Chapter 228: Abnormal kidnapping (2/2)

“To steal away the crown prince at such a critical juncture is rather interesting,” Gu Beiyue chuckled softly.

Han Yunxi was still trying to puzzle things out when assassins suddenly surrounded them again from all sides. They were all dressed in black and carrying sabers. Luo Zuishan and Xi Yubo immediately stopped arguing to glower at each other in disbelief.

Why were there more assassins? Who were they after this time?

“Are you all part of the same group?” Han Yunxi asked loudly as she subconsciously reached out a hand to move Gu Beiyue behind her. She didn’t know martial arts, but she could use hidden weapons and poison which was worth a round or two. Gu Beiyue allowed her to shield him as warmth flashed through his eyes.

The leader of the gang didn’t answer Han Yunxi, but shouted, “Brothers, attack! Leave them alive!”

“You don’t have the skills!” Han Yunxi snorted coldly and prepared to attack, only to be caught unawares. The group of assassins rushed towards Xi Yubo and Luo Zuishan. As sudden as a flash of lightning, the leader forcefully carried off Luo Zuishan and prepared to retreat.

Just…just what kind of tempo was this?

These assassins were here for Han Yunxi, either?

“Hold it!” Han Yunxi recovered quickly and sent her needles flying at the same time she shouted. Numerous poisoned needles went soaring towards the back of the leader’s skull. But abruptly, he turned around and used Luo Zuishan as a human shield. In her haste, Han Yunxi had directly launched lethally toxic needles with the intent to kill. There wouldn’t even be any time to use an antidote.

It’s over!

If Luo Zuishan died, she and Gu Beiyue didn’t need to live, either. Han Yunxi wished she could take back all her needles, but it was already too late. As she watched them head for Luo Zuishan’s forehead, Gu Beiyue suddenly slipped his hand out of his sleeve. The gentle, jade-like fingers were wrapped around a small golden flying dagger. Though it looked like he was clasping it gently, there was a sense of strength in the grip, as if dagger was an arrow on a fully drawn bow on the verge of being launched.

And yet, someone turned out to be even faster and more explosive than the flying dagger!

A man dressed in red appeared out of thin air, his luxurious robes fluttering about him like his hair, framing a face with Heavenly features. His graceful form hung in the air for a moment; by the next glance, he’d already kicked the assassin and Luo Zuishan out of the way before dodging Han Yunxi’s poison needles by a hair.

The assassin wasn’t so easy to deal with. Even after hitting the ground, he kept his hold on Luo Zuishan and dragged him upright before turning to flee without hesitation. At the same time, the other assassins all surrounded the red-robed man. By now, Han Yunxi had recovered her senses and immediately went to help with her Pear Blossom Teardrop Rain. A shower of needles submerged the assassins and got rid of the man’s difficult position. He immediately gave chase after Luo Zuishan, but didn’t forget to glance back and grin at Han Yunxi. The expression made his long, narrow eyes curve into slits. Despite the fact that his face was covered with a mask, it was still a sight lovely enough to cause the fall of cities–devastatingly beautiful.

Red robes, devilish charm, and warm, dimpled smile–who could this be?

Han Yunxi was certain that it was him: Gu Qishao!

Although the assassins had come on aggressively with formidable strength, Han Yunxi could set aside a hundred cares if it was Gu Qishao on their tail. This man was skilled in martial arts and the poison arts, so he’d definitely be able to save Luo Zuishan. None of the other assassins wanted to keep fighting with Han Yunxi’s poison needles against them. Very quickly, they retreated one after the other. This time, Xi Yubo didn’t have any mocking words. His face was full of unease as he looked towards Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue.

Were these assassins part of the same group or two separate factions? For what reason had they targeted the crown prince and then kidnapped Luo Zuishan? Was it simply a private grudge, or was it related to this time’s consultation with the Council of Elders? The situation had suddenly turned incomprehensible. Would there be even more assassins? If they came, who would they kidnap next?

“As this old man sees it, we should head on our way. Once we scale that mountain, we’ll be in Medical City territory. Then we’ll see who dares to act rampantly,” Xi Yubo said arrogantly, but in reality, he was afraid.

Han Yunxi rejected the proposal. “Director Luo should return very soon, so we’ll wait here. If you’re scared, you can leave first.”

“Scared? What a joke. This old man, scared? This old man…hmph…” Xi Yubo was full of indignation, but ended up shifting behind Han Yunxi as he talked.

Would Han Yunxi be able to wait until Luo Zuishan returned?

—

By now, Gu Qishao had taken care of the assassin and safely rescued Luo Zuishan. However, he didn’t head back immediately. Luo Zuishan carefully examined the assassin’s corpse. His inspection convinced him that this assassin was a Northern Li man and an assassin with extensive training.

Gu Qishao had his arms crossed as he leaned against a tree and laughed. “Aren’t they all human? What’s the difference?”

“The bones are different,” Luo Zuishan said as he lost himself in thought. He hadn’t ever offended any Northern Li people.

Still, Gu Qishao was preoccupied with a completely different topic. He grinned and asked, “Hey, what do you think of that Poison lass?”

Only then did Luo Zuishan raised his eyes and looked over, his face full of disdain. “Nothing special.”

1. rice bucket (饭桶) – fan tong, a phrase that both means a “big/piggish eater” and a “fathead, good-for-nothing.”