Xiao Zhen's killing intent intensified instantly, and his attacks became faster. Yao Ran merely smiled and dodged Xiao Zhen's blade with a tilt of her head, her body completely still, as if Xiao Zhen's fierce assaults couldn't shake her in the slightest.
Yan Yuqing watched the battle with amusement. "Interesting. This remote roadside inn has such a master."
Dugu Mingyu glanced at him. "Don't cause trouble."
Yan Yuqing smiled alluringly. "It's been a while since I fought anyone. My hands are just itching for a spar. How about you, will you fight me?"
Dugu Mingyu picked up his wine cup and took a sip. "When we get back, someone will spar with you. She'll definitely target your handsome face specifically."
Yan Yuqing's smile froze. He quickly said, "I was just kidding. Tell me, who do you think will win between them?"
Dugu Mingyu's gaze swept across the table in the corner, then settled on Yao Ran's side. These two were very powerful. If it were just one person, the opponent wouldn't stand a chance.
At that moment, the hidden imperial guards within the crowd suddenly attacked Yao Ran and her group, but they were intercepted by Yao Ran's escorts, preventing them from getting close.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you," Yao Ran said slowly. "I want to keep you alive to watch me flay her alive."
Xiao Zhen's eyes flashed fiercely. His attacks became even more ruthless. He had to kill her; he absolutely couldn't let her get near Man'er!
However, Xiao Zhen overestimated his own abilities and underestimated Yao Ran. Yao Ran's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds over the years. He was no longer her match. But precisely because of this, he absolutely could not let her approach Man'er!
"If you want to touch my darling, you'll have to kill me first!"
Xiao Zhen moved, his figure as fast as lightning. In a short span, he had exchanged dozens of blows with Yao Ran.
Facing Xiao Zhen's desperate attacks, Yao Ran couldn't afford to be complacent. As she retreated to a table, she noticed that the two people at the table were completely unaffected by their fight.
"May I trouble you two to move aside and give us some space?" Yao Ran asked politely.
"Why should I make way for you?" Yan Yuqing propped one leg on a stool. "Are you my son?"
Yao Ran's expression changed. "Rude fellow!"
"Let's go." Before Yao Ran could attack, Dugu Mingyu stood up and grabbed Yan Yuqing by the collar. "Apologies, please continue. I'll take him away immediately."
Seeing that the other party was sensible, Yao Ran didn't dwell on Yan Yuqing's rudeness. She continued to counter Xiao Zhen's attacks. Xiao Zhen was desperate to kill her, and she needed to teach him a lesson.
Suddenly, Yao Ran felt a chill run down her back. A sword pierced through her body. If she hadn't sensed the danger and instinctively shifted her body, narrowly missing a vital spot, she would have surely died!
"You!" Yao Ran never imagined that this person would attack her.
Yan Yuqing pointed at Dugu Mingyu incredulously. "Didn't you tell me not to cause trouble? Why are you causing trouble yourself?"
Dugu Mingyu drew his sword and retreated rapidly, dodging Yao Ran's attack. "I've always disliked arrogant people, but my family's is an exception."
"Boy, do you know you're courting death?"
"I've always been courting death, but unfortunately, I've never died," Dugu Mingyu's voice was cold and unwavering. "You don't have the ability to kill me either."
"What an arrogant boy!" A trickle of blood spilled from Yao Ran's lips. She had been careless. She had thought these two were not on Xiao Zhen's side, but unexpectedly, this person would ambush her!
"I'm good at fighting. I was ordered to protect you. If you get hurt, my Manman will kill me." Yan Yuqing rubbed his fists and elbows, stepping in front of Dugu Mingyu. "You sit aside. Leave this to me."
Dugu Mingyu didn't move. He merely flicked the blood off his sword. "Kill him."
"What big talk!" Yao Ran clutched her wound, feeling a surge of anger. Before even reaching Yusheng Imperial Capital, Xiao Zhen was already ambushing her, and now she had provoked such a madman!
Yan Yuqing shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, charging towards Yao Ran. Yao Ran's escorts immediately broke free from the imperial guards and intercepted Yan Yuqing, engaging him in combat. Yao Ran's hidden guards also surged forward, blocking Xiao Zhen's hidden guards and surrounding Dugu Mingyu.
Xiao Zhen almost wanted to applaud. "Yao Ran, one shouldn't be too arrogant. See, you ran into a sword."
Yao Ran took a deep breath and pressed acupoints around her wound to stop the bleeding. "Even if I'm injured, killing you is not difficult."
"Oh, is that so?" Xiao Zhen sneered. "I'd like to see what ability you have to kill me!"
Yao Ran's anger flared, and she no longer held back. Xiao Zhen, having spent a lifetime on the battlefield, was not unskilled. It was just that his internal energy was inferior to Yao Ran's, but it wasn't easy for Yao Ran to kill him either!
The two fought to a standstill. Dugu Mingyu's gaze fell on the person wearing a straw hat. The familiar feeling suggested this person must be someone he knew, which was why he had acted rashly.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Yao Ran's eyes. Over the years, Xiao Zhen had made no progress. Could he really teach her to be an excellent successor?
A hint of regret crossed Yao Ran's mind. Perhaps she shouldn't have let her be taken away. This man before her didn't have the capability to train her into a qualified heir!
Yao Ran's attacks became even more fierce. Xiao Zhen, relying on his broad and powerful offensive style, was actually at a disadvantage for a while.
Dugu Mingyu's eyes changed. He finally recognized him – wasn't this General Xiao? Why was General Xiao appearing here late at night to ambush these people?
Wait, General Xiao said he wanted to touch his darling before killing him… General Xiao's darling, wasn't that his sister?
Dugu Mingyu blocked the imperial guard's sword and suddenly raised his hand. A hidden dart from his wrist shot out, aimed at Yao Ran's vital spot. Yao Ran narrowly dodged it, but the dart grazed her arm.
"Stop, or your master will surely die!" Dugu Mingyu shouted.
The imperial guards hesitated, but Yao Ran voluntarily retreated, her gaze fixed on her wounded arm. The wound had already turned black; it was poisoned. To use such despicable tactics as a soldier!
"Despicable!"
"Thank you for the compliment." Dugu Mingyu flashed to Xiao Zhen's side, blocking him. He pointed his sword at Yao Ran. "Who are you?"
Yao Ran froze. "You don't even know who I am, yet you attacked me?"
"I dislike you."
Yao Ran was speechless. If the situation weren't so tense, she would have liked to teach this kid a good lesson, to show him what respect meant.
"He's not one of your people?" Yao Ran asked, looking at Xiao Zhen.
Xiao Zhen shook his head seriously. "No!"
"Boy, I advise you to mind your own business. This is between him and me!"
"No," Dugu Mingyu replied resolutely. "Since I've intervened, I'll see it through!"