chsdbacks Chapter 17: Guiding in the Dark
Chapter 17: Guiding in the Dark
Yan Xiaoyi fired an arrow, but fortunately, Shangshan Hu reacted quickly and avoided a vital spot. The arrow only hit his ribs under his armpit.
After injuring Uesugi Tiger, Yan Xiaoyi began indiscriminate attacks. As a border soldier, he had deserted his post without permission.
If Guo Baokun reports this, the outcome is predictable. Although Emperor Qing might not kill him, Li Yunrui will find a way to protect him.
But his position will certainly be in jeopardy.
"Commander Yan is me. I am Guo Baokun, a compiler in the palace. They are all veterans of my Qing Kingdom, not thieves. I am here to kill Fan Xian as well."
"Oh, it's Young Master Guo!"
As Yan Xiaoyi spoke, he drew his bow and killed another veteran of the Qing Kingdom.
"Why! Why is this happening? I came here to kill Fan Xian too!"
Guo Baokun was starting to have doubts about life. He couldn't understand why Yan Xiaoyi would even kill "his own people"!
After killing all the veterans, Yan Xiaoyi set his sights on Guo Baokun.
Fortunately, Fan Xian reacted quickly and saved Guo Baokun's life.
"Young Master, didn't you say you were going to subdue that Guo Baokun? Why aren't you making a move?"
Ye Chengfeng rolled his eyes. What could be the reason he wasn't making a move?
It can only be said that the situation changed too quickly, and Ye Chengfeng simply didn't have time to make a move.
It was clear that most of Uesugi Tora's men had been eliminated.
Fan Xian was getting a little anxious!
"Ye Chengfeng, it's already this late, why haven't you made a move yet!"
Both sides were taken aback!
"Little Sword Immortal Ye Chengfeng!"
Xie Bi'an and Fan Wujiu immediately retreated to Yan Xiaoyi's side.
"With two ninth-rank swordsmen by his side, it seems unlikely that the Little Sword Immortal of Dongyi City will be able to kill Fan Xian today!"
Xie Bi'an said in a deep voice.
"We'll only know after we try. We don't even know if they'll come. What if it's Fan Xian's scheme?"
With that, Yan Xiaoyi waved his hand, signaling Xie Bi'an and Fan Wujiu to force Fan Xian out of his hiding place.
"Young Master?"
As Fan Xian spoke, Xiao Lan's long sword remained unsheathed, ready to strike at Ye Chengfeng's command.
And what about Ye Chengfeng?
He slowly took a wooden box from his pocket.
Since he knew sword control, why wouldn't Ye Chengfeng prepare a set of miniature flying swords for himself to use in battle?
The sword box was opened, and inside were not nine flying swords, but seven.
Nine swords maximize practice efficiency, but seven flying swords are the best for maximizing attack power.
"Young Master, when did you prepare this? I had no idea!"
"Heh, if I let you know everything, how can I still be your young master?"
While Ye Chengfeng and his servants were discussing the matter, Fan Xian became anxious!
He suddenly thought of the crabapple blossoms that had appeared earlier.
"Yan Xiaoyi is a ninth-rank archer; eliminating him would also benefit Northern Qi!"
"If you don't act now, your Northern Qi's God of War will perish here!"
Yan Xiaoyi was even more puzzled, and Fan Wujiu quietly retreated to Yan Xiaoyi's side to prevent anyone from attacking him!
Ye Chengfeng and Haitang Duoduo made their moves almost simultaneously.
The crabapple blossoms fell from the sky, and although Ye Chengfeng did not appear, the seven flying swords went straight for Yan Xiaoyi's vitals!
Yan Xiaoyi was first struck in the chest by Haitang Duoduo, but Ye Chengfeng's miniature flying sword attacked from an even more cunning angle.
With a soft "whoosh," one of the miniature flying swords pierced Yan Xiaoyi's throat.
Xie Bi'an and Fan Wujiu were greatly surprised by this sudden turn of events.
The two men, working in perfect unison, exchanged a glance and quickly led the remaining border troops, along with Yan Xiaoyi's corpse, to flee the area.
"There's someone hiding in the shadows?"
Haitang Duoduo put away her axe and looked towards where Ye Chengfeng was.
Ye Chengfeng walked out slowly, supported by Xiao Lan.
"Hehe, Fan Xian, how are you going to thank me?"
"You killed my general of Qing Kingdom, and you expect me to thank you?"
"I knew you'd say that. I shouldn't have saved you."
Ye Chengfeng looked at Fan Xian with disdain.
Fan Xian ignored him. Ye Chengfeng's intentions were already obvious, having waited so long to make his move.
When Haitang Duoduo first saw Ye Chengfeng, she didn't take him too seriously, even though Ye Chengfeng had just used his flying sword to cleanly and efficiently kill Yan Xiaoyi.
But Ye Chengfeng was ultimately just an eighth-rank martial artist.
If she hadn't struck Yan Xiaoyi first, Yan Xiaoyi could have easily dodged Ye Chengfeng's flying sword.
But when Haitang Duoduo saw Xiaolan next to Ye Chengfeng, she couldn't stay calm.
Xiaolan's appearance is very deceptive; she looks much younger than her age.
"Such a young ninth-rank martial artist? Judging from her attire, she's just a maid?"
Ye Chengfeng didn't stand out much in Kyoto, and even his marriage to Fan Ruoruo was known to only a few people.
As of now, this matter is not yet known to the people of Northern Qi.
This was also part of Emperor Qing's plan; he suppressed the news for the time being.
Once Fan Xian and Ye Chengfeng arrive in the capital of Northern Qi, everyone in the capital will know.
"Miss Duoduo, you saw it yourself, that's the little sword immortal of Dongyi City. You can no longer attack Sean."
Fan Xian acted as if he had the upper hand.
Haitang Duoduo looked at Fan Xian strangely.
"You say he's from Dongyi City? Don't you know that Northern Qi has close ties with Dongyi City?"
"Is that really true? Miss Duoduo, perhaps you don't know this, but that guy is my future brother-in-law."
"What?"
This news was so important that Haitang Duoduo was so anxious that she forgot about the task her teacher had given her.
However, Haitang Duoduo quickly calmed down. She realized that Fan Xian was cunning and treacherous. What if he was lying to her?
"Friend from Dongyi City, is what he said true? Is Dongyi City really going to abandon its alliance with Northern Qi?"
"There's no doubt about it, it's true. But my Dongyi City has no intention of cooperating with Nanqing, otherwise why would I kill Yan Xiaoyi today?"
Now Haitang Duoduo was confused. If what Fan Xian said was true, then Ye Chengfeng's act of killing Yan Xiaoyi was indeed illogical.
A ninth-rank archer's status in Nanqing is probably only slightly lower than that of a Grandmaster.
Even if the other party has a grudge against Fan Xian, saving Fan Xian is enough; there is no need to kill Yan Xiaoyi.
"In that case, could you please help me complete my mission?"
Haitang Duoduo planned to test Ye Chengfeng, and having him help kill Xiao En was the perfect opportunity.
If Si Gu Jian knew that Sean might leak the temple's secrets, he would definitely choose to kill Sean.
Even if Yun Zhilan had been the one accompanying Fan Xian on this trip, Xiao En would still have died today.
But Ye Chengfeng was the one who went to Northern Qi with Fan Xian, so he had no reason to kill Xiao En.
"I'm afraid that won't work. This is your Northern Qi's own business, and what benefit would I get from helping you?"
After speaking, Ye Chengfeng glanced at Fan Xian.
The meaning conveyed in his eyes was self-evident.
It was as if to say, "If you don't promise me something in return, I might agree to help her!"
"Hmph, I'll tell Ruoruo the truth when I get back that you saved me this time."
Fan Xian looked at Ye Chengfeng with a cold face and displeasure.
"Alright, I won't interfere in this matter, Miss Duoduo. If you think you can kill Sean, then go ahead and do it. I won't get involved."
Haitang Duoduo looked at Fan Xian, weighed her options, and decided that if Ye Chengfeng and his ninth-rank maid didn't intervene...
Fan Xian and his two companions were no match for her at all.
"Fan Xian, what are you going to do?"
"Hey, how about we make a bet? You and I will fight head-on. If you defeat me, Sean is yours to deal with. What do you say?"
"Are you sure? I'm a whole level above you."
"When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave will prevail. How will you know if you don't try?"
Fan Xian got into a fighting stance, ready to battle Haitang Duoduo.
If someone who also knows the plot were here at this moment, they would realize that Ye Chengfeng has been guiding the unfolding of this scene all along.