With a sharp whistle, a throwing dart that gleamed blue in the moonlight came streaking toward the two of them on horseback.

Jiu’er had no weapon in hand and could only shove Yu Jingfeng hard to the side.

But Yu Jingfeng’s reflexes were faster than hers. His longsword flew from its sheath, and with a sharp clang, he batted the hidden projectile away.

Yet hot on its heels came three more whistles — three more poison-laced darts flying straight at their faces.

“Hold steady!” Yu Jingfeng barked in a low, stern voice, his longsword sweeping in rapid arcs.

Clang, clang, clang — all three poison-laced projectiles were knocked away without exception.

“Take this!” The longsword was pressed into Feng Jiu’er’s hand. He drew the short dagger from his boot, and before the enemies could launch a third volley of hidden weapons, his figure shot forward like the wind.

Having excellent lightness skill was truly a blessing. Feng Jiu’er was formidable in nearly every regard — except lightness skill, which was her one glaring weakness.

She grabbed hold of the horse’s reins with one hand and clamped her legs hard against its flanks: “Go!”

When Yu Jingfeng glanced back, he was stunned to see Feng Jiu’er charging toward him on horseback at full gallop.

The Ninth Miss of the Feng Family had no martial arts training — so what was she coming over here for?

A moment’s hesitation, and a frigid strike was already upon him.

Yu Jingfeng instantly cleared his mind. He tilted his head sideways to dodge a hidden projectile, then with a sharp whistle, sent the dagger hurling forward.

“Aah…” A wretched cry rang out, and a black-clad figure tumbled down from the tree, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

After that, no further sound came.

Yu Jingfeng shifted his footing to evade another assailant’s attack, his slender frame rolling across the ground. In the blink of an eye, the dagger that had been buried in the black-clad figure’s heart was back in his hand.

This time, using the great tree ahead as leverage, he vaulted upward and swiftly flitted into the branches. A fierce melee in the treetops erupted in an instant.

“Ninth Miss — take care of yourself!” Even while locked in combat with enemies among the branches, Yu Jingfeng did not forget to call down a warning to Feng Jiu’er below.

But could this Ninth Miss of the Feng Family even wield a blade? She had never trained in martial arts. He had handed her a longsword, yet had no idea what use she could make of it.

He slashed one of the black-clad figures down from the tree, then turned to look below — and what he saw gave him pause. A black-clad assailant was charging at Feng Jiu’er with blade raised.

“Watch out!” The distance was far too great for him to reach her in time.

And yet Yu Jingfeng still leapt down from the branches, pushing himself to the limit as he raced to save her.

Feng Jiu’er caught Yu Jingfeng’s figure in the corner of her eye, warmth rising quietly in her heart. She turned her wrist, and the longsword traced a streak of silver light through the air.

“Aah…” The black-clad attacker died without ever being able to believe it — all investigation had shown that Feng Jiu’er of the Feng Family possessed no martial prowess whatsoever. And yet she had… landed a single, lethal blow.

“Hey, you there — great Lord Yu Jingfeng.”

Seeing Yu Jingfeng return to her side and catching the look of lingering shock on his face, Feng Jiu’er immediately asked: “These days, killing someone in self-defense isn’t considered a crime, is it?”

What? What did she mean by “great Lord”? And what was “self-defense”? And “these days”!

What on earth was Ninth Miss trying to say? Why was everything she said so difficult to understand?

Yu Jingfeng had no energy to spare for answering this question. Dagger in hand, he slashed toward the black-clad figures closing in around them.

“Don’t worry, Ninth Miss. If you’ve killed someone, His Highness the Ninth Prince will clean up the mess for you.”

“That’s a relief then.” With that assurance, Feng Jiu’er felt at ease.

Her gaze hardened, and killing intent rose plainly in her eyes.

She launched herself from the horse’s back, landing steadily on the ground.

The longsword spun in her hand, weaving rings of silver light — and with two muffled thuds, the two black-clad figures nearest to her toppled at her feet, blood pooling across the ground.

They had come to kill her. To show kindness to one’s enemies was to show cruelty to oneself. And so — against enemies, she would never show mercy.