The sounds of combat weren’t intense, but they couldn’t escape the keen ears of martial experts like Xiao Changfeng and Bu Shulin.
Xiao Changfeng quickly turned to shield Shen Xihe—protecting her safety was his responsibility. Bu Shulin and Moyu and the others also rode forward. Bu Shulin said to Xiao Changfeng, “I’ll go check.”
Xiao Changfeng nodded. Bu Shulin rode toward the source of the sound, and Moyu, catching Shen Xihe’s eye signal, followed closely. Xiao Changfeng’s gaze lingered on Moyu for a moment.
Shortly after the two left, a brief whistle sounded. Shen Xihe immediately raised her whip and charged forward excitedly: “It’s Father!”
Zhenzhu quickly followed, as did Xiao Changfeng.
When the three arrived, Moyu and Bu Shulin were each supporting someone covered in wounds, head hanging down with disheveled hair completely obscuring his face. But the figure was tall and imposing, a build rare in the world. Almost as soon as he saw this figure in the night, Xiao Changfeng was certain it was Shen Yueshan.
“Father!” Shen Xihe cried out, about to rush forward, but Xiao Changfeng swiftly blocked her.
“Princess, this servant will go rescue His Highness,” Zhenzhu quickly charged forward.
Originally five or six people had surrounded Moyu, Bu Shulin, and the three others. Zhenzhu’s charge on horseback disrupted their formation. However, the area was narrow, and their attackers were extremely agile. One slashed horizontally with his blade while another coordinated to strike at the horse’s legs.
As soon as those two moved, Moyu and Bu Shulin also sprang into action, with two people engaging each attacker. Shen Yueshan collapsed sitting on the ground, supporting himself with one hand, blood flowing from his body.
Just as Xiao Changfeng was about to go help, the two who had forced Zhenzhu off her horse and killed her mount were closest to them. One quickly glanced their way.
Though it was just a passing look, the perceptive Xiao Changfeng was certain their target was Shen Xihe. Watching them fight with Moyu, Bu Shulin, and the others, he noticed their excellent martial arts skills—these were no ordinary people. If he joined in, someone might break free to attack Shen Xihe, and she, knowing no martial arts, would likely fall into their hands.
Left with no choice, Xiao Changfeng dared not advance. He took out the small horn at his waist and gave three short blasts—this should signal his subordinates waiting in the woods to come reinforce them.
Shen Xihe paid no attention to Xiao Changfeng’s side. Her eyes remained fixed on Shen Yueshan, anxiety and worry written across her face. Several times she tried to rush forward, but each time the vigilant Xiao Changfeng deliberately blocked her.
When Xiao Changfeng called for reinforcements, the black-clad men tangling with Bu Shulin and the others grew anxious, their attacks becoming more vicious.
They even constantly used the helpless Shen Yueshan in the middle to feint, forcing Bu Shulin and Moyu to protect him. After several exchanges, despite their considerable skills, both defenders had accumulated numerous sword wounds.
The entire confrontation fell under Xiao Changfeng’s observation. He could detect no flaws in the performance. Though he didn’t know Shen Xihe’s two maids, he knew Bu Shulin’s abilities extremely well—she had no room to hold back, truly fighting with all her might.
His heart sank steadily. When he heard the approach of numerous hoofbeats, he suddenly vaulted into the fray, staying on the edge, both helping Zhenzhu while maintaining a path to retreat and protecting Shen Xihe if needed.
Even amid sword combat, the black-clad men heard the approaching horses. Their eyes immediately changed, and they swiftly retreated, throwing smoke bombs that scattered dense fog everywhere. By the time it cleared, they had vanished without a trace.
By then Xiao Changfeng’s subordinates had all arrived, and Shen Xihe had already dismounted, rushing to Shen Yueshan: “Father, Father!”
Shen Xihe supported Shen Yueshan with trembling hands. Though she knew it was all fake, Shen Yueshan had inflicted real wounds on himself to make it convincing. Shen Xihe’s heart ached terribly.
“You… you…” Shen Yueshan couldn’t even complete a sentence before collapsing.
Bu Shulin hurried to help support him. Xiao Changfeng immediately called several men to lift Shen Yueshan onto a horse, quickly taking him to the relay station. Shen Xihe and the others naturally followed while Xiao Changfeng took some men to search the area.
After Shen Yueshan was rescued, both Zhenzhu and the traveling physician checked his pulse. The physician’s face changed dramatically, afraid to say more.
Zhenzhu’s eyes even reddened. Though she didn’t know the truth of the matter, with her current medical skills, she couldn’t think of any way to save someone as grievously wounded as Shen Yueshan appeared to be.
“How is Father?” Shen Xihe seemed to sense something from their reactions, asking anxiously and fearfully.
The physician dared not speak. Zhenzhu supported Shen Xihe’s arm: “Crown Princess, let Axi take a look first.”
Sui Axi stepped forward to check Shen Yueshan’s pulse. He hadn’t been briefed about this part—pulse-reading wasn’t his specialty. His diagnosis matched the physician’s and Zhenzhu’s, and his face instantly went pale.
“How is Father?” Shen Xihe asked again, so tense she seemed ready to snap at any moment.
“Crown Princess…” Sui Axi’s lips moved, but his voice caught in his throat.
Shen Xihe watched them, tears already glistening in her eyes. She said coldly: “Speak! How exactly is Father!”
“Crown Princess, this servant is useless. His Highness’s internal organs are severely damaged, I’m afraid…”
“Axi!” Zhenzhu’s sharp cry cut off his words.
Xiao Changfeng returned just then, having heard Shen Xihe’s questioning from afar. At the doorway, he took in Sui Axi and Zhenzhu’s reactions, immediately sensing the gravity of the situation.
Striding across the threshold, he saw the Northwestern King, now cleaned up but lying motionless and pale. Though he knew nothing of medicine, from the King’s weak and irregular breathing, he could tell the situation was indeed grave.
“Afraid of what?” Shen Xihe took a deep breath, feigning composure while asking sternly.
Sui Axi dared not say more. Shen Xihe looked to Zhenzhu, who could only say: “Princess, perhaps our medical skills are insufficient. We should find Doctor Qi and Divine Physician Linghu. His Highness will surely recover.”
Hearing her words, Shen Xihe’s vision instantly went black, and she fainted on the spot.
At this point, not knowing how else to react, she followed Xiao Huayong’s advice—when the act becomes unsustainable, fainting is the solution.
Shen Xihe’s collapse caused another round of chaos. Xiao Changfeng couldn’t afford to be careless now. He couldn’t even question if something was amiss. He hurriedly sent people to gather all the physicians in the city. The doctors were forcefully roused from their homes, following officials to the relay station, but not one dared say they had a way to treat him.
This made Xiao Changfeng’s heart even heavier.