Chapter 162: Encirclement and Pursuit

The Third Princess immediately shook her head.

"No, Father, how could you put yourself in danger for me If someone truly wants to harm me, wouldn't you become a target! I absolutely disagree!"

When the wise servant heard the Third Princess's firm refusal, his heart was filled with contentment. He smiled and patted her head fondly, saying:

"The princess has grown up and understands the responsibilities she must bear. I am happy, and I believe your mother would be pleased as well."

Since the Empress sent you back to the capital, it proves that something will happen to you soon. Your mother empress is also afraid of being powerless to help, so she let you return.

"But since you have your own ideas, I won't stop you. I'll go back and explain to your mother myself. Just settle down and carry out your plan."

The wise minister entrusted his daughter with his utmost trust.

This made the third princess blush a little, but she still nodded, and asked the chamberlain to take away the imperial guards arranged by the empress. She had a ready excuse.

Since we're going to create the illusion that you're being taken away by me, then Mother Empress's arrangements can't stay. Those people aren't stupid, no bodyguard would leave their master's side, especially those assigned by Mother Empress to protect you.

"I understand, I'll leave the guards with you."

The wise servant was not a hesitant person, and immediately made a decision.

"Just leave two people, there's no need to keep them all. You don't know what you might encounter on your return this time."

Neither of them trusted the other, so in the end it was Xian Shi Jun who made the final decision. He took away San Huang Nu's apparent guards, leaving most of her dark guards behind. Only two stayed by his side.

At sunset on the second day, he left Fengxuan City with the Empress's decree in hand. He did not even pay respects to Zhao, the deputy general stationed outside the city, and headed straight for the capital.

The last two members of the Panlong Nation's assassination squad just happened to pass by those serving Lord Xian, but they didn't meet face-to-face. When the two connected with Zhao Jia's messenger, they were informed that Lord Xian had taken the third princess and left Fengxuan City the day before.

Both of them were stunned. The assassination target was gone, but the pursuers remained. They had no choice but to bite the bullet and, following the directions given by the other party, began chasing after the Third Princess.

At that time, the three emperors' daughter had disguised herself and, fully armed, helped the city doctor prepare medicine to treat the plague. They used the medicinal herbs brought by the wise attendant, which allowed the doctor to make substantial progress.

Because of the timely quarantine, the plague in Phoenix Tranquility City did not spread on a large scale. These people were infected because they did not follow the instructions of the female officials from the government office.

Now that they had learned from past experiences, the townspeople diligently followed the government's instructions on preventing the plague. They boiled vinegar for disinfection, uniformly dealt with the bodies of humans and poultry, and with the arrival of relief supplies, the people finally felt reassured.

On his way back, the honorable attendant encountered numerous assassination attempts, but because they were well-prepared and the honorable attendant himself was skilled in martial arts, he safely made his way back. As he neared the capital city, he was caught up to by the two assassins from the Panlong Nation.

The two men received a death order. They were assassins, and expendable ones at that. Besides, all their brothers had died in the Fengchi Kingdom. They didn't want to come back alive either, so when they caught up with the Eunuch-in-waiting's party, they charged headlong into battle without hesitation, even using a weapon called "Thunderclap Bomb" which caught the Eunuch-in-waiting and his companions completely off guard.

Ripple was now looking at the message Phoenix Head had sent. The spies from Xuanwu Nation and White Tiger Nation were getting close to their targets, and good news would be coming back in two days. This time, it was estimated to be the last transmission.

With a "crack," Lian Ri cautiously lifted her head and discovered that the white jade teacup in her hand had cracked, with clear tea seeping out.

Seeing this, Lan Xin immediately stepped forward and took the teacup away, replacing it with a new one made of white jade.

Lian Yi's spirited brow arched, a flicker of thought connecting to the millstone in her heart.

"Nineteen, are you here"

"What's the matter"

The millstone's response was very curt this time.

"Is something wrong"

Just a moment! Let me take a look!

Just as the ripples were about to lose patience, the millstone replied:

"Your intuition is quite accurate, but it's not your daughter who is in danger, it's your husband. Lord Xian, was ambushed by two assassins from the Panlong Kingdom in the Wutong Forest ten miles outside the capital city. He is likely to be injured. The other party intends to die together with Lord Xian."

"Didn't I arrange guards for them How could this happen"

Ripple frowned and asked.

"That's a no-brainer! With the Third Princess gone, most of the Dark Guards are with her. The Attendant instead became the target, drawing all the fire."

The legend of the millstone is passed down, told to every ripple.

"Pheasant Head!"

Ripple shouted loudly.

"My subordinates are here!"

"Take someone to the osmanthus forest ten miles outside the city to meet the wise counselor, try to capture those who attacked alive, and ensure the safety of the wise counselor. If it is impossible to capture them alive, then kill them."

"Yes!"

Although it's unclear why the Empress knew about Sir Xian's misfortune and even the specific location, she acted upon the orders nonetheless. She personally led a group to meet him.

When she reached the outskirts of the capital, she saw a burst of fireworks in the direction of the tung tree forest. This was the distress signal of their royal guards. As long as they saw this signal, the guards on duty nearby had to rush to provide support immediately.

Let's go faster!

Yes, leader!

A phoenix-headed figure, accompanied by twenty men in black, moved like ghosts through the darkness, swiftly heading towards the Wutong forest.

At this moment, the wise attendant stands beside his lord, sword in hand. He uses the trees of the phoenix tree grove as cover, battling against a group who are trying to kill them. Beads of sweat trickle down his face, and his breathing is quickened, but his eyes remain bright with determination.

The guards and bodyguards surrounding him, fighting their way in and out of the fray, were not so fortunate. They were all more or less wounded, some with singed hair and robes, and if you smelled closely, you could even detect the stench of burning flesh.

The cold-faced female guards looked stern. They had encountered three ambushes on their journey so far, all of which they had successfully repelled. This time, however, the two black-clad assailants were particularly formidable. They fought with reckless abandon, and since they were tasked with protecting the honorable lord, their movements were restricted, leaving them feeling increasingly cornered and beleaguered.

When the two first detonated their thunder bombs, she knew they were assassins from the Panlong nation. Thunder bombs were unique to the martial world of the Panlong nation, and due to their immense destructive power, they had been outlawed. Caught completely off guard, her two sisters were killed, and another two were seriously injured. Only through sheer luck did they manage to protect the noble consort.

Fortunately, the honorable attendant was unlike ordinary gentlemen. He could protect himself and remain calm in emergencies, greatly relieving their burden. Furthermore, the dark guards had already sent a distress signal, so they just needed to hold on until reinforcements arrived.

With a whoosh, another egg-sized black orb flew toward the noble attendant.

"Watch out!"hin Wuyun Sect would take her as an apprentice. She couldn't make any underhanded moves under everyone's watchful eyes. Leaving temporarily was the best choice. Therefore, she quickly chose a solo mis...