprised at all when he saw you being taken away by my men."
Ye Luan's heart skipped a beat as she realized something.
"You mean, he's trying to test you?"
She didn't respond to his divisive words.
After getting stained with Xie Beihan's blood at the beast-taming grounds last time, Xiao Chizhan had been suspicious that she had lied.
Today, Xie Beihan had played another trick on her, revealing the incident at the Shangjing temple.
Xiao Chizhan knew she had lied and deceived him. He must have developed doubts about her, wanting to test the nature of their relationship?
Seeing her silence, Xie Beihan smiled languidly, "After you left, many hidden guards appeared around. And they were all Dragon Scale Guards."
"He, you know, watched you being taken away without lifting a finger, so he doesn't like you that much either."
"Since the Crown Prince knows he doesn't like me, what's the point of using me to provoke him?"
A chillingly cold wind swept through, carrying a faint floral scent. Those icy hands suddenly rested on her shoulders.
Ye Luan, enraged, kicked towards Xie Beihan's groin, but he firmly restrained her.
"Be good, don't move. He's watching you."
A cold killing intent emanated from behind her.
A familiar terrifying aura spread relentlessly.
She could clearly feel a pair of deathly eyes fixed upon her back.