20: Arrival at Yiqiu City

When the first attack failed, the opponent immediately launched a fierce offensive.

Dozens of feathered arrows shot towards everyone.

Three Martial Artists reacted quickly enough and immediately hid behind a large tree.

Lin Wanqing, holding her Frost Moon Sword, charged towards the assassins.

There were eleven assassins: two Martial Masters and nine Martial Artists.

Lin Wanqing engaged in close combat with the leading Four-Star Martial Master, while the remaining ten assassins continued to hide in the distance, firing arrows.

Lu Xingchen had to protect Li Yan and couldn't charge forward with them.

However, he took out his green haze bow, drew an arrow, and shot it towards one of the killers.

Congratulations, host, for killing a Five-Star Martial Artist! You have gained five experience points and five exchange points!

Lu Xingchen's arrows were swift, and he single-handedly suppressed all the assassins.

With every arrow he shot, an assassin fell.

A quarter of an hour later, all the enemy Martial Artists were killed by him, leaving only two Martial Masters.

But even so, the enemies did not lose their Battle Intent and continued to resist stubbornly.

Lu Xingchen engaged in a shooting duel with the Martial Master who held a bow and arrow.

His Realm was already higher than his opponent's, and with many talents, he killed the enemy with just three arrows.

At the same time, Lin Wanqing also killed the Four-Star Martial Master.

The assassin group came quickly and died quickly; in just a quarter of an hour, they were annihilated by Lu Xingchen and Lin Wanqing working together.

Only then did the three Martial Artists dare to emerge from behind the trees, looking at Lu Xingchen with awe and fear.

Lin Wanqing was the top new Disciple; it wasn't strange for her to have the strength to fight above her Realm.

But she had only killed one assassin.

Lu Xingchen, on the other hand, had killed ten assassins and was completely unharmed!

This was simply too terrifying.

His strength was even above Lin Wanqing's!

At this point, the three of them felt somewhat fortunate that Lin Wanqing had invited Lu Xingchen; otherwise, the three Martial Artists would surely have died here.

The three came before Lu Xingchen.

Captain Lu, are you alright?

Lu Xingchen snorted coldly: Even if I were in trouble, what could you do?

Hearing this, the three of them lowered their heads in embarrassment.

They had questioned Lu Xingchen's strength before, but now they had to rely on him to save their lives, which was truly awkward.

Lin Wanqing also walked over, her brows tightly furrowed: There's nothing here to identify them.

Lu Xingchen said indifferently: Then they are professional assassins; they should have an organization behind them.

We need to get to the bottom of this, or it will be very troublesome later.

We'll know if we ask Li Yan.

The five of them walked together to Li Yan.

Lu Xingchen said coldly: Uncle Li Yan, why did these assassins want to kill you?

Li Yan sighed softly.

Alas, it seems I can't escape after all!

Our Yunyin Kingdom is surrounded by water on three sides, only bordering the Great Xia Kingdom to the west. Trade with the outside world must pass through the Great Xia Kingdom. Previously, relations between the two countries were good, and they cooperated for mutual benefit.

But not long ago, the Great Xia Kingdom's ruler changed. The new ruler is very hostile towards our Yunyin Kingdom, drastically raising tariffs and proposing many unequal treaties, making life difficult for the people of Yunyin Kingdom.

That's why the ruler recalled me, hoping I could build a cross-sea bridge for the Yunyin Kingdom to help it out of its predicament.

Lu Xingchen pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice: So, those assassins were sent by the Great Xia Kingdom's ruler?

Li Yan nodded heavily: It should be so. He doesn't want me to return alive to the Yunyin Kingdom.

Lu Xingchen sighed softly: Although our mission is indeed to escort you, it was only to prevent roadside bandits. Now, asking us to be enemies with a country is too much pressure.

Li Yan lowered his head and said with a bitter smile: I originally thought that bearing the name of Lingxiao Sect would deter Meng Jie, the ruler of the Great Xia Kingdom, but I didn't expect him to still dare to make a move.

Captain Lu, your strength is very great; I can see it. If you escort me, I will surely return to my country smoothly, and then, my country's experts will naturally protect me.

Please help me! Once we reach the Yunyin Kingdom, I will report to the ruler and give you sufficient compensation.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen's eyes lit up. He looked at Li Yan and asked: Do the enemies have Great Martial Master Realm experts?

Li Yan immediately shook his head: Absolutely not! Now, the two countries have deployed troops to the border, and both sides' Great Martial Master Realm experts are stationed on the front lines.

Lu Xingchen then looked at Lin Wanqing and said in a deep voice: What do you think? Do you want to take on this mission?

Lin Wanqing nodded repeatedly: I think we can take it. Uncle Li Yan is the hope of the Yunyin Kingdom; standing on the side of justice, I cannot just watch him die in a foreign land.

Lu Xingchen smiled and said: Then let's continue on our way!

Lin Wanqing chose to help Li Yan out of a sense of justice.

Lu Xingchen, however, thought of more things.

As long as the escort is successful, he can not only extort a sum from the Yunyin Kingdom but also gain an ally for the Dayan Kingdom.

This deal is worthwhile!

Upon hearing this, Li Yan was overjoyed and almost knelt before Lu Xingchen.

Thank you, Captain Lu! I thank you on behalf of the people of the Yunyin Kingdom!

Lu Xingchen, quick-witted, helped him up and smiled: No need to be polite. I'm just after the reward you promised. Let's go!

After packing their things, the six continued their journey towards the Yunyin Kingdom.

At the same time, in a secluded courtyard in the royal city of the Great Xia Kingdom.

Ruler Meng Jie slammed his hand on the table and said sharply: Wei Jie, can your Dark God organization even get things done? Scouts reported that all your men have been killed!

The man named Wei Jie, hidden entirely within a black cloak, said in a deep voice: That shouldn't be. According to Lingxiao Sect's rules, this kind of escort mission would only be handled by a Disciple in the Martial Master Realm. I sent so many people, and they're all gone?

Meng Jie: I don't care about that! I only know that if Li Yan returns to his country, it will be virtually impossible to kill him.

Wei Jie: Don't worry, they won't escape. Next time, I will act personally!

For the next three days, Lu Xingchen and the others traveled at full speed, always ready for battle.

But the journey was calm and uneventful; they did not encounter any more assassins.

Finally, the six entered a city on the border of the Yunyin Kingdom: Yiqiu City.

Li Yan's tense heart finally relaxed, and he said with a smile: The ruler has already arranged for experts to meet us in Yiqiu City; we are finally safe!

Lu Xingchen smiled faintly: I don't think so. The crisis has only just begun!

Li Yan asked in confusion: Captain Lu, what do you mean by that?

If I were the leader of an assassin organization, after the first assassination attempt failed and the target became vigilant, the next move would definitely be an all-out effort, aiming to achieve success in one go, striking when the opponent is most relaxed.

Li Yan was greatly startled: You mean they will strike within Yiqiu City?

How long does it take from here to the City Lord's Mansion?

A quarter of an hour.

That's enough time for them to act!

With that, Lu looked up ahead and said in a deep voice: They're already here.