HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 675: A Life Not Meant to End

Chapter 675: A Life Not Meant to End

Xiao Huayong watched as his men fell one after another. The piercing bronze clashing sounds seemed to not affect Xiao Changyan’s men. These people weren’t deaf – it meant they had grown accustomed to such mind-disturbing sounds, even becoming numb to them. This revealed how Xiao Changyan had trained this group of Shadow Guards capable of extraordinary feats.

Xiao Huayong signaled to those near him. These men inserted prepared earplugs into their ears – cotton wrapped in silk, specially made by Shen Xihe to counter Xiao Changyan’s soul-captivating techniques.

Xiao Huayong had once mentioned to Shen Xihe that soul-captivating techniques could only control people with a mere glance when mastered to perfection. Most practitioners still needed external moving or sound-making objects to control people.

Shen Xihe had Bi Yu and others work through the night making these earplugs. The cotton was soaked in fragrances and sun-dried – originally used for nose plugs, the subtle scent could clear the mind. Since all seven orifices were connected, it worked just as well in the ears.

Though not completely blocking the bronze clanging interference, it prevented their minds from being easily swayed. These men wielded barbed iron chains that whistled through the air, flashing silver, equally effective at both long-range attacks and close combat.

Due to the fine barbs, once the chains wrapped around someone, a single pull could tear off flesh. They couldn’t be grabbed or blocked by hand, and even weapons could be easily stripped away once entangled.

These sophisticated weapons were Xiao Juezong’s creation – even Xiao Huayong had to praise their ingenious design.

With these fighters joining in, the intense battle shifted balance again, returning to an even match.

One side was quick, the other brutal. Blades flashed, sparks flew, and blood sprayed.

While Xiao Changyan’s men were affected by the external sounds, they hadn’t noticed the chain-wielding guards releasing fine white powder with each swing and retraction of their chains. These dust-like particles were perfectly concealed by the lingering white smoke. Soon, the Shadow Guards’ clear eyes began turning blood-red like enraged bulls.

Seeing the timing was right, Xiao Huayong feigned weakness and ordered: “Retreat.”

The nearby guards quickly escorted Xiao Huayong away while the fighting guards gradually converged to cover their retreat before following.

Outside the cave, seeing the trails of blood, Xiao Changyan raised his hand: “Don’t pursue.”

Though the Shadow Guards stopped, their bloodshot eyes caught sight of the blood trails. Something seemed to trigger their nerves, making even these well-trained, strictly disciplined men unable to control their feet as they rushed past Xiao Changyan like gusts of wind.

Xiao Changyan realized the grave danger. He swiftly pursued and knocked out those he could catch, but half had already followed the blood trails.

Never before had Xiao Changyan regretted training them to be so agile, leaving him unable to stop more of them.

The blood trails led to thatched huts halfway up the mountain, appearing hesitant in the drizzle. Strong alcohol fumes filled the entire dwelling – potent liquor with an overwhelming scent.

The smell leaked from several huts, and the blood trails scattered, snaking into huts to the left, right, and front in the rain. The Shadow Guards automatically split into three groups and charged in. From a distance, Xiao Huayong held three oil-coated arrows, drawing his bow to shoot them at the three huts.

When Xiao Changyan arrived, he saw the three flaming arrows which, despite the drizzle, precisely struck the thatched roofs and penetrated inside. The strong alcohol fumes carried by the cold wind reached his nostrils, and his pupils contracted sharply: “No—”

“Bang bang bang—”

Xiao Changyan’s heart-wrenching cry was drowned out by explosions like sudden thunder. In the fine rain, the thatched huts were blown to pieces. Severed limbs flew up with the straw, and even Xiao Changyan, standing at the entrance, was thrown back by the powerful blast, landing heavily in the mud and spitting blood.

Supporting his aching chest with one hand, his bloodshot eyes stared at the collapsed scene before him where no one remained standing. The ferocity in his eyes resembled a demon crawling out of hell.

“Capture him,” Xiao Huayong ordered.

“Yes…”

“Wait.” As his subordinate responded to capture Xiao Changyan, Xiao Huayong suddenly called out, listening intently.

A sea eagle had appeared in the sky, circling silently overhead.

Xiao Huayong drew his bow again, aiming at Xiao Changyan.

The grief-stricken Xiao Changyan felt his heart inexplicably tighten the moment the arrow targeted him. This sensation of facing death, he had experienced many times on the battlefield, and each time this heaven-sent intuition had saved his life.

Almost instinctively, he used all his strength to roll aside. The next moment, Xiao Huayong’s arrow struck where he had been. The suffocating feeling of death didn’t disappear after dodging one arrow; instead, it intensified.

This time Xiao Huayong shot three arrows. Xiao Changyan dodged one, but of the other two, one pierced his waist while another was deflected by an incoming arrow.

Through the rain curtain, Xiao Huayong narrowed his eyes at the bow-wielding, horseback-riding Xiao Changfeng, snorted softly, and retreated with his men.

Xiao Changfeng galloped to Xiao Changyan’s side, helped up the severely wounded prince, glanced back at where Xiao Huayong had disappeared, and escorted Xiao Changyan away with his men.

When they returned to Rongcheng County’s government office, they found Shen Xihe sitting inside, having waited for an unknown time.

The county magistrate stood nervously to one side, while Xiao Changgang leaned weakly against a chair, slightly pale.

As Xiao Changfeng supported Xiao Changyan inside, he faced the expressionless Shen Xihe and felt his heart tighten.

Though a tall man rarely afraid of others, mainly feeling reverence even toward the emperor, he inexplicably feared Shen Xihe, especially given their relationship as future sister-in-law and brother-in-law, where he was at a disadvantage.

“Prince Xun came to Dengzhou but didn’t first visit the Crown Prince in Wendeng County, instead coming to Rongcheng County. Was this by imperial command?” Shen Xihe asked Xiao Changfeng unhurriedly, seeming to ignore the wounded Xiao Changyan.

“Eighth Brother…” Xiao Changgang stepped forward first to support Xiao Changyan, telling the magistrate, “Summon a physician.”

Ignoring Shen Xihe, he helped Xiao Changyan inside.

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