434: Three thousand feet of white hair

"Time is running out. If West Gate Blowing Snow returns, our plan could fail, and no one will get off easy then!" the Prince of Ning said angrily.

Everyone exchanged glances, understanding that what the Prince of Ning said was true.

If this matter wasn't resolved quickly, it would truly be dangerous.

Hearing the Prince of Ning's words, the others no longer hesitated and charged directly at Li Xunhuan and Lu Xiaofeng. However, at that moment, another figure appeared, blocking their path.

This person was none other than the seventh young Master of the Jiangnan Hua Family, Hua Manlou, the wealthiest man in Jiangnan.

"How could I miss out on something like this?" Hua Manlou said with a smile, holding a folding fan as he stood in front of the crowd.

"Hua Manlou, is your Jiangnan Hua Family truly determined to involve itself in this matter?" The Prince of Ning looked at Hua Manlou with a gloomy expression.

"Your Highness jests. This matter has nothing to do with the Hua Family. I am here only as a friend, not representing the family," Hua Manlou shook his head.

"Hmph, in that case, stay here with them. Kill them," the Prince of Ning said coldly.

With the Prince of Ning's order, a fierce battle erupted, and the scene descended into chaos.

The Prince of Ning's side clearly had the numerical advantage. Lu Xiaofeng's side only had three people: Li Xunhuan and Hua Manlou.

It was evident that the Prince of Ning had made comprehensive preparations this time, bringing several Great Grandmasters with him.

Although individually they were no match for Li Xunhuan or Lu Xiaofeng in single combat, they had strength in numbers.

The strongest among them was only Moon of Jiangnan. Additionally, there were three other Masters at the Initial Grandmaster Realm. Even the well-informed Lu Xiaofeng did not know the identities of these experts.

The Prince of Ning suddenly looked at The Emperor, his face turning dark.

"Life-Stealing Scholar, kill this little brat for me."

"Yes, Your Highness..."

The Life-Stealing Scholar drew his longsword and thrust it fiercely toward The Emperor.

Facing the Life-Stealing Scholar's attack, The Emperor wore a trace of disdain at the corner of his mouth.

"How dare you, insolent villain! You dare to assassinate The Emperor? You have the gall of a rabid dog..."

As the words fell, a figure covered in Protective Aura blocked the path in front of The Emperor.

It was none other than the Grand Director of the Eastern Depot, Cao Zhengchun. Cao Zhengchun stood before The Emperor and caught the Life-Stealing Scholar's sword between two fingers.

"Your Majesty, did this old slave arrive too late?" Cao Zhengchun turned to look at The Emperor.

"Not too late. You timed your entrance quite precisely. If you had been the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, you'd be collecting my corpse," The Emperor said, looking at Cao Zhengchun with a half-smile.

"This slave deserves death for frightening Your Majesty. Your Majesty, allow this old slave to deal with these arrogant individuals first, then come to accept punishment. Please grant this slave a chance to atone through merit," Cao Zhengchun's expression changed as he hurriedly apologized.

"Then let's see your performance," The Emperor said expressionlessly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After apologizing, Cao Zhengchun turned to face the Life-Stealing Scholar, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Such audacity, daring to plot a rebellion. Today, this servant will make you pay the price." Cao Zhengchun twisted his wrist, and instantly, a crisp sound rang out as the Life-Stealing Scholar's longsword snapped into two pieces.

Seeing Cao Zhengchun, the Life-Stealing Scholar's face changed dramatically. He knew he was no match for Cao Zhengchun; the situation was now beyond his control.

Cao Zhengchun's sudden appearance clearly indicated a flaw in the plan.

If he didn't leave now, he would truly die without a burial place.

Thinking this, the Life-Stealing Scholar disregarded any loyalty to the Prince of Ning and seized the moment to turn and flee.

The Prince of Ning hadn't expected Cao Zhengchun to appear at this moment. With Cao Zhengchun's arrival, it proved that the Eastern Depot's agents had also arrived.

The plan had a flaw; the problem definitely lay with *that person*.

Only now did the Prince of Ning realize he had been outmaneuvered.

His plan had been known to The Emperor all along, and *that person's* schemes were also part of it.

"Damn it, you bastard! You dare to scheme against me, Your Highness? If I can't win, you won't get off easy either."

"Zhu Wushi, you dare to scheme against me, Your Highness? Since that's the case, you won't get off easy either."

"Life-Stealing Scholar, you dare to run? Do you not want to live?"

The Prince of Ning was now on the verge of madness.

Having planned for decades, he originally thought today was the opportune moment. The plan had gone so smoothly, yet it ended like this.

However, although he knew the plan had failed, he didn't want to surrender without a fight.

Seeing the chaos on the scene, he wanted to take the opportunity to slip away secretly.

While those outside were still unaware of the situation here, he had a chance to escape. After all, he was still the Prince of Ning.

Just as Zhu Rui was about to leave, he felt a gust of wind brush past him, and then saw a person who had somehow appeared before him.

"Your Highness, where are you planning to go?" Yu Huatian asked with a smile as he looked at Zhu Rui.

"Western Depot's Yu Huatian?" The Prince of Ning looked at the man before him, his face ashen.

"Since you're here, without The Emperor's command, Your Highness should wait a while," Yu Huatian said, smiling at the Prince of Ning.

"My Beloved Consort, save me..." the Prince of Ning shouted anxiously.

Moon of Jiangnan, who was engaged with Li Xunhuan and Lu Xiaofeng, was startled upon hearing the Prince of Ning's words. With one strike, she forced Li Xunhuan back and turned to look in the Prince of Ning's direction.

Seeing Yu Huatian blocking the Prince of Ning's path, Moon of Jiangnan's expression changed instantly. She was about to disengage to rescue him.

But then she felt a sharp pain in her back, her whole body stiffened, and her eyes widened in shock.

"Daring to be distracted while fighting me?" Li Xunhuan's voice, clear, cold, and devoid of emotion, sounded behind Moon of Jiangnan.

"Uh, Brother Li, isn't that a bit... unsporting?" Lu Xiaofeng asked, looking at Li Xunhuan with a strange expression.

This wasn't quite like the Li Xunhuan he knew. The Li Xunhuan he understood wouldn't strike under such circumstances.

When facing an enemy, he always used honorable and upright methods to defeat them.

Both times he had struck today seemed somewhat unsporting.

"What's unsporting about it? It's a fight to the death. Killing the enemy is the key. As for methods, it depends on who the opponent is," Li Xunhuan shook his head indifferently.

He himself found it somewhat hard to believe his own change. In the past, he truly wouldn't have acted this way.

But these days by Duan Zhengchun's side, he had learned many useful things, not just about being a person.

Even when facing enemies, he was no longer as rigid as before.

When facing an enemy, no matter what method is used, killing the enemy is the key.

If you talk to them about honor and fairness, they won't see it that way. Hesitation in battle only brings more harm.

So, he changed some of his habits in combat. For those who must be killed, and those who want to kill him.

As long as there's an opportunity, he won't let it pass.

Lu Xiaofeng's expression was somewhat strange. Was this still the Li Xunhuan he knew?

He felt something was off, but couldn't pinpoint what the problem was.

"You've changed a lot recently. The old you wouldn't have done this."

"What? Isn't this good?" Li Xunhuan asked, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Lu Xiaofeng.

"Good, of course it's good. The old you, while admirable, always felt a bit pedantic. Even when others were trying to kill you, you'd still show mercy."

"That could very well bring greater harm upon yourself."

"I like you like this now. After all, towards enemies, you absolutely must not be soft-hearted. Otherwise, it's not just you who gets hurt, but also those around you," Lu Xiaofeng said with a smile, nodding.