While the docks were ablaze with fighting, the Li family was cornered in an abandoned warehouse.
The Li family patriarch watched with a face full of grief as his people fell one by one, despair creeping into his heart.
He had always been aware of the royal family's apprehension towards his clan, and knew this day would eventually come. Yet, he never imagined it would arrive so swiftly.
This realization rendered all his past schemes futile. But he was unwilling to concede, nor could he bear to see his ancestors' century-old legacy crumble under his watch.
Wen Yiyue called out to those inside, her voice clear and commanding, "Listen up, those inside! You have nowhere left to run. If you lay down your arms and surrender now, we might show leniency."
The Li family patriarch, seeing hesitation flicker across the faces of some, decisively shot two men and surveyed the crowd. "Do you truly believe they will spare us if we surrender our weapons? Have you forgotten what you have done all these years?"
"Our lives are still in our own hands now. But if we drop our weapons, we won't even have the chance for a swift end."
The Li family patriarch, in his prime, had once emerged victorious from among his brothers to inherit the position of patriarch. He had achieved considerable success during his tenure, and the others had placed their faith in him.
"Then, does the patriarch have a plan?" an elder, slightly older, stepped forward to voice the collective concern.
The Li family patriarch cast a fleeting glance at the elder and announced to the crowd, "We have only one option now: to fight our way out. While my Li family may not be the absolute top tier, we have no cowards among us."
His words ignited a spark of valor in their hearts. Though the hope of survival remained slim, they resolved to fight for their future.
The two sides resumed their fierce engagement. The gunfire was somewhat muffled by the torrential rain, yet it sounded exceptionally distinct in the vast warehouse.
In the dimly lit room, Xingyuan, who had been sitting peacefully, was suddenly overcome by a growing sense of unease. It felt as if something terrible was about to happen.
She grew restless. Though she didn't know what it was, there was only one person in the world who could evoke such a strong emotional response in her.
Xingyuan hesitated for a moment at the door before using a sliver of power beyond this world to force it open.
The rain intensified instantly, as if weeping.
Tiandao grumbled internally: You can try. It's like being overstuffed, as if your stomach might explode at any moment.
Xingyuan ignored the weather, suppressing the coppery taste in her mouth, and rushed out.
A'zhi, who was guarding outside, immediately spotted her Highness and hurried from a nearby shop with an umbrella.
"Your Highness, how did you get out?" A'zhi asked, her face etched with worry and a hint of confusion. Dr. Wen seemed quite reliable! How did Her Highness get out so easily?
"Where is Wen Yiyue?" Xingyuan grasped A'zhi's hand, her face a mask of helplessness.
"Dr. Wen, Dr. Wen should be with the group围剿ing those aristocratic families right now!" A'zhi replied instinctively, her hand hurting from Xingyuan's grip.
"Did you drive? Hurry, take me! I need to see her." Xingyuan's panic intensified. Only seeing her would bring her peace.
She hadn't been able to save her back then, and now she absolutely would not allow anyone to harm her again.
"Alright!" A'zhi responded, efficiently bringing the car over.
Although His Majesty and others did not want Her Highness to witness the dark side of Yue Ling Kingdom, nor see her venture into danger, as the future heir of Yue Ling Kingdom, there were some things she needed to know.
Meanwhile, the Li family in the warehouse had reached their absolute end, no longer capable of fighting their way out.
The Li family patriarch looked with agony as his most beloved son fell before his eyes, despair flooding his gaze.
It was over. Even if he survived today, he would have no heir. The Li family was truly being destroyed under his leadership.
"Li Mo!" the Li family patriarch cried out hoarsely.
A man in black immediately charged forward without hesitation.
"Please, Patriarch, instruct me!" Li Mo's eyes were filled with a resolve to face death. He had known from childhood that this day would come, and now that it had arrived, he was willing.
"My final patriarch's order: let them die with us in this place!" The Li family patriarch sighed and walked out, allowing bullets to pierce his body.
Li Mo said nothing, merely gesturing to those around him. Men in black, like him, removed their jackets, revealing the bombs beneath.
These were carried by every secret agent trained by the Li family for missions. If an operation failed, they were to detonate the bombs, ensuring that even if they couldn't take the target with them, no clues to their identity would be found.
Just as they were about to ignite the fuses, the royal forces noticed something was amiss.
"Bombs! Run!" someone shouted from the crowd.
Wen Yiyue, who was already positioned towards the rear, was among the first to escape upon hearing the warning. However, the shockwave of the explosion still propelled her forward, forcing her to the ground.
The power of a single bomb was not immense, but the simultaneous detonation of over ten small bombs had a significant impact.
Xingyuan saw the smoke rise in the distance, her heart pounding furiously. That location was precisely where A'zhi had mentioned earlier. Could it be that her sister...
Xingyuan urged A'zhi repeatedly, "Faster!"
By the time Xingyuan arrived, the area was a scene of devastation. Scattered groups of people were helping each other to their feet, then dialing emergency numbers.
Xingyuan stumbled forward, looking around with a bewildered expression.
"Are you looking for me?" a voice called out from behind.
Xingyuan turned to see Wen Yiyue standing there, her clothes grimy, smiling at her. Her pearly white teeth flashed, momentarily dazzling Xingyuan.
The next moment, Wen Yiyue's expression changed drastically as she exclaimed, "Careful!" and lunged towards Xingyuan.
Before Xingyuan could react, she was pinned beneath Wen Yiyue, blood seeping from Wen Yiyue's body.
Xingyuan looked at her blood-stained palm and stared at the pale-faced Wen Yiyue with terror, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes.
"Don't be afraid! I'm here!" Wen Yiyue managed a smile with her pale face, her finger reaching out as if to wipe away Xingyuan's tears.
But before she could touch her, her finger fell limply, and her eyes slowly closed.
The soldier who had fired was also immediately neutralized.
Xingyuan's trembling hand reached out to check for her sister's breath, but ultimately, she lacked the courage.
At this moment, soldiers surrounded them, gently lifting Wen Yiyue aside and pulling their own Highness out.
"Miss Wen has no pulse," a soldier exclaimed in alarm.