But how could Yun Xiao abandon him? She reached out, hugged him, and whispered by his ear.
"If we die, we die together. I will never leave you."
Though in a coma, he heard her words and sighed softly in his heart. *Xiao'er, why are you so foolish?*
Behind them, Jin Jian, a grown man, couldn't help but shed tears. The Palace Master and Miss Yun truly loved each other. *Oh, heavens, please protect them!*
Yun Xiao ignored Jin Jian's sentiments. While holding Murong Chong, she peeked out, observing the fighting outside. Footsteps passed by intermittently – palace guards, secret guards, and eunuchs.
In short, people were constantly moving, giving the impression that escape was impossible.
Yun Xiao and Jin Jian exchanged glances. Was there really no way? If they delayed any longer, dawn would break, and they wouldn't be able to escape.
Just then, the rustle of silken robes was heard not far away. Yun Xiao and Jin Jian looked over, their hearts soaring with joy. It seemed fate hadn't abandoned them; the person arriving was Prince Shangguan and his subordinate, Mu Li.
Yun Xiao immediately called out, "Shangguan Lin, come quickly."
Shangguan Lin turned back, his heart overjoyed. He flashed over swiftly. Upon seeing his imperial brother, he excitedly clasped his hand. However, seeing him in a coma, he was greatly alarmed and anxiously asked, "What happened to my imperial brother?"
"He took a Poisonous Pill that Dissolves Gongfu. I gave him the antidote, but his body was too weak, and the combined impact caused him to faint. It's not serious, but it's difficult to get him out now. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I knew this was the weakest point in the imperial palace, and you would surely try to escape from here."
This path was at the rear of the cold palace. They knew it, and naturally, Shangguan Yao also knew it. Thus, the manpower here had significantly increased.
Yun Xiao placed Murong Chong, who was in her arms, into Shangguan Lin's hands and calmly said, "Jin Jian and I will create a diversion. You and Mu Li take him and leave the city tonight."
"No, how can this be?"
Shangguan Lin immediately refused and pushed Murong Chong back into Yun Xiao's arms. "I'll create the diversion."
Yun Xiao looked at him coldly.
"I don't wish for Murong to lose his brother. You'll have many things to help him with in the future. Moreover, Shangguan Yao wouldn't dare to do anything to me, as he has taken my poison and still wants the Jade Dragon Talisman. If you fall into his hands, it will be a dead end."
"But?"
"Stop talking. This is the poison. If you encounter any palace guards, poison them. You must leave the palace as soon as possible."
Yun Xiao commanded, pulling out all the poison she had on her and handing it to Shangguan Lin. Then, she added, "Quick, take off his outer robe and give it to Jin Jian."
Under these circumstances, Shangguan Lin couldn't refuse. Moreover, his heart was filled with emotion. The bond between this woman and his imperial brother was truly deep, etched into their very bones. For his imperial brother, she was willing to sacrifice everything.
Jin Jian quickly put on the robe. Yun Xiao reached out to support him and looked back at Shangguan Lin. "After leaving the city, if he wakes up, absolutely stop him from entering the palace to save me. I will find a way to get out of the palace myself."
Having said that, she turned and left resolutely.
Behind her, Shangguan Lin and Mu Li watched her retreating figure. She was so petite, yet she projected the aura of a mighty mountain, leaving them feeling heavy-hearted and filled with reverence.
Yun Xiao supported Mu Li, occasionally calling out, "Hurry, don't get caught."
Soon, they were discovered. Someone shouted, "Here, the assassins are here!"
Yun Xiao turned her head and ran into the imperial palace. Those people paid no mind to her unusual behavior. Why would she run back inside if she was trying to escape the palace? Many followed, chasing after her.
Seeing the crowd had moved away, Shangguan Lin reached out and helped up his imperial brother. Mu Li led the way, and the two swiftly ran along the desolate path beside the cold palace towards the palace walls.
They encountered a few guards along the way, but they were all dealt with by his poison powder. In a short time, the two brought Murong Chong.
Upon exiting the inner palace gate, they found only a few patrolling figures on the outer corridor. Everyone else had been mobilized. Shangguan Yao likely didn't believe they would escape and had become careless.
This was their opportunity. Shangguan Lin and Mu Li quickly led Murong Chong out of the imperial palace and, following the original route for exiting the city, scaled the high walls.
Once outside the city, the tension in their hearts finally eased. They looked back at the place behind them.
Both were deeply moved. Suddenly, a signal flared from the direction of the imperial city. It was a signal unique to the Divine Dragon Palace. To think Yun Xiao possessed such a thing! She was using it to notify others within the palace to escape, while she herself…
Shangguan Lin dared not imagine. He quickly urged Mu Li, and the two of them, carrying Murong Chong, galloped away. They stopped to rest only after traveling fifty miles.
Deep within the imperial palace, a large group of guards surrounded Yun Xiao and Jin Jian.
Shangguan Yao emerged from behind the guards. At first glance, he realized Jin Jian was not Murong Chong at all. Even with his mask removed, he was certain he was merely an insignificant figure. They had fallen for Yun Xiao's stratagem of luring the tiger away from its mountain.
Shangguan Yao's expression turned extremely grim. He spoke coldly, with a hint of bloodlust.
"Yun Xiao, do you truly believe I dare not kill you?"
"I told you, I am not afraid of death. Now that Murong has likely escaped the city, your throne is also precarious. Even if you kill me, this will still be a fact."
Yun Xiao spoke coldly, her arrogance supreme. Jin Jian, standing beside her, looked at her with nothing but admiration. This woman, in such a perilous situation, was neither flustered nor panicked. She was daring and arrogant enough.
Since she had already sent the signal, she presumed Yi Yuxuan and the others would fight their way out. What did it matter if she was captured?
Shangguan Yao wouldn't kill her immediately because he was poisoned by her. Furthermore, he was determined to capture her to use her as a threat against Murong. Thus, she would be safe for the time being.
If she hadn't run out of poison, she would have liked to kill a few more. She glared at him coldly.
Shangguan Yao nearly spat blood upon hearing her words. This woman truly had the ability to infuriate people to death. He truly wanted to kill her now.
However, if Murong Chong was successfully rescued, she would be the perfect hostage. If that man dared to act recklessly, he would make this woman pay with her life.
"Men, seize them."
"Yes."
Shangguan Yao stepped back. The guards, secret guards, and eunuchs beside him surged forward simultaneously.
A flash of silver light flickered from Yun Xiao's hand. A blade flew out, sharp and piercing, stabbing into a guard beside her with swift, precise accuracy, catching them off guard. In an instant, she had killed one.
Jin Jian was also formidable. Raising his sword, he seemed to stir up a silver tide, engaging those around him in combat.
However, the two were slightly outnumbered. Just as they were about to be captured, dozens of figures leaped down from mid-air.
The leader, clad in a flowing black robe, wore a black veiled cloak. Through the veil, he appeared exceptionally elegant. The moment he appeared, he raised his hand, and a rich fragrance immediately filled the air.