Suddenly, a clap of applause rang out, impossibly clear in the silent night.
Murong Chong and the others turned their heads, following the sound. On the layered stone steps, a figure stood, embraced by the wind. Clad in a bright yellow dragon robe and a purple-gold crown, he was exceptionally handsome, radiating an imperial aura. Who else could this be but the Emperor himself?
He appeared, his face tinged with a pale green light, a cold sneer playing on his lips. His bright, cold eyes fixed on Murong Chong, and his bloodthirsty words echoed ominously.
"I never thought the Palace Master of the Divine Dragon Palace would be such a timid coward, hiding behind others. What kind of act is this?"
Hearing this, Murong Chong's expression turned cold, his pupils flaring with a ferocious glint, a dark crimson thread sinking into the depths of his eyes.
As the saying goes, enemies often meet with heightened animosity. To encounter each other under such circumstances was unexpected. He curled his lips, about to step forward, but Yi Yuxuan and Mo Ruyan blocked his path, holding him fast.
"Palace Master, do not fall for his wicked scheme."
Murong Chong waved his long sleeves, a surge of internal energy pushing outwards. Yi Yuxuan and Mo Ruyan were propelled outwards, clearing a path. He walked out slowly, his bearing proud and unyielding, like iron. He stood tall in the cold night, his righteousness awe-inspiring, like a mountain overlooking an abyss.
"Do you even have the right to say that? What are you?"
As soon as Murong Chong finished speaking, the person on the height instantly shot piercing killing intent from his dark eyes, staring at him with bloodthirsty ferocity, not allowing him another word. Any further negative remark from his mouth might incite speculation from others.
"The Divine Dragon Palace is audacious enough to steal royal treasures from the imperial mausoleum. Guards, apprehend them all."
"Yes."
Shouts from all around shook the heavens, echoing through the clouds. Murong Chong's dark pupils deepened, understanding clearly what the man on the height feared. His plain white sleeves slowly trailed downwards, like flowing clouds.
Elegant and refined, he was the most striking figure amidst a throng of thousands.
The archers had already nocked their arrows, drawing their bows taut like full moons, waiting only for a command to release them.
Shangguan Yao surveyed the nearly hundred people in the mausoleum. Each was alert and facing them with cold resolve, showing no sign of the usual fear of death. They seemed like decent individuals.
However, following Murong Chong meant only one outcome: death.
"Shoot, but capture Murong Chong alive."
With Shangguan Yao's command, he stepped back. Song Yuan and the others behind him formed a protective cordon around him.
The soldiers who had surrounded Murong Chong and his group all retreated in unison. The archers atop the high wall loosed their arrows like a torrential downpour.
Everyone from the Divine Dragon Palace drew their long swords and began to parry the incoming arrows.
Arrows rained down like dense mist, flying across the sky like a vast net. Murong Chong directed his subordinates, ordering them to retreat while deflecting the ceaseless barrage of arrows.
Murong Chong possessed profound martial arts and immense inner strength, so the arrows could not wound him for the moment. However, some of his subordinates were hit, emitting soft cries of pain, but they all persisted.
After the volley of arrows subsided, Shangguan Yao calmly waved his hand and commanded Song Yuan, "Capture Murong Chong alive. The rest shall be killed without mercy."
Song Yuan gestured, and waves of figures rushed forward.
The archers on the high walls remained stationary. More and more people from the imperial mausoleum surged forward, all charging towards Murong Chong and his group.
Murong Chong fought while retreating. Yi Yuxuan and Mo Ruyan desperately fended off the attackers around them, dispatching one soldier with each sword stroke. These foot soldiers were no match for their ruthless ferocity. Although some were injured, they continued to retreat, their path unobstructed.
But the matter was far from over. Shangguan Yao was determined to capture Murong Chong. From his vantage point on the high platform, he suddenly blew a strange, distinctive tune.
The hidden assassins immediately emerged from all directions, pouncing directly towards Murong Chong and his companions.
The group was already fatigued from the arrow attack and the human encirclement. Now, with the appearance of numerous assassins, everyone felt exhausted.
Despite exerting their utmost effort, their morale had been struck. Thus, as the assassins appeared and the two sides clashed, coupled with the presence of elite fighters like Song Yuan from the palace, the ensuing battles resulted in bloodshed everywhere, with corpses strewn about.
More and more of the Divine Dragon Palace's subordinates began to fall.
Trapped within the Western Mountain Mausoleum, they found themselves unable to move.
None of these individuals could budge, their sole focus being to kill, their eyes red with exertion. Blood splattered everywhere.
At this point, it was impossible to distinguish whose blood was on whom; the only imperative was to kill.
Murong Chong knew very well that escape was no longer possible. Had fate truly turned against him? Who was it that had meddled from the shadows?
As these thoughts occupied his mind, the force of his attacks grew increasingly fierce. Three or four assassins were now engaged with him, leaving him no time to attend to others.
Shangguan Yao, from his position on the high platform, had been intently observing the situation below. Seeing Murong Chong unable to extricate himself, he slowly extended his hand. Someone behind him presented a black wooden bow and three silver arrows, which were handed to him. A sinister smile curved Shangguan Yao's lips as he drew the bow, nocked the arrows, and fired all three simultaneously.
They were aimed at the upper, middle, and lower parts of Murong Chong's body – one arrow targeting his shoulder, another his abdomen, and the third his leg. He did not wish for this man to die; he wanted him alive to retrieve the Jade Dragon Talisman.
At this moment, Murong Chong was entangled by an increasing number of assassins, leaving him no capacity to care about anything else. The Divine Dragon Palace's forces had already suffered more than half their casualties, and each individual was too preoccupied to look out for others.
In the critical instant, the arrows, carrying the force of the wind and rain, pierced through the air with deadly sharpness.
Mo Ruyan, having just slain an assassin beside her with a single sword stroke, wiped a streak of blood from her face, which was now a mixture of sweat and blood.
Raising her head, she saw three glinting silver arrows whistling through the air, directly targeting Murong Chong. Without a second thought, she sprang up, flying towards the three arrows.
The arrows possessed a formidable force. All three simultaneously pierced towards her heart, left abdomen, and shoulder, sending her flying. She collided with an assassin and landed at Murong Chong's feet.
Murong Chong let out a fierce roar, unleashing a chilling blast of power. He leaped into the air, his potent qi erupting once more, striking outwards. The surrounding assassins were flung away, many of them injured. He then crouched down and gently lifted Mo Ruyan.
This woman had always worked by his side, tirelessly striving to earn her position as a protector of the Divine Dragon Palace. He never imagined that today she would die protecting him.
"Palace Master, let us fight our way out. This is my dying wish. My life was saved by you, Palace Master; today I return it to you."
Mo Ruyan's face was bloodied, her eyes glazing over. Blood spurted from her mouth with each word. Her fair hand clutched Murong Chong's arm tightly, digging into his flesh.