189: Kill Shu Xiu and save Jiang Si! Walking the bluebird under the moon! (

Chapter 188: Kill Shu Xiu and Save Jiang Si! Strolling with Qing Niao Under the Moonlight! (13)

On the border of Ling Province, Xu Fengnian was about to step into Yong Province.

“Xiao Ni Ren, wait for this Young Master to return in triumph!”

Xu Fengnian, full of ambition, bid farewell to Jiang Si in an exaggerated manner.

On Jiang Si's beautiful face, deep coldness was undisguised.

“Xu Fengnian, I hope you die out there!”

Xu Fengnian said he was going to do something important and insisted that Jiang Si see him off.

Thus, Jiang Si, who had never left the Royal Mansion, finally had a chance to go out.

All the way from Qingliang Mountain, Xu Fengnian boasted about how he would rescue Chu Lushan.

Behind Xu Fengnian, there were two skilled riders.

According to Xu Fengnian's own boasting, both of them were first-rank Grandmasters of the Zhi Xuan Realm!

Xu Fengnian laughed, “How could someone as smart as me die?”

“Shu Xiu, Yang Qingfeng, protect Jiang Si well!”

Shu Xiu and Yang Qingfeng, both second-rank Minor Grandmasters, were loyal assassins of the Royal Mansion.

They knew that Jiang Si was the former Royal Consort's maid, and had been guarding Wu Su's tomb ever since.

However, judging by the Young Master's attitude now, it seemed he was showing great solicitude towards Jiang Si.

The two replied in unison, “Your subordinates obey.”

Xu Fengnian got into the carriage, his emotions somewhat agitated!

“Old Huang, let's go!”

Old Huang, the toothless coachman, responded with a simple, honest sound.

“Young Master, sit tight, let's go!”

After Xu Fengnian left, Jiang Si also returned by carriage.

Two young maids accompanied her in the carriage, Yang Qingfeng drove, and Shu Xiu rode ahead.

After about half a day, the group arrived at a bamboo forest.

Just then, Shu Xiu suddenly gestured, “Killing Intent!”

Yang Qingfeng immediately stopped the carriage, then quickly leaped up and drew his sword.

Within the bamboo forest, several flashes of sword light suddenly appeared!

There were at least four people!

These people moved like ghosts, and coordinated with each other to confuse their opponents!

“Clang!” A sharp metallic scraping sound!

Yang Qingfeng's longsword blocked a longsword that was thrusting directly at his chest!

Yang Qingfeng could feel a very fast figure appear behind him.

That person had two swift swords in each hand, which were already resting on Yang Qingfeng's neck!

With two light slashes, Yang Qingfeng lost consciousness!

Yang Qingfeng didn't know until his death that the ones who killed him were the Eight Exquisites under Li Chang'an!

Except for two who were watching Chu Lushan, the other six had all come to Northern Liang.

Shu Xiu exclaimed, “Who are you?”

As soon as she finished speaking, the two young maids in the carriage also got out.

Shu Xiu frowned, “Why are you getting out of the carriage when you should be watching Jiang Si!”

The two maids behind her spoke simultaneously, “To send you on your way!”

Shu Xiu's arms were suddenly bound by strong, slender iron chains!

The two young maids behind her were none other than Li Wu and Cai Die of the Eight Exquisites!

Shu Xiu used fist and palm techniques, and was instantly put on the defensive after being restrained in one move!

The other four attacked together, and in a few moves, Shu Xiu's throat was slit.

“Please, Young Miss Jiang, get out of the carriage. We need to leave Northern Liang as soon as possible!”

Jiang Si was overjoyed. Before this trip, someone had already informed her that Li Chang'an would send people to rescue her.

Now, she was finally free!

Northern Yong Province.

Xu Fengnian, who had been “abducted” by bandits, was sitting proudly in the chief's chair in the bandit stronghold.

Behind him stood two middle-aged men with grim expressions.

One was a burly man with a nine-ringed saber at his waist.

The other was thin and gaunt, with a sinister expression, his hands clasped behind his back.

Sitting in the first seat below was Wang Ying, the bandit leader of Daliang Mountain.

Xu Fengnian said to Wang Ying, “Back then, Chu Lushan, in a drunken rage, beat his subordinate Wang Ying until his skin was torn and flesh exposed.”

“Wang Ying harbored resentment, and so he escaped Northern Liang to become a bandit!”

“It turns out, all of this was a smokescreen.”

Wang Ying respectfully replied, “Your Highness is making fun of me!”

“The imperial court is suspicious of Northern Liang, so General Chu sent me to lay low in Daliang Mountain in Yong Province!”

These days, Xu Fengnian had already experienced Northern Liang's extensive intelligence network.

Hidden agents like Zhao Yutai and Wang Ying played no small role.

Xu Fengnian said, “This time, to rescue Luqiuer, I will have to rely heavily on General Wang and all of you!”

In the main hall, besides Wang Ying, there were also eight first-rank Grandmasters of the Vajra Realm.

Among them were three loyal assassins from the Northern Liang Royal Mansion.

The other five were Jianghu figures from Yong Province.

Originally, there were ten first-rank Grandmasters.

Sect Leader Hai of the Golden Spear Sect had already been killed by Earth Armor.

Another loyal assassin from the Royal Mansion had been sent by Xu Fengnian to assassinate Li Chang'an.

Hearing Xu Fengnian's polite words, these Grandmasters modestly downplayed their abilities.

Wang Ying said, “Your Highness is joking. With General Fan and Mister Yang here,”

“Our meager skills are truly not worth mentioning!”

Hearing Wang Ying's words, the first-rank Grandmasters instantly became agitated!

General Fan and Mister Yang of the Northern Liang Royal Mansion were both close attendants of Xu Xiao!

“Is that General Fan Zhenhai, who cleaved off the head of the Purple Gold Mountain Villa Master with a single saber?”

“In the battle of Purple Gold Mountain back then, Mister Yang alone poisoned three Vajra Realm Grandmasters!”

“Mister Yang Chunting of the Tang Sect is skilled in poisons, known for breaking through all Vajra Realm Grandmasters in the world!”

“The two are Zhi Xuan Realm Grandmasters of many years, even the Grand Marshal relies heavily on them!”

“With Your Highness's ingenious strategies and the Grand Marshal's full support, Li Chang'an is doomed this time!”

Back then, Xu Xiao rode through the Jianghu, destroying the Purple Gold Mountain Villa, which defied the imperial court.

Purple Gold Mountain Villa was known as a Martial Forest Holy Land, having produced four of the top ten martial arts experts.

That battle also marked the rise to fame for Fan Zhenhai and Yang Chunting.

Old Huang, the coachman, sitting in a corner of the main hall, drank his wine with a look of disdain.

“What 'Zhi Xuan Realm Grandmasters of many years'? If those two fought me, Sword Nine Huang, I wouldn't need six swords to kill them both!”

The two men standing behind Xu Fengnian simultaneously stepped forward and cupped their hands.

“For this mission to rescue General Chu and eliminate Li Chang'an, we hope you all will contribute greatly!”

“Our primary duty is to protect Your Highness!”

Hearing their words, Wang Ying and the others felt much more at ease.

For these two to say this meant they weren't competing for Merit (merit)!

The eight first-rank Grandmasters, including Wang Ying, all started to become more active in their thoughts.

It was known throughout the land that Xu Xiao doted on his Young Master, Xu Fengnian!

If they helped Xu Fengnian achieve great merit, future glory and wealth would be assured!

“Your Highness, we will definitely go all out!”

“Your Highness, please give us your battle plans!”

“We will follow Your Highness's lead!”

Wang Ying, as the bandit leader, also began to pledge his loyalty.

“Your Highness, rest assured!”

“Daliang Mountain has a full thirteen thousand men, while Li Chang'an only has four thousand!”

“We're three against one, how could we possibly lose!”

Xu Fengnian and Wang Ying knew perfectly well that three thousand Bei Liang Cavalry had already infiltrated the bandits.

Thirteen thousand against four thousand, Xu Fengnian was filled with heroic spirit!

These first-rank Grandmasters, who were formidable figures in the Jianghu, were now all so submissive to Xu Fengnian.

Xu Fengnian couldn't help but feel his blood surge!

Behind this Young Master, there are three hundred and fifty thousand Northern Liang soldiers.

King of Northern Liang, Xu Xiao, helped Li Yang conquer most of the world.

One hundred thousand Yongzhou Army, and the imperial expert Han Shengxuan, were transferred away at his word.

What this Young Master possesses, Li Chang'an couldn't achieve in three lifetimes of effort!

“Gentlemen, Jin City is vulnerable, with only three or four thousand garrison soldiers.”

“We only need to launch a major attack on the city, and chaos will surely erupt within!”

“At that time, those inside the city who are assisting us will take advantage of the chaos to rescue Luqiuer!”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ying couldn't help but exclaim loudly in admiration.

“Your Highness is a brilliant strategist!”

“Once General Chu is rescued, we will then march south to eliminate Li Chang'an!”

“Then we will retreat back into Daliang Mountain, and the Yongzhou Army will be powerless against us!”

...Several days later, in the evening.

In Li Chang'an's luxurious carriage, Hong Shu was relaying intelligence.

“Wang Ying was originally a subordinate general of Chu Lushan, fierce and cruel, slaughtering the innocent, even more so than Chu Lushan.”

“Wang Ying is undoubtedly a hidden agent of Northern Liang. Over the past year, Daliang Mountain has gathered over thirteen thousand bandits.”

“The Yongzhou Army's repeated attempts to suppress the bandits have all ended in utter defeat!”

Li Chang'an sneered, “These people are coming for me, this King!”

“They will try to rescue Chu Lushan, and then use these more than ten thousand men to wipe out my four thousand!”

“Bandits abducting the Young Master, eliminating a vassal king, and the provincial forces being unable to handle it, becoming a major hidden danger for the imperial court!”

“Weixiong, the next step should be to offer amnesty.”

Xu Weibear said with a smile, “If the imperial court doesn't offer amnesty, the Northern Liang Royal Mansion will!”

“They rescue Chu Lushan, eliminate us, and then, in a blink of an eye, they become the Northern Liang Army again!”

Li Chang'an smiled indifferently, “It doesn't matter. Without at least fifty thousand men, they are not to be feared at all.”

“Weixiong, Hong Shu, since we have time today, let's Cultivate our Cultivation Technique together.”

Li Chang'an had acquired a large number of Dual Cultivation Cultivation Techniques from Wu Lingsu and would research and refine them with his two concubines whenever he had time, gaining considerable insights.

The two women's bodies softened, and they naturally fell into Li Chang'an's embrace. Li Chang'an embraced them both, and the temperature inside the carriage gradually rose.

Just as Li Chang'an was about to diligently Cultivate, Qing Niao's voice suddenly rang out from outside the carriage.

“Your Highness, Yuanping has arrived!”

Whenever Li Chang'an arrived at a new place, he would tour the nearby towns, mountains, and rivers.

Yuanping was not far from Jin City, and according to custom, Li Chang'an was to disembark.

Hong Shu, with her charming eyes, felt a sudden surge of resentment.

“Annoying Qing Niao, she must be deliberately interrupting my good time…”

Hong Shu's words were cut short as her cherry lips were blocked.

Li Chang'an said to outside the carriage, “All troops halt their march and set up camp on the spot!”

Hong Shu stammered, “Your Highness… aren't… you getting off?”

Li Chang'an gave a mischievous smile and said, “The carriage is going too fast, I can't get off.”

Two hours later, Li Chang'an got out of the carriage, feeling refreshed.

He said to the dozen sword maids he had taken in at Qingyang Palace, “You all look after the two Young Misses, this King is going for a walk.”

These sword maids were all personally vetted and selected by Xu Weibear and Hong Shu, making them absolutely reliable.

Qing Niao, his personal bodyguard, naturally asked, “Your Highness, where are you going?”

Li Chang'an replied concisely, “Strolling with a bird under the moonlight!”

Qing Niao looked up at the moon, which had just risen.

Then she scrutinized Li Chang'an from head to toe. His Highness wasn't carrying a bird!

Though puzzled, she still obeyed the order.

Li Chang'an circled the military camp, then began to survey the terrain outside the camp.

After passing two hilltops, the two arrived near a forest.

In front of a forest, Li Chang'an suddenly stopped.

Qing Niao, who was behind him, finally couldn't hold back anymore.

“Your Highness, you don't need to test Qing Niao!”

“Qing Niao is straightforward. Your Highness's life-saving grace will surely be repaid!”

“Since I have pledged loyalty to you, Qing Niao will never seek an opportunity to assassinate you!”

Li Chang'an turned his head, meeting Qing Niao's bright, clear eyes.

On her flawless white face, there was a hint of seriousness.

A wisp of dark hair brushed her delicate nose, revealing a cool and elegant beauty.

Not only was she beautiful, but she was also a bit naive.

Li Chang'an reached out and flicked her forehead, “Why do you think this King is testing you?”

Qing Niao became even more reserved after Li Chang'an's sudden flick.

“Your Highness said you wanted to stroll with a bird, but Your Highness isn't carrying a bird at all!”

“And you specifically chose these secluded places, which is a test to see if I would attempt an assassination!”

“Presumably, there must be experts hidden nearby to protect you!”

Li Chang'an said helplessly, “Qing Niao, listen to my command, retreat thirty zhang!”

Upon hearing this, Qing Niao obediently followed the order.

Qing Niao, who had retreated far away, watched as Li Chang'an suddenly struck the ground with his palm.

This palm strike had almost no True Qi pressure.

However, the ground for dozens of zhang began to tremble violently!

“Boom!”

The ground shook as if an earthquake had occurred, and soil instantly flew into the air!

Li Chang'an's Hidden Dragon power, seemingly weak, was actually rich in True Qi!

A gaunt figure suddenly shot out from the ground.

This person's voice was like metal scraping, extremely grating.

“Hahaha! Young man, you have good hearing, to have found me!”

The newcomer had disheveled hair and was so thin he was almost skin and bones.

The assassin held short daggers in both hands, with long iron chains attached to their ends.

“Your Excellency's breath-holding technique is very strong. If this King didn't possess Esoteric Buddhism Cultivation Technique, I wouldn't even have discovered you.”

True Qi surged around the assassin's body, and both short daggers shot out simultaneously!

“I once held my breath underwater for twenty years; my breath-holding technique had reached the Transcendent Realm, yet I didn't expect to be detected by you!”

Under the moonlight, the saber light flashed with cold gleams!

Two chilling cold lights shot towards Li Chang'an's face like lightning!

Li Chang'an simply waved one hand, and a golden bell shadow suddenly appeared around him!

It was precisely the Prajna Heart Bell that Li Chang'an Cultivated!

The short daggers struck the golden bell, but the Saber Qi could not advance even an inch further!

Li Chang'an was expressionless, his voice calm, as if this Saber Qi put no pressure on him at all.

“So, you're so skinny because you've been starved for too long at the bottom of Tingchao Lake.”

This assassin was precisely the old fiend from the bottom of Tingchao Lake, the Northern Mang saber expert Chu Kuangnu!

Chu Kuangnu fully circulated his True Qi, but the Saber Qi was still firmly blocked.

The old fiend was greatly alarmed, simply unable to believe his eyes!

He even neglected to notice that Li Chang'an had already recognized his identity.

“At such a young age, to have comprehended such a powerful Buddhist Divine Ability!”

Looking at Li Chang'an, enveloped by the golden bell, Chu Kuangnu's heart sank by half.

Li Chang'an, he couldn't kill him!

Chu Kuangnu, a Grandmaster at the Vajra Realm Peak, had already used his full strength.

However, Li Chang'an's Prajna Heart Bell remained unharmed.

Seeing that he couldn't kill Li Chang'an, Chu Kuangnu already had the intention to leave.

“Consider yourself lucky, young man. This old man is leaving!”

As he spoke, Chu Kuangnu had already retracted his short daggers and flew several zhang away.

Li Chang'an remained calm, taking a few steps in the air to appear behind Chu Kuangnu.

With a violent Dragon roar, Li Chang'an struck Chu Kuangnu's back with a palm!

A True Qi golden Dragon roared as it flew into Chu Kuangnu's body!

“Bang!”

Chu Kuangnu spat out a mouthful of blood, falling heavily to the ground!