Chapter 69

The Appearance of the Blood Sect

Princess's party had not been riding in the carriage for even two hours when a warrior riding alongside them approached the carriage and shouted, "There's a group pursuing us."

Bai Yunyu replied coldly, "How many are there?"

"About fifty. We'll be overtaken in about half an hour. What are your orders...?"

"Stop. If you want to see blood, then let them come. How dare they mock our family and the imperial court..."

Bai Yunyu politely said to the princess, "Your Highness, it would be best to deal with them first. If we let them gather, it will become more difficult. It's better to attack them one by one while their numbers are still small."

"Act as you see fit."

"Yes."

As Bai Yunyu got off the carriage, Chao Liubin, who had been sitting on the driver's seat, also got down and put on his wrist guards, waiting for the enemies to approach. The enemies did come, but they stopped about 200 zhang (about 606 meters) away, spreading out to surround the carriage. Bai Yunyu, slightly flustered, shouted, "Everyone, be careful."

Then, he cautiously said to Chao Liubin, "This is strange. They are so numerous, yet they maintain a distance of two li to surround us... I wonder who their commander is."

"Why do you say that?"

"They seem to be preparing to attack with arrows. I thought they would launch a frontal assault."

Chao Liubin smiled bitterly and said, "That's probably my fault. I clashed with them yesterday and killed over thirty. They have to be cautious."

"Most martial artists don't use bows, so they don't seem to be martial artists."

"Given that they are targeting the princess, it's likely that some rebels are mixed in."

While they were discussing, the enemy began to form a wide encirclement in groups of five, and once it was complete, a figure who seemed to be their leader shouted, "Surrender!"

But when the carriage and the five warriors guarding it did not respond, he immediately ordered, "Fire!"

Arrows flew from all directions. The typical range of a bow is about 1,000 bu (步), or 250 zhang (丈). While arrows can fly further, it's difficult to penetrate armor beyond 250 zhang. However, this is for those who haven't cultivated inner strength. When a martial artist shoots, the story is different. Infusing arrows with inner strength makes them much more powerful. This is why some martial artists learn archery, though most prefer hidden weapons. Carrying a large bow is cumbersome, and most martial artists are more likely to engage in short-range, one-on-one combat, making long-range weapons like bows almost useless.

Bai Yunyu and the others stiffened when they heard the whistling sound of the arrows. The sound indicated that considerable inner strength was being used. The enemy was not a rebel group but martial artists who had received archery training. The arrows came at them with tremendous force.

Everyone drew their weapons and began to deflect the arrows. Bai Yunyu pulled out a flexible sword from her waist and swung it. After the initial volley, the enemy, surprised by their effective defense, began to shoot at longer intervals, prolonging the attack. Bai Yunyu asked Chao Liubin, "They seem to be conserving their arrows... Is it because they don't have many?"

"It doesn't seem so. They are probably waiting for the main force to arrive. We should break through the encirclement and escape, even if it means pushing ourselves."

"There's a man who isn't shooting arrows and is staring at us intently. Shall we go together?"

"It would be an honor."

"Protect the princess. Let's go!"

Bai Yunyu and Chao Liubin charged in one direction at full speed. The distance to the enemy was 200 zhang, which was quite far, but they had no choice. The enemy, sensing their intention, concentrated their fire on the two. The leader, noticing this, drew an arrow from his quiver, aimed at Bai Yunyu, and when she was 50 zhang away, he infused it with all his inner strength and released it.

Piuu!

The arrow whistled through the air, heading straight for Bai Yunyu. She deflected it with her flexible sword, but only then did she realize how much inner strength it carried. If she had focused all her strength, it might not have been a problem, but with her attention divided by other arrows, this one carried several times the inner strength. It was a fatal mistake to treat it like a regular arrow.

'Mistake.'

Clang!

She barely deflected the arrow, but the inner strength behind it pushed her back, causing her to stagger. Another arrow pierced her left shoulder.

"Kyaah..."

Seeing Bai Yunyu injured, Chao Liubin instinctively knew it was over. He turned around, caught the staggering Bai Yunyu with his left arm, deflected five incoming arrows, and leaped toward the carriage. It took much longer to return while deflecting arrows, but there was no other choice.

'Damn, I thought he was one of the Four Phoenixes...'

A terrifying sound filled the air.

"Uuuuuu..."

The distance between the start and end of the sound indicated that the unknown expert was approaching at an incredible speed.

Chao Liubin pulled out the arrow from Bai Yunyu's shoulder and applied a healing ointment. She asked with a serious expression, "Are they enemies?"

"It seems so. Their expressions seem relieved, don't they?"

Bai Yunyu, watching Chao Liubin carefully apply the ointment, said with a defeated look, "I see. We might end up buried here today..."

"Don't think so negatively. We still have a last hope..."

"..."

Inside the carriage, the princess and her maid were in a state of shock. Arrows that the guards couldn't block or those deflected by their swords occasionally hit the carriage. The guards and driver were focused on protecting the horses in case of an escape, so they couldn't pay attention to the carriage. However, the carriage, made by the renowned Bai family, was sturdy, which is why no one inside was injured. But when arrows infused with inner strength hit, the carriage would shake, and arrowheads would occasionally pierce through, causing the occupants to be startled.

As Mo Xiang was about to sit down comfortably with his legs crossed, the princess's indifferent voice rang out, "You have no intention of protecting me, do you?"

Mo Xiang's legs paused in mid-air and then lowered. In truth, he didn't like the companions on this journey and would have preferred if they all died. That way, he could torment the princess again... But the princess had noticed his thoughts. Mo Xiang forced a smile and said, "Hehe, what are you talking about..."

"I heard everything you argued with Lin Fang. When I heard a loud noise, I thought the enemy had attacked..."

"Hehehe, it was all a joke. How could I dare to mock the imperial court..."

"You are a great expert, aren't you? Even though I was confined in the palace, I heard rumors among the imperial guards about the Black Sect. If you are an expert of the Black Sect..."

The mention of the Black Sect made the maid's eyes widen.

'You sly woman, you've heard a lot...'

"Hehehe, I'm just a low-ranking member. Don't flatter me."

Mo Xiang's forced smile couldn't hide his discomfort.

"If you help me, I will forgive everything that has happened. Please help me."

'Damn...'

"Fine, since you've noticed, I have no choice."

Suddenly, his tone changed, and the princess's expression hardened.

"Actually, I don't really care about the imperial court. The martial world and the imperial court have always had a non-aggression pact... I only started this to make some money. I'll help, but I have a few conditions."

"What conditions?"

"First, don't exaggerate what happened to the emperor and make me look bad. And you need to pay me. I'm quite expensive, you know..."

"How much do you want?"

"The same amount Lin Fang asked for. 100 taels of gold should be enough."

"I agree."

"Great. The deal is done. But if you break your promise, even if you hide in the deepest corner of the imperial palace, you won't escape my wrath..."

The princess, though displeased with this arrogant martial artist, had no choice. She needed to survive this crisis to later mobilize the imperial army and crush them.

'You wretch, I'll deal with you later...'

After a while, ten more martial artists appeared. Despite their casual appearance, they landed gracefully, showing off their martial prowess. They all wore dark red robes, and a strange aura of evil and malevolence emanated from them, making everyone uneasy. They didn't seem to be traditional martial artists. One of them, in a relaxed tone, asked the leader, "Are they really that skilled? Do we need to get involved?"

The leader, surprisingly, broke into a cold sweat and replied respectfully, "Yes, they are. One of them, with wrist guards, single-handedly wiped out twelve squads. They tried to break through the encirclement before you arrived, but we barely managed to stop them. He seems to be the only one of such skill."

The leader was trying to justify his use of indirect attacks and avoid direct conflict by exaggerating the enemy's strength. The other martial artist looked at Chao Liubin from a distance and said, "He doesn't seem that skilled... Let's have our subordinates test him."

The leader of the Blood Cloaked Men and the leader of the mounted warriors, now feeling like they were catching a mouse in a trap, watched as the carriage door opened, and Mo Xiang casually walked out. Mo Xiang, with a tense expression, approached Chao Liubin, who was glaring at the enemy.

"Hey, do you think you can survive?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. They seem to be formidable experts, and I don't know where they came from."

"Then the chances of us dying today are high. If you follow my plan, you'll have a way out even if the sky falls. Do you want to try it?"

Chao Liubin, intrigued, asked, "What...?"

"Hehehe, it's very simple. If you swear allegiance to me, I'll help you."

Bai Yunyu, overhearing this, angrily retorted, "Do you have to joke at a time like this?"

"This isn't a joke. You brat, stay out of this. This is between me and him. Your lives are none of my concern..."

"Hmm..."

Chao Liubin thought for a moment and said, "Fine, I'll become your subordinate. But I have a condition."

"What is it?"

"If anyone here dies, the deal is off."

"That's not possible."

"Why? Are you not confident?"

"Hehehe, you're trying to use a psychological tactic on me... Tsk, that's for people who can be fooled. Of course, I can kill them all. But whether these trash can hold out until I finish off those red-clothed men is anyone's guess. You don't know, but they seem to be no ordinary men. It might take some time..."

As Mo Xiang referred to his subordinates as "trash," Bai Yunyu's face turned red with anger.

"How dare you call the elite warriors of the Bai family trash, you... How great are your skills to..."

Clang!

Bai Yunyu, drawing her flexible sword, lunged forward, but Chao Liubin quickly stopped her. Mo Xiang sneered.

"Hmph, I can handle ten women with holes in their shoulders. What will you do? Will you die here for these trash?"

"Fine. Kill them all. I'll do my best to hold them off..."

"Hehehe, then the deal is done."

Mo Xiang walked forward casually, and Chao Liubin asked Bai Yunyu, "Do you have a sword?"

"No..."

"Then lend me a saber."

Bai Yunyu approached her subordinate, and he handed her a saber from the saddle. She showed it to Chao Liubin and asked, "Will this do?"

"Thanks."

Chao Liubin took the saber from Bai Yunyu, cut off the long handle to make it shorter, and discarded the wrist guards. He gripped the heavy saber with both hands. In such dangerous situations, he had to use the saber techniques he had learned. His school was known for its expertise in heavy weapons, especially sabers...

The leader of the Blood Cloaked Men, seeing the black-clothed man walking slowly, ordered his subordinates, "Attack!"

Nine Blood Cloaked Men each chose a target and charged forward. Mo Xiang, seeing them approach, drew his sword and charged as well. The distance closed quickly, and Mo Xiang, seeing one of them wielding a five-zhang iron rod with a skull-like metal piece at the top, cut him in half with his sword. The other Blood Cloaked Men were shocked.

"It's the Dark Sword Technique. Form the Great Luo Blood Net Formation!"

The remaining eight men surrounded Mo Xiang in a highly skilled and swift manner. Mo Xiang's second strike, despite its terrifying momentum, failed to kill his opponent.

The Blood Cloaked Men held their iron rods with the skull-like heads pointing upward and began chanting. Mo Xiang's sword, aimed at one of them, was deflected as if by an invisible shield.

"What is this? This sticky feeling..."

The Blood Cloaked Men chanted even faster. Mo Xiang's second attack, a sword infused with a blue, flame-like aura, struck the formation but failed to break through. Mo Xiang, after stabbing five times and being deflected by the formation's counterforce, felt regret.

"Damn, I should have studied formations more..."

He regretted not paying attention to his master's advice. Trapped in the formation, Mo Xiang realized it was no ordinary formation. He hadn't used his full strength, but the formation's ability to deflect his sword infused with inner strength and the terrifying evil aura were unprecedented.

'I need to get out of here.'

Mo Xiang leaped upward quickly. This time, he used his full strength, but the enemy couldn't follow his movement with their eyes. However, at a height of about 2.5 zhang, he was pushed back down by an invisible force. The formation was pulling him down with immense suction and pushing him back with an invisible lid.

Inside the formation, Mo Xiang struggled, almost breaking the formation. The leader of the Blood Cloaked Men, seeing this, urgently instructed the leader of the mounted warriors.

"That man is truly a great expert. I will hold him off. You deal with the rest."

"Understood."

The leader of the Blood Cloaked Men joined the formation, taking a corner and shouting, "I will use the Illusory Demon Formation. Everyone, be prepared."

The Blood Cloaked Men, with even sterner expressions, began to focus all their energy. While the Blood Cloaked Men were fighting the black-clothed man, the mounted warriors, each drawing their weapons, charged at the people guarding the carriage.

The leader of the Blood Cloaked Men, chanting a different incantation from the others, slowly extended his hands forward. A dark red aura poured from his hands into the invisible hemisphere surrounding the black-clothed man. Soon, a visible dark red hemisphere formed around the black-clothed man.

Mo Xiang, with the addition of another Blood Cloaked Man and the intense poison, felt his skin tingle. Even as a high-level expert, he found it difficult to withstand such intense poison for long. However, as time passed, he realized the problem wasn't the poison but the gradual loss of his strength.

'Does this formation drain inner strength? I need to strike before I lose more strength...'

Mo Xiang slowly raised his sword. He gathered his inner strength and released a sword beam. Hundreds of sword beams shot out in all directions, colliding with the formation. The Blood Cloaked Men, unable to withstand the impact, were pushed back about two zhang. They used a heavy-footed technique to stabilize themselves, leaving deep marks in the ground, but they didn't stop chanting.

The leader of the Blood Cloaked Men, surprised that his formation, even with his addition, was almost broken, was even more shocked that the black-clothed man, despite the deadly poison, showed no signs of poisoning.

While Mo Xiang was fighting the Blood Cloaked Men, a fierce battle was also raging beside the carriage. Among them, Chao Liubin, a promising expert from the Chao family, stood out.

There were many rumors about why he had disappeared, but the Chao family remained silent, and the rumors eventually died down. Despite being one of the Seven Dragons and Four Phoenixes, he was struggling against the collective attack of over ten high-level experts, including the leader of the mounted warriors, who ignored martial ethics.

Bai Yunyu, despite her excellent martial skills, lacked practical combat experience and had a shoulder wound, making it difficult for her to fully utilize her abilities. She was struggling to dodge the sabers of five mounted warriors. The same applied to her subordinates, who were overwhelmed by the numbers.

The mounted warriors used long weapons like sabers and spears for indirect attacks