Was someone watching from the shadows?

If not for the palace assassination attempt, there certainly would be watchers. But now Xiao Huayong was almost certain there weren’t any. Still, his actions had their purpose. He acted like dead weight behind Xiao Changying, only managing weak, ineffective kicks when Xiao Changying held opponents at bay.

Xiao Changying persisted, his handsome face drawn long with frustration. He wanted to ignore Xiao Huayong – if pushed too far, let’s see how he’d keep up his act!

However, Xiao Huayong seemed to anticipate his thoughts, staying constantly behind him, making it impossible to shake him off.

Dodging a horizontal blade, Xiao Changying kicked away the assassin before him, twisted his wrist to grip the captured sword handle, and blocked three simultaneous sword strikes. The immense pressure forced him to continuously retreat.

Behind him, Xiao Huayong pretended to flee past, but his palm struck Xiao Changying’s lower back, pushing forcefully. With this support, Xiao Changying withdrew first, bending backward as his extended arm swept across, drawing trails of bright red blood through the night.

As more pursuers approached, he turned to see Xiao Huayong had vanished, and quickly gave chase.

He soon caught up with Xiao Huayong, running alongside him, and couldn’t help mocking him: “Your Highness pretends not to know martial arts, but don’t forget you’re supposed to be physically weak as well.”

Running so fast – who wouldn’t know he was pretending? If he was going to act, why only go halfway?

Hearing the dense footsteps behind them, Xiao Huayong saw two forking paths ahead: “One person per path.”

With those words, Xiao Huayong ran left. Instinct told Xiao Changying that Xiao Huayong’s performance wasn’t over – choosing this path meant seeing his unfinished plan through to the end. After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Changying ignored Xiao Huayong’s arrangement and followed him instead.

Xiao Huayong knew Xiao Changying had followed but ignored it, running to the planned reed thicket. The reeds reached their chests, dense enough in places to completely conceal them.

When Xiao Changying caught up, he heard heavy footsteps behind them – at least fifty or sixty people. He watched Xiao Huayong disappear into the reeds and quickly dove in himself. Just as he concealed himself, a group rushed past.

As a military commander, Xiao Changying knew soldiers better than anyone. These men’s movements, rear-guard formation, and vigilant gazes all revealed them as well-trained military men.

They wore black, faces uncovered, but were accompanied by two masked men with only eye holes – the ones who had captured him and Xiao Huayong, the Emperor’s men.

Xiao Changying’s heart raced. He had thought the Emperor hadn’t sent many men, but now faced with such numbers, he understood why Xiao Huayong hadn’t attempted escape. This was about drawing everyone out for complete elimination.

Having crossed blades with them, Xiao Changying knew these men were far more skilled than his elite troops. The Emperor had sent over two hundred men – all to be lost here. Just thinking about losing two hundred of his own carefully trained elite soldiers would make his heart bleed.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, the reeds swayed, carrying killing intent on the night wind.

Sure enough, as the wind bent the reeds, tall black-clad figures emerged among the swaying stalks, wearing night-walking clothes, lower faces masked, with flame emblems embroidered on their chests.

More and more appeared, a dark mass rising as if filling the muddy reed thicket. The formerly fierce Imperial Guards realized they’d been trapped. They tried to retreat, but black-clad figures blocked their rear as well.

Blocked front and back, these black-clad warriors were prepared, raising arm crossbows. Sharp, short arrows flew, several precisely striking Imperial Guards between the eyes. They fell, blood flowing, eyes wide in death.

The Imperial Guards drew unusually long curved blades from their waists. In the moonlight, their cold gleam made Xiao Changying close his eyes – these were no ordinary soldiers’ weapons.

Fierce combat shattered the mountain night’s silence, though no one lived nearby to hear the sky-shaking battle. Hot blood splattered Xiao Changying’s face as he watched the slaughter cold-eyed. When an Imperial Guard fell nearby, he picked up the long blade within reach, feeling its weight and sharpness.

“This is not for you to touch,” Xiao Huayong’s voice echoed behind him.

Xiao Changying whirled around, instinctively raising the blade in defense, facing Xiao Huayong’s half-smile. He was shocked – despite the deafening battle sounds, Xiao Huayong had approached silently. If he hadn’t spoken, if he’d wanted Xiao Changying dead…

He’d known Xiao Huayong was highly skilled, but hadn’t realized the depths of his abilities.

“Knowing too much doesn’t benefit you.” Xiao Huayong’s distinct-knuckled hand reached out, gently pulling the blade from Xiao Changying’s grip.

Before the handle fully left Xiao Changying’s hand, Xiao Huayong’s eyes turned cold. He pulled Xiao Changying aside, throwing the blade. A short arrow flew past Xiao Changying’s face – he turned to see someone aiming their weapon fall with the blade in their chest, splashing bloody mud.

“Go this way, straight ahead, to leave the mountain. Someone will soon escort you back to the temporary palace,” Xiao Huayong said, indicating a direction.

“What about you?” Xiao Changying asked.

“Me?” Xiao Huayong’s lips curved up, seeming to smile though it didn’t reach his unfathomable eyes. “That’s none of your concern.”

“If you don’t leave, I can’t either,” Xiao Changying said gravely.

It wasn’t that he wanted to interfere with Xiao Huayong or was still worried about him – the entire situation was under Xiao Huayong’s control, requiring no concern from him. But returning without explanation would leave too many questions unanswered.

Xiao Huayong looked him up and down: “I won’t allow you to stay. If you won’t leave on your own, I’ll have to knock you unconscious and have someone leave you by the roadside.”

The mountain held many wild beasts – if anything happened, he couldn’t be blamed for harming his brother.

Understanding Xiao Huayong’s meaning, Xiao Changying gritted his teeth, staring at Xiao Huayong’s calm but unyielding expression, knowing every word wasn’t a joke but a promise.

He snorted coldly and strode away.

Turning aside, Xiao Huayong watched Xiao Changying’s retreating figure: “Let her be at ease.”