Chapter 446: What Exactly Is This Act?
Through Consort Wei and Princess Ruyang, Xiao Huayong unexpectedly located Jiachen Crown Prince, who was still alive and harboring his own schemes. However, Jiachen Crown Prince himself knew he was merely persisting out of unwillingness, continuing to cultivate his forces. Yet these forces he had nurtured were utterly insignificant, not even capable of approaching the Youning Emperor.
Since he lacked the opportunity, Xiao Huayong provided it for him. Success or failure wasn't actually important to Jiachen Crown Prince—he only wanted to strike against the Youning Emperor once. Succeeding would naturally bring him immense joy, while failing would allow him to end his lingering life with dignity.
"Your Highness, these people are unlike any we've seen before. Their killing methods are extremely cruel, yet they don't resemble trained death warriors or assassins." Zhenzhu and Moyu protected Shen Xihe as they evacuated the temporary palace, having clashed with these individuals along the way. Their martial skills were remarkable.
Had their target been Shen Xihe, and had she not been prepared in advance, they might have been injured.
"Just focus on evacuating the temporary palace. Those searching for the Crown Prince will return soon," Shen Xihe instructed.
These people weren't Xiao Huayong's men, nor were they dispatched by him. He had somehow drawn in the Emperor's enemies, aiming to completely reverse all disadvantages.
This group likely understood the urgency of the situation—that opportunities lost wouldn't return. Therefore, as long as bystanders didn't rush forward, they wouldn't kill indiscriminately, instead charging straight toward where the Emperor was located. Shen Xihe easily found the Empress Dowager and, along with her attendants, escorted her to safety.
While evacuating with the Empress Dowager, they passed an elderly man galloping on horseback in the shadows. The Empress Dowager's pupils contracted sharply, and even as she was being supported toward another direction, she couldn't help turning to look back at the figure riding away into the distance.
Shen Xihe observed this and knew the Empress Dowager must recognize that elderly man. Though it was deep night, the enemy troops held high torches that illuminated the old man's face. Even through a wall, Shen Xihe caught a clear glimpse of his features through a window in the wall.
The man appeared weathered, roughly the same age as the Empress Dowager. Shen Xihe wondered—could this be a grudge from the Empress Dowager's generation?
After they left the temporary palace, they could still hear earth-shaking clashes of battle, no less intense than confrontations between two armies. The inner court women, escorted by the Golden Guard and without deliberate interception, all safely evacuated the temporary palace, gathering anxiously at the mountain's base.
They all understood clearly that if the Emperor were defeated, they too would face certain death. Yet none dared suggest fleeing to the capital now—the crime of abandoning their sovereign to save themselves was something no one could bear.
Fortunately, as Shen Xihe had anticipated, the Youning Emperor soon recalled the troops ostensibly searching for Xiao Huayong and Xiao Changying—but actually suppressing Xiao Huayong's influence—from their search mission. They returned to storm the temporary palace and protect the Emperor.
This confrontation actually held little suspense. Though this group appeared ferocious, their chances of successful assassination were nearly zero. Even without the military guards, the temporary palace maintained basic patrols and defenses. With several princes protecting the Youning Emperor, along with Pingyao Marquis and General Pei among other commanders, breaking through to reach the Emperor immediately was impossible.Shen Xihe's gaze pierced through the dense night, watching the flickering flames from the mountain villa halfway up the slope. The sounds of battle gradually faded until they were completely inaudible. This had been a one-sided confrontation—they would soon return to the villa.
Xiao Huayong's true objective definitely wasn't here. Since an assassination attempt had occurred at this location, then what about Xiao Huayong's situation...
Skree—
Just then, Haidongqing's cry echoed from afar. While everyone was preoccupied with the villa and the sound came from a distance, only Shen Xihe, distracted, glanced toward it. Beneath the night sky, its spread wings left a fleeting shadow before vanishing into the ink-black expanse in the blink of an eye.
Its appearance confirmed Shen Xihe's suspicion: Xiao Huayong intended for the Invincible Army dispatched by His Majesty to never return!
Unlike the lopsided battle at the villa, Xiao Huayong's location was where true carnage unfolded—blood splattered, and the glint of blades flashed coldly. Though he and Xiao Changying were bound inside a cave, both were trained martial artists with heightened senses.
Beyond hearing the fierce clashes and clashing weapons outside, they could also smell the thick, metallic scent of blood.
Xiao Changying's expression darkened, his face grave. "Your people?"
Xiao Huayong didn't answer directly, but his calm composure gave Xiao Changying the answer he sought, easing his tension.
They had been trapped for two days, yet Xiao Huayong remained unflustered throughout. Xiao Changying had known all along that Xiao Huayong must have a well-laid plan.
Soon, two black-clad, masked figures rushed in. Their masks covered only the lower half of their faces, and their black garments bore an embroidered flame on the chest. Upon seeing Xiao Huayong and Xiao Changying, the two immediately raised their blades and swung downward toward their faces.
Xiao Changying instinctively dodged, but Xiao Huayong, bound to him, seemed to anticipate his movement. Leveraging his momentum, they rolled aside together, evading the attack.
As they tumbled to the ground, both simultaneously lifted their legs against the descending cold steel, kicking the assassins' wrists and forcing them back. Supporting each other, they sprang to their feet in unison.
Xiao Changying had completely forgotten Xiao Huayong's presence, but Xiao Huayong calmly adapted to his movements while dealing with the assassins. Seizing the right moment, Xiao Huayong planted his feet, spun forcefully, and shoved Xiao Changying into one assailant. After knocking the assassin down, he kicked up a fallen blade: "Catch!"
Xiao Changying pivoted toward the blade's trajectory, splaying his bound fingers to precisely grasp the hilt. Meanwhile, Xiao Huayong engaged the other attacker, swiftly rotating his wrist to reverse the blade and sever the ropes.
Once freed, Xiao Changying gripped the knife and moved to slit a black-clad figure's throat, but Xiao Huayong grabbed his arm and dragged him outward.
"What... what game are you playing?" Xiao Changying was baffled. "Are these people yours or not?"
If they were his allies, why had they attacked? Yet Xiao Huayong had fought back. If they weren't, why did they seem to hold back, and why was Xiao Huayong preventing him from killing them?
Xiao Huayong offered no explanation, pulling him relentlessly outside. There, two factions of black-clad, masked figures were locked in combat—one group with only eyeholes visible, the other revealing the upper half of their faces including the nose bridge.
Exchanging a subtle glance with someone, Xiao Huayong led Xiao Changying fleeing in a specific direction. Both sides gave chase upon seeing them, deepening Xiao Changying's confusion!
Nevertheless, he no longer needed Xiao Huayong to drag him along and now moved in sync with his pace.Both parties, regardless of who caught up, would target them. However, the earlier group only blocked without killing, while the pursuers would actually resort to lethal force.
Xiao Huayong began pretending again to be incapable of martial arts, making even Xiao Changying suspect whether someone else was secretly watching from the shadows.
Eight thousand words today, another eight thousand tomorrow—keep going (???_??)? I can do this!
(End of Chapter)
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