Zheng Wei, who had been sitting, stood up along with Si Ma Han and Shen Xiao Ming, walking over to stand beside Shen Xiao Yan.
"Ah Han, what are you doing?" Grand Princess Zande frowned, looking at Si Ma Han with a displeased tone. "Are you helping Shen Xiao Yan against your aunt?"
"Heh."
Si Ma Han merely scoffed, not answering.
But he remained standing there, and Grand Princess Zande understood that Si Ma Han intended to stand with Shen Xiao Yan.
"Very well. If that's the case, then do not blame your aunt for being merciless."
As soon as Grand Princess Zande finished speaking, Jiang Yi ran in from outside, followed by several tall and strong men.
Leading this group was Jiang Hong, whom Shen Xiao Yan had met before.
"You all, go up together and tie her down," Grand Princess Zande commanded with a wave of her hand.
"Yes."
The men responded in unison, their eyes filled with murderous intent as they looked at Shen Xiao Yan.
"Shen Xiao Yan, we meet again. These are my junior brothers, and today we shall test your skills together," Jiang Hong chuckled, greeting her as if meeting an old friend.
But Shen Xiao Yan detected a chilling intent in his words, knowing he harbored resentment for being captured last time.
"It's not ideal to fight in this room. If you wish to test my skills, it would be better to go outside," Shen Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"Precisely." Jiang Hong also burst into laughter and then led the way, turning to walk out.
Shen Xiao Yan and Zheng Wei followed behind, and Grand Princess Zande and her group also followed.
Jiang Hong, at the front, did not stop in the courtyard but walked all the way out of the main gate.
Shen Xiao Yan, following him out, realized that Grand Princess Zande had brought a large contingent this time, a sea of black, numbering at least eight hundred people.
No wonder Bai Li Zi Yun had such confidence today; it turned out she had backup.
However, in many situations, sheer numbers did not guarantee victory.
Shen Xiao Yan and her companions followed Jiang Hong forward, not paying much attention to the crowd.
They walked until they were a considerable distance from the main group and then stopped.
Jiang Hong turned around and grinned at Shen Xiao Yan, "How is it, is this space wide enough?"
"Naturally."
"Then let's begin. Don't say we bullied you later," Jiang Hong said, drawing a long saber and pointing it at Shen Xiao Yan.
Following his lead, the other six men drew their weapons and faced Shen Xiao Yan.
"You watch Xiao Ming here, husband, we're going," Shen Xiao Yan instructed Si Ma Han, then said to Zheng Wei.
Zheng Wei nodded, and he and Shen Xiao Yan charged forward simultaneously.
Their speed was astonishing; in the blink of an eye, they were in front of Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong, having fought Zheng Wei before and seen Shen Xiao Yan fight Bai Fang, knew they were fast. He had already warned the other six, so they were somewhat prepared.
However, Shen Xiao Yan and Zheng Wei's power was immense. Even with their preparation, they were forced back a step by the duo's attack.
Zheng Wei used his usual sword, while Shen Xiao Yan still wielded the golden whip she had snatched from Bai Li Zi Yun.
Jiang Hong and the others recognized Bai Li Zi Yun's golden whip, and seeing it in Shen Xiao Yan's hands, they showed surprise.
This momentary lapse of attention cost them dearly. Shen Xiao Yan lashed out with her whip, sweeping across their faces and leaving a bloody mark on each of them.
In a two-on-seven situation, Shen Xiao Yan and Zheng Wei held their ground firmly, overpowering the seven opponents.
After fifteen minutes of fighting, the seven men began to inwardly lament their predicament.
But Grand Princess Zande and the others were watching nearby. They could not concede or give up, so they could only grit their teeth and continue.
Another fifteen minutes passed, and the seven men were completely drained of strength. They lay on the ground, unable to rise.
Shen Xiao Yan and Zheng Wei exchanged smiles and walked back.
"Big sister, brother-in-law, you were amazing," Shen Xiao Ming exclaimed, clapping his hands excitedly. He also resolved then and there to learn martial arts from his sister after this was over, so he wouldn't be the one needing protection next time they encountered villains.
"Are these the kind of people you brought out to show off?" Shen Xiao Yan walked up to Grand Princess Zande and said with a smile.
Shen Xiao Yan's expression and tone were normal, but Grand Princess Zande felt a burning sensation on her face.
She had sent seven people, yet they couldn't defeat Shen Xiao Yan and Zheng Wei. This was an utter disgrace.
"Perhaps, we should have a match."
Suddenly, Bai Li Hao, who had been standing by the side with little presence, spoke up.
His voice was very cold and somewhat hoarse, as if he rarely spoke.
He was wearing a black cloak, and his face was covered by a cloth, leaving only his eyes visible. He appeared to be shrouded in darkness.
Shen Xiao Yan observed him carefully and then said, "Compete with you? Why? This isn't a martial arts tournament, I only need Bai Li Zi Yun."
"Dream on," Grand Princess Zande gritted her teeth and said.
"Possible. The condition is that you defeat me," Bai Li Hao's voice remained unruffled.
"What are you saying? Are you mad?" Grand Princess Zande shouted at Bai Li Hao.
"If she causes trouble like this all day, what's the use of having her? It's better to die early," Bai Li Hao said coldly to Grand Princess Zande, his voice laced with killing intent that pierced through Grand Princess Zande and Bai Li Zi Yun like sharp swords.
"Father, what are you saying? How can you tell me to die?" Bai Li Zi Yun's beautiful eyes welled up with tears, her heart filled with sorrow and shock as she looked at Bai Li Hao, unable to believe the words that had come from his mouth.
"Well, are you going to fight or not?"
Bai Li Hao turned his head away, no longer looking at Bai Li Zi Yun, and asked Shen Xiao Yan.
"What happens if I win, and what happens if I lose?"
"If you win, Bai Li Zi Yun is yours to deal with. If you lose, then naturally, I'll deal with you."
"Do you stand by your word?" Shen Xiao Yan asked, glancing at Grand Princess Zande.
"Naturally, I do. You don't need to look at her; her word is meaningless," Bai Li Hao's tone carried a hint of disdain, but Grand Princess Zande did not retort. She merely held Bai Li Zi Yun's hand and wept.
"Alright then."
"I'll fight you," Zheng Wei said, reaching out to hold Shen Xiao Yan's arm and speaking to Bai Li Hao.
"Are you heartbroken? Haha, I don't want you; I only want to fight her," Bai Li Hao said, then threw his head back and laughed heartily. After laughing, he looked at Shen Xiao Yan, awaiting her reply.
Shen Xiao Yan wriggled the whip in her hand, indicating her acceptance.
The two walked side by side towards an open area, but midway, they attacked each other.
Shen Xiao Yan swung her whip, while Bai Li Hao fought empty-handed.
The whip was caught by Bai Li Hao, and with a further exertion of force, it snapped.
Shen Xiao Yan looked at the remaining segment of the golden whip in her hand, scoffed, and let it drop.
"Do you need to find another weapon? I can wait for you."
Shen Xiao Yan couldn't see Bai Li Hao's expression, but judging by his voice, she knew he was in a good mood.
"Such a grown man, so much nonsense," Shen Xiao Yan scoffed and threw a punch at Bai Li Hao.
Bai Li Hao did not dodge the punch but only realized the immense power behind Shen Xiao Yan's strike when they actually connected. Even he was involuntarily forced back a step.
"No wonder those men were so thoroughly beaten by you earlier; it was a disparity in strength," Bai Li Hao said with understanding.