Chapter 52

"Your arm is injured!" Min Ruoxi, leaning against a large tree, exclaimed in shock. An arrow had pierced through Qin Feng's left arm, and blood was dripping from the tip of the arrow that had penetrated through.

Qin Feng ignored her and just stared at the man in black, his voice cold, "Qin people?"

Behind the man in black, Shuhui stepped out from behind a large tree, a smile on his face, "Guess? If you guess wrong, I won't say anything; if you guess right, I won't admit it."

"The great nation of the world, to do such despicable deeds," Qin Feng glared at him, "If this news gets out, how will your court explain it?"

Shuhui laughed loudly, "You're wrong. First, who says we are Qin people? What proof do you have? Second, even if we are, how will you spread the news? Dead men tell no tales."

Qin Feng said no more. Earlier, he could still talk with Deng Pu, but now, he realized that any words were superfluous. The man in front of him wanted them dead. A wave of regret suddenly surged in his heart. If he had known it would end like this, he might as well have surrendered to Deng Pu. Thinking he could gain a glimmer of hope, he had only jumped from the tiger's den into the wolves' lair, and these were a pack of wolves, even harder to deal with.

"Kill them!" Shuhui said with a wave of his hand, no longer speaking.

Dozens of crossbows were raised. Qin Feng's pupils contracted, and he held his saber in front of him, his heart filled with despair, "Your Highness, I was wrong."

"Even if we die together, it's not a big deal. Our Great Chu court isn't foolish; they won't start a war over me, giving those with ulterior motives the chance to benefit," Min Ruoxi's voice came from behind. Qin Feng felt a hand grab his belt, and Min Ruoxi stood up, walking to his side.

Qin Feng smiled bitterly. Even if a war didn't break out immediately, the relationship between Qin and Chu would certainly deteriorate sharply, and the channels of communication between the two would be blocked. This would also give the people of Qi the opportunity to act together. Over the years, the people of Qi had cultivated representatives and bought officials in the Chu court, which was not a particularly secret matter. In the court, the voices advocating for an alliance with Qi were weak but still existed and stubbornly persisted.

However, dying with a beautiful, graceful, and noble princess was not a bad choice. He estimated that even if he got through this, he wouldn't live much longer. The continuous battles and escapes had pushed his inner energy to the brink of losing control. When it would erupt was up to fate.

The sound of crossbows firing rang in his ears. Qin Feng roared and charged forward with his saber.

Thud, thud, thud—the sound of arrows piercing flesh. At this moment, Qin Feng felt no pain; his mind was entirely focused on the enemy in front of him, swinging his saber as the arrows flew.

Clanging sounds and screams echoed simultaneously. Qin Feng charged into the crowd of black-clad men, his iron saber sweeping through them, determined to take as many down with him as possible, even in death.

Shuhui watched Qin Feng's desperate struggle with a cold eye and slowly approached Min Ruoxi, who was leaning helplessly against the tree. "Princess, I'll send you on your way. What a pity, such a beautiful woman, to have her life ended by my hand, truly regrettable."

Min Ruoxi watched Shuhui approach step by step, slowly drawing a short sword from her waist. She took a deep breath, but the inner energy that had just recovered a little was now still as stagnant water. She looked at Qin Feng, who was already surrounded by several black-clad men. Their skills were not ordinary, and Qin Feng's body was frequently cut, his coat already shredded.

It was truly a desperate situation. Min Ruoxi sighed, lowered her sword, and closed her eyes; she didn't want to see the hateful smile on the man's face.

A breeze blew, and a figure suddenly appeared in front of her. Min Ruoxi opened her eyes and saw a broad back, and the figure bent over from time to time due to constant coughing.

It was Deng Pu. At this moment, Min Ruoxi was completely stunned.

The smile on Shuhui's face disappeared. Deng Pu didn't look at him but focused on Qin Feng, who was fighting. Every time Qin Feng was cut, a black-clad man would pay with his life. The injuries looked terrifying, but none were fatal.

"His power is overwhelming, and his fighting skills are typical of a battlefield. No wonder our border troops have fallen to him one by one over the years. Not unjust, not unjust," Deng Pu shook his head and sighed.

Another black-clad man fell, and Qin Feng retreated, forming a triangle with Shuhui and Deng Pu. His body was covered in blood, and his iron saber was raised, the last drop of blood on the tip of the blade turning into a wisp of smoke. Looking at Min Ruoxi behind Deng Pu, Qin Feng dared not make a move. With Deng Pu's strength, he could easily take Min Ruoxi's life with a single reach.

"Deng Pu, are you courting death? I never wanted to kill you," Shuhui's face finally showed a hint of ferocity, somewhat angry and embarrassed.

"You didn't kill me because you still wanted to use me. Besides, do you think you can kill me just because you want to?" Deng Pu coughed, his back bent, as if he could fall at any moment. "Now, I think you should consider your own life. I didn't kill you earlier because I didn't know who you were. Now that I've figured it out, aren't you worried?"

Shuhui looked at Deng Pu and laughed, "Yes, you're right. Even if you're a sick tiger now, you're still dangerous. But I don't like fighting alone. I have help, do you?" He suddenly whistled, the sound sharp and piercing. Moments later, several responses echoed from deep in the forest, the whistles continuous and rapidly approaching.

Deng Pu's face changed. The people coming were much more formidable than the black-clad men in front of him.

His coughing grew louder, and the muscles on his face seemed to bunch together, as if he had eaten a bitter pill. He turned to Qin Feng, "Qin Feng, what are you still doing here? Aren't you going to take the princess and run?"

Qin Feng and Min Ruoxi were stunned, unable to understand why this man had suddenly become their ally.

"I said, we Great Qin don't want Princess Zhaohua to die. Since that's the case, I'll have to be your shield. A princess who escapes is better than a dead one. Princess Zhaohua, if you can return to Chu alive, don't forget my kindness today."

"I will," Min Ruoxi nodded.

Qin Feng walked over, hoisted Min Ruoxi onto his shoulder, and turned to look at Deng Pu, "I owe you a favor, and I'll repay it."

Deng Pu laughed, "Good, I'll remember this favor. If you live long enough, I'll ask you to repay it. And Qin Feng, what I said earlier still stands. If you can't make it in Chu, come to Qin, and I'll give you a generalship, letting you lead your own army."

"That won't be necessary. Qin Feng will naturally be given a significant role when he returns to his country," Min Ruoxi interrupted.

"That's not certain," Deng Pu looked at Min Ruoxi meaningfully.

"Do you think they can survive and get out of this forest?" Shuhui, who had been ignored, finally couldn't hold back.

Deng Pu turned to look at him, "Your helpers are few. I think you'll have them help you deal with me first. Otherwise, you're a dead man. As for whether they can escape, that's up to them. I've done all I can."

"Let's go," Qin Feng didn't hesitate, gave Deng Pu a deep look, and turned to run. Shuhui, indeed, stood there, his eyes filled with even more anger.

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