A soft, pleasant voice sounded out of the stillness.
"Young Master Changsun, you grace our Cyan Moon Kingdom with your presence, only to engage in such unsavory acts?"
The person leading them was a charming and alluring woman, clad in a crimson, off-the-shoulder gown. Her dark hair was styled into an elegant updo, adorned with a shimmering, multi-colored phoenix-tail hairpin that gleamed brightly in the dark.
She looked at Changsun Zhu with a smile.
Changsun Zhu slowly withdrew his hand, his entire being enveloped in a bloodthirsty aura. Dressed in black, he blended into the night, his gaze fixed ominously on the woman blocking his path.
There was nothing in the world that he, Changsun Zhu, could not achieve. This woman dared to obstruct his way, and therefore, she deserved to die.
Changsun Zhu's lips curved into a slight smile, yet it carried a hint of savage ferocity, his handsome face etched with ruthlessness.
"Who are you? To dare block my path, you court death."
"This humble one is Bingxiao, an imperial guard. I hope Prince Changsun will release the future Empress of the Cyan Moon Kingdom," Bingxiao smiled calmly.
Her smile was proud and confident. If Changsun Zhu intended to abduct Miss Mu the Third tonight, it would only be over her dead body.
"It is rumored that Prince Changsun is a rare gentleman in this world. As a gentleman, how can you sto underhandedly like this?"
Bingxiao coldly mocked Changsun Zhu, her expression stern.
She never expected the dignified Crown Prince of Azure Silk Kingdom to come all the way to Cyan Moon Kingdom to snatch someone. It was truly despicable. Did they think they were easily bullied? He would not be able to take anyone away today.
In the dark night, Changsun Zhu broke free like a horse from its reins, letting out a sky-piercing roar.
As his roar faded, over a dozen figures emerged from all directions, his hidden subordinates who had gathered behind him, awaiting his command.
Changsun Zhu's eyes were deep and unfathomable. Just moments ago, he had wondered how Bingxiao had exposed her identity, but now he suddenly understood.
She was stalling for time, likely for someone else to arrive. So why should he wait?
With a powerful strike that shook the heavens and earth, he was determined to take Mu Qingyao back to the Azure Silk Kingdom today.
"Yuediao, take them down," Changsun Zhu's chilling words fell, and he leaped onto the carriage. This time, instead of entering, he sat directly in the driver's seat, waved his hand, and ordered the subordinate driving the carriage, "Go."
"Yes," the man responded with a resonant voice, and the carriage bolted forward.
However, after only traveling a few dozen feet, the sound of orderly hoofbeats echoed from the opposite direction.
In the dark night, it grew clearer and clearer. The approaching group was numerous and well-trained, even the horses' hooves struck in unison. Like a surging wave, they swept forward and blocked his path in a swift movement.
The subordinate driving the carriage reined in the spirited horses abruptly. Changsun Zhu cursed inwardly and met the approaching gaze.
He saw the leader perched high on his horse, his black attire and hair whipped by the wind. As his dark hair fell, it revealed a face carved by divine hands. His brows were sharp as frost, his star-like eyes cold and piercing, as if infused with ice and snow.
He exuded a chilling and solemn aura. With a sweep of his long arm, the black horsewhip in his hand coiled like a dragon emerging from water, swiftly lashing out with destructive ferocity.
Changsun Zhu did not expect this man to launch such a powerful assault without a word. He sprang up, meeting the oncoming whip in mid-air with a outstretched hand, catching it.
Even so, the horse was startled, letting out an agitated neigh. Its hooves reared high, and the carriage walls shook. xxs1
Mu Qingyao, caught off guard, was flung outwards, soaring through the air headfirst.
At this moment, two men moved simultaneously, attempting to leap forward. However, due to the distance, they could only watch as she tumbled towards the ground. Unexpectedly, another shadow moved faster, shielding her, and with a thud, a soft groan.
It wasn't Mu Qingyao's voice, but Mo Chou who took the impact. She had been hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to rescue her lady. She hadn't expected the horse to be spooked and her lady to be thrown from the carriage. If her acupoints hadn't been restrained, how could she have been flung out like this?
"Mo Chou, are you alright?"
Mu Qingyao stirred, her voice cold and chilling. Anger enveloped her, her expression as dark as the night, her pupils filled with an unyielding resolve for revenge.
Changsun Zhu, I, Mu Qingyao, swear to the heavens, if I do not avenge this, I am not human. You just wait for me!
Mo Chou had become a cushion. To protect her lady from injury, she hadn't used much external force, thus absorbing the full impact. She grimaced in pain, twitching, and busied herself with replying, "My lady, I'm fine."
Because Mu Qingyao's acupoints had been sealed by Changsun Zhu, she couldn't move. Mo Chou quickly struggled to her feet and helped her lady up.
Together, they looked towards the two figures in the darkness, tall and imposing. Each held one end of the horsewhip and simultaneously looked over, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"
Mu Qingyao raised her dark eyes, fixing them on Changsun Zhu. She opened her mouth, revealing her pearly white teeth.
"Changsun Zhu, I will not let this matter tonight go unpunished. You remember this."
A shadow of dismay fell upon Changsun Zhu's dark pupils, and his heart tightened with a touch of sadness.
However, he quickly suppressed the thought. This woman was merely the 'miraculous phoenix' spoken of by the eminent monk, a blade that could help him unify the seven kingdoms. Why should he be affected by her? How could he achieve greatness if he was so easily swayed?
This woman was special, radiant, like a luminous pearl, but only in her preciousness. If he didn't have ambitions, he truly would have fallen in love with such a unique woman.
But now, he had ambitions. A man should dominate the world. As for women, he could have as many as he wanted later. Thinking this, his heart calmed.
In the darkness, he laughed heartily, "It seems that tonight, it is difficult for me, Changsun Zhu, to take Miss Mu the Third away."
As his words fell, Murong Liuzhao's icy voice rang out, "Of course not. With this King present, you will not be able to touch a single hair on the Empress."
The two men glared at each other, then simultaneously gathered their strength. The horsewhip vibrated and trembled, steam rising, before suddenly snapping in two. The two men, evenly matched, retreated a step and stood firm.
Prince Nan, Murong Liuzhao, had never encountered such a formidable opponent before, and he became interested. He immediately launched an attack, his palm carrying a chilling, malevolent aura, striking directly towards Changsun Zhu's forehead.
Changsun Zhu gave him no chance, completely avoiding his strike, sliding aside like an eel. With a flick of his fingers, he unleashed a surge of energy from a distance, impacting Mu Qingyao, having already unsealed her acupoints.
Mu Qingyao's body was a little stiff. She stretched her limbs and led Mo Chou to stand aside to watch the show, neither leaving nor showing any inclination to help anyone.
"My lady, should we help Prince Nan?"
"With our limited skills, we would only be a hindrance to him," Mu Qingyao had that much self-awareness.
Her gaze shifted from this side to not far away. Bingxiao and her female subordinates were swift and skilled. However, their opponents numbered over a dozen, and the outcome was still uncertain.