They walked on until suddenly the person in front coughed, and the one behind lunged forward, grabbing my collar.
I thought to myself, they've finally come.
I didn't dodge. Instead, I leaned back, spun around, and landed a punch on his forehead.
He hadn't expected me to fight back and couldn't evade it. He released his grip on me.
Without pausing, I lifted my knee forcefully upwards, smashing it into his lower body. In pain, he arched his back and lunged at me.
At this moment, the person in front struck me from behind. My head buzzed, and I felt disoriented.
I forced myself to stay conscious. I couldn't pass out, or I'd end up like last time, a vegetable.
If I became a vegetable this time, Lan Ya Jing Lei wouldn't be here to guard me. At best, I'd linger for a few more days in this wilderness, finally departing this world in a haze.
I quickly took two steps forward, evading his strike. The one whose lower body I had hit hadn't recovered yet. The remaining attacker, having just landed a blow, wouldn't let me escape. He quickly gave chase.
He grabbed my clothes and yanked me backward, pulling me towards him.
The instant I was close to him, I drove my elbow hard into his stomach, forcing him to release his strength first. The grip on me lost its power. I stepped back again, pressing against his body, preventing him from exerting force.
At this point, the other attacker seemed to have recovered, clutching his stomach and charging at me.
I wanted to move sideways, to evade his attack, but the one behind me gripped my neck tightly, rendering me immobile.
My vision darkened. I knew it was over for today. Wu Guo Dong's men might not be lurking here. The fight had lasted only tens of seconds, a minute at most. Even if they discovered us, it would be too late.
But then again, at least he would know his enemy was by his side. As the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. He was fully capable of rising again and eliminating the enemies who sought to seize power.
I stopped struggling. They were both top-tier assassins, and there were two of them. Dealing with me, an unarmed person, and holding out this long was already a feat. I closed my eyes, awaiting that final moment.
However, as the seconds ticked by, the fatal blow never came. The hand gripping my neck suddenly loosened. I was astonished. Had I already reached another world? A paradise without conflict, without strife, without drugs?
I slowly opened my eyes. Two men in black stood before me. The two who had attacked me were now one kneeling and the other lying on his back, apparently dead.
The one kneeling was the one who had choked me. His left leg was broken, and he clutched his injured limb, forcing himself not to cry out in pain.
At that moment, one of the men in black blew a whistle, and four more emerged from the jungle. They spoke no words, but simply supported the assassins and walked away.
The assassin's leg dangled uselessly, and each step he took elicited a groan. His escorts paid him no mind, continuing to drag him along.
The man who blew the whistle then clasped his hands in greeting and said to me, "I apologize, sir. We arrived late and caused you distress. We will report to the General upon our return."
I replied, "I am unharmed. You arrived just in time. Please return quickly; the General is awaiting our news."
The two men in black acknowledged my words, and we set off on our return journey.
We all, along with the captured assassin, arrived at Wu Guo Dong's villa.
I saw that all the soldiers were already assembled in the training ground. It was nearly noon, and the sun overhead was fierce. The soldiers stood motionless in the sunlight, neatly arrayed.
Suddenly, I noticed a man tied to the flagpole in the center of the training ground. From a distance, I couldn't make out who it was.
However, judging by his attire, he was one of Wu Guo Dong's guards, dressed in white casual wear. If I wasn't mistaken, this man was Wang Dong.
I proceeded to Wu Guo Dong's room. He was seated, speaking with the divine physician.
Seeing me enter, the General gestured to a chair beside him and invited me to sit. Then he asked, "How did it go? Smoothly?"
I replied, "They were quite ruthless this time, dispatching top assassins. Fortunately, the General's men arrived promptly, or I would have been meeting you in the afterlife."
Wu Guo Dong said, "It was my carelessness. I was unaware they had infiltrated so close to me. If you hadn't risked your life to come here, I might have been the one reporting to the King of Hell."
I said, "Chen Li Ben holds the real power. You cannot afford to be careless now. You must strike while the iron is hot and reclaim control of the military!"
Wu Guo Dong stated, "Although Chen Li Ben has long harbored rebellious intentions, his wings are not yet strong enough. As long as I am alive, he will not dare to raise the banner of rebellion. See, I have also prepared a little show for you and the divine physician."
I uttered an "Oh." I had been worried for the General. If he captured Wang Dong, apprehended the assassin, and eliminated one of them, wouldn't Chen Li Ben still turn against him? It seemed my worries were unnecessary.
Perhaps Chen Li Ben would prefer to see Wu Guo Dong pass away from illness, unwilling to bear the stigma of being a rebel.
After all, Wu Guo Dong's reputation was immense, and his roots ran deep. He wouldn't want to become a public enemy.
As we spoke, a guard entered to report that Commander Chen of the Vanguard Army had arrived.
Indeed, as Wu Guo Dong had predicted, Chen Li Ben had not raised the banner of rebellion. I was just unsure of the role he would play.
Wu Guo Dong said, "Let him in!"
Chen Li Ben had served as Wu Guo Dong's deputy for many years. The Vanguard Army was merely one branch of Wu Guo Dong's entire armed forces. With Chen Li Ben's current capabilities, he was not yet able to command all the troops.
Wu Guo Dong had three units organized at the brigade level. Besides Chen Li Ben's Vanguard Army, there was the Left Route Army under Cheng Kun and the Right Route Army under Wang He Shun.
However, the Vanguard Army was a direct subordinate unit, managing the crucial aspects of production and sales. Compared to the Left and Right Route Armies, which were responsible for cultivation, its position was far more important.
Therefore, he was also the most potential successor.
Wu Guo Dong also trusted him implicitly, entrusting him with almost all his affairs. Who would have thought this would cultivate his ambition? This is what is meant by nurturing a tiger that will eventually devour you.
The guard opened the door, and a hoarse male voice echoed from the outer hall. He said, "General, I've only been away for two days, and these bastards are already causing trouble. Just my luck, I haven't had a good kill in days. General, leave him to me, I'll skin him alive!"
Wu Guo Dong replied, "Commander Chen, I suspect they have connections with hostile forces across the border. Your arrival is most timely. Please interrogate them thoroughly, dig deep, and root out all traitors, leaving no loose ends."
Chen Li Ben stated, "Such people should be killed on sight. Why let them live even a moment longer?"
Wu Guo Dong said, "Since Commander Chen has said so, the matter is entrusted to you. I trust your decisive nature and your commitment to justice. This will also serve as a warning to others and compel them to restrain themselves."