Jia Yang seized the opportunity to move beside Hua Zhi, and the two stood back-to-back as the black-clad assailants closed in around them.
Hua Zhi whispered, "Make it quick."
Jia Yang responded in a low voice. He already bore several wounds, and the young lady was undoubtedly injured more severely than he was. They couldn’t afford a prolonged fight. In truth, the current state of the battle had exceeded his expectations. Although he had heard from others that the young lady possessed some self-defense skills and fought fiercely, he had never imagined she would be this relentless.
She might not be stronger than her opponents, but her fearless, all-out ferocity allowed her to unleash power far beyond her usual capabilities.
The black-clad assailants lunged forward. Hua Zhi and Jia Yang each confronted their attackers, no longer vulnerable from behind. Hua Zhi fought even more viciously, as if her life meant nothing, willing to take a slash if it meant taking down an enemy. With this "injure eight hundred to kill a thousand" approach, she held her own until Jia Yang, after dispatching his fourth opponent, came to her aid and finished off the last one.
The assailant held off by Dongzi and Liu Cheng tried to flee upon seeing this, but the whip came into play again, yanking him back before he could get far. Jia Yang spared his life, binding him and dislocating his jaw to prevent suicide.
Hua Zhi felt light-headed, barely aware of her own limbs, but everyone inside was watching.
She stabbed her dagger into the ground for support, forcing herself to stand despite her trembling, weakened limbs, and walked inside as if nothing were wrong.
But exhaustion was exhaustion; forcing herself didn’t restore her strength. After just a few steps, her legs gave way and she knelt. Though she immediately stabbed the dagger into the ground again, it only kept her from collapsing face-first.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached from a distance. Hua Zhi smiled bitterly. She had wanted to appear more composed and had even planned what to say to show she hadn’t struggled much, but now, no one would believe her even if she tried.
"Zhi Er..."
Hua Zhi struggled to her feet and smiled at her father’s reddened eyes. "Just a bit exhausted."
Hua Pingyu helped her up, then turned and crouched halfway. "Come, let your father carry you."
Hua Zhi froze. Her father valued his children, but even with his legitimate sons like Baiyang, he had never held them—here, it was customary to hold grandsons, not sons, and the men of the Hua family had always adhered strictly to this standard.
And now, her father offered to carry her.
Hua Pingyang helped her onto his elder brother’s back, saying, "Don’t worry, Elder Brother has grown much stronger; he won’t drop you."
Even as he said this, he stayed close, supporting her, afraid of dropping his blood-soaked niece.
Hua Pingyu had indeed grown stronger over the past year, but at heart, he was still a scholar. Yet now, he seemed to summon unexpected strength, carrying her steadily into the main hall without a single stumble and seating her in a wide chair.
Hua Yizheng had already sent for medicine, but holding it, everyone could only exchange uncertain glances.
There were no other women present...
Hua Pingyang suddenly clapped his hands and dashed outside. "I’ll fetch Sister Chen from next door."
The commotion had long since woken the neighbors. While they might hesitate to fight enemies, they were willing to help tend wounds. Just as Hua Yizheng steadied his emotions to speak with his granddaughter, Hua Pingyang rushed back in with the Chen couple in tow.Hua Yizheng had no choice but to suppress his emotions. He stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "Sorry to trouble you, Sister Chen."
"No trouble at all." Sister Chen looked at Hua Zhi with awe. Her home was next door, and she had often peeked through the door crack to witness this young woman's heroic demeanor. So many men had been taken down by her—truly remarkable.
Just as she was about to help someone to the adjacent room, Hua Yizheng interjected, "Let them stay here. We'll all step outside."
The others hurriedly retreated to the courtyard, and once the door was closed, Hua Pingyu personally stood guard there.
Hua Yizheng walked to the courtyard gate and looked at the figures lying outside, uncertain whether they were alive or dead. His gaze settled on Jia Yang. Without this man, Zhi Er would never have been able to handle so many opponents alone.
"Thank you for your help tonight. Please come in and rest."
Jia Yang respectfully declined, "I don't deserve your thanks. I'll keep watch outside."
Hua Yizheng didn't press further. Turning back, he saw Dongzi and Liu Cheng being surrounded by servants as their wounds were treated. He made a mental note of these two—daring to charge out in such circumstances and fighting the enemies without regard for their own lives, they were truly exceptional.
After carefully considering the situation, Hua Yizheng called Chen Shan over. "Go to the garrison commander's residence and report this incident."
Chen Shan was taken aback. "You mean right now?"
"Right now."
"Yes." As Chen Shan turned to leave, he heard someone call out, "Wait."
The door to the main hall opened, and Hua Zhi emerged. She still wore her torn clothes, and the bandaged wounds beneath were clearly visible through the rips.
"Don't go to the garrison commander's residence. Go to the front lines and find Yan Xi."
"Zhi Er, I wanted Chen Shan to file a report at the garrison commander's residence. This matter shouldn't be delayed." As he spoke, Hua Yizheng approached her and supported her arm. Meanwhile, Hua Pingyu had personally brought over a chair and almost forcibly helped her sit down.
Hua Zhi accepted this awkward show of concern and glanced at the Chen couple.
Hua Pingyang understood immediately and politely escorted the two away. Even as they reached the doorway, Sister Chen kept looking back at Hua Zhi. It was her first time seeing someone so pale, and also her first time witnessing someone with so many injuries acting as if nothing was wrong. No wonder this woman dared to travel all the way from the capital to Yinshan Pass alone.
Just as Hua Zhi was about to speak, she looked up and saw everyone watching her with concern. Her two younger half-brothers had reddened eyes, and Hua Bolin looked on the verge of tears. She couldn't help but smile. Who wouldn't want their efforts to be remembered?
"I was just exhausted earlier. I've recovered now."
Everyone nodded as if they believed her.
"Bolin, fetch me a large bowl of warm water with some salt in it."
Without a word, Hua Bolin turned and headed to the kitchen, with a servant quickly following lest he make a mistake.
Hua Zhi returned to the previous topic. "Sending a few people to the front lines to bring Yan Xi back will be more useful than filing a report at the garrison commander's residence."
Hua Yizheng looked at her, waiting for her to explain her reasoning.Hua Zhi continued, "It's too coincidental. The patrols at Yinshan Pass have always been strict. Without an enemy attack, such commotion here would have drawn them long ago. I have every reason to suspect the night raid and assassination are connected. If so, the enemy attack might just be a diversion. I even suspect they might have intended to kill three birds with one stone. I can’t be certain whether our Hua family is their ultimate target or just one part of their plan. That’s why I believe it’s unwise to go to the garrison commander’s residence now. If we’re merely one piece of their scheme, they’re either using us or waiting for us to make this move. If we are the ultimate target..."
Hua Zhi pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes sharpening. "Then it’s even more crucial for Yan Xi to return. I can’t withstand another wave of such enemies."
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