The fragrances Shen Xihe provided came in many varieties. During their journey, Bu Shulin had already mastered the use of each one.

Many were used early on to shake off trackers sent by Emperor Youning, Xiao Changmin, Xiao Changyan, and others. Some were given to Xiao Changying, leaving a few remaining. But one of the most lethal varieties had been saved unused.

Bu Shulin’s guard took the luggage and removed a paper package containing white, chestnut-sized spheres.

They resembled wax balls and emitted a medicinal fragrance, appearing to be pregnancy medicine.

In reality, they weren’t pregnancy medicine but fragrance balls containing extremely potent aromatics.

Bu Shulin continued moaning while exchanging a glance with the guard supporting her. She seemed to be flailing randomly in pain but passed signals to both Shen Twenty-seven and Jin Shan.

The change happened in an instant. Xiao Changmin only had time to see Bu Shulin and her servant open the package revealing the medicine balls before turning back to confront Shen Twenty-seven.

The two Imperial Embroidered Guards didn’t even look back, focusing intently on Shen Twenty-seven and Xiao Changgeng. They had found their opening and exchanged a knowing look, about to act when a shout came from behind: “Watch out!”

Bu Shulin had grabbed the medicine balls and, taking advantage of Xiao Changmin’s guards’ lack of suspicion, used her guard’s push to nimbly spring up. Moving incredibly fast, she drew the sword from Xiao Changmin’s attendant and struck him down before he could react!

As she leaped up, she threw the fragrance balls toward the two Imperial Embroidered Guards. The warning shout had come from her.

The warning was for Shen Twenty-seven, while the Imperial Embroidered Guards preparing to attack sensed the forcefully thrown medicine balls suddenly approaching. They instinctively drew their swords and sliced the incoming balls.

White powder scattered in the air as the balls split, releasing an incredibly alluring, subtle fragrance that made people want to investigate further.

Fortune favored them as a gust of wind arrived. Those around Xiao Changmin and the two Imperial Embroidered Guards unconsciously inhaled. Upon breathing in, the Imperial Embroidered Guards reacted first, raising their hands to cover their mouths and noses.

Almost simultaneously, the three people beside Bu Shulin also moved. The one who had handed Bu Shulin the fragrance balls threw two more, one toward Xiao Changmin and one toward his skilled followers.

They reacted similarly to the Imperial Embroidered Guards. Four fragrance balls split open close together. The initially refreshing scent made most people take deep breaths, and one or two collapsed immediately.

Others, seeing something was wrong, drew weapons to surround Bu Shulin. Though five months pregnant, her pregnancy was stable enough that she moved nimbly, striking with her blade. These people couldn’t get near her.

Seeing this, Xiao Changmin leaped to attack Bu Shulin from behind. As if she had eyes in the back of her head, Bu Shulin swept her sword, avoiding the approaching attendants, turned to meet his strike, and swept her sword-holding hand, releasing fine white powder from her sleeve directly at the approaching Xiao Changmin.

Xiao Changmin’s expression changed dramatically. Though he spun away, he was half a step too slow, and some powder landed on his face.

The two Imperial Embroidered Guards had leaped to attack Shen Twenty-seven the moment Xiao Changmin attacked Bu Shulin.

Shen Twenty-seven, holding Xiao Changgeng hostage, would push him forward whenever at a disadvantage or vulnerable. The Imperial Embroidered Guards could ignore the threat and Xiao Changgeng’s life but dared not kill him directly, thus limiting their options.

This allowed Shen Twenty-seven to evade several moves. When Shen Twenty-seven couldn’t block or react in time, Xiao Changgeng would pretend to escape to warn him or obstruct the Imperial Embroidered Guards, preserving Shen Twenty-seven’s life.

As time passed, Xiao Changmin’s men fell one by one, not from being struck down but from the effects of the fragrance they had inadvertently inhaled. The onset varied between individuals. Even Xiao Changmin and his most trusted martial artists felt their strength stiffening while engaging Bu Shulin and her servants.

The same happened to the Imperial Embroidered Guards, though their rigorous training minimized the effect. Realizing they had been affected, they stopped holding back. Despite Xiao Changgeng’s continued help, he couldn’t risk exposure.

Given the huge power difference, Shen Twenty-seven was wounded. One sword swept across his waist, and if not for a mysterious flying stone’s assistance, he might have been cut in two.

Even so, Shen Twenty-seven’s waist bore a long bloody gash. He quickly retreated as the Imperial Embroidered Guards stared at the stone.

The stone had blocked their sword, absorbing most of the force. While saving Shen Twenty-seven, it only gained a sword mark without shattering, showing the stone-thrower’s immense skill. This hidden person’s martial arts surpassed theirs!

Their moment of hesitation allowed Shen Twenty-seven to flee in another direction.

The Imperial Embroidered Guards hesitated briefly, glancing at Xiao Changmin locked in combat with Bu Shulin’s group, before deciding to pursue.

They believed Shen Twenty-seven was the Young Master Bu, their primary mission target and the hidden person must be his guard.

In truth, those fighting alongside Bu Shulin were her guards; all her people were already visible.

Seeing Shen Twenty-seven retreat, Bu Shulin immediately fought to clear a path: “Withdraw!”

She was pregnant after all, and most of the fragrance balls’ effects had been absorbed by Xiao Changmin’s group. Though they had held their breath initially, the remaining traces affected them during combat. Shen Xihe’s fragrance balls were overwhelming, but without such potency, they would have had no chance to escape today.

Xiao Changmin pushed aside a corpse Bu Shulin had thrown to block his path, but when he tried to pursue it, his vision darkened and he collapsed, fortunately caught by his confidant.

Watching Bu Shulin’s group escape, Xiao Changmin released a signal from his sleeve, brilliant light bursting in their direction.

Xiao Changgeng stumbled over to support Xiao Changmin, hiding his concern. Xiao Changmin must have set ambushes, with unknown numbers waiting to intercept in waves. He couldn’t help further.

Xiao Changmin gave Xiao Changgeng a meaningful look: “Twelfth Brother seems unaffected by the bewildering fragrance!”

Xiao Changgeng replied sincerely: “This brother was far away.”