Chapter 695: Error in Judgment
The sudden appearance of arrows carried an overwhelming killing intent, like an illusion, even Pu Yangji was momentarily stunned. However, he quickly realized his crisis was resolved.
He immediately got up and took the person away.
Huangfu Jingchen was blocked at the alley’s entrance by the arrows. He wielded his soft sword, maneuvered gracefully, and either broke the arrows or evaded them.
He even grabbed a few, throwing them back in the direction they came from.
After a few screams, the arrows paused, and Huangfu Jingchen seized the opportunity to exit the alley.
But just that moment of delay was enough, and Pu Yangji had already disappeared.
Under the night sky, all traces had been wiped clean. Except for the arrows scattered around, not a single person was in sight.
Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes glinted with determination, charging towards the direction the arrows had been shot. As long as he captured one person, he’d discover who had kidnapped Wenjin.
Based on the force and direction of the arrows, Huangfu Jingchen quickly locked onto the small courtyard diagonally opposite the alley entrance.
He cautiously and swiftly approached the courtyard.
Upon arrival, he saw only a few spots of blood on the ground, no people, no injured, not even arrows, and certainly no bodies.
However, Huangfu Jingchen was not flustered. Since there was blood, there was a trail to follow.
Huangfu Jingchen examined the surroundings, noticing not a single drop of blood on the ground, only a faint scent of blood lingering in the air.
Huangfu Jingchen’s expression darkened at such a well-trained, swift retreat with traces so thoroughly erased.
He probed in several directions, heading east, where the scent of blood was strongest. Without hesitation, he pursued eastward.
Despite previous fierce battles, Huangfu Jingchen’s speed remained swift.
However, the scent of blood soon vanished, and up ahead were several forked paths.
Huangfu Jingchen paused for just a moment, then immediately continued down the right-hand path.
Finally, after chasing a few dozen feet, he again caught a faint scent of blood.
He breathed a sigh of relief; he was on the right track.
He was determined to catch up and rescue Wenjin.
There was an even stronger scent of blood ahead; he was about to catch up. Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes grew even darker, yet he did not relax even slightly, knowing catching up would mean a tough battle.
The opposing side was too numerous.
Another courtyard appeared, its gate securely shut. After surveying the layout, Huangfu Jingchen climbed over the side wall.
This was an abandoned courtyard; Huangfu Jingchen saw no one here. But the scent of blood indeed emanated from inside. Huangfu Jingchen moved cautiously to the front yard, where a scene of anger unfolded before his eyes.
Several bodies in black lay there, upon close inspection revealing wounds from arrows—reversed arrows he had shot back into them.
Seeing Huangfu Jingchen closing in, unable to escape with their captive, they left the bodies here. Yet, they left no survivors.
Five corpses, only one killed by his arrow reflex, while the others were killed by a single sword piercing their hearts, dying with expressions of shock, evidently slain by a companion.
These faces were common enough to find amidst crowds; they dared leave bodies here, clearly without any traceability from their appearances.
Such organized precision and ruthless execution suggested their master’s coldness and cunning!
Huangfu Jingchen grew anxious, leaping onto the rooftop for a better view. Amidst the deep night, under scant starlight, where could he spot even a shadow?
The trail completely ended, Wenjin lay somewhere unknown, taken by someone with intentions unforeseen. The possibility of danger befalling her made Huangfu Jingchen’s heart blaze with urgency.
He drew a small cylindrical item from his pocket, launching it skyward.
Within moments, several shadows appeared beside him.
Jiang Ning and Yan Nan arrived first, greeting him, "Princely Heir!" Their eyes skimmed the black-clad corpses, assuming another ambush against the Princely Heir, they asked urgently, "Are you alright?"
Huangfu Jingchen gestured, signaling no need for formalities. "I’m fine! This group has abducted Miss Xia. Before dawn, find out their origins, identities, backgrounds, and who’s behind them!"
Realizing the attack wasn’t aimed at the Princely Heir, Jiang Ning relaxed, but the relief was short-lived on learning Miss Xia was abducted, startling him. Had Miss Xia become a magnet for trouble?
Yet they swiftly responded, "Yes!"
After issuing instructions, Huangfu Jingchen left the abandoned courtyard, disappearing into the night.
Although now with no leads, he still had to pursue.
Jiang Ning and Yan Nan exchanged glances, both showing some exasperation.
The Princely Heir, skilled and bold, regularly traveled without his trusted aides like Bian Ming. Now, having departed solo once again, they worried.
Still, they felt somewhat embarrassed.
The Princely Heir leaving them behind was partly due to their skills not matching his own.
Secondly, they simply couldn’t keep up with his pace!
Xia Wenjin felt as though she dreamed a lengthy dream, in which everything was chaotic yet crystal clear.
She watched as a bystander, scenes unfolding vividly, sword light flashing, a bloody, stormy tableau.
Her eyes seemed open, witnessing everything before her:
In the twenty-eighth year of Jiahe, Imperial Grandson Huangfu Yuxuan ascended the throne as Emperor, changing the nation’s title to Zhaqing, and granted amnesty across the realm!
On national celebratory days, in the Imperial Palace East Garden’s Cuiyu Palace, a scene of desolation lay cold and barren. Residing there was the Concubine from the Emperor’s residence.
During this period, the abolishment of two Crown Princes created hesitation in the Emperor’s mind regarding appointing a Crown Prince, rendering the Capital City seemingly calm yet embroiled in succession battles.
Prince Zhuang, Prince Li, Prince Xin, Prince Zhou...
Both Princes and Imperial Grandsons took to the stage.
At this time, Huangfu Yuxuan’s concubine of Jianghu birth became a convenience, useful people outside the Imperial City, and strategists within. With her aid and cooperation, Huangfu Yuxuan emerged victoriously.
The late Emperor passed, and the Imperial Grandson ascended.
Logically, the supportive Concubine should have been named Empress; her son Huangfu Heng should have become the new Crown Prince. But it wasn’t so.
The new Empress was the daughter of the Imperial Tutor, Zhao Keyan. Meanwhile, the concubine residing in Cuiyu Palace received no title edict, instead being greeted by a cup of poisoned wine.
The eunuch’s sharp voice announced clearly, Xia Wenjin, with origins unbecoming and errant actions, unsuitable to match the Emperor’s grandeur. Now, the Emperor’s mercy bestowed a cup of poison, giving the honor of a whole corpse!
In shock, the Concubine rushed forward, snatching the decree in disbelief. She couldn’t accept Huangfu Yuxuan would act this way. Initially, he actively courted her, their affection profound, leading to her surrender and marriage. Afterwards, she exhaustively worked, paving his path using the entire Haotian Village.