Chapter 694 - 693: Rain of Arrows
Huangfu Jingchen sensed something was amiss, immediately gathering his energy and using his Qinggong to rush over. From a distance, he saw several black-clad figures leaping onto the rooftop from within the Xia Mansion’s inner courtyard.
One of them was carrying a person on their shoulder.
It was difficult to see at night, but he had a bad feeling in his heart.
He was worried about Xia Wenjin.
Just then, Gu Heng rushed out. After all, Gu Heng was coming from the Xia Mansion courtyard, but Huangfu Jingchen was faster.
Unfortunately, Gu Heng was quickly hindered, and Huangfu Jingchen couldn’t afford to pay attention to those behind him. He pushed his Qinggong to its limit, circling in front of Pu Yangji.
That strike, filled with rage, was meant to disable Pu Yangji’s legs.
Because he saw clearly that the person Pu Yangji was carrying on his shoulder was indeed Wenjin. Seeing Wenjin’s condition, his heart broke, uncertain if she was injured.
Pu Yangji dodged, and Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes grew even colder. His soft sword slashed like a shadow and pursued aggressively. Since Xia Wenjin was on Pu Yangji’s shoulder, Huangfu Jingchen could only attack Pu Yangji’s lower body and was afraid of hurting Xia Wenjin.
At this time, the four people following behind Pu Yangji also caught up.
Under Huangfu Jingchen’s relentless assault, Pu Yangji retreated several steps, retreating behind the four of them. He said in a deep voice, "Kill him!"
This was the person the Second Young Master always wanted to remove. Though killing him now in the Capital City would undoubtedly cause a great uproar, as long as he could take Xia Wenjin back, he would have rendered a great service. Although this person’s death would cause trouble, the Second Young Master would surely settle it for him.
The four were Hidden Guards trained by Pu Yangji and immediately surrounded Huangfu Jingchen.
But Huangfu Jingchen was clearly not Gu Heng; he attacked first before the four could take action.
In a flash of dazzling brilliance, his sword aimed straight for Pu Yangji’s abdomen.
Pu Yangji knew that Huangfu Jingchen’s skills might not be inferior to his and was well aware of the lethality of this strike. He hastily evaded, but carrying someone on his shoulder, he couldn’t completely avoid it. A fierce look flashed in his eyes, and he pulled a Hidden Guard who was originally in front of him as a shield.
The Hidden Guard, with his back to him, was still thinking about how to help him block Huangfu Jingchen’s strike and never thought he would be used as a shield.
The soft sword pierced into the Hidden Guard’s chest, his eyes filled with disbelief. Then, the light dimmed as he breathed his last.
And in that brief moment, Pu Yangji leaped off the rooftop, landing in the alleyway behind.
This wasn’t his originally planned route, but before he made a move, he had already surveyed the area’s terrain. Landing in the alley made escaping easier than on the street.
Seeing no trace of Pu Yangji ahead, Huangfu Jingchen realized that the man had fled with Wenjin. His eyes brimmed with fury; Wenjin on that man’s shoulder looked like a silent, motionless quilt. He was more worried about Wenjin’s safety.
The other three, though startled by their companion’s tragic death, were Hidden Guards trained by Pu Yangji and followed his commands like gospel, stepping forward again to block Huangfu Jingchen.
Huangfu Jingchen wouldn’t show any mercy now. He withdrew his sword, and the Hidden Guard’s body slid off the roof, falling into the alley.
Huangfu Jingchen’s sword was untainted by blood, its brilliance dazzling, pushing the three back like a swimming dragon. He too leaped off the roof and landed in the alley.
Upon landing, he saw Pu Yangji turn a corner ahead.
He hurried over, and upon reaching the corner, he found three branching paths ahead.
These alleys were intricately connected, with numerous branches making it common to get lost wandering for hours if unfamiliar with the area.
Huangfu Jingchen hesitated briefly, then chose the third path.
As Huangfu Jingchen gave chase, the three behind did not bother with their fallen companion and pursued immediately.
Pu Yangji ran swiftly, but his heart pounded like a drum.
Since following the Second Young Master, he had never felt such a crisis. The Crown Prince’s skills left him deeply shaken.
He was more worried about tonight’s botched attempt, fearing the Second Young Master’s punishment.
The thought fueled his anxiety further, making him run faster. Despite carrying someone, he sped along without touching the ground.
Xia Wenjin, drugged with a hallucinogen, initially tried to keep a clear mind by pinching her palm, but it was ultimately useless. She vaguely heard Gu Heng’s voice, then fell into unconsciousness, unable to wake soon.
No sound came from behind, but Pu Yangji was still exceedingly nervous, not daring even a glance back.
Because he had witnessed the Crown Prince’s skills earlier, someone like that could move with silent steps using Qinggong, perhaps already behind him.
He could only run desperately, weaving through the alleys.
Winding like a maze, especially at night, one couldn’t see elsewhere from within the alleys. With a few more loops, he might just shake them off.
But after only a brief while, just as he was near the alley exit, a sharp, piercing energy rushed toward his back.
He knew it was Huangfu Jingchen’s Sword Qi.
Huangfu Jingchen had caught up.
He thought he had run far, yet it had only bought him a short while.
However, he was now at the alley exit. A flash of light crossed his eyes, as if relieved yet sinisterly ruthless.
Huangfu Jingchen’s sword had already thrust toward him, its light fierce and biting, but he was too far. Exiting the alley, he immediately darted to the left, but in his haste, stumbled awkwardly, falling to the ground.
Even so, he still held Xia Wenjin steadily, ensuring she wasn’t jolted.
Huangfu Jingchen knew that this strike wouldn’t injure him; the distance was too great. However, the Sword Qi slowed Pu Yangji for a moment, allowing him to close in and shout, "Leave the person behind!"
Today, he absolutely couldn’t let anyone take Xia Wenjin away under his watch.
The three trailing him had already been dealt with one by one.
Concerning Xia Wenjin, he showed no mercy. He didn’t care about the background, identity, or whose hand held the sword. Anyone intending harm upon Wenjin wouldn’t be spared by him.
Only the foremost escaping black-clad figure remained, the most skillful. Huangfu Jingchen’s blows were precise, targeting only his lower body.
Just as Pu Yangji veered aside from the alley entrance, Huangfu Jingchen charged out like a great roc.
But at that moment, a whirring sound erupted.
Numerous and densely packed, the sound formed a continuous stream, targeting the alley entrance where Huangfu Jingchen emerged.
Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes narrowed, and amid the night, a chill emanated as densely packed as rain — arrows.
An ambush!
Arrows sealed off the entire alley entrance, surging menacingly toward Huangfu Jingchen!