Chapter Fifty-Three: The Chase

The night was as dark as ink, and a cold wind howled.

A ruthless glint flashed in Chun Tao's eyes. She shoved Jiang Huan aside and drew her curved sword from her waist, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"court death!"

Her hoarse voice sounded like it had been sanded, carrying a strong sense of murderous intent.

Shadow Thirteen's eyes darkened, and he blocked with his short blade, the ear-piercing sound of metal clashing echoing through the night sky.

The two instantly became entangled in combat, and amidst the flashing blades, Jiang Huan's heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest.

This is a good opportunity, and she needs to seize it.

Struggling to his feet, he ran into the distance.

Escape! We must escape!

But after running a few steps, a muffled groan suddenly came from behind.

Shadow Thirteen's shoulder was slashed open, and blood splattered everywhere.

Jiang Huan froze instantly, gripped by intense guilt and fear.

Her instincts told her to turn back and save people, but her brain was surprisingly rational in the face of life and death.

If she stops, it will only cause that person unnecessary harm and will not help the situation.

She had to run, run as fast as possible!

Chun Tao narrowed her eyes, put down Ying Shisan, and pounced on Jiang Huan who was walking away.

How could Ying Shisan allow Chun Tao another chance to harm Jiang Huan? With a flash of sword light, he was already standing in front of her.

The Emperor ordered him to protect Consort Zhuang's safety, and the fact that the assassin was able to get close to Consort Zhuang was already a dereliction of duty on his part.

If the assassins were to take the person away again, I would rather atone with my death.

He has already sent the secret message; now all he has to do is keep this assassin from harming the Emperor!

The two clashed again, and the battle intensified.

Chun Tao's swordsmanship was ruthless and cunning, with each move aimed directly at vital points. Although Ying Shisan was highly skilled, the wound on his shoulder continued to bleed, and his movements gradually slowed down.

Bang--

Chun Tao seized the opportunity and kicked Ying Shisan in the chest, forcing him back several steps.

Ying Shisan grunted, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, but he still stared intently at Chun Tao, refusing to back down.

Chun Tao sneered and turned to grab Jiang Huan.

Shadow Thirteen gritted his teeth and suddenly threw his short blade.

The short blade pierced deeply into Chun Tao's shoulder, causing her to freeze and spit out a mouthful of blood.

But she endured the excruciating pain and pulled out the dagger with her bare hand, blood dripping down the blade.

She turned around menacingly, her eyes filled with even greater killing intent.

"You're asking for it!" She lunged at Shadow Thirteen.

Just then, a rapid sound of horses' hooves and faint shouts suddenly came from afar.

"Your Majesty! You can't go..."

Jiang Huan looked up abruptly, her heart skipping a beat.

There were too many roots tangled under the trees, and in the pitch black, she couldn't run fast at all.

You fall down and get up again, then fall down again.

There was no direction, and no hope.

But things are different now.

emperor?

He's here?

This realization brought a lump to her throat, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Jiang Huan gritted her teeth and ran with all her might toward the direction from which the sound came.

Chun Tao also heard the commotion, and her expression changed drastically.

She didn't have time and had to leave immediately.

Chun Tao suddenly exerted her strength and struck Ying Shisan in the chest with a palm, knocking him back.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, Chun Tao mounted her horse, quickly caught up with Jiang Huan, and carried her on her back.

"drive!"

With a neigh, the horse galloped out of the city.

Ying Shisan clutched his chest and struggled to get up.

At this moment, Huo Lin had already arrived on horseback, his brows and eyes so gloomy that they seemed to be able to condense ice.

Where are they?!

Ying Shisan knelt down and immediately replied, "The assassin took the Empress westward."

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin immediately turned his horse around without the slightest hesitation.

His mind was filled with the image of Jiang Huan, weak and helpless, nestled in his arms at the hot spring palace.

This is the second time that Jiang Huan has been put in danger.

Why is he always a step behind?

Wang Degui chased after him desperately, his voice almost hoarse from shouting.

"Your Majesty! You cannot risk your life alone!"

Huo Lin ignored him, his eyes bloodshot.

He spurred his horse, increasing its speed and chasing after the dark figure ahead.

Seeing this, Shadow Thirteen quickly followed.

Chun Tao was relentlessly pursued by Huo Lin, and had no chance to escape with Jiang Huan along the way.

Unbeknownst to them, they had been driven to a dead end.

At the edge of the cliff, a cold wind howled.

Chuntao reined in her horse, pulled Jiang Huan off the horse, and walked towards the cliff.

She was caught red-handed by Huo Lin during this operation, and the mission was already half-failed. Now, she absolutely could not let Jiang Huan go back alive.

"He fell off the cliff and was completely destroyed; it's estimated that not even a complete body could be left."

She grinned menacingly, her voice hoarse and terrifying.

"Fine, this will do for now!"

Jiang Huan bit her lower lip hard, the sweet, metallic taste of blood spreading between her lips and teeth.

Her feet kicked frantically on the sandy, rocky ground, trying to slow down the speed at which she was being dragged toward the cliff.

Even if I'm going to die, I'll do it with all my might!

Otherwise, she would be so pathetic that she wouldn't be content even as a ghost.

Chun Tao was also injured and tormented by Jiang Huan's will to survive, so her steps were indeed slower.

As they approached the cliff, she raised her hand to push Jiang Huan off, when Huo Lin arrived and pulled out his dagger, throwing it at Chun Tao.

Chuntao could only step back for the time being.

"court death!"

Huo Lin's voice boomed like thunder.

Chun Tao turned around and saw Huo Lin riding towards her, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Jiang Huan held her breath and took the opportunity to run away from the edge of the cliff.

But Chuntao was, after all, a well-trained assassin; her prey was always more important than her own life.

He sneered, caught up with Jiang Huan, and subdued her.

In the blink of an eye, the curved knife in his hand was placed against Jiang Huan's neck.

"stop!"

Huo Lin had already arrived not far in front of Chun Tao, and seeing this, he dared not make any further moves.

His eyes were red and cold as he stared intently at Chun Tao.

"Release her, and I will spare your life."

Chun Tao sneered: "Spare me from death?"

She wasn't that naive. The Emperor was only saying this because she had Jiang Huan in her hands.

Once she believed the Emperor and released Jiang Huan, she had completely failed.

Even if the emperor keeps his promise and spares her life, there are plenty of ways to keep someone alive while torturing them in the palace dungeons.

She couldn't let Jiang Huan go.

Jiang Huan's body stiffened. She looked at Huo Lin, tears silently streaming down her face, without her even realizing it.

Is it fear of death? Or is there something else?

Huo Lin gripped the reins tightly; that tear felt like a needle, piercing his eyes with pain.

My knuckles are turning white, and I feel a panic that I can hardly contain.

He stared intently at Chun Tao, his voice low and deep.

"What do you want? I am the emperor. As long as you release her, I will give you anything."

Chun Tao gave a sinister smile: "What I want, the Emperor cannot give me."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly raised her hand, a cold glint in her eyes.

She couldn't escape now; her only option was to complete the mission so she could report back to Consort Jia and ensure her family wouldn't be in trouble.

"Jiang Huan!"

Huo Lin's eyes were bloodshot with rage. Without hesitation, he leaped forward and pounced on Jiang Huan.

Pfft!

The sound of a curved blade cutting through flesh rang out, but it wasn't Jiang Huan's.

Huo Lin forcefully blocked the knife with his arm, and blood instantly stained his sleeve. He didn't even flinch, but instead struck Chun Tao with his palm and cut the ropes binding Jiang Huan in the process.

Chun Tao was knocked back several steps by the palm strike, but she refused to give up.

She grinned maliciously, her inner strength reaching its peak. Like a bolt of lightning, she lunged forward and grabbed Jiang Huan's collar, then leaned back.

Let's die together!

Chun Tao's voice was hoarse and frantic, like a curse from hell.

Jiang Huan opened her eyes wide in terror, her body instinctively struggling.

But Chuntao was too strong, and she couldn't break free at all.

At the critical moment, a figure rushed over like a cheetah, and Huo Lin suddenly grabbed Jiang Huan's wrist.

His handsome face appeared exceptionally cold and stern at this moment, his brows furrowed, revealing a frantic anxiety.

But Chun Tao's strength was too great. Although Huo Lin reacted quickly, he was completely unable to stop Jiang Huan from falling.

The three of them plummeted down the cliff together. Jiang Huan felt a darkness before her eyes and the wind howled past her ears, as if it were tearing her soul out.

Huo Lin held Jiang Huan tightly in his arms, rolled over and cushioned her fall, using his own body to provide her with final protection.

Hold me tight!

Jiang Huan clung tightly to his neck, the only sounds in her ears being the howling wind and Huo Lin's rapid heartbeat.