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Zhan Nancheng laughed heartily, looking much more at ease as he held Meng Fuyao's elbow and said, ”General Meng's unparalleled strength would be better suited to beat up those wild beasts!” The two then mounted their respective horses.
Pulling his reigns, Zhan Nancheng said, ”General Meng, there are fierce beasts towards the east of the hunting grounds, given your martial ability, you would be happier hunting those bastards, go ahead!”
”I think it is better to stick with Your Majesty.” Meng Fuyao smiled. ”I was born from a hunter's family in Taiyuan. With regards to hunting, the other lords and generals should enjoy more!”
Just then, the sound of cheering filled the air as the lords and generals took off on their horses and kicked up a cloud of dust in their wake, their hunting eagles soaring above them. Meng Fuyao remained obediently behind Zhan Nancheng as his bodyguard while they hunted some small beasts in the south of the hunting grounds and caught enough rabbits to fill up both sides of a horse. When the sun began to set, Zhan Nancheng turned around and said merrily, ”Let's go back, I'm tired.”
Meng Fuyao nodded and was about to pick up speed when she suddenly stopped motionless for a moment before returning to Zhan Nancheng's side and said, ”There is something off about the smell in the wind, Your Majesty, let's move quickly, I'll be behind you!”
”Why would it be dangerous here?” Zhan Nancheng smirked. ”General Meng, you are too wary—”
His voice stopped abruptly.
A sudden gust of wind blew from behind him, carrying the stench of blood. The trees swayed violently, and they could see the smaller beasts fleeing in fright in all directions. Just when the sky glowed a brilliant orange, everyone's horses began trembling and pawing the ground restlessly, and no amount of pulling at the reigns could appease them. Just then, the trees shook violently, and a yellow light flashed from within, and a deep, menacing growl could be heard from behind Zhan Nancheng.
”Roar—”
The metallic stench of blood intensified and the trees parted as a ferocious tiger leaped out, turning its menacing head and fixing its bloodthirsty eyes on Zhan Nancheng, who was the nearest to it.
With a thud, Zhan Nancheng's horse collapsed on the ground, its knees having turned to jelly, and Zhan Nancheng fell off, still in shock as to why there would be a ferocious beast in the area, and rolled right towards the tiger's jaws!
The sight of a bloody mouth filled with sharp canines greeted Zhan Nancheng's eyes, and several drops of pungent saliva threatened to fall on his face. Terrified, Zhan Nancheng reached for his sword but was unable to unsheathe it as he was lying on it. He was so close to the tiger that he could see each individual tooth of the tiger. His vision blacking out, Zhan Nancheng let out a despairing howl.
”Protect the king!”
A crisp voice pierced the air like a knife as a shadow flew by, landing almost instantaneously in front of Zhan Nancheng. With actions as fast as light, there was a flash coming from the figure, and the tiger's head was sliced open!
Blood burst forth from the cut and drenched Meng Fuyao as she shouted without turning around, ”Idiots! Protect the king!”
The shellshocked guards came back to their senses and rushed forward, surrounding Zhan Nancheng. Zhan Nancheng recovered from his shock and watched with trepidation as Meng Fuyao pierced the tiger between the eyes as it howled with excruciating pain. The blade had pierced the tiger's nose, through its passage and out its left eye!
The tiger roared again, shaking the forest grounds as it shook its head frantically, flecks of blood spraying everywhere. Zhan Nancheng stared at the tiger, a black knife protruding from its head, as he retreated slowly with the guards surrounding him, speaking as dignified as possible while giving a forced chuckle, ”Many thanks to General Meng…”
Before he could finish speaking, however, an ear-splitting roar came from behind him as another orange and black silhouette jumped out of the forest, carrying with it the heavy stench of blood!
There was actually another tiger!
The tiger pounced mercilessly, getting past the wall that the guards had formed in an instant. With two swipes of its paw, it got rid of the last two guards and headed straight for Zhan Nancheng!
Zhan Nancheng's vision went blank yet again as the stench of blood overwhelmed him!
This time, he had managed to unsheathe his sword and make a swing at it, cutting the tiger on the waist. However, the tiger merely twisted its body and floored him with its tail. Turning around, the tiger gave a great leap into the air.
Lying on the ground, Zhan Nancheng thought that he had met his end. It had been an extremely unfortunate circumstance since there had never been fierce beasts in the south of the hunting grounds, and yet it was not one but two that appeared today!
The only person that could save him was General Meng, and his weapon was still lodged between the other tiger's eyes; there was simply no time!
”Your Majesty, don't be afraid, I'm coming to save you!”
Upon saying that, she appeared, her shadow surfacing as she flashed past Zhan Nancheng like the wind and landed a punch in an instant!
Ping!
The dull sound of flesh violently contacting flesh resounded around them, the viciousness and power of the blow obvious to all who heard it. Thereafter, the tiger roared again, but this time, it was a stifled roar, as though it was choking on its own blood stuck in its throat.