"Aman, are we heading straight for Yunzhong City once we leave Cangzhou?" Chu Qingge, despite her disheveled appearance, couldn't suppress her excitement. Her clear eyes were filled with the joy of soon meeting her beloved.
Xiao Man, looking at Chu Qingge's infatuated expression, couldn't help but smile. Was this the joy of meeting one's beloved?
It seemed she had never experienced such a feeling. In her previous life, as the Empress Dowager of Yunqi, she entered the palace to support Murong Shengrui. Later, to stabilize Yunqi, she personally went to battle. After retiring from the battlefield, she diligently helped Murong Shengrui build his influence, until she brought about her own demise, never truly living for herself.
After her rebirth, she was busy defending against the hidden daggers and overt attacks within the manor, as well as the unseen threats from outside. She had no time to dwell on such matters. Reflecting on her two lives, she had never even had someone she liked. How pathetic!
"After leaving Cangzhou, you'll go to Yunzhong City. I need to go to Yangguan for a bit, to handle some business, and then I'll join you in Yunzhong City," Xiao Man explained. "When you see my brother, tell him to prepare a grand feast for me. We came all this way to see him, and we haven't had a proper meal or a good night's sleep along the way."
Chu Qingge looked at Xiao Man suspiciously. "What business do you have in Yangguan?"
"As his sister, of course, I must prepare a gift for my brother!" Xiao Man's lips curved upwards. "Qingge, you are just the appetizer. The main course is yet to come!"
Chu Qingge's mood immediately soured. "I'm just an appetizer?"
"My brother loves appetizers the most," Xiao Man quickly said. "He'll be very happy to see you."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. If you don't believe me, go and try." Xiao Man pulled her collar back up. "When you get close to Yunzhong City, you need to find a way to enter it first, and then go find my brother."
"Or, I could go with you to Yangguan, find your grand gift, and then we can go find your brother together."
"Qingge, you're going to disappoint me!" Xiao Man poked her forehead. "I deliberately made time so you could have some alone time with my brother. Why don't you understand!"
Chu Qingge was flustered by her words. Xiao Man going to Yangguan was just an excuse; she simply wanted her to have a private moment with Xiao Luo. Thinking of this, a blush spread across Chu Qingge's dirty face.
"Then when will you go to Yunzhong City?"
"Within ten days, I will definitely be in Yunzhong City!"
"Alright, I'll wait for you in Yunzhong City!"
After seeing Chu Qingge off, Xiao Man instructed her hidden guards to protect her secretly. She changed her attire and hurried out of Cangzhou City. Qin Xue appeared before Xiao Man. "Mistress, our people have located Prince Mingyu's whereabouts."
"It's good that he's alive. Let's go, we need to rescue him." Xiao Man's expression turned cold. "Mingyu, you must hold on until I come for you, or I will never forgive you."
Xiao Man and her entourage disguised themselves as merchants and infiltrated Yangguan.
The general guarding Yangguan belonged to the Xiao family faction and directly followed Xiao Luo's orders. With Yunzhong City as the center, the surrounding cities formed a supportive network, like a massive fortress.
Nangong Yu, disguised as a city guard, dozed at the city gate. He had rushed to Yangguan day and night, intending to intercept Xiao Man before she left the city. Even if Dugu Mingyu was a renowned general, he was not worth Xiao Man risking her life for!
However, for three consecutive days, he found no trace of Xiao Man. Although he didn't know how many people Xiao Man had brought to Yangguan, he was certain she was traveling alone. Otherwise, his men would have discovered her by now.
"Sir, we've found Dugu Mingyu's trace," Si Ye, appearing out of nowhere, whispered to Nangong Yu. "He's close to the border, but still within Yunqi territory. He only has one female attendant left. Facing the Sword Master Eunuch of Yunqi, he's likely in grave danger."
Nangong Yu hesitated. While waiting here was a good strategy, if Xiao Man managed to sneak past him and go to Yangguan to rescue Dugu Mingyu, it would be disastrous!
Yet, his instincts prevented him from directly confronting Yunqi, but he couldn't just watch Xiao Man rush to her death!
"Go and rescue Dugu Mingyu in the name of Tianji Pavilion."
Just as Nangong Yu left, Xiao Man's group arrived.
Without Nangong Yu's obstruction, they successfully passed through the pass. Once outside, they abandoned the cumbersome entourage and pursued Dugu Mingyu's tracks.
Nangong Yu and his men were also tracking Dugu Mingyu, but he ultimately didn't understand Dugu Mingyu well enough and was misled by the deliberately left clues, heading in the wrong direction.
Xiao Man, on the other hand, understood Dugu Mingyu deeply. Many of his tricks were taught by her. She easily determined Dugu Mingyu's true path and followed him.
Dugu Mingyu, supporting the disheveled girl beside him, fled through the night. Cold lights flashed behind them, and countless assassins relentlessly pursued them, determined to kill him.
The Sword Master Eunuch, Qiu Ziqiu, wielding the Shaoyang Sword, pursued Dugu Mingyu with a calm demeanor, like a cat playing with a mouse. His effeminate face was filled with mockery. Those whom the Grand Eunuch wished dead, even the gods could not save!
A wave of sword energy shot towards Dugu Mingyu, but it deliberately missed his vital points.
Dugu Mingyu cried out in pain, understanding that Qiu Ziqiu wanted to torment him. He could have killed him with a single sword strike, but instead, he toyed with him along the way, making him see Yangguan so close, yet so unreachable!
"Eunuch Qiu, we're approaching Yangguan. If we let them keep fleeing..."
"Surround them. I'm tired of playing," Qiu Ziqiu moved like a dragon, leaping into the air and instantly blocking Dugu Mingyu's path. He kicked Dugu Mingyu flying and then swung his Shaoyang Sword towards the petite girl.
The girl had a large iron sword strapped to her back. Although she could have captured Dugu Mingyu earlier, it was this seemingly frail woman who had disrupted his plan. However, they would all die here in the end.
Steel clashed against steel, sparks flying. The girl wielded her iron sword with great force. Even Qiu Ziqiu, with his superior martial arts, dared not collide with her head-on. Despite her small stature, her explosive power was extraordinary.
Several assassins threw their chains, ensnaring the girl.
Six men struggled to hold her down, each gripping a chain, barely able to restrain her. On the other side, Dugu Mingyu was at his limit. He had been wounded repeatedly during their escape and no longer had the strength to deal with the ceaseless onslaught of assassins. Had he finally reached his end?
A deathly look filled the girl's eyes, devoid of any will to live. Since Aman was gone, her life had no meaning. The girl released her sword and slowly closed her eyes.
Aman, I'm coming to find you!