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Xu Zhen stepped out of the room, and the night wind blew, causing her to shiver slightly. The effects of the alcohol faded significantly. With Xu Zhen's permission, the guards all went to rest. Xu Zhenxin suddenly felt a wave of unease wash over him.
The lord's mansion was originally the residence of the Martial Arts General. Although it was the most luxurious mansion in the city, trying to imitate the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, it fell short compared to actual Tang buildings. There were no patrolling soldiers along the way, and both sides of the rooms were dark; the entire mansion was eerily silent.
Xu Zhen took a lantern and hurried toward the stable. Upon arrival, she found the stable empty, a sickly sweet smell of blood filling the air. Raising the lantern slightly, she saw that the stable was piled high with the bodies of patrolling soldiers, and closest to the door was the very guard who had come to warn her!
"Not good! There’s a Traitor! No wonder the enemy launched a night raid!"
Xu Zhenxin's mind raced as a dangerous intuition surged within him. He suddenly turned around and was about to run back when a burst of flames erupted from within the mansion, quickly spreading smoke everywhere!
Xu Zhenxin was alarmed and kicked open doors along his path, only to find each room empty; those few rooms that had people were already inexplicably slaughtered!
"This is bad!" Xu Zhen saw that the fire was in her own quarters. It seemed that the insider's first target was her; now that she had stepped out, Caesar and Gao Huizhen were still inside!
"Damn it!" Xu Zhen cursed loudly and sprinted back toward her residence. However, after just seven or eight steps, she ran headlong into a fully armed squad of Soldiers, led by none other than the Martial Arts General who had been captured by Gao Renwu!
With a single command from this old man, at least twenty men charged at Xu Zhen, while Archers had already drawn their Longbows!
A brave person does not suffer losses in front of them; Xu Zhen took a deep breath, twisted her feet, and leaped forward, crashing through a door into an adjacent room. Behind her, Feathered Arrows thudded against the door and beams of wood, one even piercing right into her back!
Fortunately, Xu Zhen wore Red Armor; otherwise, that arrow would have cost her life!
Once inside the room, the lantern went out, plunging Xu Zhen into darkness as Martial Arts General led his rebels in pursuit. The torches flickered as Xu Zhen used their light to gauge her direction and jumped out of a window. Just as her feet left the ground, Arrow Rain filled the spot where she had just stood with White Feathers!
These people were intent on killing Xu Zhen without any hesitation or mercy. Her scalp tingled as she crashed through the window and landed on a large tree in the backyard. She leaped onto the wall and hid behind the roof ridge, looking down at the mansion where flames shot up from her quarters and thick smoke billowed out amidst cries for help that shook the night sky!
Looking toward the city gate, fierce battles had already begun. If it weren't for prior defensive arrangements and ambushes, they might have breached the city in no time!
Martial Arts General led his men in pursuit upon seeing Xu Zhen vanish from sight on the rooftop. They hurriedly split up to chase after her. In an instant, Feathered Arrows filled the sky as Xu Zhen dodged continuously. Relying on Enhanced I Ching Cleansing Inner Power Technique to gather energy and lighten her body like a nimble cat on rooftops, she moved closer to her residence while occasionally counterattacking with her Carved Bow.
Caesar and Gao Huizhen felt awkward after seeing Xu Zhen leave the room. They hurriedly dressed and were about to return to their respective quarters when a woman rushed over—it was Jin Shu!
Jin Shu had intended to find Xu Zhen, but Gao Huizhen got there first. She could only watch as Caesar led Gao Huizhen into the room, her mind racing with thoughts of Xu Zhen spending a pleasant evening with her children. Jin Shu, feeling distressed, found it hard to sleep. Just then, there was a rapid knocking at the door; it was her son, Li Chengjun!
"Mother, they want to assassinate General Xu!" Li Chengjun said anxiously, while Jin Shu turned pale in shock.
"Who! Who wants to kill General Xu?"
"It’s Eulji Nawi's leader!"
"How could it be him!"
Jin Shu's mind raced as she quickly pieced together the situation. Eulji Nawi had been infatuated with Gao Huizhen, but since Xu Zhen's demise, everyone had regarded Xu Zhen as the true leader. As a noble descendant of the Eulji Family, he sought the people's admiration.
However, due to his oppressive behavior towards many Rogues during his time in Stronghold, he had lost the people's support and respect. Both the Rogues and the citizens of Tuyang City leaned towards Silver Pearl Prince, which fueled his resentment.
Recently, he had seen Gao Huizhen and Xu Zhen exchanging glances. During the daytime battle, Gao Huizhen had closely followed Xu Zhen, seemingly becoming her woman—how could he endure that!
Without further thought on the complexities of the situation, Jin Shu hurriedly took her son Li Chengjun to Xu Zhen's residence. Upon arrival, they found only Caesar and Gao Huizhen remaining; Xu Zhen had already left.
Jin Shu immediately panicked, while Caesar, knowing Xu Zhen's capabilities, took up his weapons alongside Gao Huizhen and prepared to search for her. However, as soon as he pushed open the courtyard door, he saw a group of Soldiers rushing in, led by none other than Eulji Nawi!
Seeing Gao Huizhen indeed in Xu Zhen's courtyard late at night filled Eulji Nawi with rage. He assumed they were spending the night together and furiously charged forward with his spear. Twenty or thirty followers knew their leader aimed to capture them alive and dared not shoot arrows; they merely surrounded them.
Caesar wielded dual blades that danced around him like shadows, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Concerned for Xu Zhen's safety, Gao Huizhen brandished an ancient knife against Eulji Nawi in fierce combat. The latter shouted angrily at her while she remained silent.
This city was the original capital for her and Prince Gao Renwu's restoration efforts. After much difficulty in forming an alliance with the Tang army to restore Rongliuwang's legitimacy, she could not allow a petty person like Eulji Nawi to sabotage their plans—how could she not be furious!
However, she was indeed inferior to Eulji Nawi, who skillfully wielded his spear, deflecting Gao Huizhen's ancient sword and piercing through her shoulder with a thrust!
Although Gao Huizhen was a Goguryeo Princess, she had been struggling for survival among the Rogues, leading the resistance through countless battles. In a moment of determination, she gripped the spear tightly with her left hand while wildly swinging her ancient sword at Eulji Nawi with her right.
Seeing that Gao Huizhen was unwilling to yield even unto death, Eulji Nawi was filled with rage. He dodged her long knife and kicked her in the chest, pulling back his spear to strike again, intending to kill Gao Huizhen on the spot!
At this critical moment, Jin Shu, who had been protected by Caesar behind her, suddenly found the courage to charge at Eulji Nawi, knocking him to the ground!
Though she came from a wealthy family, she could not compare to Gao Huizhen. The Xu Zhen aimed to conquer Cheon Gae Su Mun, and as a Princess, Gao Huizhen held much greater significance than Jin Shu, a mere Divine Maiden. Remembering how Gao Huizhen and Caesar were together in one room while she could only watch from the shadows in distress, Jin Shu finally mustered the courage to save Gao Huizhen.
However, lacking martial skills, Jin Shu's sudden attack caught Eulji Nawi off guard. After falling to the ground, Eulji Nawi quickly regained his footing and pinned Jin Shu beneath him. He drew a short knife from his waist and plunged it into Jin Shu's chest!
"No!!!"
Li Chengjun saw his mother in distress and his eyes turned blood-red. He drew the short knife gifted by the Xu Zhen and attempted to sneak up on Eulji Nawi from behind. However, Eulji Nawi countered with a thrust of his spear. Caesar felt a tightness in his chest as he sprang forward to tackle Li Chengjun to the ground. Although they avoided Eulji Nawi's assassination attempt, they were surrounded by dozens of sharp blades.
Gao Huizhen was devastated by Jin Shu's death and felt an overwhelming hatred for Eulji Nawi. Yet with Caesar and Li Chengjun captured by the enemy as leverage against her, Gao Huizhen ultimately laid down her ancient sword.
Eulji Nawi laughed triumphantly; all his frustrations vanished in an instant. Capturing these individuals would be the greatest revenge against the Xu Zhen, even more satisfying than taking Tuyang City!
However, before his laughter could fade away, he heard a whistling sound overhead as a flying knife suddenly shot toward him. Eulji Nawi could not dodge in time and had to pull a soldier in front of him as a shield; the knife struck true at the soldier's throat!
Seeing Jin Shu killed and Caesar captured while realizing that Eulji Nawi was indeed a traitor filled Xu Zhen with despair. Like a night hawk swooping down from the rooftop, she descended while unleashing flying knives; those soldiers who had just drawn their bows fell dead on the ground!
In the chaos, Caesar and Gao Huizhen seized the opportunity to fight back fiercely. Xu Zhen descended like a fierce tiger from the mountain; her long knife was unstoppable!
Eulji Nawi did not expect such valor from Xu Zhen. In just a short time, more than half of his twenty-odd personal guards were killed. Overwhelmed by fear and losing all will to fight, he hurriedly retreated behind the cover of soldiers.
Xu Zhen was about to pursue when the Martial Arts General's men had already arrived, gathering towards this direction. Xu Zhen gritted her teeth, picked up Jin Shu's body, and rushed towards the back door with Caesar and the others!
Upon reaching the small garden behind the residence, Li Chengjun stopped Xu Zhen. Although he was young, he was more mature than most boys his age and had become accustomed to life and death amidst the Rogue tide. He understood that if Xu Zhen continued to carry her mother's corpse, they would surely be caught, and no one would escape.
Xu Zhen was filled with grief and anger. Seeing Li Chengjun so resolute at such a young age made her feel inadequate and heartbroken. She had no choice but to place Jin Shu's body on the grass. It was May, and the garden was in full bloom. Jin Shu had once wanted Xu Zhen to accompany her to enjoy the flowers, but there had never been an opportunity.
Now in the garden, they were separated by life and death. However, this was not the time for sorrow. Xu Zhen laid Jin Shu's body among the flowers and kissed her forehead, solemnly promising, “I will take good care of Chengjun; from now on, he will be our son!”
Li Chengjun finally slowly released his mother's hand. He did not cry but tightly gripped the short knife in his hand, his eyes filled only with endless hatred!
Suffering makes one grow. Though filled with grief and helplessness, it seemed this was how it had to be.
Gao Huizhen's eyes were red, her vision blurred as she secretly wiped away her tears. She bent down to tidy up Jin Shu's disheveled hair and then removed the pendant from around her neck, putting it on herself.
“From now on, I will help you manage the Flame Cave Palace. You can rest easy…”
War is cruel and does not allow much time for farewells. After a hurried goodbye with Gao Huizhen, Xu Zhen climbed over the estate wall with the three of them and rushed towards the city gate.
At this moment, the City Wall was also a scene of slaughter; people were shouting and horses were neighing amidst flames reaching into the sky and rivers of blood!
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