Chapter 336: Dancer Assassins (1/2)

A group of women in pink dresses emerged, their bodies alluring and their movement captivating. Their faces were covered in red silk, revealing their crinkling eyes. Their unclothed waist swayed as they walked. The silk they wore danced in the air and the bell on their ankles rang with a hypnotizing rhythm.

A faint fragrance permeated the air. Those who had gotten some alcohol into their system laughed without restraint. The emperor of Eastern Wu had completely forgotten himself and drummed a pair of chopsticks against the jade plate in concert with the dance, making a staccato of clinks.

Something about the scene alerted Jun Huang. She frowned, trying to figure out what it was. Nan Xun chuckled. He could almost read her mind. He stayed silent and pretended to be oblivious when she turned to him.

Jun Huang's gaze s.h.i.+fted to the dancer at the middle. Her eyes widened. Before any words could leave her mouth, she noticed something glinting around the dancer's waist.

“There's something wrong with that one,” Jun Huang said, making sure not to let anyone overhear.

Nan Xun raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

“Look at her calves,” she said. “They're obviously stronger than her companions'. Although she's purposefully made her movement softer, she's rigid. She also has a bendable sword wrapped around her waist. She's up to something.”

Nan Xun looked at her and smiled without a word. Jun Huang calmly watched everything play out as an outsider.

As soon as the performance reached a crescendo, the dancer Jun Huang had suspected drew her sword and stabbed at the emperor of Eastern Wu. The other dancers unsheathed their swords as well, their gaze frigid. They were ready to strike.

That Jun Huang didn't expect. She'd thought only one of them was an a.s.sa.s.sin.

Everything happened too quickly for the guests to react. However, the emperor wasn't completely useless. With his pupils contracted, he picked up a jade plate and threw it at the first dancer to attack before her blade could reach him. While she dodged, he leapt to the side and unsheathed his bodyguard's sword, slas.h.i.+ng at the dancer.

She dodged it by a hair, but the blade still managed to cut her skin. Crimson blood streamed down her arm and dyed her pink dress red, but she gritted her teeth and kept going.

The other dancers charged at the officials in attendance. Jun Huang hurriedly moved away. Nan Xun kept her safe as they retreated to an unoccupied corner. While Jun Huang was observing everyone, Nan Xun leaned closer and whispered, “Things have only just started. Stay here and enjoy the show.”

His breaths. .h.i.t her neck, warm and tickling.

Jun Huang heard his unspoken words. She turned to him and saw the smile on his face. Realization dawned on her.

Nan Xun turned away from her inquisitive look and focused on their surroundings. He didn't want anyone to hurt Jun Huang by mistake.

The main hall was in chaos. The sound of blades clas.h.i.+ng pierced through the air. The leading dancer charged at the emperor again, and the emperor gave as good as he took. Neither were able to gain the upperhand.

Finally, the guards outside heard the commotion and entered the main hall to help. They quickly subdued all the dancers. A man dressed like the general flew to the emperor and apprehended the lead dancer. She slashed at him, but the general hit her arm with a knifehand strike first. She cried out in pain. Her sword dropped to the floor with a clink.

The general had amazing strength. He threw her off the throne. She flew a great distance before landing. Fate had not been kind to her.

Her back hit a table. She m.u.f.fled a cry and struggled to get up. Soldiers quickly trapped her with their spears. The dancer smiled sharply, ignoring the blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. She stared at the emperor with eyes so vicious they sent a shudder down one's spine.

“Do you really think you can gain the world? A despicable man like you?”

“You indulge in carnal desires and rule over your nation with an iron grip. You're lecherous and incompetent. If someone like you gain the world, it'll be a great misfortune to all. When you die, you should be banished to the eighteenth level of h.e.l.l, never to be given a new life...”

Before the dancer was finished with her speech, the emperor gave the general a pointed look, who nodded and hit her stomach with a staff. She staggered and collapsed to the floor, holding onto where she was. .h.i.t.

Blood rushed out of her mouth. Her face turned as pale as a sheet.

“Where did you come from, fool? If you dare spout off any more nonsense, there will be nothing left of you to bury.”