Those walking at the very rear were Yun Xiao, Wan Wan, and Liu Xing.
Wan Wan couldn't help but whisper, "Isn't Madam Ding the old woman who played the zither today?"
Yun Xiao nodded, sensing a probing gaze from behind. She turned to look and saw the leader of the martial arts alliance completely still, a fleeting change in his eyes. Someone beside him spoke softly in his ear, and he gave a slight nod, naturally looking away.
A cry of alarm came from outside. Yun Xiao, standing in the corridor, looked out to see the old woman's face pale, large beads of sweat trickling down her cheeks. She clutched one arm tightly, blood dripping down, her body swaying precariously as if unable to bear the strain.
It turned out that Ding Haowen was not only skilled in martial arts but also adept with hidden weapons. He had just thrown a silver nail, striking the old woman's arm. The impact sent her stumbling back several steps before she regained her footing. She stared intently at Ding Haowen and then, looking up, let out a loud laugh.
"Ding Haowen, I will haunt you even as a ghost! From this moment on, all our ties are severed. If I have a single breath left, I will avenge this day."
As she finished speaking, she turned and left. A murmur of surprise swept through the crowd. The concubine rushed to Ding Haowen's side, crying out.
"Haowen, kill her quickly, or she'll come back for revenge! Then..."
Ding Haowen quickly comforted the woman in his arms, saying, "Don't worry, I will protect you and our child."
After speaking, he subtly glanced to the side. The steward, as if receiving a hint, quietly departed.
Yun Xiao watched all of this unfold, then glanced at Liu Xing beside her and whispered, "Let's go take a look."
"Yes, Master."
The group moved silently along the corridor towards a corner of the Ding mansion. In the garden, Ding Haowen was already embracing his concubine, offering apologies to the guests who had come to witness the ceremony.
Though the Ding mansion was large, exiting was easy. Yun Xiao, Liu Xing, and Jing Yun quickly scaled the high wall and hurried forward. They wondered how Madam Ding was faring after being poisoned.
The moonlight was cool and clear, casting a pale glow on the ground.
After searching for a while, they found no sign of Madam Ding. Thinking she had escaped, they were about to leave when they heard a cold shout from not too far away.
"You dogs, you'll all go to hell."
Yun Xiao waved her hand, ordering Liu Xing to go ahead, and they followed closely. Beneath a high wall, a group of people dressed in black had surrounded one person, presumably Madam Ding.
These black-clad men must have been hired thugs of the Ding family. The fact that they could do such a thing to the legitimate mistress of the house showed how much mischief they likely got up to on a daily basis.
The leader of the black-clad men ignored Madam Ding's curses and raised a soft sword, a silver gleam flashing.
Liu Xing kicked a pebble at her feet. The pebble flew with great speed, like wind and rain, striking the soft sword with a "pa!" sound. Sparks flew, and the man's hand was jolted, making his grip numb. His sword clattered to the ground, appearing eerily ominous in the cold night.
The trapped Madam Ding struggled to open her eyes. She could only see the blurry movement of the sword falling. She was already sinking into deep darkness. Before losing consciousness, only one thought remained: I don't want to die, I want revenge, I will kill that scoundrel Ding Haowen.
The dozen or so black-clad figures surrounding Madam Ding, seeing their actions being obstructed, scattered with a rush. They began to encircle Yun Xiao and her companions in a pincer movement.
Yun Xiao and Wan Wan retreated. Liu Xing and Jing Yun leaped forward, their weapons simultaneously flashing as they engaged.
These dozen or so individuals were quite skilled, making it impossible for Liu Xing and Jing Yun to achieve victory in a short time.
Yun Xiao retreated to the wall, reached out, and pulled Wan Wan closer. The two of them quickly slipped to Madam Ding's side. Madam Ding's face was covered with a black cloth, clearly a sign of poisoning.
Yun Xiao quickly examined Madam Ding to identify the poison, only to discover that the silver nail had been coated with poison. Thus, Madam Ding's arm was effectively useless.
Most importantly, if this arm were not amputated immediately, the poison would likely prove fatal.
Dark clouds loomed in the sky, and stars were scarce. Swords and knives flashed, and sparks occasionally flew. Figures intertwined, and for a time, the outcome was uncertain.
They hadn't brought a medical kit with them tonight. Fortunately, Yun Xiao had a silver knife and a bottle of antidote pills, which could help in the immediate emergency.
As the thought occurred to Yun Xiao, she immediately drew a sharp dagger from her boot and ordered Wan Wan to tear off one of Madam Ding's sleeves.
An arm was already black, emitting a foul odor from the wound.
Yun Xiao raised her hand, but a black-clad assailant attempted to sneak attack the two women. Wan Wan delivered a swift kick, while Yun Xiao's silver knife flew out, its icy gleam slicing through the assailant's neck.
He widened his eyes, staring at the two women before him with disbelief, appearing as if they could not even lift a chicken. He couldn't understand why he had died by their blade.
In reality, had it not been for his underestimation, Yun Xiao would never have been able to kill him. It was only because he had a preconception that these two had no abilities that he was instead killed with a single stab.
After dealing with the black-clad assailant, Yun Xiao turned back, her gaze darkening. With a swift motion, she severed the bone with a clean, sharp sound, her expression calm and unremarkable, only a hint of heartache in her eyes.
The person who had fainted now awoke in unimaginable pain. Upon opening her eyes, she saw her arm, severed at the shoulder, flying through the air.
The young man holding the knife remained composed. Madam Ding's dark eyes blazed with fierce determination. Yun Xiao ignored it, gracefully produced the pills she carried, and placed them into Madam Ding's mouth, saying in a low voice.
"The silver nail was poisoned. Your arm is lost, but at least you have your life."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ding realized that the young man was there to save her. She breathed a sigh of relief and sank into darkness.
Yun Xiao turned and ordered Wan Wan, whose face had turned green, "Come, tear off your skirt and bind her wound. Be forceful, or she might not make it."
Looking up, Yun Xiao saw that Liu Xing and Jing Yun were still locked in combat with the others, and a clear victor would not emerge soon.
Yun Xiao stood up, gripping her silver knife. The black blood emitted a strong, foul stench. She walked towards Liu Xing and Jing Yun.
Wan Wan exclaimed in alarm and quickly reached out to grab her. "Young Master, what are you doing?"
"Killing."
To be honest, she had only ever saved people, never killed them, so she was a bit nervous. But if these detestable people weren't killed, the few of them wouldn't be able to leave.
And Madam Ding was certainly going to die. Although she had no connection to Yun Xiao, seeing her suffering made Yun Xiao want her to live.
Upon hearing her master's words, Wan Wan's face turned ashen. Her master didn't know martial arts, though she could wield a knife, and did so flawlessly. But she truly wasn't a martial artist, and these people were all highly skilled. What if she got hurt?
"Young Master, please don't go."
Wan Wan rushed forward, hugging Yun Xiao's leg, resolutely blocking her actions.
As they argued, the bright moonlight was obscured by large shadows. Everyone looked up to see several people with expressionless faces, moving with incredible speed, appearing and disappearing like lightning. It was obvious these individuals were extremely skilled.
As they appeared, they raised their weapons and leaped forward, engaging the dozen or so villains who had committed such wicked deeds.
Yun Xiao was surprised. She put away her silver knife and smiled faintly.
It seemed others, like her, couldn't stand what the old scoundrel Ding Haowen was doing, and had come to help them. Seeing these people appear, Yun Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and immediately crouched down, and together with Wan Wan, began to treat Madam Ding's wound. When they finished.