As Jing Hengbo was thrown into the air, her outer clothes had already flown up with her. During this brief moment of tumbling and surveying in mid-air, her outer garments were already wrapped around her.

At first, she didn’t understand Gong Yin’s intention in throwing her up – she could clearly teleport instantly in the water, and even if one teleportation couldn’t get her out of the river, the next one would certainly reach safety.

Then she understood what was happening.

There had originally been a gently sloping hillside by the river, with sparse woods on top. Now this slope suddenly seemed to have been flipped over, with a wall of earth tumbling and pouring into the river water. A large mass of dark green liquid flowed out from the soil, instantly dyeing the river water a glimmering green. Those dark green liquids had an oily sheen, and she caught the scent of lamp oil at her nose.

A crimson beam of light shot lightning-like through the rolling earthflow. The next instant, with a “crack,” a line of fire ignited on the river surface, rapidly spreading along those dark green oils and explosively igniting the entire river!

In an instant, crisscrossing firelight blazed above the river water, with rolling smoke obscuring all human figures.

Within the smoke and water-light of the river surface, continuous “splash” sounds of breaking water rang out, with cold light shooting sharply, weaving streaks of cold radiance through the brilliant red flames.

Above water and below water – there were assassins everywhere!

Those assassins emerging from underwater were simultaneously drawing swords while shaking off the gray-white mud covers and water grass used as camouflage from their backs. Jing Hengbo swept her eyes over their numbers and nearly gasped in shock – just moments ago, when she had been swimming freely in the river water, that seemingly calm riverbed had entirely been formed by these people’s backs in disguise!

These were actually assassins capable of holding their breath underwater for extended periods!

These assassins with nearly miraculous camouflage techniques had actually deceived both her and Gong Yin!

In the blink of an eye, this river surface that had just been clear and peaceful became a living hell!

Jing Hengbo, who had experienced countless storms since her transmigration, couldn’t help but tremble in her heart at this moment – what an enormous assassination operation!

Assassinations didn’t have such momentum, while large-scale killers didn’t have such seamless concealment. A hint of ominous premonition flashed through her mind, but there was no time to think about anything now. She shouted loudly: “Gong Yin! Gong Yin!”

Then called out: “Yelu Qi! Pei Shu! Yong Xue! Seven Kills!”

No one answered her. Like a deity suddenly descending to strike this land with a heavy blow, in an instant everyone was plunged into deadly combat.

“Swoosh.” Something flew over and landed at Jing Hengbo’s feet. The object had considerable weight and momentum, carrying her toward a somewhat safer spot by the riverbank. Jing Hengbo looked down and vaguely saw it was ice, knowing Gong Yin had acted – he must be fine. But the current environment was too treacherous, with rolling smoke and dancing demonic flames on all sides. She couldn’t clearly see any human figures at all, only sensing that Gong Yin hadn’t left the river surface yet, as snow-bright cold light continued shooting out from within those rolling flames and smoke.

What made her even more anxious was that this location was near the Daimao border, potentially drawing the attention of the Fifteen Gangs at any moment. If it really was the situation she imagined, she would soon face the predicament of being caught between two sides.

One side of the riverbank was forest, where the ground had been destroyed and was full of lamp oil, so now that block of ice was carrying her toward the other side, which was lush bushes. Those round clumps of bushes flickered bright and dark under the firelight and wind sounds, like countless demons crouching nearby.

She grasped the dagger she always carried with her, bit her lip, and waited for assassins to suddenly emerge from the bushes.

At this moment from her elevated position, she saw several human figures running toward this direction from the hillside, one of whom seemed injured and moving somewhat unsteadily.

Suddenly a cold wind rose from behind her. Wherever it passed, flames were extinguished. That cold wind had a sharp aura, sweeping past beneath her feet with a “crack” sound, uprooting several bushes by their roots and sending them flying far away.

A black human figure had nowhere left to hide and shot out from a clump of bushes in a crouch. Just as he was about to unfold his form to give Jing Hengbo a sword strike, suddenly several bang sounds rang out. His body convulsed and he crashed to the ground.

An ice spike pierced his chest, a wooden stick protruded from his back, and his head bore a crushing wound with his skull caved in. A large stone rolled beside his head.

The ice spike was Gong Yin’s handiwork, the stone was Jing Hengbo’s telekinetic manipulation, and the wooden stick’s origin was unknown. Judging by the direction, it came from behind. Jing Hengbo saw what seemed to be Yelu Qi rushing over from afar, but in a flash a large clump of “bushes” blocked his path.

Looking again at the dead assassin, his clothing and the wooden expression on his face – though she didn’t recognize him, there was no need to ask. Silent Army.

Jing Hengbo landed and sighed.

The worst thing had happened.

Ten thousand Silent Army soldiers had betrayed them.

Though she hadn’t yet figured out the reason for this allied force’s betrayal, the current situation was extremely unfavorable to her. Her reinforcements hadn’t arrived yet, nor had her support troops. At present, her own strength differed vastly from the Silent Army. This ten thousand-strong army choosing to assassinate at the Daimao border would also attract the Fifteen Gangs to add insult to injury. The possibility of total annihilation was extremely high – there would be no talk of rushing to aid the three counties or retaking Daimao.

Just as she landed, she suddenly felt the ground slip and nearly stumbled and fell. Then her ankle tightened – from a rat hole in the ground, a pair of human hands actually emerged and grabbed her ankle!

Jing Hengbo immediately stabbed fiercely downward with her blade. Those hands quickly retracted, the ground rose and swayed for a moment, then another cold wind attacked from behind.

She dodged with a flash of her body, turning to see another pair of hands grasping a three-edged spike, positioned to sever her hamstring. She swept horizontally with her blade close to the ground, and those hands again retracted lightning-fast underground. It was exactly like playing whack-a-mole.

Gong Yin’s cold shout came through the smoke: “Don’t stay in one place! Move to safe ground! Don’t go too far!”

Jing Hengbo knew this was the best approach. The Silent Army’s assassination methods were too formidable – being able to conduct assassinations like organized warfare, only they in the entire world could achieve this. With large numbers where everyone was a skilled killer, the entire area would be filled with deadly traps everywhere. No one could remain stationary because stopping meant possible death, nor could they hide on the periphery because with so many opponents, the outer areas would certainly be surrounded too. But such prolonged movement could exhaust people to death.

She heard Yelu Qi’s calls, heard Pei Shu’s angry roars, and felt Gong Yin’s attacks, but even with their abilities, they couldn’t approach her. This showed the Silent Army must have formulated perfect strategies to separate all the experts and defeat them individually. The section of river surface where she was located and its vicinity must be especially heavily populated with enemies.

She shouted loudly: “Everyone take care of yourselves! I’m fine!”

At this time with smoke rising and vision unclear, bumbling around like headless flies would only make everyone more worried.

She didn’t want Gong Yin and the others to be distracted by concern for her during combat.

Scanning around with her eyes, she sought a place where they could all see her, where she would be relatively safe, and where everyone could feel at ease.

Her gaze suddenly fell ahead – at the very top of the forest stood a particularly tall and slender tree, standing alone above the woods.

The trees here weren’t century-old timber, but thin and long, with tips that looked delicate and weak, unable to support a person’s weight. But she decided to go there.

Only from high ground could she grasp the strategic situation and see the enemy’s movements clearly.

The next instant her figure flashed and appeared at the treetop.

“I’m here, everyone relax!” she shouted loudly, then called out, “Pei Shu, at your feet!”

In an encirclement, a tuft of mysterious blue flames suddenly exploded beneath the feet of the fiercely battling Pei Shu.

Pei Shu’s body flashed, narrowly avoiding danger. He thrust his spear fiercely into the ground, and when he pulled it out, he brought up an entire head.

“Mind yourself!” Pei Shu shouted irritably, explosively smashing that head against an opposing assassin’s face.

Jing Hengbo had already changed direction. This time she saw Yelu Qi – there was also a large group in front of him. The opponents used human wave tactics supplemented by assassination techniques. Yelu Qi’s sleeves fluttered as he moved, his form still ethereal, but no matter how he shifted and maneuvered, he couldn’t shake off these parasitic maggots. She pointed out several weak points in the opposition’s formation to Yelu Qi, helping him kill several more people.

But Jing Hengbo couldn’t see Gong Yin, because the river surface was where the flames and smoke were most intense. She could only see sword light frequently flashing within the firelight. Compared to Pei Shu’s group fighting violently and Yelu Qi’s group fighting intensely, Gong Yin’s group was the quietest. In stark contrast to the rising flames, their exchanges and movements were barely visible, yet most chilling to the heart.

In this situation, Jing Hengbo couldn’t even assist. She could only serve as a target from high ground. Fortunately it was high enough – arrows kept shooting up but all passed beneath her feet.

Then she saw Tie Xingze.

She couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

Compared to Yelu Qi and Pei Shu, Tie Xingze was closest to the riverbank. He was leading a group of trusted guards in desperate combat.

Tie Xingze was already wounded – an arrow pierced his shoulder blade, only inches from his heart. Half his body was crimson with blood, his expression fierce as he struck out wildly like a mad tiger, completely different from his usual gentle warmth.

The Silent Army soldiers surrounding him even outnumbered those around Yelu Qi and Pei Shu, attacking without mercy. Jing Hengbo spotted three consecutive instances of devious and vicious assassination attempts – if not for Tie Xingze’s guards protecting him desperately with continuous sacrifices, he would have fallen long ago.

Because he had more personal guards and followers, Tie Xingze still had a chance to escape, but he kept moving toward the riverbank, seemingly having no intention of fleeing at all.

During the melee, he kept trying to blow a whistle clenched in his mouth, but couldn’t make it sound.

Jing Hengbo’s eyes flashed.

She suddenly flashed down from the tree and appeared beside Tie Xingze the next instant, reaching out to snatch the whistle and blowing it hard.

The whistle didn’t sound.

Tie Xingze was startled by her sudden appearance. While joyfully saying “Ah, you’re safe!” he shouted “Protect the Queen!” while saying bitterly, “It’s useless – it’s been damaged and won’t sound. If this whistle could sound, corresponding sounds would emerge from their bodies, then all those hidden assassins would be completely exposed, and we’d have it much easier.”

Jing Hengbo glanced at him, pocketed the whistle, grabbed him, and her figure flashed again.

The next instant both were crouching on the treetop. The trunk was delicate and couldn’t bear both their weights, immediately making subtle creaking sounds as if about to break.

“Xingze,” Jing Hengbo said, “it’s safer here. You’re wounded, so don’t continue fighting. I’ll get you out later.”

Tie Xingze fell silent. In the firelight his eyes flickered. After a long moment, he said, “Your Majesty.”

“Mm?” Jing Hengbo seemed to answer casually, keeping one eye on the battlefield while the corner of her other eye still watched him.

“You suspect me, don’t you?” Tie Xingze said softly, his voice somewhat bitter. Then he took a breath and smiled, extending both hands.

Jing Hengbo turned to look at him.

“Bind me,” Tie Xingze said firmly, meeting her gaze. “If anyone dies because of this, kill me.”

“What do you mean?” Jing Hengbo frowned.

“I brought the Silent Army, then they betrayed us. Though I don’t know the reason for their betrayal, I bear inescapable responsibility,” Tie Xingze said gently. “Whatever the outcome, I no longer have the face to see my friends again. So, Your Majesty, you don’t need to watch the battlefield while also keeping an eye on me. Bind me, then whenever you feel something’s wrong, just kill me.”

His expression was dejected, though this dejection wasn’t for his own life or death, but for this inexplicable betrayal. He threw away his sword, removed all weapons from his body, looked down at his guards who had caught up below, and said, “I have only one request – these guards of mine are innocent. If they can survive this ordeal, let them go!”

“No, Your Majesty!” The guards below had already heard the conversation above and shook the tree trunk, crying out in grief and indignation, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! You cannot wrongly suspect the King! Just now when the Silent Army attacked everyone simultaneously, we were counting their numbers and had already noticed quite a few were missing. Sensing something wrong, we urged the King to leave quickly, but he insisted on notifying you first. We just couldn’t find you anywhere, then the Silent Army struck. To warn you all, the King desperately rushed toward the riverbank – that’s how he got hit by an arrow!”

“That arrow was aimed at the King’s heart! If Old Three hadn’t desperately knocked the King aside, he’d be dead now!” another guard said angrily. “Would a dead man harm you? Three of our guards have died too!”

“The Silent Army is directly under the command of successive kings, but our King didn’t inherit the throne through the previous king’s will. If the former king left any instructions, the Silent Army might not obey our King. This isn’t the King’s fault!”

Jing Hengbo stared at him. Suspecting Tie Xingze was inevitable – otherwise she wouldn’t have grabbed the whistle and pulled Tie Xingze close to her.

But at this moment, Tie Xingze’s sincerity, his serious wounds, and his guards’ grief and indignation – no matter how she looked, she couldn’t detect any trace of deception.

She also remembered when Gong Yin had first thrown her up, she’d seen someone desperately rushing forward and getting shot as a result. She’d thought it was Yelu Qi or Pei Shu, not realizing it was Tie Xingze.

His behavior matched people’s consistent impression of him, fitting the psychology of someone who had accidentally caused disaster and felt guilty enough to seek death.

Her heart was like a tangled mess as she slowly exhaled.

Right and wrong were hard to distinguish, but regardless, she felt she didn’t have the authority to act now.

This matter had to be left to Gong Yin for judgment.

Suddenly distant rumbling sounds arose again. She raised her head and saw scattered points of firelight appearing on the distant horizon, approaching rapidly toward this location.

Her mouth filled with bitter taste.

At this time, from that direction, appearing here – these wouldn’t be her people.

The Fifteen Gangs had been alerted. She was about to be attacked from both front and rear.

Even worse, there were too many Silent Army soldiers. Many were now gathering toward the base of this tree. No matter how powerful the experts were, they actually couldn’t contend against thousands of troops, especially this kind of well-equipped assassin army skilled in pursuit and assassination.

She couldn’t let everyone be exhausted to death here.

She suddenly took a deep breath and asked Tie Xingze, “Can you guess why the Silent Army betrayed us?”

“There’s a strong possibility it’s because my succession was illegitimate,” Tie Xingze said painfully, closing his eyes. “I might be the person who least deserved succession according to the former king’s will. But in the end, I inherited the throne. Though the Silent Army is loyal to the royal family, there are priorities. If the former king’s will contained orders to eliminate Tie Xingze should he inherit the throne, then the Silent Army would have justification for their actions.” His voice gradually lowered. “Unfortunately, you’ve all been implicated…”

Jing Hengbo acted as if she hadn’t heard the last sentence and continued pressing, “Then is it possible the Silent Army has colluded with Daimao’s Fifteen Gangs?”

Tie Xingze was stunned and immediately said, “Absolutely impossible!”

“Why?”

“The Silent Army focuses on cultivation and is isolated from the world. You cannot imagine their garrison location, and they have their own methods of communication. In any case, they absolutely cannot have any connections with the outside world. Even if there were connections, they could only be within Chentie’s internal structure, with a few royal family members of extremely high status. The outside world doesn’t even know these troops exist. No matter how strong the Fifteen Gangs are, they’re far away in Daimao – a bunch of jianghu ruffians, how would they know about the Silent Army? Who could contact the Silent Army for them? Besides, timing-wise, I gave orders to the Silent Army when I left for Shang Kingdom. The Silent Army’s fastest march to wait at the border left no time to contact the Fifteen Gangs.”

The analysis was very reasonable – Jing Hengbo thought the same. The Silent Army was acting independently, not colluding with the Fifteen Gangs. That gave her an opportunity.

What if she could make the Fifteen Gangs think the Silent Army was her reinforcement, while making the Silent Army think the Fifteen Gangs were her reinforcement? Could this solve everyone’s crisis?

She was rapidly thinking, seeking a way to get something for nothing, when she suddenly felt the tree sway. In the distance it seemed Gong Yin shouted sharply. She looked up and saw Tie Xingze suddenly lunging toward her!