Killing intent emanated from Nangong Yu, so potent it was suffocating. Si Chen, startled by this overwhelming killing intent, retreated from Nangong Yu's side. The Prince was furious!
The assassins' primary target was Xiao Man, not the Prince of Qin. Seeing the Prince of Qin enraged, appearing like a demon from hell, ruthlessly culling his comrades, the assassins abandoned the Prince of Qin and charged directly at Xiao Man.
On Xiao Man's side, apart from her own people, there were also the hidden guards brought by Wen Mohan. However, Wen Mohan was not skilled in martial arts, and Xiao Man had to divide her attention to protect him, making her appear overwhelmed.
"Wen Mohan, you imbecile, I told you to leave earlier, and you refused. Now, you won't be able to leave even if you want to!" Xiao Man was tormented, watching the attackers multiply. Her own people were all injured, and reinforcements had not yet arrived.
"I never intended to leave," Wen Mohan said gently. "Will we die here today?"
"The possibility is high. I didn't expect the mastermind behind this to go to such lengths to kill me." Xiao Man wanted to send Wen Mohan away, but the enemies offered no opportunity. Although Wen Moyu had tried to kill her several times, this had nothing to do with Wen Mohan. She considered Wen Mohan a friend.
"Will we die?" Wen Mohan, upon hearing this, felt no fear. "Xiao Man, there's something I've always wanted to tell you. I fear if I don't say it now, I'll never have the chance again."
"What is it?" Xiao Man asked distractedly while fending off assassins.
"I like..."
"A bunch of scoundrels, how dare you!" a furious roar echoed. Xiao Man's expression brightened. She looked up and saw Xiao Zhen leading the imperial guards charging in. "Father!"
Everyone knew that General Xiao Zhen, the Protector of the Nation, had outstanding military achievements, was highly skilled in martial arts, and was fiercely protective of his own. However, no one in the capital had ever witnessed Xiao Zhen's bloodthirsty side. Today, everyone finally saw how terrifying Xiao Zhen was, someone who could be called one of the two fearsome gods alongside the Prince of Qin!
Xiao Zhen entered the midst of the assassins like the Grim Reaper, ruthlessly reaping their lives. Seeing Xiao Zhen and his men arrive, Xiao Man finally breathed a sigh of relief and let go of Wen Mohan's hand.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Wen Mohan's heart. His words had been drowned out by Xiao Zhen's voice, and he wasn't sure if Xiao Man had heard him. "Man'er."
"What is it?" Xiao Man asked, turning her head. Her gaze, however, inadvertently fell upon Nangong Yu not far away. Nangong Yu stood there alone with his sword, as if the heavens and earth had abandoned him, exuding an aura of despair.
Xiao Man frowned and immediately walked towards Nangong Yu, wanting to see what was wrong. Had the poison flared up?
She had only taken two steps when she heard a startled cry: "Man'er, be careful."
Xiao Man turned around to see Wen Mohan already shielding her. The young girl who had been flung away by Dugu Luo had, at some point, appeared beside them. The dagger in her hand pierced Wen Mohan's abdomen.
"Damn it!" Xiao Man, supporting Wen Mohan from behind, struck the young girl away. "To be so venomous at such a young age!"
"You killed my father, I want to avenge him!" The young girl crawled up from the ground, roaring ferociously.
"Your father, who is your father?"
"My father is Po Jun!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man's expression turned cold. "He who kills shall be killed. Your father, as an assassin, took countless lives. He wanted to kill me, but he was outmatched and killed by us. It serves him right. Little girl, you want to kill me to avenge your father, but do you know how many people want to kill your father to avenge their own family?"
"What do I care if others are dead? You killed my father, so I will kill you to avenge him!" Saying this, the young girl picked up her sword from the ground and charged forward again. Her ferocity was noteworthy.
Xiao Man frowned, pondered for a moment, and raised her hand. Her saber flashed towards the charging girl. She had never been a merciful person. At this moment, a figure blocked the young girl's path, using his own body to shield Xiao Man's saber. Then, he quickly fled with the young girl in his arms.
Xiao Man would never allow a tiger to return to the mountain. The saber in her hand flew out, piercing the man's body, but it did not stop his escape. Several imperial guards immediately pursued them.
Xiao Man then remembered Wen Mohan was injured. Wen Mohan's face was now as pale as paper, and he was swaying precariously. Even with Xiao Man supporting him, he could not stand and slowly collapsed.
"Wen Mohan, how are you? Are you alright?"
Wen Mohan struggled to open his eyes and glanced at Xiao Man. "Man'er... you... how could you break your promise? You said you would call me... Mo Han from now on..."
"Hey... Wen Mohan... Mo Han, don't die!" Xiao Man urged anxiously. If Wen Mohan died because of her, it wouldn't just be Wen Moyu wanting to kill her. Even Prime Minister Wen would likely try to fight her to the death. She already had many enemies and didn't want to add the Prime Minister's Mansion to the list!
Nangong Yu watched Xiao Man's anxious departure with Wen Mohan, his body swaying. She had, after all, abandoned him!
Those hidden in the shadows were also surprised by Wen Mohan's sudden involvement. Some rejoiced, while others fretted. Prime Minister Wen's son getting involved was more advantageous than disadvantageous for them. They would rather Xiao Man marry into the Prime Minister's Mansion than the Prince of Qin's mansion!
Xiao Zhen ordered his men to escort Xiao Man back to her residence. He stayed behind to clean up the mess and look for any other clues. Those who intended to kill his daughter would eventually be found and eliminated by him!
However, when Xiao Zhen's gaze fell upon Nangong Yu, who stood silently in place, a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes. It seemed his daughter had ultimately chosen between the two, selecting Wen Mohan. Although he strongly disapproved of Old Fox Wen's ways, he would rather deal with Old Fox Wen than Nangong Yu.
"Your Highness, Prince of Qin."
"Since the Great General is here, I shall take my leave," Nangong Yu withdrew his gaze and turned to leave. Si Chen and the others quickly followed.
Si Ye saw this and glared angrily at Xiao Zhen. "Your daughter is ungrateful! Our Prince fought bravely to save her, and she ran off with another man!"
"My Lord, don't be angry. Xiao Man is unappreciative!"
"Get lost!"
Nangong Yu silently headed towards the Prince of Qin's mansion. He had to admit that Wen Mohan was cunning, knowing how to soften Xiao Man's heart, gradually infiltrating, and trapping her in his gentle snare.
"Wen Mohan, do you think you've won?" Nangong Yu's eyes were cold. "The outcome is yet to be determined. We shall see."
In her urgency, Xiao Man brought Wen Mohan back to the General's Mansion. This action did not go unnoticed, and many eyes were on the General's Mansion. The scale of this assassination attempt had further drawn the attention of countless people.
Upon learning that Wen Mohan was injured because of Xiao Man and had been brought to the General's Mansion by her, Prime Minister Wen felt a surge of blood rush to his head. He stormed into the General's Mansion with his men, heading straight for Xiao Man's Shuiyue Small Dwelling.