Chapter 61

Muru Feiyan also leaped down from the ancient pine tree, landed steadily on the saddle, turned the horse's head, and urged it forward with a squeeze of her legs. She said to Hu Xiaotian, "Let's get out of the woods first!"

Hu Xiaotian spurred his horse into a wild gallop. Since it was a matter of life and death, he was willing to take the risk. The horse ran faster and faster, and under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have dared to ride at such a high speed.

Muru Feiyan followed closely behind. Cold arrows shot from behind, and she drew her sword to block them, covering Hu Xiaotian's retreat. She deflected the arrows aimed at him. Fortunately, the bandits' archery skills were poor, and most of the arrows missed their target.

The servants watched as they were about to escape the woods. Only then did they realize that the young master was still inside. Looking back, they saw Hu Xiaotian galloping out of the woods. Liang Dazhuang shouted, "Young Master! Run faster!"

Hu Xiaotian glared at the servants, his heart filled with anger. He vowed to settle accounts with them once he was out of danger. "Bastards..." Just as he was about to escape the dense forest, a tripwire suddenly tightened on the ground. The horse, Snowflake, was so focused on galloping that it didn't notice the change. It tripped on the wire, stumbled, and fell to the ground with a whinny. Hu Xiaotian, due to the inertia, flew through the air, his arms spread wide like a jet plane, and crashed to the ground. He slid forward for about fifteen feet before coming to a stop.

The four servants were stunned. Liang Dazhuang still managed to flatter, "Young Master! What a beautiful 'Falling Goose on the Plain'..." After a moment of shock, they realized they should go to his aid, but as they took a few steps, dozens of people emerged from the woods on both sides. They were dressed in colorful clothes, their faces smeared with black soot, and they charged at Hu Xiaotian with a roar.

The servants were terrified by the sight and dared not move forward. There were too many of them, and rushing in would only mean certain death. Liang Dazhuang, even in this situation, still tried to curry favor, "Young Master, don't panic, I'm coming to save you..." His voice was loud, but his feet moved backward instead of forward.

Hu Xiaotian was dazed from the fall, but his mind was clear. He heard Liang Dazhuang's shout and saw him retreating while shouting. "Damn it, I'll settle accounts with you later."

Seeing dozens of bandits armed with knives, spears, and clubs charging at him like a tidal wave, Hu Xiaotian was terrified. At this moment, escaping was the only option, but where could he run? His skills in escaping were not even as good as his four servants.

Just as Hu Xiaotian was in a panic, Muru Feiyan rode up, deflected an arrow with her sword, and shouted, "Get on the horse!"

Hu Xiaotian saw Muru Feiyan galloping toward him and squinted his eyes. With his riding skills, jumping onto a galloping horse was as difficult as climbing Mount Everest.

In a flash, Muru Feiyan was in front of him. She switched her sword to her left hand, extended her right hand, and grabbed Hu Xiaotian's right hand, pulling him up with all her strength. Hu Xiaotian jumped at the same time, and with Muru Feiyan's pull, he flew up like he was riding a cloud. He almost landed on the other side of the horse due to the force of his jump, but Muru Feiyan pulled him back, and he barely managed to land behind her. He clung tightly to her slender waist, almost breaking it with his grip.

Muru Feiyan frowned, thinking that he was taking advantage of the situation, but she was wrong. In a life-or-death situation, there was no time for such thoughts. Her sword danced, deflecting several arrows.

Another tripwire appeared ahead, but the black horse leaped over it, carrying Muru Feiyan and Hu Xiaotian out of the woods. Hu Xiaotian was drenched in cold sweat, realizing that in a crisis, he could only rely on the police, not the servants.

Muru Feiyan quickly caught up with the four servants. Liang Dazhuang was overjoyed to see Hu Xiaotian saved. They slowed down, and Muru Feiyan said to Hu Xiaotian, "Dismount, I'm going back to fight!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Forget it! As long as you're safe, that's fine!"

"Get off!" Muru Feiyan's tone was firm, and she looked ready to push him off if he didn't comply.

Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to dismount. As soon as he did, Muru Feiyan turned the horse and charged back toward the bandits.

Hu Xiaotian watched as the bandits surged toward them like a tidal wave, stomping his feet in frustration. Muru Feiyan was brave but reckless, and they were outnumbered. They couldn't afford to stay and fight.

Muru Feiyan's voice came from ahead, "Go to a safe place and wait for me!"

The safe place was to run back. Liang Dazhuang said, "Young Master, I'll protect you first..." Before he could finish, Hu Xiaotian punched him hard in the nose, making him cry out in pain and tears. Clutching his nose, he wailed, "Young Master..." Hu Xiaotian gritted his teeth, "This is settling old and new scores! 'Falling Goose on the Plain,' fall your father's ass..."

Muru Feiyan charged into the bandits, like a wisp of black smoke, unstoppable. The bandits were taken aback by her prowess. No one could stand against her. Muru Feiyan, showing mercy, didn't kill anyone, but her sword moved swiftly, wounding them and then withdrawing. The bandits, intimidated by her, scattered to the sides.

Muru Feiyan's target was a tall, black-clad man in the crowd. He was muscular, riding a black horse, and wielding a large mace. Seeing Muru Feiyan charging at him, his eyes flashed with a cold light. His men were fleeing, and if this continued, they would be routed. He had no choice but to face her. He pulled the reins, squeezed his horse's sides, and charged toward Muru Feiyan. When he was about ten feet away, he raised his mace and swung it at her chest with a roar.

Muru Feiyan leaned back, almost lying flat on the horse's back. Her sword, like a stream of autumn water, lightly grazed the man's shoulder. The black-clad man grunted in pain, his grip on the mace loosened, and it fell to the ground with a thud, creating a deep hole. One move decided the outcome. The gap in their skills was too great, and this was why Muru Feiyan dared to charge into the enemy. She wasn't as reckless as Hu Xiaotian thought. Against this group of bandits, capturing their leader was like taking a peach from a basket, and she was confident in her ability.

Muru Feiyan's second strike hit the black horse's hindquarters. "Shoot the horse first, then the rider; capture the leader first, then the followers." Her goal was to capture the bandit leader.

The black horse, in pain, let out a long, piercing neigh and reared up. The black-clad man, unable to control it, fell heavily to the ground. Before he could get up, Muru Feiyan turned her horse and charged back, her cold sword tip stopping just a fraction of an inch from his throat. Her beautiful eyes coldly regarded the black-clad man.

The man's body stiffened, his Adam's apple moving up and down in fear. Muru Feiyan's sword flicked, and with a light sound, she removed the black cloth covering his face. Despite his preparations, including smearing his face with soot, Muru Feiyan recognized him immediately. He was Tang Tiehan, the eldest son of Tang Wenzheng, the Deputy Minister of the Chariot and Horse Department.

Muru Feiyan and Tang Tiehan's sister, Tang Qingxuan, were close friends, so she was familiar with the Tang siblings. When she saw the tall man in the crowd, she recognized his build and, seeing him as the leader, decided to capture him alone.

Tang Tiehan, realizing his face was exposed, quickly covered it, looking guilty.

Muru Feiyan shook her head, bit her lip, and made a quick decision. She whispered, "Go, and don't let me see you again."

Tang Tiehan knew Muru Feiyan had recognized him. He understood her sense of justice and was surprised that she had spared him. He got up from the ground, embarrassed. The group he had brought, though numerous, had few who were truly loyal. Most had already fled, and the few who remained were hiding in the woods, watching the commotion.

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**End of Chapter**