Chapter 0245: Utterly Reckless Sisters, Veins Bulging on Xie Chengze’s Forehead
The Crown Prince’s group moved slowly due to their large numbers and the presence of elderly ministers with limited mobility. Sheng Shihai and his men quickly caught up with them.
Not only that, but Xie Chengze had also finished his battle and was leading a team to pursue the Crown Prince and Sheng Shihai. As he passed the left side courtyard, he spotted four figures locked in combat. His gaze unexpectedly fell upon Xie Shu, and he froze momentarily.
He then strode forward and delivered a sharp slap to the back of Xie Shu’s head, adopting the stern demeanor of an elder brother scolding his younger sister. “Who told you to come here!”
Must you stick your nose into every trivial matter! Aren’t you afraid of getting hurt by mistake!
Xie Shu, suddenly struck on the head, was momentarily dazed. She was about to see which reckless servant dared harm her noble person—she would surely throw them into prison—but when she turned and saw it was Xie Chengze, her imposing aura dissipated like smoke.
Rubbing the back of her head guiltily, she said, “Second Brother, don’t just scold me! Second Sister is here too!”
Xie Chengze: ?
Xie Chengze turned to look and spotted Xie Ping’an peeking furtively from a crevice in a rockery. She coughed lightly in embarrassment. “Second Brother, I brought a knife.”
Princesses like them, born with the potential to be married off to the Xiongnu, had secretly learned throat-slitting techniques. If they could someday kill the Xiongnu king, it would be a monumental achievement—enough to warrant a separate volume in the imperial genealogy!
Xie Chengze: …
The veins on Xie Chengze’s temples bulged.
This is sheer recklessness! If he hadn’t arranged… Did they truly believe they could remain unscathed here?!
Forget it, forget it. A handsome man shouldn’t get angry.
Leaving behind a warning to be careful, he hurried off to continue the pursuit.
Sheng Shihai was highly skilled in martial arts—he mustn’t let him actually kill Xie Jinyu.
When he finally caught up, Xie Chengze was panting heavily. By then, Sheng Shihai had already taken action, leading his men to slit the throats of the Crown Prince’s remaining guards. Blood pooled on the ground, thick and metallic in scent.
Suppressing his discomfort, Xie Chengze strode purposefully toward Sheng Shihai, his hands clenched tightly beneath his sleeves, fingertips nearly digging into his palms.
Yet, on the surface, he remained composed and slightly impatient, shouting at Sheng Shihai, “What’s going on! Didn’t we agree to kill the Crown Prince? Why hasn’t it been done yet?!”
“Prince Regent!” Among the Crown Prince’s ministers, an elderly official pointed at Xie Chengze and roared, “You conspired against His Majesty and ruthlessly turned on your own flesh and blood! Someone as vile as you is unfit to inherit the throne! Repent now, and the Crown Prince might spare your life!”
Xie Chengze sneered. “What a joke! You’d be better off using that mouth of yours for defecation—your nonsense is even more impressive than my retainer Hu Lai’s!”
Hu Lai, who had followed him: ?
Your Highness, please don’t say that!
“No need to waste words on them,” Sheng Shihai said indifferently, wiping the blood from his blade. “Your Highness has arrived safely, it seems the battle was won.”
“Of course. With our combined efforts and Elder Brother’s assistance, the Crown Prince is no match for us.” A ruthless smile spread across Xie Chengze’s strikingly handsome face. “The Crown Prince is benevolent and willing to spare my life. Unfortunately, I am vile and will not extend the same mercy to him.”
“Guards! Execute the Empress and the Crown Prince on the spot!”
The men he brought stepped forward one by one. On the Crown Prince’s side, only Xie Jinyu remained skilled in martial arts. He stepped forward and kicked the soldiers over, clearly using internal energy to blast them more than five meters away.
Xie Chengze was so frightened that he immediately leaped backward, hiding behind Sheng Shihai. “Damn, his martial arts are actually this strong? Commander Sheng, you go!”
“Your Highness, why not send Wuhen and Wuji?” Sheng Shihai cast him a faint glance.
Xie Chengze peered around furtively. “It’s not that I’m unwilling, but I’m afraid the Crown Prince has a backup plan. What if he sends someone to capture me…”
He lowered his voice, “To be honest with you, Shen Yuan is actually extremely cunning deep down. He appears to serve me, but he’s been secretly in contact with the Crown Prince all along. He hasn’t shown up tonight, and I suspect…”
“He’s observing from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to make a contribution for the Crown Prince!”
Sheng Shihai gave him a surprised look, never expecting he would distrust Shen Yuan.
At least he has some brains.
“Wuhen, go assist Commander Sheng!” Xie Chengze commanded. “Wuji, you stay and protect me.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Seeing that Xie Chengze had sent one person, Sheng Shihai finally gave a slight nod. He raised his blade and, together with Wuhen, confronted Xie Jinyu.
Two against one.
Xie Jinyu had trained in martial arts since childhood, and so had Sheng Shihai. However, compared to Sheng Shihai’s innate talent for martial arts and his nine additional years of experience, Xie Jinyu was clearly outmatched by a significant margin. With Wuhen added to the mix, he had no chance of holding his own.
Soon, he was at a disadvantage.
Whether Wuhen was settling a personal score or not, his strikes were all aimed at Xie Jinyu’s vital points, making it extremely difficult for Xie Jinyu to defend himself. Meanwhile, Sheng Shihai moved with the ease of a leisurely stroll, occasionally interfering with Xie Jinyu’s movements as if merely going through the motions, his expression one of amusement and relaxation.
Then, Xie Jinyu’s sword was knocked away by Wuhen. Immediately, Xie Jinyu summoned his lightness skill, his expression dark and menacing as he flew toward Sheng Shihai.
Even in death, he would drag someone down with him!
Clearly, he had set his sights on Sheng Shihai, who lacked martial arts skills!
However, Sheng Shihai curled his lips into a strange smile.
Just as Xie Jinyu sensed something was wrong, Wuhen’s voice rang out from behind, “Commander Sheng, step aside!”
Xie Jinyu had no time to retract his move. Behind him was Wuhen’s thrusting long blade, while in front, Sheng Shihai leisurely set down his own blade, slowly raising his right hand as thick internal energy gathered. With a cruel smile, he aimed a vicious strike at Xie Jinyu’s chest!
Today, the Crown Prince would surely die!
Xie Jinyu closed his eyes.
The long blade from behind struck first.
“Thud—!”
“Pfft—!”
A mouthful of blood sprayed out. Sheng Shihai’s eyes widened in disbelief as he turned to look behind him.
A cold, gleaming long sword had pierced through his chest.
The owner of the sword was none other than Wuji, who had somehow appeared behind him without notice.
Wuhen and Wuji, silent and traceless.
The legs that had once been nearly broken by clubs could now tread on snow without leaving a trace.
“Xie Chengze!” Sheng Shihai roared furiously. He immediately shook off the sword and charged toward Xie Chengze at lightning speed!
He was going to kill him!
Terrified, Xie Chengze turned and ran, shouting as he fled, “Help! Shen Yuan! Where the hell are you? Come save me!”
The sound of a longsword being drawn pierced the sky, shooting straight toward the pursuing Sheng Shihai. Sheng Shihai raised his hand to deflect the sword, and in that brief moment, Wuhen and Wuji had already caught up and engaged him in a fierce struggle.
Shen Yuan emerged from the shadows, glanced at the panicked Xie Chengze who was scrambling toward him in a fluster, and reached out to pull the frantic young man into his embrace. Patting his back to soothe him, he said, “I’m here.”
“Damn it, scared the hell out of me,” Xie Chengze exclaimed, clutching Shen Yuan’s clothes as his fear began to subside slightly. Not missing a chance to tease, he added, “Why did you take so long? If I had really died, you’d have lost your father and would have to observe three years of mourning for him!”
“That wouldn’t do,” Shen Yuan shook his head. “I’m afraid the Crown Prince couldn’t wait three years.”
Xie Chengze looked up at him in confusion.
What did that mean? Was he implying that if his father died and he had to observe three years of mourning, he wouldn’t be able to serve as an official and be loyal to the Crown Prince?
But Jian’an was short on talent—it didn’t seem like there was such a rule, did it?