Arc 3 – Chapter 168, Vicious Princess Wants to Reverse Fate (62) (Bonus)

"Damn it, they're here," Zhou Min muttered under her breath as she turned and ran towards Shangguan Qi. Her right sleeve wrapped around Shangguan Qi's wrist, guiding him swiftly through the dense forest.

As Zhou Min and Shangguan Qi fled, a chorus of whistles blared from all directions in the jungle behind them. At that moment, all the assassins emerged, rapidly converging on Zhou Min's location. 

The group searching for Shangguan Qi also noticed the unusual situation and immediately summoned their comrades. They raced towards Shangguan Qi's direction, with both parties racing against time to capture Shangguan Qi.

"Catch them!" The large assassins behind them were fervently chasing the two faint silhouettes in the distance. Shouts echoed throughout the jungle.

"Who's after you with such a high bounty on your life?" Zhou Min glanced back at the mass of assassins, a cold look in her eyes. But her concern was evident when she looked at Shangguan Qi beside her. Using the moonlight and the complexity of the jungle as cover, they continued to flee through the undergrowth.

After running for a while, Shangguan Qi's face suddenly changed. Turning back, he saw a masked man leading the assassins. Even with his face covered, his eyes glowed with a bloodthirsty greed. Seeing Shangguan Qi look back, a chilling smile appeared in the man's eyes. A low growl seemed to pierce through the undergrowth and reach Shangguan Qi's ears.

"You bastard, we've been searching for you for over ten days. Today, you'll meet your end in this jungle!" The sudden chase disrupted the tranquil jungle, and the noise from the pursuit echoed through the treetops.

Zhou Min heard the man's voice and looked at the grim expression on Shangguan Qi's face. She felt a pang of worry. Whoever was willing to pay such a high price to take Shangguan Qi's life must be extraordinary, possibly someone Shangguan Qi knew. Otherwise, his expression wouldn't be so complex!

Zhou Min increased her pace, darting through the jungle. She looked around and quickly ran toward the river valley she had previously scouted. Although it was a long detour, it drew all the assassins behind her, ensuring they wouldn't encounter any assassins en route to the river valley. It was a silver lining amidst their misfortune.

"Shangguan Qi, stop running, or I won't be so polite anymore," The man behind them threatened, but Zhou Min showed no sign of stopping.

Seeing Zhou Min and Shangguan Qi ignoring his warning, the masked man frowned. Zhou Min's speed had taken him by surprise.

With a slow exhale, the masked man swung his hand, and all the assassins behind him began to throw their hidden weapons. Sensing the weapons falling from the sky, Zhou Min deftly wielded her sword, deflecting the projectiles.

The cold, gleaming weapons fell like rain, and Zhou Min gritted her teeth, shielding Shangguan Qi from all angles, not daring to slack off.

Seeing Zhou Min growing paler, Shangguan Qi felt anxious and distressed. He wanted to tell her to let go, but he knew she wouldn't leave him alone. He loathed his current weakness, unable to help in any way. Otherwise, with his abilities, he wouldn't be so helpless and on the run.

Zhou Min's desperate struggle was particularly fierce in the eyes of the masked man. They wouldn't be so restrained if their employer hadn't instructed them to keep Zhou Min alive.

When Zhou Min deflected a projectile aimed at Shangguan Qi again, the masked man stomped fiercely on the ground, gathering his inner energy and lunging forward. His speed was nearly twice as fast as before.

"Not good!" The faint sound of wind breaking from behind made Shangguan Qi turn back. Seeing the masked man charging at them, Shangguan Qi instinctively tried to push Zhou Min away. But Zhou Min noticed his intention, sidestepped, grabbed Shangguan Qi's hand, and looked at him with determination.

"Shangguan Qi, if you dare to push me away, I will never forgive you in this lifetime!"

Zhou Min's words were cold and calm, as if she were discussing how beautiful the moon had been that night. But it made Shangguan Qi's hand freeze in place, ready to push Zhou Min away!

Her eyes were solemn, filled with unparalleled stubbornness and coldness. It seemed she meant what she said.

"Today, I will kill you!" Seeing the distance between them closing, the masked man's face was filled with murderous intent.

"Unless I die, you won't lay a finger on him!" Zhou Min turned back, her eyes filled with killing intent. Her voice had a resolute determination as if she was ready to die with the enemy. She swung her right sleeve back, and overwhelming inner energy gushed out.

"Hmph!" The masked man could feel the pressure from the energy, and he sneered. He punched towards Zhou Min, and the two energies collided, creating a loud bang.

"Bang!"

The collision of the two fierce energies scraped a layer off the ground and snapped some weak tree trunks in half. Zhou Min's energy pushed the masked man back several meters before he could stabilise himself.

"I didn't expect the little princess of Zhou country to have such profound inner energy. Our intel was wrong. No wonder you dare to protect Shangguan Qi so brazenly." After exchanging blows with Zhou Min, the masked man felt a touch of surprise and sneered.

He stomped on the ground again, and his figure shot out again, closely following Zhou Min and Shangguan Qi.