"Stay alive!" a furious roar echoed through the sky.
The girl, who had closed her eyes, suddenly opened them. Her once lifeless gaze seemed to be infused with vitality, shining brightly. She grabbed the falling iron sword, shot up from the ground, and the assassins restraining her were lifted into the air. As the chains snapped, they were flung away.
Countless arrows flew, targeting the assassins closing in on Dugu Mingyu. Qiu Ziqiu turned back, his Shaoyang sword humming. He was furious; were these people trying to ruin his plans? Did they think he was easy to bully?
Several figures charged into the encirclement. The leader was masked, concealing their face, leaving only a pair of eyes as chilling as a winter insect.
"Who are you?" Qiu Ziqiu lunged at Xiao Man with his sword, but he was intercepted by the girl who had broken free. His full force blow sent Qiu Ziqiu flying backward, his blood churning within him, almost making him spit blood. "Damn it!"
Meanwhile, Xiao Man headed straight for Dugu Mingyu. She didn't want to linger in a fight; her goal was to save him. She broke into Dugu Mingyu's encirclement, her back against his. "Don't worry about anything for now, charge towards Yangguan. Someone will be there to meet you."
"Thank you, lady, for your rescue. Mingyu is immensely grateful." Dugu Mingyu gasped. He had thought he was doomed, never expecting anyone to save him. In that moment, seeing the woman descend like a divine being, he was momentarily dazed, as if his sister had appeared. But how could that be?
His sister had long since perished in the Yunqi Imperial Palace, killed by that despicable wretch. Yet, for some reason, the woman before him gave him a sense of familiarity, especially her eyes, as clear as the starry sky, just like his sister's.
"Go!" Xiao Man tore an opening in the encirclement, allowing Dugu Mingyu to break through.
However, Dugu Mingyu stumbled, his strength already at its limit. He had no energy left to break through. Helpless, Xiao Man had to support Dugu Mingyu with one hand while fending off enemies with the other. Even with her superior movement technique, her speed was greatly diminished while carrying someone.
Qiu Ziqiu saw Xiao Man, with Dugu Mingyu, weaving through the encirclement. Her movements were ethereal, leaving countless afterimages, making it impossible to discern the truth. This was clearly the Pingsong Step, a movement technique created by Dugu Man herself!
Qiu Ziqiu's face contorted in shock. He tightened his grip on his sword. No matter what, he would not let Dugu Mingyu leave alive. That woman who knew the Pingsong Step must also not live!
Qiu Ziqiu made a gesture, and several assassins lunged forward, blocking the fierce young woman. Qiu Ziqiu, however, charged directly at Xiao Man. His Shaoyang sword emanated a biting killing intent, aiming for their vital points.
Xiao Man pushed Dugu Mingyu aside and met the attack with her sword. Her cold eyes were filled with murderous intent. If Qiu Ziqiu wanted to kill her, why shouldn't she want to kill Qiu Ziqiu? The four eunuchs, she longed to flay them alive!
Qiu Ziqiu had initially thought Xiao Man's martial arts were not high, but as they clashed, he discovered she was formidable. Every move was cunning and lethal, aimed directly at his vital points.
"Shameless wretch, only attacking vital points!"
"And you're shameless, with so many people ganging up on just two?" Xiao Man replied coldly. "However, since I'm here today, you'll leave your life behind!"
"Such arrogance!" Qiu Ziqiu hadn't heard such a defiant remark in a long time, daring to tell him to leave his life behind. Truly, a newborn calf fears no tiger. His anger was ignited by three parts. If he didn't kill this person today, his title as the Sword-wielding Eunuch would have to be changed!
Qin Xue supported Dugu Mingyu and led him towards Yangguan. Only if they retreated could their master have a chance to escape unharmed.
Xiao Man and Qiu Ziqiu clashed. The resulting shockwaves forced many to retreat. The battle between masters was no longer something they could participate in. They immediately pursued Dugu Mingyu; their target was to kill him!
Qiu Ziqiu had thought this young girl would be no match for him. But the more they fought, the more panicked he became. Xiao Man could always predict his sword moves, frustrating him immensely. He hadn't felt this way since Dugu Man died, and now he was experiencing it with a young girl!
"You deserve to die!" Qiu Ziqiu's eyes were filled with murderous intent. Why did she have to resemble that person? Anyone connected to that person deserved to die!
Qiu Ziqiu had only one thought: kill this person, kill them at any cost. And Dugu Mingyu; he would not let any member of the Dugu family off the hook!
After her rebirth, Xiao Man's internal energy was not as profound as before. Under Qiu Ziqiu's desperate assault, she began to falter. Her gaze involuntarily shifted towards Qin Xue and the others. Qin Xue had already led Dugu Mingyu out of the encirclement.
A flicker of joy flashed in her eyes. She immediately disengaged and fled. "A Luo, let's go!"
The greatsword maiden, dragging a heavy sword, followed Xiao Man and fled towards Yangguan.
Qiu Ziqiu's face contorted with malice. Escape? It wouldn't be that easy!
He immediately pursued, but not after Xiao Man, but after Dugu Mingyu. His primary target was Dugu Mingyu!
Xiao Man, seeing Qiu Ziqiu whistle past above her, was shocked. She leaped into the air, attempting to intercept him. Qiu Ziqiu charged forward and slashed down with his sword, but Xiao Man, who had caught up, blocked it. Qiu Ziqiu, enraged, freed a hand and struck at Dugu Mingyu. Qin Xue shifted her body and shielded Dugu Mingyu, taking Qiu Ziqiu's palm strike and being sent flying.
Dugu Mingyu fell to the ground and quickly checked on the knocked-away Qin Xue. Seeing Qin Xue struggle to get up, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Ladies, don't mind me. Just take A Luo and go."
Xiao Man stood before Dugu Mingyu, blocking Qiu Ziqiu's attacks, preventing him from getting any closer to Dugu Mingyu. Qiu Ziqiu sneered. "What is your relationship with this Dugu Mingyu that makes you risk your life to save him?"
"It's none of your business!"
Qiu Ziqiu roared and charged again with his sword. Under Qiu Ziqiu's fierce assault, Xiao Man struggled to defend herself. The greatsword maiden, dragging her sword, joined the fray, relieving Xiao Man's predicament.
Qiu Ziqiu fought more ferociously, his eyes bloodshot, staring hatefully at Dugu Mingyu. All members of the Dugu family deserved to die, all of them!
A hidden arrow shot from Qiu Ziqiu's sleeve, heading straight for Dugu Mingyu's vital point. Dugu Mingyu wanted to dodge, but his body was weak and he couldn't move. He could only watch helplessly as the arrow flew towards him.
Suddenly, a figure stepped in front of him, blocking the incoming hidden arrow with his sword. However, the arrow had a hidden mechanism. Xiao Man's sword struck the arrow, but it also triggered a hidden device. A steel needle shot out from the arrow, striking Xiao Man in the chest.