The twelve well-trained personal guards, along with Commander Cai, who was a military man by origin, had thought dealing with a young girl like Zhan Feiyu would be a simple matter.
However, unexpectedly, He Sheng and He Nuan shielded Zhan Feiyu in a corner. With one on each side, they assumed an impregnable defensive stance, holding off the attacks of more than ten people.
Vice Commander Cao and the others continued to "stand by idly." They dared not intervene, but seeing Commander Cai’s blatant display of overwhelming a single girl, the hot-tempered Vice Commander Cao couldn't help but curse, "He's lost all shame! A fourth-rank official is going after a mere lass. Isn't he afraid the Zhan family elders will come looking for him?"
Commander Xu surveyed the fierce battle with cold eyes. Given that they were outnumbered, any further delay would likely be dangerous.
"It's not that he isn't afraid, but rather he likely knows the young lady's background well, which is why he's resorting to such ruthless measures," Vice Commander Zhu added with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Though a military man himself, he understood the unwritten rules of officialdom. Regardless of any grudges between families, the gravest taboo was to lay hands on the younger generation or female members of a family.
In the imperial court, whether civil or military officials, it was a constant struggle, with many resorting to covert attacks.
No matter how fierce the open or hidden conflicts in court, the established customs were never broken. This was the bottom line! Otherwise, how could any family's female members or young ones venture out? They would be assassinated one by one. Officials of the Great Qing Dynasty, unless they remained unmarried and childless, would have mourning halls set up in their homes daily.
Vice Commander Cao, despite his fiery temper, was not foolish. Upon hearing this, his tiger-like eyes widened considerably. He stammered, "Are you saying he intends to silence her permanently?"
"Hush!" Commander Xu suddenly raised his hand and placed it on Vice Commander Cao's shoulder, preventing his voice from carrying too far. Judging by the skills of the male and female guards, it was evident the young lady came from an influential background. If not for some special reason, Commander Cai would never risk his career to silence her.
After a while, a gasp suddenly broke out, "Not good!"
It turned out Commander Cai had also noticed He Sheng and He Nuan's protection of Zhan Feiyu. The attacking guards changed their strategy, focusing on defense, and gradually forced He Sheng and He Nuan away from Zhan Feiyu, who stood by the wall.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Commander Cai looked at the "isolated" Zhan Feiyu, his sinister face devoid of any hidden killing intent. With a mere glance, he signaled, and two guards abruptly changed their attack direction, their cold blades thrusting directly at Zhan Feiyu.
At this critical moment, He Sheng and He Nuan were entangled. Vice Commander Cao, wanting to intervene, had his arms grabbed by Commanders Xu and Zhu.
As Zhan Feiyu was about to be drenched in blood, everyone watched as the young girl in the dark corner seemed to be paralyzed by fear, making no move to dodge the incoming swords.
In a flash, with two clangs, the swords fell to the ground, accompanied by two spurts of blood.
...
The twelve well-trained personal guards, along with Commander Cai, who was a military man by origin, had thought dealing with a young girl like Zhan Feiyu would be a simple matter.
However, unexpectedly, He Sheng and He Nuan shielded Zhan Feiyu in a corner. With one on each side, they assumed an impregnable defensive stance, holding off the attacks of more than ten people.
Vice Commander Cao and the others continued to "stand by idly." They dared not intervene, but seeing Commander Cai’s blatant display of overwhelming a single girl, the hot-tempered Vice Commander Cao couldn't help but curse, "He's lost all shame! A fourth-rank official is going after a mere lass. Isn't he afraid the Zhan family elders will come looking for him?"
Commander Xu surveyed the fierce battle with cold eyes. Given that they were outnumbered, any further delay would likely be dangerous.
"It's not that he isn't afraid, but rather he likely knows the young lady's background well, which is why he's resorting to such ruthless measures," Vice Commander Zhu added with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Though a military man himself, he understood the unwritten rules of officialdom. Regardless of any grudges between families, the gravest taboo was to lay hands on the younger generation or female members of a family.
In the imperial court, whether civil or military officials, it was a constant struggle, with many resorting to covert attacks.
No matter how fierce the open or hidden conflicts in court, the established customs were never broken. This was the bottom line! Otherwise, how could any family's female members or young ones venture out? They would be assassinated one by one. Officials of the Great Qing Dynasty, unless they remained unmarried and childless, would have mourning halls set up in their homes daily.
Vice Commander Cao, despite his fiery temper, was not foolish. Upon hearing this, his tiger-like eyes widened considerably. He stammered, "Are you saying he intends to silence her permanently?"
"Hush!" Commander Xu suddenly raised his hand and placed it on Vice Commander Cao's shoulder, preventing his voice from carrying too far. Judging by the skills of the male and female guards, it was evident the young lady came from an influential background. If not for some special reason, Commander Cai would never risk his career to silence her.
After a while, a gasp suddenly broke out, "Not good!"
It turned out Commander Cai had also noticed He Sheng and He Nuan's protection of Zhan Feiyu. The attacking guards changed their strategy, focusing on defense, and gradually forced He Sheng and He Nuan away from Zhan Feiyu, who stood by the wall.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Commander Cai looked at the "isolated" Zhan Feiyu, his sinister face devoid of any hidden killing intent. With a mere glance, he signaled, and two guards abruptly changed their attack direction, their cold blades thrusting directly at Zhan Feiyu.
At this critical moment, He Sheng and He Nuan were entangled. Vice Commander Cao, wanting to intervene, had his arms grabbed by Commanders Xu and Zhu.
As Zhan Feiyu was about to be drenched in blood, everyone watched as the young girl in the dark corner seemed to be paralyzed by fear, making no move to dodge the incoming swords.
In a flash, with two clangs, the swords fell to the ground, accompanied by two spurts of blood.
...
The twelve well-trained personal guards, along with Commander Cai, who was a military man by origin, had thought dealing with a young girl like Zhan Feiyu would be a simple matter.
However, unexpectedly, He Sheng and He Nuan shielded Zhan Feiyu in a corner. With one on each side, they assumed an impregnable defensive stance, holding off the attacks of more than ten people.
Vice Commander Cao and the others continued to "stand by idly." They dared not intervene, but seeing Commander Cai’s blatant display of overwhelming a single girl, the hot-tempered Vice Commander Cao couldn't help but curse, "He's lost all shame! A fourth-rank official is going after a mere lass. Isn't he afraid the Zhan family elders will come looking for him?"
Commander Xu surveyed the fierce battle with cold eyes. Given that they were outnumbered, any further delay would likely be dangerous.
"It's not that he isn't afraid, but rather he likely knows the young lady's background well, which is why he's resorting to such ruthless measures," Vice Commander Zhu added with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Though a military man himself, he understood the unwritten rules of officialdom. Regardless of any grudges between families, the gravest taboo was to lay hands on the younger generation or female members of a family.
In the imperial court, whether civil or military officials, it was a constant struggle, with many resorting to covert attacks.
No matter how fierce the open or hidden conflicts in court, the established customs were never broken. This was the bottom line! Otherwise, how could any family's female members or young ones venture out? They would be assassinated one by one. Officials of the Great Qing Dynasty, unless they remained unmarried and childless, would have mourning halls set up in their homes daily.
Vice Commander Cao, despite his fiery temper, was not foolish. Upon hearing this, his tiger-like eyes widened considerably. He stammered, "Are you saying he intends to silence her permanently?"
"Hush!" Commander Xu suddenly raised his hand and placed it on Vice Commander Cao's shoulder, preventing his voice from carrying too far. Judging by the skills of the male and female guards, it was evident the young lady came from an influential background. If not for some special reason, Commander Cai would never risk his career to silence her.
After a while, a gasp suddenly broke out, "Not good!"
It turned out Commander Cai had also noticed He Sheng and He Nuan's protection of Zhan Feiyu. The attacking guards changed their strategy, focusing on defense, and gradually forced He Sheng and He Nuan away from Zhan Feiyu, who stood by the wall.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Commander Cai looked at the "isolated" Zhan Feiyu, his sinister face devoid of any hidden killing intent. With a mere glance, he signaled, and two guards abruptly changed their attack direction, their cold blades thrusting directly at Zhan Feiyu.
At this critical moment, He Sheng and He Nuan were entangled. Vice Commander Cao, wanting to intervene, had his arms grabbed by Commanders Xu and Zhu.
As Zhan Feiyu was about to be drenched in blood, everyone watched as the young girl in the dark corner seemed to be paralyzed by fear, making no move to dodge the incoming swords.
In a flash, with two clangs, the swords fell to the ground, accompanied by two spurts of blood.