Blue light once again illuminated the pre-dawn darkness as the scent of blood enveloped the small town.
The crossbow bolts had twice decimated the Piaomiao Villa assassins in the alley, leaving only ten ninth-rank experts. Two of these were on the verge of breaking through, their strength comparable to early Transcendent State.
The situation suddenly became a stalemate.
Red snow swirled and fell, quickly accumulating into a crimson sea on the ground. The biting cold mixed with the stench of blood, making teeth chatter.
Sun Dixian glanced at An Jiu, her mind reeling. This woman who had seemed half-dead moments ago was now fighting so ferociously, holding her own against eighth and ninth-rank experts! No wonder… no wonder she had called Sun Dixian useless. In comparison, wasn’t she truly worthless?
One of An Jiu’s swords had broken. She discarded it casually, drawing a new blade from her thigh. Without waiting for Chu Dingjiang’s order, she charged forward.
Her piercing killing intent seemed to condense into a gale, kicking up thick snow wherever she passed. The heavy snowfall made it difficult to see clearly. The ten remaining assassins were momentarily stunned by her overwhelming aura. By the time they reacted, her dual swords were already upon them!
An Jiu’s spiritual power is locked onto the assassin at the front. He watched helplessly as her blades, brimming with killing intent, flashed before his eyes, unable to move his feet an inch.
An Jiu still had crossbow bolts. In their previous standoff, using them from a distance would have been the wisest choice. But blood had stimulated her beyond reason, and that kind of long-range combat could no longer satisfy her thirst for slaughter.
Though extremely irrational, her actions ignited the fighting spirit of her companions.
Chu Dingjiang, worried, followed closely behind.
Li Qingzhi spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, roaring, “I’ll fight you bastards to the death!” He charged in like a whirlwind, his muscles bulging like iron. His entire frame seemed larger and more imposing than usual, advancing like an iron tower and engaging the Piaomiao Villa assassins in a fierce melee.
Lou Mingyue, though exhausted, tapped into her hidden potential. Her hatred for these people fueled her resolve as she followed without hesitation.
“We can escape, we must escape!” Su Yunzhu’s eyes brimmed with tears as she pushed away her fear. Determined to succeed or die trying, she gritted her teeth and joined the fray!
Seven people! Though their strengths weren’t exceptional, together they formed an unstoppable spear-like force!
“Kill! Even if I die, I’ll drag some of you down with me!” Li Qingzhi’s wounds reopened, but his battle cry echoed to the heavens like an enraged tiger breaking free of its cage.
Chu Dingjiang no longer held back, fully displaying his power. His late third-rank Transcendent State strength left no survivors in its wake.
The eastern sky began to lighten.
Chu Dingjiang glanced at the sky, his attacks becoming even more merciless.
Suddenly, the sound of a zither drifted in from afar, growing closer. The Piaomiao Villa assassins’ movements began to slow.
Seizing this opening, Chu Dingjiang eliminated four opponents with a single sword strike.
As the last assassin fell, a figure in red robes descended from a rooftop, reaching out to An Jiu. “Sister!”
An Jiu, still in her killing frenzy, swung her swords violently.
Mei Ruye could have blocked with her zither, but instead, she clutched it tightly to her chest and retreated hastily.
Chu Dingjiang flashed forward, taking the opportunity to pull An Jiu into his arms. He used his internal energy to heal her. “A Jiu! Wake up!”
As warmth spread through her body, An Jiu’s mind gradually cleared.
Chu Dingjiang sighed in relief.
“Sister!” Mei Ruye’s face was pale, still shaken by her brush with death. She was also shocked, wondering if this truly was the weak Mei Jiu she remembered – the same woman who could faint from mere exertion while fleeing.
An Jiu’s face was half-covered by a veil, but Mei Ruye was certain it was Mei Fourteen. Those beautiful eyes were unmistakable.
“Mei Ruye,” An Jiu’s voice was hoarse.
“Come with me,” Mei Ruye said urgently. “This place is a maze formation. Without a guide, you could be trapped here for ten days or more. The master… Wei Yuzhi has secretly sent people to alert the authorities. The officials are likely already on their way.”
Mei Ruye didn’t move. “I’m Mei Fifteen!”
Chu Dingjiang sized her up for a moment before deciding, “Please lead the way, miss.”
He had seen Mei Ruye when he rescued An Jiu during the Mei clan’s destruction, so he recognized her.
Mei Ruye nodded.
The group followed her through the alleys, quickly reaching the dock. As they walked, she explained, “There’s a stable at the dock with enough horses for us to escape.”
Chu Dingjiang remained silent until they had led the horses out and traveled a distance along a small path. Then he spoke, “Miss, your bravery and righteousness in saving us from danger is deeply appreciated. However, you’re not involved in this matter, and I don’t wish to implicate you. Let’s part ways here. In the future, I’ll certainly come with your sister to thank you properly for this kindness.”
Realizing Chu Dingjiang intended to leave her behind, Mei Ruye’s face paled. “I snuck out to warn you without Wei Yuzhi’s knowledge. If he catches me, I’ll surely face a terrible fate…”
Chu Dingjiang tossed her a token. “Take this to Yangzhou Prefecture. The prefect will protect you well. With such a major case unfolding in Yangzhou, Piaomiao Villa won’t dare to act recklessly. Don’t worry.”
Mei Ruye bit her lip and looked at the semi-conscious An Jiu. “Sister said yesterday that Piaomiao Villa was behind the Mei clan’s destruction. Is this true?”
“I can tell you this,” Chu Dingjiang answered on An Jiu’s behalf. “Piaomiao Villa is indeed the main culprit in the Mei clan’s destruction. This has been investigated by the Crane-Controlling Army and is not false.”
“I understand,” Mei Ruye gripped her horse’s reins tightly. “I’ll wait for my sister at the official’s residence.”
With that, she resolutely spurred her horse and left.
Chu Dingjiang watched her depart before leading the group to ride towards an official road station.
Heavy snow fell, quickly covering their tracks.
At the station, people were already waiting to assist them. The group hurriedly donned clean clothes and boarded carriages, entering the city just as the gates opened, using official passes.
Back at the small town’s dock, snow silently buried the bloodstained corpses.
The town was eerily quiet. Those uninvolved with Piaomiao Villa slept deeply, not waking even as daylight broke.
The town blanketed in snow, appeared as if nothing had changed.
A figure flashed through the streets and alleys, their feet barely touching the snow, leaving no trace. Wrapped in thick cotton robes, a hawk perched on their shoulder. The hawk’s eyes glowed an eerie green, watchful of its surroundings in a way unlike ordinary birds.
After surveying the area, the figure pulled something from their coat and tossed it next to a corpse. They then tied a red silk ribbon to the hawk’s leg before releasing it.
The hawk soared into the snowy sky, circling once before flying away.
Despite the fierce wind and snow, the hawk’s speed remained unaffected as it raced over the vast white landscape.
Following rivers and streams, the hawk only began circling when it reached a densely populated area. As if recognizing a familiar place, it slowly descended toward a specific building.
A perch was set up in the courtyard’s corridor. The hawk landed on it with practiced ease.
Hearing the commotion, someone inside pushed open a window. Seeing the hawk, they extended their hand. “Jifeng.”
The hawk flapped its wings twice as if understanding. It flew over and gently alighted on the person’s arm.