Xue Zi Ning was startled. Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door. She turned to see the King of the Northern Territory, whom she had bound securely, now standing before her.
"I've finally caught you," the King of the Northern Territory's gaze held a hunter's interest in his prey.
Xue Zi Ning quickly drew a dagger from her boot. Ignoring Wen Yu Xi's pleas, she moved to hack at the iron chains binding him.
"You won't be able to cut through that. It's Black Iron chain specially forged by my order. It's impervious to blades and spears."
Xue Zi Ning, undeterred, continued to strike at the chain, but it remained motionless.
"Go... Go... Don't worry about me..." Wen Yu Xi gritted out with all his might.
"No, I will definitely rescue you today..."
"Capture her! This King will reward you handsomely," the King of the Northern Territory commanded coldly.
Xue Zi Ning turned, facing the guards advancing towards her. She struck decisively, sending a guard to the ground.
The King of the Northern Territory hadn't expected the assassin to be so skilled. His gaze turned icy. "Summon Le Ku and Le Suo."
Wen Yu Xi's previously downcast eyes suddenly blazed with light. He growled, "Go, don't mind me..."
"No, since I've come today, I won't leave empty-handed..."
Wen Yu Xi gritted his teeth and struggled. From a seated position, he fell to his knees, banging his head against the ground. "I beg you, leave this place..."
Xue Zi Ning's entire body trembled. Seeing Wen Yu Xi kneeling had tightened the chains, causing new blood to appear on them – the result of his struggle.
"Wen Yu Xi..."
"I beg you, leave..." Wen Yu Xi's face was pale with pain, sweat beading on his forehead.
Xue Zi Ning kicked a guard away and then helped Wen Yu Xi up, asking softly, "Why are you doing this?"
"Le Ku, Le Suo... you are not their... opponent..." he managed to say with his last reserves of strength.
Xue Zi Ning looked at him, thinking, *You would hurt yourself for this?*
Wen Yu Xi turned his face away. "You should leave. Don't concern yourself with this minister anymore..."
Xue Zi Ning looked up, her eyes blinking, but tears still flowed.
Wen Yu Xi trembled. "You... you are crying for me?"
"If I cannot protect those by my side, what is the point of me occupying that position?"
Wen Yu Xi was shocked, utterly shaken. "You..."
She slowly rose. Though her body was slender and frail, at this moment, he felt a strength and warmth he had never experienced before.
In this moment, he understood that the girl from before had truly grown up.
"If I cannot protect the ones I wish to protect, what good is this world?"
She roared, her exposed eyes burning with an intense, icy brilliance.
Wen Yu Xi trembled. It was then he truly understood. If there were any chance, he would sacrifice his life for her opportunity to live. This conviction surged through his chest.
"Ah..." He threw his head back and let out a long cry. A tremendous power surged from him, as if the very earth was shaking.
The chains binding him snapped. He strode out, step by step, until he stood before Xue Zi Ning and slowly knelt. "Wen Yu Xi offers his life for you, from now until his dying breath."
The King of the Northern Territory could never have imagined someone could break the Black Iron chains, but Wen Yu Xi had.
Two figures emerged from the ruins, a man and a woman.
The King of the Northern Territory was greatly alarmed. "Le Ku, Le Suo, capture them!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward, shielding Wen Yu Xi. "You rest. I'll go first."
Wen Yu Xi wanted to refuse, but his body wouldn't allow it. He had used most of his strength breaking free from the Black Iron chains; it was his limit. He needed to recover.
Knowing Wen Yu Xi's condition, Xue Zi Ning decided to act first, giving him a chance to recuperate.
Looking at the two foreign men before her, she paused slightly and said coldly, "Are you from Han City?"
Le Ku and Le Suo were taken aback. "How did you know?"
Xue Zi Ning sneered. "Han Xi Xia is my friend. Who are you, really?"
Le Ku and Le Suo exchanged a glance. From their expressions, Xue Zi Ning realized they must have left Han City without authorization.
"I recall the Empress of Chang Jiu enacted a law prohibiting the people of the borderlands from leaving the city at will. Unauthorized departure is punishable by the extermination of nine generations."
Le Ku and Le Suo trembled. They were certainly aware of this decree.
"When I become the Emperor of Chang Jiu, I will abolish this law," the King of the Northern Territory declared coldly.
Le Ku and Le Suo looked at each other and then lunged at Xue Zi Ning.
Xue Zi Ning dodged, her movements fluid. After engaging them, she realized their skills were on par with hers, and in a prolonged fight, the outcome was uncertain.
"Two against one, a fight with no honor!" Xue Zi Ning retreated several steps, stating coldly.
Le Suo heard this and said, "Fine, let my brother fight you."
Le Suo stepped back from the fray.
The King of the Northern Territory, standing nearby, was furious, his nose almost twitching. "I told you to both attack!"
Le Suo replied, "Your Highness, my brother will not lose."
After several rounds, neither side gained a clear advantage. However, Xue Zi Ning had already fought others, and her stamina was less than Le Ku's.
Suddenly, she failed to dodge one of Le Ku's palms. She was thrown back several steps, and when she finally stopped, she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
*It truly hurts,* Xue Zi Ning thought to herself.
"How are you?" Wen Yu Xi asked, supporting her, his voice laced with concern.
She wiped the blood from her lips. "I'm fine..."
"Don't worry about me, quickly escape!" Wen Yu Xi said, his voice filled with distress.
"No."
She stood up again, stating in a low voice, "No member of the Xue family surrenders without a fight, nor do they retreat."
She then leaped forward once more.
Le Ku narrowed his eyes and shouted, channeling his power. The force sent her staggering back repeatedly.
"Enough! Stop fighting..." Wen Yu Xi grabbed her sleeve.
Xue Zi Ning patted Wen Yu Xi's hand. "Do you trust me?" she asked, her words measured.
Wen Yu Xi was taken aback. He saw a clarity and brilliance in her eyes he had never witnessed before. "You..."
Xue Zi Ning charged forward again. Le Ku sneered, "Overestimating your strength."
Before she could even reach Le Ku, she was flung back by an invisible force.
Le Ku sneered, "Surrender now, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, blood suddenly trickled from the corner of his mouth. It started as a small amount, then increased, until it flowed freely.
He couldn't believe it, retreating several steps before collapsing to the ground. "You..."
A large gush of blood erupted from him.
Le Ku shook his head, utterly bewildered as to why he was bleeding.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Le Suo, startled, rushed over.
Le Ku shook his head and, with all his remaining strength, asked, "What... what is happening?"