Arc 3 – Chapter 171, The Vicious Princess Wants to Reverse Fate (65)

Zhou Min had no idea what was going through Shangguan Qi's mind. At that moment, her left hand was numb. It was her first time killing someone, and it ended up being a massacre-like resistance. Her hair was dishevelled, and even with help, her steps were becoming unsteady. The sword she had blocked for Shangguan Qi earlier had caused a non-stop flow of blood from her shoulder.

She realised that through her calculations, she had unknowingly led Shangguan Qi closer to the lone tree while fighting. But the people in front of her had no suspicions.

If she could hold on a little longer, Shangguan Qi's reinforcements would arrive. She could then take Shangguan Qi across to the other side with the help of the lone tree amidst the showdown between the two groups. Once they crossed, Zhou Min knew Shangguan Qi would be safe because she had noticed Shangguan Qi's men on the other side.

Brandishing her bloodied sword, Zhou Min gritted her teeth, "Even if I, Zhou Min, were to die, I would protect Shangguan Qi! If you want to take him from me or harm him, you're dreaming!"

"Good! Good! Good!" The masked man sneered and waved, "Go! Dead or alive, it doesn't matter!"

Meanwhile, on a high point in the jungle, a man in black stood in front of another man hidden in the shadows, "Master, should we retreat? After all, we and..."

The man in black wore a black robe with white cuffs and a chest embroidered with python stripes. His face couldn't be seen, but the malevolent aura he exuded was palpable. His gaze had been fixed on a slender figure for quite a while. She was covered in blood - it was unclear whether it was hers or the assassins'.

Zhou Min was protecting Shangguan Qi, backing towards the river valley with the crowd approaching. She did not stop killing or protecting the man while retreating and fighting. There was not a single thought of abandoning him.

The man smirked, void of any joy, cold as frost. His aura was sarcastic: "If they seek death, it's not our fault!" The man in black retreated a step, not saying anymore.

Suddenly, rapid footsteps could be heard from the other side of the jungle. The sounds were numerous, instantly drawing the man's attention. Watching the crowd getting closer to Zhou Min and Shangguan Qi, he chuckled, "Didn't expect them to arrive so quickly!"

The man in black immediately stepped forward, "Master, should we..." He made a slashing motion, but the man scoffed at him, "Don't you see the left and right protectors of the Shura Hall are here? Plus, that meddlesome person! Are you going to offer them your heads?"

His mockery made the man in black retreat in shame. The man's gaze landed on Shangguan Qi again; the hatred in his eyes couldn't be concealed. His gaze towards Zhou Min was resentful and unwilling, "Shangguan Qi, you won't always be this lucky…" The man angrily swept his sleeves and disappeared into the jungle's depths.

Shangguan Qi seemed to sense something, suddenly looking towards where the man had been. But he didn't notice anything, even though he had felt the overwhelming hatred and malice for a moment.

But before Shangguan Qi could think more about it, suddenly, a soft body fell into his arms, a sword pierced the body, and a muffled groan. Shangguan Qi immediately looked down to see Zhou Min had again blocked a hidden weapon for him. His eyes were dark, and he tried to hold the person in her arms, but the person in her arms quickly joined the fight again.

The red sleeve slipped through his stretched palm like flowing water, leaving him with nothing but an empty palm and the smooth feeling of the fabric.

Shangguan Qi couldn't help but clench his fist, his gaze fixed on the red figure among the black-clothed people. His heart trembled with every narrow escape she made.

Unknowingly, his palms were already soaked with cold sweat.

Zhou Min was feeling dizzy. She had seen too much blood today but was waiting, gritting her teeth.

"How much longer?" she asked.

"Just a little longer, Zhou Min. I can feel people getting closer, a lot of people..." 

"Am I going to die?"

"Zhou Min, don't be so pessimistic!"

"I feel like I've reached my limit!"

"Wait a little longer, Zhou Min, everything will pass! Someone is coming to rescue you soon..."

So Zhou Min gritted her teeth and continued to wait!

But her wounds were increasing, and the blood was flowing more. She was so desperate that it shocked the assassins, who stopped and dared not to move forward.

She looked up at the masked man who was still standing idly by, scoffed, and with the last bit of strength, she said, "Is this all the Underworld Palace... can do..."

Suddenly, Zhou Min spat out blood. Her figure swayed, and Shangguan Qi immediately caught her, "Zhou Min, are you crazy? Why provoke him? What are you trying to do? You can't go on!"

Shangguan Qi held her in his arms, whispered in her ear and placed a jade pendant on Zhou Min when others weren't looking, "Zhou Min, I never ask for help. But now, I beg you, leave by yourself! With me, neither of us can escape. Take the jade pendant I gave you, find my wet nurse, and then burn everything. I want them to never get what they've been searching for their whole lives!"

"You..." Zhou Min felt the object Shangguan Qi had placed on her waist. Hearing his words of compromise, her heart trembled.