Jiang Xinzhi faced five opponents alone without falling behind at all. After fighting with Jiang Xinzhi for a while, surprise appeared in everyone’s eyes. They had originally underestimated Jiang Xinzhi. After all, he was someone who had been on the battlefield, completely different from the supposedly frail eldest young master of the Jiang Family in the rumors. After a while, the several guards found it somewhat difficult and expended much energy. One of them exchanged glances with another, and the two instantly became ruthless, using desperate methods to press forward step by step. Another person circled behind Jiang Xinzhi and struck hard at the horse’s legs. Black Wind neighed loudly, his front leg deeply slashed by the blade, and his legs buckled as he knelt down. Jiang Xinzhi dismounted, and the other two seized the opportunity to attack. Jiang Xinzhi sidestepped, just touching the ground beneath his feet, but suddenly felt his body sink heavily. His heart jumped in alarm, and looking down, sure enough, his lower legs had sunk into the mud. As he struggled, he sank even deeper.

The several guards stopped their attacks. Jiang Xinzhi looked at what was beneath him – in just a moment, the muddy water had already reached his waist.

It was actually a large swamp, covered above with withered branches as camouflage. He hadn’t noticed before, but these fighters had intended to trap him here. The more one struggled in a swamp, the deeper one sank. Understanding this, Jiang Xinzhi stopped struggling and only looked coldly at the men before him: “Who sent you?”

One of the guards smiled: “Young Master Jiang, blame only yourself for blocking someone’s path. If you want to ask, ask King Yama properly on the road to the Yellow Springs!” After speaking, he waved his hand, and rustling sounds arose from the forest. Countless heads emerged, all holding bows and arrows, drawing their bows to shoot and kill him.

Jiang Xinzhi suddenly understood – the real finishing move was here. These people had intended from the start to trap him in the swamp, then kill him with a rain of arrows. Their hearts were truly vicious! But who exactly bore such deep hatred against him?

However, no one answered his confusion. He saw someone wave their hand, and arrow tips uniformly aimed at him. The whooshing sound of arrows breaking through air came as a rain of arrows dove toward him!

Jiang Xinzhi still held his blade and naturally couldn’t sit waiting for death. He quickly swung his blade to block a round of arrows. The arrows were deflected by his blade and fell into the muddy ground. Jiang Xinzhi frowned tightly – every time he exerted force to swing his blade, his body sank severely. If this continued, even if he wasn’t shot to death by arrows, he would be swallowed by the swamp and disappear from the world forever.

Either way, he couldn’t escape death – a situation with no way forward or back. Such a vicious scheme!

A guard waved his hand, and a new round of arrows came flying, even more densely packed. Jiang Xinzhi slowly raised his blade, but before he could swing it, the arrows still in mid-air seemed bewitched and fell down halfway through their flight. From the distance came a series of “clang clang clang” sounds of blades clashing, with urgent hoof beats. Looking closely, he saw a group of riders charging from the depths of the blackwood forest, cutting down all the bow-wielding archers wherever they passed.

This group of riders came so suddenly that not only was Jiang Xinzhi surprised, but the guards were also shocked, turning to deal with the mounted fighters. The distance was too great for Jiang Xinzhi to see clearly, but the two leading men had unfamiliar faces. In the middle was a horse moving slightly slower, with a rider in red robes wearing a bamboo hat whose appearance couldn’t be seen clearly, yet Jiang Xinzhi felt something strange in his heart.

On horseback, Jiang Ruan gripped her fists tightly. Even after the painful torment of her previous life, thinking she had trained her disposition to be tough and indifferent, seeing the situation before her still kindled an irresistible rage from the depths of her heart.

So this was how Jiang Xinzhi had died in her previous life!

The eldest young master of the Jiang Family, who thought he could return home in triumph and glory, had been trapped in this gloomy blackwood forest like a caged beast in the swamp, dying from a thousand arrows piercing his heart! In a place not far from the capital, he had silently disappeared from this world!

The Xia Family, Jiang Family, Li Family – this debt must be repaid, or she, Jiang Ruan, would swear not to be human!

The archers hidden deep in the forest, seeing the situation was wrong, began fighting with the people Zhao Yuanfeng had brought. But there were truly too many archers, and for a moment it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand. Seeing Jiang Xinzhi’s body still slowly sinking in the swamp, Jiang Ruan’s heart turned cold. Without another thought, she spurred her horse straight toward Jiang Xinzhi.

The several guards had thought the matter was already settled, never expecting a group of riders to suddenly appear midway, so they were naturally furious. Some of them engaged Zhao Yuanfeng and Zhao Yi, but one noticed Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan stood out in this group anyway – her petite figure was hard not to notice. That guard leaped up and slashed down at Jiang Ruan on horseback with a whoosh. Zhao Yi and the others were far from Jiang Ruan and currently busy fighting others, unable to attend to her. Jiang Ruan’s eyes sharpened. Seeing the blade coming down, she suddenly ducked low, lying flat on the horse’s back and barely dodging the strike.

When that person’s strike missed, he turned his blade and fiercely slashed at Jiang Ruan again. The horse was startled by the blade wind and suddenly stopped. With nowhere to retreat, Jiang Ruan could only raise her hands to block the blade wind. She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes – it was just an arm, after all.

However, the blade wind never came down. Jiang Ruan only heard a clear “ding” and a man’s muffled grunt. When she opened her eyes again, the man before her was covering his wrist with his left hand, his right hand trembling so much he couldn’t hold his blade steady. Blood seeped from his fingertips.

Jiang Ruan looked down and saw a twisted, deformed copper plate. When the guard in front tried to raise his blade again, suddenly it was as if a wind had passed by. A figure leaped over and instantly engaged him in combat.

Jiang Ruan was slightly stunned. In just a moment, that guard had his throat slashed and was rolling on the ground clutching his neck.

Even Jiang Xinzhi had fought with several people for a long time, yet this person had solved one of them as soon as he acted. The other men, seeing this, all surrounded him.

Jiang Ruan was still on horseback when this person turned to glance at her – it was actually Xiao Shao. His handsome and heroic face turned away as he said coolly: “Get behind me.” His eyes coldly stared at the two guards surrounding him, as if he didn’t consider them worth his attention at all.

With those guards all going to deal with Xiao Shao, Zhao Yi found an opening and galloped over, asking worriedly: “Cousin, are you alright?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head. Zhao Yi saw Xiao Shao and was stunned again: “Prince Xiao?”

Jiang Ruan said to Zhao Yi: “Time is of the essence. Hurry and save my elder brother.”

The sounds of battle in the blackwood forest continued endlessly. Without another word, Zhao Yi rushed toward Jiang Xinzhi’s location. The archers hidden in the forest proved more troublesome than they had expected. First, their numbers were vast – more than double the Zhao Family soldiers. Second, these people didn’t seem like scattered personnel but rather like organized, disciplined military men. The remaining guards focused their attacks on Xiao Shao and Zhao Yuanfeng, but fortunately both had strong martial arts skills and didn’t fall behind.

Zhao Yi expended great effort to pull Jiang Xinzhi from the swamp. Just then, they heard a loud shout: “Xinzhi, how the hell did you end up like this?”

It was Guan Lianghan who had followed them. As he spoke, the Guan Family Army, which had waited in place for a long time before finally realizing something was wrong and coming out to search, also arrived following the sounds. Seeing the situation, Guan Lianghan simply gave an order: “Damn it, where did these little bastards come from, trying to scheme against your grandfather? Go wipe out all those archers!”

The Guan Family Army was much larger than the force Zhao Yuanfeng had brought, and subduing these archers was no problem. With Guan Lianghan’s help, the archers were quickly captured. The remaining guards were also defeated by Xiao Shao and Zhao Yuanfeng. They were all greatly alarmed – what should have been a sure thing had somehow gone wrong.

Guan Lianghan walked forward and kicked the chin of the leading guard: “Hey, tell me clearly – who sent you?”

That guard glared at them, his throat moving. Jiang Ruan saw this and immediately said: “Not good, they’re going to kill themselves.” These people were actually death warriors. Having failed their mission and unable to return to report, naturally they would take poison to kill themselves when captured by enemies. But who was Xiao Shao? Since taking over the Embroidered Uniform Guard at age ten, he was deeply familiar with such methods. This move was like showing off before an expert. In the blink of an eye, he dislocated several people’s jaws, preventing them from swallowing the poison hidden under their tongues. The men writhed on the ground in pain.

Xiao Shao’s sudden action saved everyone much trouble. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Xinzhi, having just escaped disaster, cupped his hands and said: “Thank you all for today. However, I have a question I’d like to ask…” Before he could finish speaking, he heard a gentle voice say: “Elder brother.”

Jiang Xinzhi was stunned. Jiang Ruan had already removed the bamboo hat from her head and thrown it aside, revealing her face beneath. Seeing Jiang Xinzhi’s dazed expression, she smiled slightly again: “Elder brother.” A faint glimmer appeared in her eyes.

Jiang Xinzhi stared motionlessly at the young girl before him. Since leaving the capital five years ago, he had received no news of Jiang Ruan. The girl before him seemed utterly strange, yet her features felt familiar. Who was this? The adorable little girl from his memory who would timidly pull at his clothes and call him elder brother was nowhere to be seen. The young lady before him had elegant features, having shed her former childishness like a flower just beginning to bloom, already showing youthful charm.

His sister had grown up. Jiang Xinzhi’s eyes warmed as he called out: “Ah Ruan!”

While Jiang Xinzhi was observing Jiang Ruan, she was also quietly observing him. The Jiang Family had always valued literature over martial arts, and Jiang Family descendants were forbidden from entering military service and must pursue scholarly paths. Jiang Xinzhi had always appeared as a gentle, refined young master. Though his features remained as handsome as before, he had lost his former gentle scholarly bearing. His skin was darker than before, replaced by an iron-blooded quality earned through battlefield baptism – the fortitude of a soldier. This was completely different from the Jiang Xinzhi in her memory. When they met again, a lifetime had already passed between them.

She slowly walked forward. Jiang Xinzhi looked down at her as Jiang Ruan gently opened her arms and, regardless of everyone’s gaze, embraced Jiang Xinzhi. She said: “Welcome back, elder brother.”

The siblings had finally met. Zhao Yuanfeng rubbed his stinging eyes and said to Xiao Shao and Guan Lianghan standing nearby: “Prince Xiao, General Guan, how do you happen to be here?”

Before Xiao Shao could answer, Guan Lianghan said: “Someone attacked my deputy general – could I stand by and watch? I want to see who has such gall to dare plot against me!”

Guan Lianghan and Xiao Shao’s sudden intervention made Zhao Yuanfeng frown, and Zhao Yi was also somewhat at a loss. Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Then we thank Prince and General. These people prepared so many archers – it doesn’t seem like something ordinary people could accomplish. Perhaps it’s a foreign conspiracy, or maybe rebels planning revolt. This matter is extremely serious, relating to the Great Jin Dynasty’s stability and safety. I trouble both distinguished gentlemen to investigate thoroughly.”

She immediately pushed the matter toward rebellion and conspiracy, speaking with great exaggeration. The men on the ground glared at Jiang Ruan upon hearing this. Zhao Yuanfeng and Zhao Yi found it both amusing and exasperating. Xiao Shao looked at her meaningfully, while Guan Lianghan frowned. Jiang Xinzhi touched Jiang Ruan’s head: “Ah Ruan, what do you mean by this?”

Jiang Ruan smiled at him: “I think elder brother has only just arrived in the capital – how could he suddenly provoke people to ambush him? Perhaps there’s some other conspiracy involved.”

“These people are all death warriors with very tight lips. How could they confess so easily?” Guan Lianghan scoffed.

“Ordinary torture methods naturally won’t work. They neither fear pain nor death. Trying to pry open their mouths is harder than reaching heaven.” Jiang Ruan said coolly: “However, I once heard of a method – remove a person’s skull and slowly pour boiling hot oil inside. Before the person dies, they can feel their brain being cooked bit by bit. That sensation is something even the most stalwart person cannot endure.”

Everyone stared at her in shock, feeling chilled just hearing Jiang Ruan describe the method. The guards on the ground trembled slightly upon hearing these words. Zhao Yi swallowed hard: “Cousin, where did you hear such a method?”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “I heard it from traveling foreigners. This method isn’t actually for use on people – it’s for monkeys. People from their region like to eat a dish called fresh monkey brain. They fix the monkey to a table, remove the skull, and pour hot oil inside while cooking and eating it fresh. Ruan’er found this too cruel – those monkeys would screech incessantly until their brains were completely scooped out.” She looked at the men on the ground, her tone remaining gentle as always: “I wonder what it would taste like for these people to have their own brains eaten. Just thinking about it is truly cruel.”

Zhao Yuanfeng chimed in with a laugh: “Indeed too cruel, but this is all for the people’s benefit, for the Great Jin Dynasty’s safety. Who told these people to harbor ill intentions? Ah, General Guan, you must interrogate them thoroughly.”

This uncle and nephew sang in harmony, nearly making the men on the ground faint from anger. Jiang Xinzhi was somewhat surprised. The Jiang Ruan in his memory was kind and innocent – she couldn’t bear to step on even an ant. Yet these current words – if he couldn’t hear the implied threat, he would have lived all these years in vain. But seeing Jiang Ruan’s current ruthlessness, he felt no displeasure, only deep heartache. For an innocent young girl to become like this, Jiang Ruan must have suffered greatly.

Hearing Jiang Ruan’s words, Guan Lianghan looked thoughtfully at Jiang Xinzhi, then at Xiao Shao, saying: “You must be…” He swallowed the words “that poisonous woman” that Mo Cong had mentioned, clearing his throat: “Xinzhi’s sister?”

Jiang Ruan nodded.

Zhao Yi patted Jiang Xinzhi’s shoulder: “Cousin Yi, I’m your cousin.” He pointed to Zhao Yuanfeng: “He’s my third uncle, your uncle.”

Though Jiang Xinzhi was surprised, seeing that these people had just saved his life and their interactions with Jiang Ruan didn’t seem malicious, he smiled: “Cousin, Third Uncle.”

Zhao Yuanfeng said: “Ah Ruan, now that Xinzhi has returned, you siblings should just stay at the General’s Manor.”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “No need. Elder brother, come back to the Jiang Manor with me.” With Jiang Xinzhi returning so triumphantly, how could she not give Xia Yan and her daughter some trouble? They would probably vomit blood seeing Jiang Xinzhi safe and sound. If they just returned to the General’s Manor, how could the next act be performed?

Jiang Xinzhi was completely obedient to Jiang Ruan and naturally agreed. Zhao Yuanfeng frowned, then relaxed: “Very well. With your elder brother there, at least you won’t be bullied. If anything goes wrong, the General’s Manor will always be your support.”

The General’s Manor had lost contact with the Jiang Manor years ago, yet now they appeared to have an excellent relationship with the Jiang siblings. This had another meaning in the eyes of Xiao Shao and Guan Lianghan. Jiang Ruan walked to Xiao Shao. He looked down at her as Jiang Ruan smiled: “Originally these people should be handed to cousin and third uncle for thorough investigation, but since General Guan and Prince Xiao have intervened, we’ll do them a favor and hand these people over to you two. If you really discover something, it will surely be a great achievement. When His Majesty rewards the General and Prince, don’t forget that the Zhao Family also deserves credit.”

Xiao Shao raised an eyebrow, his beautiful eyes staring at her unblinkingly. Originally today they had mistakenly helped the Zhao Family, yet now Jiang Ruan was saying they should be grateful to the Zhao Family instead? She truly wouldn’t suffer any loss, insisting on gaining an advantage even in words. However… Xiao Shao looked at the men on the ground. What Jiang Ruan had done wasn’t entirely useless – for instance, these few people could be quite useful.

Zhao Yuanfeng and Zhao Yi were somewhat surprised that even at this moment, Jiang Ruan didn’t forget to speak for the Zhao Family. This was indeed as she had said – she wouldn’t harm the Zhao Family. At least the Zhao Family might receive considerable benefits from this affair.

Jiang Xinzhi looked at Jiang Ruan warmly. Now Jiang Ruan acted appropriately and had her own opinions. Her every move no longer resembled a young girl at all. His heart felt both sorrowful and relieved – he understood better than anyone the price of such rapid growth. Jiang Xinzhi secretly resolved that now that he had returned to the capital, he would definitely protect Jiang Ruan from being bullied by anyone in the Jiang Family. His sister would naturally be treasured and pampered like other noble young ladies.

As if knowing what he was thinking, Jiang Ruan gently patted Jiang Xinzhi’s hand: “Elder brother, I’ve lived very well these years, and seeing you makes it even better. Now that you’ve returned to the capital and achieved military merit, if you don’t ride through the streets in parade, you’d be wasting your accumulated battlefield achievements. I want everyone in the Great Jin capital to see your heroic bearing, to make you the youngest hero in the capital.”

She wanted those who had once looked down on them and trampled them in the dust to see clearly – no matter how things were before, now when they met again, she and her brother were above, while those who had laughed at them were below!