The fierce gale swept through the main street, blowing ruthlessly from the direction of the underworld, whipping up the fluttering hems of the young men's robes and tossing their jet-black, flowing hair, making them appear like moths darting fearlessly into flames. In the cloud-layered sky, massive black birds soared overhead, their wings fluttering as they weaved through the thick, cotton-like snowfall, emitting piercing, mournful cries. The warhorses' breath instantly turned to frost. On the main street of Jiuwei, bloodthirsty beasts galloped past like killing machines, their long blades gleaming with a cold, brilliant light, like the radiance of Moon Breaker, reflecting the blood-red glow of torches, akin to ancient ferocious beasts.
The Yanbei iron guards, who had left their homeland to protect the Crown Prince, gradually fell under a hail of arrows like locusts. Yan Seventeen, his shoulder stained with blood, desperately deflected a stray arrow and turned to shout, "Protect the young master and break through!"
Several iron guards roared in agreement, their war blades swirling like full moons as they shielded Yan Xun in the center. A burly man bellowed, "Seventeen, we'll meet at the tower bridge!"
With a deafening crash, a small catapult was brought to the front lines, hurling massive stones with a roar. In a single strike, it shattered the protective circle formed by the Yan guards' bodies. The Yanbei warriors spat blood wildly, their bodies flung aside like willow catkins, collapsing to the ground and stirring up clouds of snow.
"What are you doing?" Yan Xun grabbed the child who was trying to charge out of the crowd. The child held only a crossbow, small and frail, appearing utterly fragile and non-threatening. The young man nervously shielded her at his side, angrily shouting, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"Let me go!" the child struggled, her eyes anxiously scanning the opposing crowd as she tried to break free from Yan Xun's grip.
Furious, Yan Xun swung his sword to deflect an arrow, his brows furrowed deeply as he said sternly, "You're going to your death! I won't let you go."
"Charging out now gives us a slim chance of survival," Chu Qiao turned back, her expression angry and sharp as she retorted, "Do you expect me to stay here and wait for death with you?"
The young man froze. Even in such a critical moment, her words made him tremble slightly. He nodded, his eyes appearing somber in the firelight, his voice low and even carrying a hint of childish stubbornness: "Don't worry. Even if I die here today, I won't drag you down with me."
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow, realizing he had misunderstood her meaning. Though slightly annoyed, she didn't bother to explain, simply turning away with a light humph.
"Thirteen, Seventeen," Yan Xun said, "When chaos breaks out, you two escort this child to safety. Make sure she reaches a secure place, understood?"
"Young master!"
Yan Thirteen frowned deeply, objecting, "Our mission is to protect you!"
"Your mission is to follow my orders!"
Chu Qiao glanced at them with a frown. Seeing Yan Xun distracted, she twisted free from his grasp. Small and nimble, she mounted a horse with surprising agility and instantly broke through the encirclement.
"You!" Yan Xun exclaimed in shock. In that moment, all eyes—friend and foe alike—instantly focused on this small child.Chu Qiao's equestrian skills were superb, like a fierce tiger unleashed from its cage. As she passed by two Yanbei guards, her technique reached its peak as she deftly seized two sharp battle blades. Her body shifted left and right while she wielded a small crossbow, shooting from various positions beside and beneath the horse. The dim night light made the flying arrows momentarily fail to harm her.
"Quick! Cover her!" Yan Xun fired arrows rapidly, one piercing through an archer's skull with a swoosh. His archery was exceptional, his martial prowess outstanding.
The clattering of hooves drew closer to the enemy's vanguard. Though the child had little strength, her strikes were cunningly angled—swift and precise. Even a casual observer could tell she had no formal martial training, yet her boldness and meticulousness prevailed. In no time, she broke into the crowd. The child hacked down two men with her blade, then threw a flying dagger that struck faster than her opponents' attacks, embedding the weapon into a Wei soldier's throat.
Witnessing such ferocity from a mere child, the Yanbei guards' morale soared. Yan Seventeen, seeing an opportunity, roared, "Follow me and charge!"
"A cornered beast's struggle—ignorant of its own doom!" Wei Shuyou sneered coldly, raising his crossbow and swiftly drawing an arrow. The silver arrowhead shot forth like a meteor.
The whistling wind arrived too late for the child to react. As she turned her head, the sharp arrow gleamed in her eyes. In an instant, it struck her face, and she toppled sideways, crashing off her horse.
"Little girl!" Yan Xun's eyes blazed with fury as he cried out, turning his fiery gaze toward Wei Shuyou, burning with rage.
Wei Shuyou smirked coldly and declared loudly, "Young Master Yan defies the imperial decree! All troops, capture him—dead or alive!"
The Wei soldiers shouted in unison, charging forward alongside the Elite Cavalry Camp, shifting from arrow formations to close combat. Yan Xun kicked a burly man flying, drew his three-foot blade, and swiftly dispatched two oncoming foes.
"Yan Xun, do you intend to rebel?" Zhuge Huai did not join the fray but stood outside the battle circle with his Zhuge family troops, watching and shouting.
"Fabricated accusations need no excuse! I, Yan Xun, have never contemplated rebellion. The Wei Clan, relying on the Elder Council, frames the loyal and virtuous, but the men of Yanbei are not lambs to the slaughter!"
"Arrogant brat," Wei Shuyou snorted coldly, urging his horse forward and waving his hand. "In that case, don't blame me for disregarding our past camaraderie as classmates."
Just as he was about to order a full assault, a sharp whistle suddenly rang in his ears. Wei Shuyou froze, turning his head just in time to see the corpse of the Elite Cavalry Camp's Northern Division deputy general crash heavily from his horse. The man's eyes were wide open, an arrow piercing his forehead, his mouth agape in disbelief as if he wanted to speak but could utter nothing.
He and the deputy general had been standing beyond arrow range—no ordinary bow could reach them. So where had this arrow come from?A violent sense of crisis instantly seized Wei Shuyou. He abruptly turned his horse around, ready to charge forward, but at that moment, the warhorse suddenly let out a mournful whinny as its two front legs were struck hard. With a heavy thud, it knelt on the ground. Wei Shuyou was thrown uncontrollably from the saddle. Before he could even rise, a sharp, cold dagger was pressed tightly against his neck. A child's voice, icy and tinged with faint mockery and amusement, sounded in his ear: "Young Master Wei, exciting, isn't it?"
"Everyone, stop!"
The wind howled and reversed its course, heavy snow swirling wildly. The child sharply raised a thin, delicate face and shouted sternly, "Or I'll kill him!"
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