Feng Xie's face flickered, his lips pursed with a bloody killing intent. He had been too immersed in sorrow before, but now he would not allow anyone to take advantage of him. He wanted to eliminate the祸害 around him.
These detestable fellows, if they fell into his hands, not one would be spared.
They were currently in a desolate wilderness, with no one around. Mountains and forests surrounded them. Because they were in a hurry to return to the capital, they had taken a shortcut.
They hadn't expected these wicked men to hide in this place to ambush them. This showed that the person directing them was indeed cunning.
A gust of wind swept through, causing a rustle and startling a flock of crows from the forest.
Following this, a large group of men in black swooped down from above the treetops, landing in a dense mass.
From their agile movements, it was clear these individuals possessed high martial arts skills and were well-trained. Their bodies were devoid of any revealing marks, save for their pair of gleaming green eyes.
Such an attire was not out of place for members of the Cang Lang Pavilion. Those from Cang Lang Pavilion were known to be willing to pay a price to kill.
Could it be that Nangong Yue was manipulating things from behind the scenes? Ri Ying and Yue Ying speculated silently, but they had no time to ponder further. Their faces turned grim.
"How dare you! Who are you people to be so audacious?"
The leader of the black-clad men let out a hearty laugh and shouted, "We are from Cang Lang Pavilion. We have always been this way. Are you unfamiliar with us?"
Ri Ying and Yue Ying were enraged, their eyes shooting sharp, chilling glances at the group of black-clad men opposite them. "Let your master step forward and speak. Nangong Yue, that despicable wretch, actually stabbed us in the back. How truly卑鄙."
After delivering his previous statement, the leader of the black-clad men ignored Ri Ying and waved his hand, ordering the dozens of subordinates behind him, "Attack! No more nonsense. Leave none alive. This is the client's request."
A large wave of black-clad men surged forward. Ri Ying did not hesitate. With a wave of his hand, the few subordinates behind him immediately sprang into action. Planting their feet on the horses' backs, they leaped into the midst of the black-clad attackers. Instantly, the clash of blades and swords erupted.
The glint of swords created waves of powerful silver light, accompanied by the sound of severed limbs, flesh and blood splattering, and broken legs, all interspersed with gruesome screams.
The startled horses thrashed about. Liu Liu glanced at Feng Xie beside her and spoke calmly, "We cannot afford to delay. I fear there may be reinforcements. Let us end this quickly."
As Liu Liu finished speaking and prepared to move, Feng Xie quickly reached out and restrained her. He commanded imperiously, "You and Mu Xing should stay in the carriage. Allow me."
With that, his figure shot out like lightning. With a single strike, he unleashed a powerful wave of energy, repelling the black-clad assailants who were approaching the carriage. However, there were too many of them, and there were only a few of them on their side.
On the carriage behind, Hong Xiu and Cui'er were struggling to deal with the black-clad men. Liu Liu lifted the curtain and peered into the wild forest. She saw Feng Xie leading their few subordinates in a fierce battle against the black-clad men.
Although Feng Xie and Ri Ying's martial arts were superior to the black-clad men, and they were indeed injuring them, if the fight continued like this, they might be at a disadvantage. Liu Liu's expression darkened. She glanced at Mu Xing beside her and spoke softly.
"Son, do you still have any of the poisons you usually concoct? This is the perfect time to use them."
"Okay." Mu Xing's big eyes lit up at his mother's words. He nodded happily and took out a packet of poison from his person. "Mother, this is Shun Feng San. As long as it's carried by the wind, it will cause poisoning. Is that alright?"
"Good."
Liu Liu reached out, embraced her son's small body, and leaped out of the carriage. Her flowing long dress glided gracefully through the air, resembling an immortal from Yaochi. The attackers were stunned. Then, Liu Liu's cold, decisive voice rang out: "Get out of the way."
As her words fell, Feng Xie and Ri Ying withdrew from the crowd of black-clad men and leaped to the windward side of Liu Liu and her son. Mu Xing flicked his small hand, and a mist of poison, like willow catkins, scattered throughout the air. In an instant, the black-clad men collapsed onto the ground.
Liu Liu nodded with satisfaction and swept a cold gaze over the few men behind her, stating calmly, "This is called a swift victory. Let's go."
Liu Liu descended first, and the others followed closely. They saw the ground littered with collapsed figures. The black-clad men's eyes were bleeding, and white foam seeped from their mouths. They were indeed severely poisoned.
Liu Liu assured her son and prepared to mount the carriage when she heard a muffled groan from behind her. She quickly turned around and saw that a black-clad assailant had struggled to his feet and managed to slash Feng Xie's arm with a saber.
The muffled groan just now was from Feng Xie. The black-clad assailant, having exerted all his strength, fell to the ground with a thud, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. Feng Xie's arm was also bleeding. In Liu Liu's arms, Mu Xing had already cried out with concern.
"Father Emperor, Father Emperor, are you alright?"
Ri Ying and Yue Ying behind Feng Xie were incredulous. How could their master be struck by an enemy's saber? His martial skills were second to none. However, they dared not question their master's actions.
They quickly moved to support their master and helped him into the carriage. After the Emperor was settled in the carriage, Liu Liu also followed, remaining silent for a long time as she gazed at Feng Xie. Then, she sighed softly.
"Why must you do this? You are an Emperor. Why resort to such a scheme?"
Feng Xie's handsome face showed no sign of pain. Instead, it shone brilliantly, a smile on his lips. "The only way I can keep you now is with such a scheme, because I know your nature, Liu'er."
Liu Liu remained silent. Just as he said, her nature was indeed like this. Let alone the Emperor being injured, even an ordinary friend would not be left to die.
She uncovered Mu Xing's body and lifted her long skirt, revealing her inner garment. She tore off a piece and used it to bandage his wound. Annoyed yet helpless, she said, "When we reach the market town ahead, I will find a doctor for you."
"En." Feng Xie nodded. Watching her carefully bandage his wound, he felt, for the first time, a tangible sense of her presence beside him. His heart felt as though it would fly with joy. Beside them, young Mu Xing, seeing his Father Emperor injured yet so happy, looked at Feng Xie with confusion. "Father Emperor, doesn't it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt. Father Emperor is the strongest person, so it doesn't hurt," Feng Xie declared boastfully. Conversely, he felt a sweet warmth. Liu'er and their son were both by his side.
Because the Emperor was injured, their group no longer took the mountain path. Instead, they traveled along the main road, which was filled with passing merchants and people.
No one dared to act rashly. Moreover, they traveled day and night, lodging in inns. Even if their pursuers were still trailing them, they would not easily make a move. Thus, they reached the capital without any further incidents, and those lurking in the shadows never found an opportunity.
Fifteen days later, they returned to the capital. During these fifteen days, the most frequent discussion they heard was about the impending war.
It was rumored that the Yue Hua Kingdom had borrowed soldiers from a neighboring country, and a force of two hundred thousand troops was encroaching upon Tian Feng's border. Meanwhile, the Emperor, due to the death of the Empress five years ago, had gone missing.
The court was in disarray, treacherous officials were in power, and it seemed Tian Feng was on the verge of change, heading towards ruin. As soon as Liu Liu heard people discussing these matters, she cast a cold, sharp glance at Feng Xie beside her. See? Their random excursions out of the palace were making the people disheartened.
Feng Xie's expression was gloomy. He hadn't expected the Lou family and the Si family to be so audacious. Had his Imperial Brother not stopped them? He thought that upon returning to the capital, he would thoroughly rectify the Si family's affairs. Feng Xie pondered coldly, remaining silent.