Xiahou Ying was not facing the Prince of Qin for the first time.
Five years ago, he had also met the Prince of Qin head-on. Back then, he was a vanguard under Dugu Man. Now, he had become an excellent general. And Nangong Yu was no longer the ostracized, down-on-his-luck prince he was five years ago. Both of them had grown considerably in five years.
Neither man was willing to yield. Xiao Man, relying on her Ping Zong Bu (Floating Steps), shuttled through the crowd with ease, killing assassin after assassin, swift and fierce. A flicker of faint confusion crossed Xiahou Ying's eyes as his peripheral vision caught sight of Xiao Man.
The Red Ying Spear in his hand suddenly changed direction, hurtling towards Xiao Man with immense force. Nangong Yu's heart leaped, and he cried out, "Be careful!"
Sensing the killing intent behind her, Xiao Man leaped into the air, dodging the incoming spear by mere inches. She grabbed the spear shaft, nullified its momentum, and swung it back, launching it without hesitation towards Xiahou Ying.
From the moment Xiahou Ying threw the Red Ying Spear to Xiao Man dodging the attack and throwing it back, it all happened in an instant. When the spear reached Xiahou Ying, his face was etched with undisguised shock. Xiao Man inwardly cursed, "This is bad! In a moment of desperation, I've used a move I shouldn't have!"
Xiahou Ying ducked, evading the Red Ying Spear Xiao Man had thrown back. He grabbed the shaft, quickly creating distance from Nangong Yu, and charged directly at Xiao Man. Nangong Yu's heart lurched. He wouldn't let Xiahou Ying succeed. He immediately threw his sword, forcing Xiahou Ying to retreat, and quickly reached Xiao Man's side, shielding her behind him. His robes were already stained with blood.
Xiao Man frowned slightly. Nangong Yu's wound had reopened.
Xiahou Ying ignored Nangong Yu, his gaze fixed on Xiao Man, a faint bewilderment in his eyes. He pointed his spear at Xiao Man, "Who are you?"
Nangong Yu pulled Xiao Man tighter behind him, shielding her completely. "Xiahou Ying, how dare you infiltrate Yusheng and assassinate this King! Do you wish to provoke a war between our two nations?"
Xiahou Ying's expression remained unchanged. He raised his spear and attacked again. Just as Nangong Yu was about to engage, Xiao Man, from behind him, grabbed his arm and placed a hand on his shoulder. Nangong Yu faltered slightly.
A hidden dart shot from Xiao Man's sleeve, aimed directly at Xiahou Ying's brow. Xiahou Ying's charging footsteps halted as he blocked the dart with his spear. Unexpectedly, upon encountering resistance, the dart split into seven steel needles, gleaming with a cold, eerie light. They were clearly poisoned!
Xiahou Ying retreated repeatedly but was still grazed on the neck by one of the steel needles. Xiao Man poked her head from behind Nangong Yu's head, "Despicable Yun Qi folk! Here are your poisoned steel needles back!"
"General!" Two masked women swiftly flew forward, supporting Xiahou Ying. The skin where Xiahou Ying had been injured had already turned black.
"Vile scoundrels, using hidden weapons!"
"And you aren't vile? You resort to sneak attacks?" When it came to arguing, Xiao Man never lost. "I modified this weapon based on the hidden weapons used by that eunuch who ambushed our General Yun Qi. He shot one needle at us; I'm returning seven. Next time, I'll shoot you all full of holes!"
"I'll kill you..." One of the women, enraged, drew her saber and lunged towards Xiao Man. Su Dan Fiction Network
Xiahou Ying restrained her. "Don't be rash. Let's withdraw first."
"General, let me capture that wench and get the antidote before we leave!"
Xiao Man's eyes turned cold. She looked at the woman who had insulted her. The woman's figure and voice were familiar. A chilling smile curled her lips. She had met her end like that; she had no one else to blame. She hadn't even known that the person closest to her had betrayed her!
It seemed her death was not in vain, but it was a pity that Jin Xiu had died for her.
"Withdraw."
Xiahou Ying's people had arrived swiftly, and they withdrew just as quickly, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye. Xiao Man helped Nangong Yu up. "Your Highness, your wound has reopened. Let me re-bandage it for you."
"Good," Nangong Yu nodded. "Si Ye, maintain vigilance."
Nangong Yu unbuttoned his robes and sat on the ground. His well-defined muscles were covered in countless scars. Xiao Man's gaze fell upon a scar on Nangong Yu's chest—a scar she had inflicted.
Logically, after a wound healed, only a small scar would remain. But this scar was as wide as her sword, clearly left intentionally.
After Xiao Man re-bandaged Nangong Yu, he picked up his outer robe to put it on but winced as he moved, aggravating his wound. Xiao Man quickly took the robe and helped Nangong Yu put it on.
"We can't follow the main group. It's too conspicuous and might attract assassins," Nangong Yu said. "Later, we'll disguise ourselves and split from the main group. It will be safer this way."
Xiao Man nodded. She hadn't wanted to travel with Nangong Yu in the first place, but they had bumped into each other. Moreover, given Nangong Yu's injuries, she couldn't just abandon him halfway.
If the Prince of Qin held a grudge and sought trouble with her upon their return to the capital, she would be in serious trouble.
Nangong Yu took Xiao Man and changed into an inconspicuous carriage. They took only four guards, traveling light, and took a different route. The main group continued along the official road.
"Young Master, we'll likely have to camp in the wilderness tonight," Si Ye's voice came from outside. They had separated from the main group and had been traveling for two days, missing a town ahead. They would have to spend the night outdoors.
"It doesn't matter. While there's still light, let's travel a bit further and see if we can find a settlement," Nangong Yu said softly. For some reason, Xiao Man felt Nangong Yu wasn't quite himself.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Xiao Man asked tentatively. After all, he had sustained such a severe injury, hadn't had proper rest, and had been ambushed by Xiahou Ying. His wound had reopened again. Even an iron body couldn't withstand this.
"I'm fine." Nangong Yu coughed lightly. Today was the fourteenth. It was almost time for his poison to act up again.
The peace of the past two days made him uneasy. He worried that someone might attempt to assassinate him while he was weakened by the poison.
Xiao Man, still not reassured, felt his pulse. She confirmed he was merely weak and had no other problems, finally easing her anxiety. She gave Nangong Yu two more pills, and then sat aside to meditate.
Nangong Yu didn't disturb her, reading his book. Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Si Ye's voice came again. "Young Master, there's an inn ahead."
Nangong Yu lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. In the desolate wilderness, there was an inn.
The lanterns outside the inn were visible even from a great distance. Nangong Yu's hearing was acute, and he could faintly hear voices from inside the inn. "It seems we won't have to camp in the wilderness tonight. Let's go and find lodging."