With three forces combining efforts at all costs, although Xiao Changying had brought many men, they were all lost around the Qiang waters. He was forced to flee with someone disguised as Bu Shulin, just to buy Bu Shulin more time to enter Tibet.

The last time he experienced such relentless pursuit without rest was four years ago when he first met Shen Xihe. Back then, he was exhausted, covered in wounds, barely hanging on. If Shen Xihe hadn’t appeared that day, he probably wouldn’t have lasted until the people his elder brother sent arrived.

Lying in the messy hay, concealed by nightfall and the dense mountain forest, Xiao Changying took out a sachet. This was one of several that Bu Shulin had given him before they parted ways.

Though Bu Shulin had given it to him, Xiao Changying knew these were likely life-saving items that Shen Xihe had prepared for Bu Shulin. Holding the sachet, Xiao Changying couldn’t help but smile slightly, the blood stains on his face seeming to fade a bit.

He admired Shen Xihe. He didn’t know how this sachet was made, but it could not only keep away snakes, insects, rats, and large beasts but also mask the scent of blood. More remarkably, its fragrance was so natural and clear, as if merged with the mountain wildflowers.

“Your Highness, they’re coming.” The person disguised as Bu Shulin was someone Yinshan had brought on Bu Shulin’s orders. Now only he and Xiao Changying were alive, even Yinshan had already…

If he hadn’t been the one disguised as Bu Shulin to deceive the pursuers, with Xiao Changying protecting him along the way, he would likely have met an ill fate as well.

As if not hearing the warning, Xiao Changying turned over, lying face up, holding the sachet suspended before his nose. He suddenly took a deep breath, his expression changing abruptly as his hand shifted – an arrow whistled past, striking the tree root directly opposite with a thud.

Immediately after came volleys of dense arrows. Xiao Changying rolled, following the slope of the grass downward. This was the best position he’d found – from here he could slide into a mountain stream with fairly turbulent waters, with a waterfall hanging above. Once he fell into the water, he could float downstream.

As for Bu Shulin’s man, he naturally wouldn’t protect him anymore. Having delayed for Bu Shulin until now was already more than generous.

Everything proceeded according to his plan, except Xiao Changying never imagined that when he floated downstream and fell into the river, someone would already be waiting there with gleaming swords.

“Ninth Lord, you’ve kept us waiting,” said the leader, who had a scar on his face but wore no mask.

“So it’s Young General Qian. Eighth Brother truly has impressive methods.” Xiao Changying recognized the man. He had once been very valiant, with both father and brothers in the military. However, his father died in battle due to misjudging military intelligence, and his elder brother perished alongside him.

The Qian family had only him left. He was ostracized in the military camp, and after getting into a conflict with someone who slandered his father and brother, he accidentally killed them. He was sentenced to exile but escaped during transport and hasn’t been caught since.

There were quite a few similar skilled fighters who had angrily left the military. As the one currently in charge of training the Capital Guard, Xiao Changying had some understanding of these people. Glancing roughly at those behind him, they all appeared to be well-trained professionals, far more presentable than the motley crew under his second brother.

It seemed his eighth brother had recruited these people – skilled fighters who had served in the military but became outcasts for various reasons. He gathered them under his command, trained them further, and quickly built a fierce underground army.

“Does the Fifth Lord know of the Ninth Lord’s involvement in this matter?” Qian asked. “Will Ninth Lord come with us, or do you wish to teach us a few moves?”

They wouldn’t kill Xiao Changying – Xiao Changyan didn’t want to openly break with Xiao Changqin, at least not now. If they fought too early, it would only benefit others.

Capturing Xiao Changying to exchange for benefits from Xiao Changqin was the best method.

“Today, I’ll teach you how to be proper men!” Xiao Changying suddenly revealed the flexible sword wrapped around his waist, flipping up and striking directly at Qian’s face with his sword.

The other side dodged and drew his sword to meet him, quickly forcing Xiao Changying into their encirclement. They had no intention of fighting honorably. Their coordinated encirclement was very well-practiced. Even though Xiao Changying was highly skilled and his martial arts far surpassed theirs, the fight remained fierce and evenly matched.

Two fists cannot beat four hands. Though they intended to spare Xiao Changying’s life, after his stubborn resistance and killing four of their men by exploiting this weakness, they abandoned their reservations and struck at him more viciously. After several exchanges, Xiao Changying had numerous wounds, his flame-red clothes stained dark with blood, looking exactly like he did that year.

Until a blade slashed across his waist, flicking away his sachet as he dodged, Xiao Changying’s gaze turned cold. Disregarding the attacks from behind, his flexible sword traced afterimages in the air, like countless phantom swords exploding before the eyes of those attacking from the front.

These men didn’t understand what happened and had no time to dodge. Their pupils burst one by one, blood flowing down their faces. As Xiao Changying landed back down, his long sword swept across, raising a thin spray of blood that slashed their throats.

As these men fell, a sword pierced through the right side of Xiao Changying’s chest.

There were two swords thrust at him, but at the crucial moment, a black shadow flashed out and deflected the other iron sword aimed at Xiao Changying’s heart. This figure moved like a ghost, taking down the person he had intercepted in just a few quick moves.

Xiao Changying looked down at the sword piercing his chest, grabbed the blade, and with a flourish of his sword, thrust it back into the person behind him. At the same time, he broke off the sword in his chest, spun around, and slashed with the sword in his hand. The person behind him collapsed with a thud.

He could only use his sword tip against the ground to barely support his body, maintaining a kneeling position on one knee without falling.

Xiao Changying raised his head to look at the person standing before him. Though the face was completely unfamiliar, he had noticed this person earlier. After this group appeared, this person had deliberately let him discover their presence. Though he couldn’t determine friend or foe before, now he could guess: “I thought… *cough cough cough*… you were here to collect my corpse.”

“The Crown Prince ordered that Your Highness be brought back to the capital alive. Preferably lying down, unable to go anywhere.” The person mechanically repeated Xiao Huayong’s words.

He was responsible for protecting Xiao Changying and preventing him from losing his life, but for Xiao Changying’s good, it was best to ensure he would no longer have the strength to recklessly run out of the capital and involve himself in matters he shouldn’t.

Xiao Changying closed his eyes. He didn’t want to speak.

The person sent by Xiao Huayong said nothing more. He stepped forward to apply some medicine to stop Xiao Changying’s bleeding, then carried him away, rushing to return him to the capital as quickly as possible that night.