Chapter 24: Do Not Fear, I Am Here

Xiao Xuanyin galloped away, sending a cloud of rolling dust toward Song Junyao.

The words Song Junyao had yet to finish were cut short, leaving him covered in grit and looking utterly wretched. A boundless sense of humiliation crawled over him like a venomous snake; it took a sudden bite, and as the venom spread, he was frozen in place, unable to move.

For the sake of Fu Jinha, the Crown Prince had humiliated him to such an extent! Relying on his status as the heir, the Prince disregarded his subordinates, acting with a level of arrogance that was truly hateful.

In a secluded corner of the women's hunting grounds:

The noble ladies of Chang'an had always disdained to associate with Fu Jinha, isolating her by mutual, unspoken consent. Consequently, she was the only one in this area. Sitting high upon her horse, Fu Jinha’s brows were serene, her gaze cool and detached as she observed her surroundings.

Suddenly, beasts scattered from the thicket ahead, and birds took flight in alarm.

Fu Jinha’s fair face turned vigilant, her slender fingers moving quietly toward her arrows.

As expected, a group of masked men in black emerged from the dense forest, closing in on her. Chu Changling, their leader, had eyes full of bloodthirsty malice, a gleaming long saber strapped to his back. Staring fixedly at Fu Jinha, he spoke with a sinister, twisted smile: "Fu Jinha."

He had sworn an oath: since this vixen had dared to unleash wolves to attack them at Yundian Mountain and wounded his arm, he would sever her limbs and turn her into a human swine. She had also schemed to force Miss Jiang to prove her innocence with her own death. All these old and new grievances would be settled today!

Fu Jinha’s expression remained utterly calm, her tone tinged with mockery: "Chu Changling, why must you hide behind a mask?"

Chu Changling was taken aback, then he tore off his black veil, laughing wildly. It was said that Fu Jinha had become much shrewder; while planning her murder at the hunting grounds, his lackeys had warned him not to be ostentatious, lest she discover the clues. It seemed the rumors were true.

But so what? She was merely a frail woman. Surrounded by over a dozen assassins, even if she had three heads and six arms or a thousand devious schemes, she would not escape death!

"Fu Jinha, you have committed countless evils and harmed the loyal. This time next year shall be the anniversary of your death!"

"Don't worry, I won't let you die so easily. I will torture and humiliate you to my heart's content, break your limbs, and then let you serve my men well!" Chu Changling’s words became increasingly foul.

Fu Jinha smiled faintly, her beauty radiant. Her voice, however, was cold as ice: "You fool, Chu Changling."

Chu Changling’s laughter froze. He glared at her, snarling, "What did you say?"

"Still stubborn even when death is at your doorstep!"

Fu Jinha’s smile never faded. "Was I wrong? Jiang Manxue is using you as a knife to kill; the Grand Tutor's estate will surely investigate this to the end, and both you and the Vice Minister’s estate will pay a heavy price. And she will not be grateful to you, nor will she fall in love with you because of this. You have sacrificed so much for her, yet she will still fly away with Song Junyao. You are merely providing a dowry for another man. If you aren't a fool, then what are you?"

Every word struck deep into Chu Changling’s heart. He was well aware that the person Miss Jiang loved was Song Junyao. Even though his heart was filled with jealousy, the memory of her tearful, alluring glances that night made him reckless, like a moth flying into a flame, welcoming his own destruction.

His eyes splitting with rage, he gnashed his teeth at her: "Vixen! Stop trying to drive a wedge between me and Miss Jiang!"

"I have made perfect preparations to destroy your body and erase all traces; they will never find their way to me!"

With that, Chu Changling drew his long saber and hacked toward Fu Jinha’s horse.

Suddenly, Fu Jinha beamed and called out behind him: "Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Chu Changling was horrified. He nervously looked back—how could the Crown Prince be here? But he saw no sign of Xiao Xuanyin.

Fu Jinha’s gaze was shallow. She drew her bow, notched an arrow, and with a swift, clean motion, fired at Chu Changling’s back.

With a "swish," the arrow pierced his shoulder blade. Chu Changling’s saber dropped, and he let out a series of agonizing screams.

Fu Jinha whipped her horse, which reared up in pain, leaping over Chu Changling. Seizing this gap, she galloped away.

The group of black-clad men crowded around Chu Changling, their voices tense: "Young Master, your wound..."

Chu Changling was twisted in agony, watching helplessly as Fu Jinha escaped his "inescapable net" while having mocked him to boot. He was so furious he could barely breathe. He roared, "A bunch of trash! Never mind me, go after her!"

"If you let her escape, I will have your heads!"

The assassins dared not linger, speeding off in the direction Fu Jinha had taken.

The whistling wind rushed past Fu Jinha's ears, stirring the stray locks of hair against her cheeks. She dared not slacken her pace for even a moment; a single hesitation would mean falling into an abyss of no return.

Suddenly, the horse halted abruptly, refusing to move another step, its nostrils snorting with agitation. It seemed there was greater danger ahead.

Sure enough, another group of assassins in purple masks appeared, their eyes as dead and still as a stagnant pool, as if nothing but murder could stir them. Fu Jinha’s heart went cold. She drew her bow and aimed at the purple-clad assassins. The black-clad men were already closing in from behind, and trapped between them, she had no way to escape.

Chu Changling, enduring the tearing agony as blood soaked his clothes from his shoulder, snarled with gritted teeth: "Fu Jinha, I once thought you were just a brainless fool, shamelessly clinging to Song Junyao's shadow. I never knew you had such nerve!"

"You have wounded me again and again. Today, I will have your life beneath my blade!"

Before Fu Jinha could turn her horse, Chu Changling lunged forward, his saber raised to hack at her arm. His eyes were manic—the first strike would sever an arm, the second the other...

In the flash of a spark, a fierce, powerful arrow tore through the forest and pierced Chu Changling’s palm. Blood splattered everywhere. His saber fell once more, and unable to withstand the dual, mind-numbing agony, he collapsed to his knees, wailing in pain.

Such terrifying killing intent! Both the black-clad and purple-clad assassins felt a chill rise from their feet. They looked toward the archer and their expressions changed drastically—it was the Crown Prince!

Xiao Xuanyin galloped toward them, his figure straight as jade, his snow-white robes fluttering. His brows were as clear as the moon, like an immortal untouched by the world. Yet, his heart was filled with chilling, lethal rage, alongside a heart-stopping ache and lingering fear.

He was a mere hair's breadth away from Chu Changling’s blade reaching A-He’s arm. His pupils were stained with a blood-red ferocity. A-He stood isolated, surrounded by these men. How dared they threaten her life? They had to die!

His fury was ignited for the sake of the beauty, and a river of blood was inevitable.

The Crown Prince's secret guards followed closely behind, firing arrows with lightning speed. The assassins were caught off guard and unable to dodge, falling one by one with cries of agony.

Fu Jinha scrambled off her horse and hid behind a towering tree. She gazed at the man who stood like a jade tower among the ruins. So, the Crown Prince’s archery and horsemanship were this exquisite—compared to the renowned Song Junyao of Chang'an, he was no less impressive, perhaps even superior.

The woman’s soft lips curved upward, joy filling her eyes, though the corners of her eyes turned red of their own accord. A tremulous, indescribable sensation rippled through her heart, striking the depths of her soul.

Just moments ago, she had been risking her life on a gamble—that the Crown Prince would appear like a god descending to earth. She was betting that the Crown Prince was an exception to the story's plot, one who could help her shatter the narrative. If she lost the gamble, she would face a miserable death, unable to escape her predetermined fate, and the Grand Tutor's estate would still be wiped out.

But the Crown Prince had not let her lose. In fact, the moment she caught his gaze, she had a strong intuition: he would ensure she won!

The beloved guest he had yearned for day and night was only dozens of steps away. Yet to Xiao Xuanyin, she felt so distant, his heart burning with desire. He wanted so badly to pull A-He into his arms, to hold her so tightly that they were inseparable, to feel her fragrant, soft body to soothe his extreme panic at the thought of losing her.

He wanted so badly, regardless of the consequences, to kiss her deeply, greedily drinking in her sweetness. He wanted to tear her clothes, to touch every inch of her—her hair, her fair face, her waist, even her jade-like feet. Even if she hated him, he wanted to entwine with her until death, to let her melt into his chest like spring snow.

The assassins recovered and resisted with their swords. Since this matter involved the Crown Prince, they were dead either way, so they might as well fight to the death, kill the Prince, and then make their escape.

Weapons clashed with a ringing sound. Xiao Xuanyin’s eyes were bloodshot; the weapon in his hand had changed from an arrow to a long sword. With every swing, the bodies of the assassins piled up, and a river of blood meandered across the ground.

Finally.

Fu Jinha was just a step away. She raised her eyes to look at Xiao Xuanyin, her gaze brimming like water. She had so much to say, yet she could not utter a single word; her throat was choked with emotion.

Xiao Xuanyin’s jade-like face was pale as snow, his noble brows stained with blood, and his white robes splattered with crimson. His heart hammered violently against his muscular chest, as if a surging tide were about to burst forth.

He reached out a hand toward Fu Jinha, his tone wrapped in a tenderness and depth that could make one drown.

"Miss Fu, do not fear. I am here."