Yun Xiao raised her head, a faint, ethereal smile flickering across her pale face, as ephemeral as a wisp of cloud that could not be grasped.
Yun Zhen suddenly remembered that Xiao'er was a soul from another world. Would she return to her original world?
If that were the case, then he and their father would no longer have her. In that moment, he felt a profound panic. It turned out that Xiao'er was the one who had brought them true stability.
If it weren't for her, how heartbroken they would have been when the real Xiao'er died? How could there have been any future happiness, or their father's joy?
It was she who had saved the Yun family, but what had he done?
"Perhaps this is what I owe you. Your affection, your care for me. I cannot stand by and watch you be killed by others."
Yun Xiao coughed again after speaking. Her pale complexion shattered the hearts of those who cared for her.
At this moment, everyone was focused solely on her, paying no attention to the surrounding black-clothed figures. Wan Wan, lying on the ground, struggled to sit up and called out, "Master, are you alright? Quickly take this hemostatic pill."
Heeding her reminder, Yun Xiao finally reacted and quickly took a hemostatic pill.
At this time, the surrounding black-clothed figures began their assault, and two among their group were injured.
Liu Xing and Zhui Yue had already engaged the assassins. Because the enemy had overwhelming numbers and they were too few, they were quickly separated.
Yun Xiao had intended to poison her opponents, but now neither the wind direction nor the location was suitable. Moreover, due to blood loss, her head grew increasingly dizzy, and she was on the verge of collapse. Yun Zhen could no longer contain himself and rushed forward, intending to support her.
Just then, a thunderous roar echoed from afar, like a gale that shook the heavens.
The sound of horses' hooves surged like waves, kicking up layers of dust. In the blink of an eye, they arrived, churning. On the fastest horse rode a figure in snow-white robes, wearing a silver mask.
Under the light, it emanated a chilling radiance that pierced the bone. His eyes, black as jewels, churned with bloodthirsty ferocity, a deep, unfathomable gloom within them. However, upon catching sight of the bloodstain on the white robes of the person in the center, he seemed to lose all restraint.
He leaped from the horse, transforming into a white spiritual bird, piercing through layers of mist-laden woods. He sped forward, directly to Yun Xiao's side, unleashing a palm strike that sent Yun Zhen flying backward.
His large hand extended like a descending deity, tightly embracing Yun Xiao. He saw her pale face as she slid into his arms.
"Xiao'er, Xiao'er, how are you?"
Mu Rong Chong's expression drastically changed. His icy, ferocious eyes clenched into fists, his fingertips turning pale and veins bulging. He abruptly turned his head, glaring furiously at the injured Yun Zhen.
"You damned fool, what are you doing? Why don't you use your brain when you act?"
Yun Zhen's face was ashen. Injured, what could he say? Furthermore, Mu Rong Chong's palm strike had not been heavy enough. He wished he could beat himself to death. But where was his father now?
And at this moment, everyone was still surrounded. Fortunately, Mu Rong had arrived. Xiao'er and her subordinates would not die. Yun Zhen gave a desolate, wry smile. It seemed everything he did ended in failure.
Mu Rong Chong's roar roused Yun Xiao from her daze. The first thing she saw was the person holding her tightly. He was always so unfathomable.
His dark eyes, usually devoid of emotion, were now filled with pain and heartache, so intense that a single glance conveyed the suffering in his heart.
"Mu Rong, you've arrived?"
Yun Xiao parted her lips in a slight smile, not surprised. She knew he would appear in this place; she had anticipated his arrival.
Upon seeing Yun Xiao awake, Mu Rong Chong's eyes, deep and cold as jewels, held an unfathomable gloom. He declared possessively, "If you weren't injured, I would really like to spank your bottom."
Yun Xiao's face turned crimson in front of hundreds of people. How could this man be so insensitive to the occasion? Yet, her heart swelled with sweetness. She reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck, and nestled into his embrace, remaining motionless.
When all of creation was about to vanish, her only thought was to be with him.
Following behind, the sound of horses' hooves erupted. From the horses, several figures leaped down with powerful movements. They were all high-ranking generals of the Divine Dragon Palace, dozens of them soaring like eagles, exceptionally valiant.
Among them was someone Yun Xiao recognized: Crown Prince Yan Yu of the Northern Kingdom. Clad in a magnificent crimson robe, he was as flamboyant as a gust of wind, exuding arrogance. By his side was Ye Wu Yun, dressed in flowing azure robes.
His complexion remained pale, but the concern in his eyes was genuine. Only after confirming Yun Xiao was unharmed did he relax, his gaze vigilantly fixed on the surrounding black-clothed figures.
Shangguan Lin, too, was duty-bound. His entire presence exuded a chilling aura, his chiseled features etched with bloodthirsty ferocity. With a calm wave of his hand, he commanded, "Attack, leave none alive."
The figures behind him descended like death itself, surging into the ranks of the assassins.
At the same moment, those beside Yun Xiao moved, joining the fray. Yun Zhen, disregarding his injuries, charged forward, his palm striking open the door of the prison carriage. Furiously, he pulled out the person within, his sharp blade ruthlessly piercing the man's body.
Earlier, he had been too heartbroken, feeling he had failed Xiao'er and his father, which had led to his carelessness. Now, thinking of the injuries Xiao'er had sustained, he only wished to tear this person to shreds.
Mu Rong Chong, holding Yun Xiao, plunged into the black formation. With one in his left hand and another in his right, his immense killing intent surged forth like a tidal wave. Yun Xiao quickly called out, "Mu Rong, let me down."
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to fight freely. With these people present, she believed they could escape this ordeal.
Unfortunately, Mu Rong Chong paid no attention to her words. Holding her with both arms, he attacked his opponents and sternly commanded, "From now on, you are not allowed to leave my side."
"You?"
Despite the imperious command, Yun Xiao felt a surge of sweetness in her heart.
Without uttering another word, Wan Wan was also protected by someone. Yun Xiao finally felt relieved. She felt somewhat anxious and dizzy, leaning slowly against Mu Rong's chest like a weak cat.
"Mu Rong, I'll sleep for a bit, I'm so tired."
"Xiao'er, don't sleep. Xiao'er, talk to me, so I have the spirit to kill these people."
Mu Rong Chong suddenly felt a pang of fear and commanded loudly. Although he knew she would not be in grave danger, he was still afraid, especially seeing her blood-stained robes.
He thought that if they had arrived any later, his Xiao'er would have disappeared, her life extinguished. That would have been the most cruel thing in the world. What use would kingdoms and thrones be then?
Previously, it was for his father. Now, it was to make the woman he loved the most respected woman in the entire realm. This was his motivation.
Yun Xiao was partially awakened by his shout and mumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Mu Rong, focus on dealing with others, don't get hurt."
"Then talk to me. As soon as you speak, I'll become serious. Otherwise, I'll get hurt."
Mu Rong Chong said calmly, and with that, he dispatched another assassin. Yun Xiao sighed, forcing her eyes open, and said with resignation, "You are truly a sophist. Fine, I'll talk to you. You have to kill all these bad guys."
"Okay."
Two people, one speaking, one killing, cooperating.