Xu Hengyan's heart seemed to sink into the river with her.
"Xiao Xie! Xiao Xie—"
"Xie Jiang—"
Xu Hengyan, disregarding the two arms he was holding onto and the cut on his neck from the blade, lunged to the side of the boat, staring intently at the river where she had fallen.
"Xiao Xie! Xie Jiang—"
Xu Hengyan wasn't sure if the arrows had hit her.
It seemed two had struck her, but perhaps they had only grazed her.
Xu Hengyan could only pray silently in his heart, hoping she had escaped unharmed and was not hit by an arrow.
Hoping she would retreat and swim ashore herself later.
She was so clever and sharp, so perceptive, why would she do something so irrational, like a moth flying into a flame?
Had she not considered that Lu Baohong and his son needed him as a bargaining chip and wouldn't easily harm him!
Xu Hengyan stared at the lake, afraid to blink.
He both hoped to see her surface from the water, confirming she was truly safe, and yet did not wish to see her surface, lest she fall into danger again.
A breeze gently blew across the lake. Despite the blazing sun, Xu Hengyan felt a chill run through him.
Time ticked by, but there was no further movement on the river.
Lu Baohong, unsure if Xie Jiang was dead, stared at the river surface, holding his breath for a long time, before finally bursting into laughter.
Xie Jiang, that demon, must be dead!
She had to be dead!
The large boat moved further and further away from where Xie Jiang had fallen, disappearing from view as it rounded the river bend.
After a long moment, Xu Hengyan withdrew his gaze and slowly turned to look at Lu Baohong.
Though Xu Hengyan remained silent, and his eyes held no ferocity, merely a cold stare,
Lu Baohong suddenly felt a shiver run down his spine. He was certain Xu Hengyan now harbored the intent to kill him.
Lu Baohong felt as if his throat had been constricted, his boisterous laughter echoing across the river abruptly cut short.
The two men holding Xu Hengyan also shivered in unison.
Even though they were the ones holding knives to Xu Hengyan's neck, in that instant, they inexplicably felt as if the sharp blades had turned to their own throats.
It was then that they truly understood that Xu Hengyan was not merely a noble scion from the affluent capital, but also the once invincible Marquis Xu.
Lu Baohong had intended to utter a few sarcastic words, but thinking of his clansmen imprisoned in the Dali Temple, he ultimately persuaded himself to endure.
Xu Hengyan's current demeanor sent a chill deep into his bones.
Though he was reluctant to admit it.
Xu Hengyan was someone these young men, from childhood, could never reach, even if they strained their necks.
Perhaps it was the immense pressure Xu Hengyan exerted on him, but Lu Baohong felt a vague sense of unease.
He cast one last glance at the river.
The surface was calm and showed no anomalies.
Lu Baohong tried to convince himself that Xie Jiang was undoubtedly dead this time. Should such an executioner as Xie Jiang not be sent to the deepest hell!
Lu Baohong withdrew his gaze and gestured to the two men holding Xu Hengyan, signaling them to prepare to escort Xu Hengyan back to the cabin.
After taking only two steps, he heard a slight commotion, and Lu Baohong turned around with extreme alertness.
The river surface remained normal; Xie Jiang had not suddenly come back to life.
But Lu Baohong dared not let his guard down, his attention fully focused on his surroundings.
Xu Hengyan, who had been resisting the push from the two men and unwilling to enter the cabin, immediately froze and concentrated on searching.
Xu Hengyan's heart was beating a little faster.
Another sound rang out.
This time, everyone on the boat heard it.
Lu Baohong fiercely snatched a knife and was about to stride towards the side of the boat.
Xu Hengyan also stared intently in that direction.
Was it her?
Two hands suddenly climbed onto the ship's railing, followed by a head emerging.
Soaked.
She probably hadn't expected to meet Xu Hengyan's gaze the moment she looked up. She blinked in surprise, then broke into a wide, beaming smile.
That smile was like the first ray of light breaking through chaos.
Capable of tearing through all gloom and darkness.
In that instant, Xu Hengyan's heart almost stopped.
He knew it.
He knew she would be alright.
Xu Hengyan couldn't help but smile back, though his eyes felt a little warm and stinging.
It wasn't the first time Lu Baohong had seen Xie Jiang.
He had known what Xie Jiang looked like during the incident at Nanlong Slope.
Yet, looking at her now, he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
But it was only for a fleeting moment.
Lu Baohong swung his knife towards Xie Jiang's head.
Someone named Xie who looked like this couldn't possibly be human! She must be a demon in human form or a vengeful spirit! Otherwise, why would she be able to bewitch the mind and devour the soul?
Destroy this demon and ghost, and bring peace back to the world!
In his haste, Xu Hengyan shouted, "Be careful!"
Xie Jiang was prepared. As Lu Baohong's knife swung towards her, she twisted her body and sprang up, leaping onto the boat.
Lu Baohong, having missed his strike, immediately turned and lunged at Xie Jiang again.
The Lu family's loyal retainers and guards also aimed their weapons and arrows at Xie Jiang.
Xie Jiang, who had just climbed onto the boat, was immediately surrounded.
"Lu Baohong, if you dare to harm her in the slightest, I will die here, but I will not leave a single member of the Lu clan alive!"
Xu Hengyan's voice was cold and his words came out at lightning speed.
Lu Baohong's hand, holding the knife, hesitated for a moment as he swung.
He did not doubt the determination in Xu Hengyan's words.
Xie Jiang, still dripping wet from the river, showed no fear even as knives and arrows were aimed at her. She grabbed the hem of her clothes and wrung them forcefully.
"Lu Baohong, are you even human? You promised that if I could get on the boat by my own means, you would let me be a hostage too?"
Xie Jiang showed no awareness of being at the mercy of her captors, as if the blades and arrowheads pointed at her meant nothing.
With the enemy who had destroyed her family standing before her, Lu Baohong could barely control his hand holding the knife, but Xu Hengyan was right beside him, making it impossible for him to ignore. Lu Baohong's teeth were grinding.
"You caused the downfall of my Lu clan, and you dare to deliver yourself to my doorstep!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Jiang stopped wringing her clothes. "If you put it that way, then we need to have a good talk."
"Don't move!"
As Xie Jiang took a step forward, a Lu clan guard shouted a warning. Xie Jiang's gaze swept over him, and he involuntarily took a step back.
Despite being a seemingly frail noble scion raised in the lap of luxury, his demeanor inexplicably inspired deep-seated fear.
Xie Jiang mockingly raised an eyebrow and remained in place, not moving further towards Lu Baohong. "The affairs of the Marquis of Nanxiong Hou, I do have a little bit of a connection to, but it's only a tiny bit."
Xie Jiang counted on her fingers, indicating that her connection was indeed not very significant.
"The rebellion was something I didn't anticipate; it was caused by public outrage. Can that be blamed on me?"
"My intention was only to have Lu Baofang step forward and atone with his death. Those who do evil must pay the price, just as you and your father are bent on revenge, believing I ruined your Marquis of Nanxiong Hou. Lu Baofang killed so many innocent women; is it wrong for their families to seek revenge on your Marquis of Nanxiong Hou?"