After a volley of arrows, Xie Jiang vanished. Lu Baohong inwardly cursed his misfortune, wishing he had riddled that son of a bitch with arrows!
"Young Master Xu was willing to risk his life for Xie, I thought you were truly sworn brothers. Turns out it was nothing more than that. Xie called out a few times, putting on a show, but the moment things got serious, he turned into a turtle hiding in its shell."
Lu Baohong had considered docking immediately and killing Xie Jiang, his sworn enemy, right there!
No matter how formidable, he was only one person. Even with three heads and six arms, he would die today!
Xu Hengyi, that good-for-nothing, could be ignored. He was nothing but a hindrance.
A thought screamed madly in Lu Baohong's heart.
Dock!
Kill Xie Jiang!
Opportunity knocks but once!
The order to dock was on the tip of his tongue, but Lu Baohong swallowed it back down.
He hadn't forgotten his objective today. As long as Xu Hengyan was in his grasp, he could save his clan.
Now that his objective was achieved, there was no need to court further trouble.
But, the mortal enemy of his clan was right before him!
As long as they docked, he could avenge his family and let his tragically deceased kin rest in peace!
But what if Xie Jiang was merely bait? Waiting for their ship to dock so they could be ambushed by a divine army?
Although Lu Baohong had never considered Xie Jiang a truly formidable opponent, he dared not underestimate Xu Hengyan.
He couldn't be sure if Xu Hengyan had laid a trap in an instant before surrendering.
Thus, as the golden opportunity slipped away, and he didn't know when he would get another chance to kill Xie Jiang, Lu Baohong could only grit his teeth in extreme unwillingness.
Blood surged in Lu Baohong's chest, and the faint taste of rust filled his mouth.
The opportunity to control Xu Hengyan was also fleeting. If he were to fall for the trap and let Xu Hengyan escape, his clan's last hope of survival might be extinguished.
He couldn't afford to gamble, nor did he dare.
Even bound like a mummy, with swords at his throat, Xu Hengyan stood tall and proud.
Xu Hengyan paid no mind to Lu Baohong's taunts. He knew Xie Jiang's character better than Lu Baohong did.
He actually wished Xie Jiang would know when to quit and not do anything foolish. He feared she would be stubborn and refuse to listen...
The next second, Xie Jiang appeared from behind the dirt mound where he had been hiding.
Xu Hengyan's heart leaped into his throat.
Fortunately, the large ship had already set sail, moving further and further away from the shore.
Even if Lu Baohong ordered another volley of arrows, they would be out of range.
Xie Jiang mounted her horse and began to chase along the riverbank.
Xu Hengyan prayed the ship would sail faster, faster.
Fast enough that she couldn't catch up and would have to give up.
Lu Baohong felt slapped in the face, yet an irrepressible excitement stirred within him.
He had intended to let Xie Jiang go for now, to live a few more days, but he hadn't expected her to be so eager to rush to her own death!
Xie Jiang's voice drifted from the riverbank, "Lu Baohong, have you made up your mind? If you don't seize this chance, you'll never get revenge in this lifetime!"
"Your friendship is truly touching. I'm almost moved to tears!" Lu Baohong said, feigning tears, but he couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.
Lu Baohong found Xie Jiang's foolishness utterly delightful.
Xu Hengyan gazed at the figure struggling to keep up on the riverbank, his throat feeling as if it were stuffed with cotton, leaving him speechless for a long time.
He knew she wouldn't listen!
She...
Lu Baohong looked at the figure on the riverbank, his expression turning ferocious and cruel in an instant. "Xie, you dare to court death. Why shouldn't I? But my ship isn't so easily boarded."
"If you can find a way to board the ship yourself, I will reluctantly accept your proposal and make you a hostage along with Xu Hengyan!"
Xie Jiang's persistent pursuit of death, how could he not fulfill her foolishness!
Xie Jiang's response came on the wind, "Then you must keep your word!"
As they entered range, another volley of arrows rained down on the shore.
Xie Jiang, horse and all, narrowly dodged the barrage.
The distance was once again widened.
Xu Hengyan clenched his bound hands into fists. "Xiao Xie, be sensible and don't chase anymore! Go back—"
Xie Jiang sped up her pursuit, as if she hadn't heard him.
Xu Hengyan shouted, "Xiao Xie, if you don't listen to me, I'll get angry! I know you can hear me!"
Xie Jiang continued to ignore him.
Lu Baohong turned to Xu Hengyan. "Xie Jiang's feelings are so profound, why are you so unappreciative, Young Master Xu?"
Xu Hengyan withdrew his gaze and stared at Lu Baohong, his eyes as cold as ice. "Lu Baohong, if you dare to harm her, don't even think about saving a single member of your Lu clan!"
Lu Baohong's expression darkened. But seeing the usually dignified and composed Young Master Xu losing his composure, he couldn't help but smile with interest.
"Young Master Xu, you can't be so unreasonable. You saw it yourself, she's the one desperately trying to follow. I didn't force her!"
"Young Master Xu, you tried yourself, and you couldn't drive her away. As long as she stops seeking death, I promise I won't be ruthless."
But if she sought her own death, what did it have to do with him?
There was no path left on the riverbank; a sheer cliff lay ahead.
After a final sprint, Xie Jiang abandoned her horse and leaped, boldly stepping onto the river's surface towards the large boat.
The people on the ship were startled.
"Release the arrows!"
Lu Baohong ordered with immense excitement.
Was there a better opportunity to eliminate Xie Jiang?
Xie Jiang was doomed today!
Xu Hengyan said coldly, "Lu Baohong, how dare you!"
Lu Baohong could no longer hear Xu Hengyan's voice. His eyes gleamed with a scarlet light, waiting for Xie Jiang to be pierced by arrows before his very eyes!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Xu Hengyan shouted a warning, "Be careful!"
Xu Hengyan knew Xie Jiang could swim. In this critical moment, he couldn't help but hope she would jump into the river.
The current here was relatively calm; she would surely be able to swim ashore safely.
Yet, amidst the dense rain of arrows, Xie Jiang executed several graceful flips in mid-air on the river's surface. It was incredibly perilous, but she managed to avoid every arrow.
Xie Jiang passed this hurdle, drawing even closer to the large boat.
However, with no solid ground to stand on the river, stabilizing herself was extremely difficult.
Lu Baohong gave her no respite, and the second volley of arrows descended like locusts.
What good were her excellent footwork skills? She wasn't a celestial being who could ride the clouds. Even if she dodged once, she couldn't dodge a second time!
"Xiao Xie—"
Xu Hengyan, losing his composure, stared at the figure on the river and cried out in distress.
Why was she so stubborn! Why so disobedient! How could she dare...
Xu Hengyan struggled, trying to rush towards her. The blade at his neck sliced his throat, drawing blood.
But his hands and feet were bound tightly, leaving him to watch helplessly as Xie Jiang, her strength failing, plunged into the river along with a hail of arrows.