A fleeting glimpse of beauty in the alleyways

"court death!"

Cheng Yaojin roared, his voice booming like a bell, echoing through the silent night sky. He reacted with lightning speed, his massive body surprisingly agile, leaping down from in front of the carriage in a flash, instantly wielding a pair of terrifying giant axes, standing like a guardian deity blocking the carriage's path.

"Protect the boy in the cart!" he roared at the terrified driver, then brandished his double axes and charged at the shadowy figures.

The clanging sounds were incessant, sparks flew everywhere. Cheng Yaojin possessed immense strength; his double axes swung like a whirlwind, unmatched in power and ferocity, instantly sending the two leading assassins, weapons and all, flying. However, these assassins were agile and coordinated, clearly no ordinary thieves. They didn't engage Cheng Yaojin in a direct confrontation; instead, several of them entangled him, while the others, like venomous snakes, deftly bypassed him and headed straight for the carriage!

The coachman was already paralyzed with fear. Yi Xing sat inside the carriage, able to clearly hear the intense fighting and clashing weapons outside, and even feel the chilling killing intent seeping in through the carriage walls. His heart pounded, and his palms were sweaty, but he forced himself to calm down. He couldn't be a burden.

He quickly scanned the carriage, trying to find anything he could use for self-defense or to make a noise. His gaze landed on a copper stove in the corner…

Just then, an assassin broke through Cheng Yaojin's blockade, his poisoned short sword flashing with an eerie light, and suddenly stabbed at the carriage curtain!

At the critical moment—

A crimson streak of light, like a shooting star tearing through the night sky, shot towards the distant high wall! Its speed was beyond the limits of what the naked eye could perceive!

"clang!"

A crisp, clear impact sound!

The short sword aimed at the carriage was struck precisely by a uniquely shaped dart imbued with a fiery aura. The immense force deflected the sword, even numbing the assassin's arm and causing him to stagger backward!

Immediately afterwards, a graceful figure descended from the sky. She wore light armor in red and black, her posture as upright as a pine tree, her long, fiery red hair fluttering in the night wind. In her hand, she held a broad, heavy sword, the blade seemingly still wreathed in lingering flames. Her face was strikingly handsome, her eyes bright and resolute, like an eagle soaring through the sky.

"Within the capital of Chang'an, right under the emperor's nose, how dare they commit murder? Do they think our Great Wall Guards are just for show?!"

Her voice was clear and resonant, carrying an undeniable authority and a dignified righteousness.

The newcomer was none other than the captain of the Great Wall Guards, the renowned heroine Hua Mulan!

Her appearance instantly changed the course of the battle. The assassins clearly hadn't expected such a surprise attack, much less that Mulan, who was far away at the Great Wall, would suddenly appear.

Mulan didn't even glance at the assassins. Her gaze first fell on Cheng Yaojin, who was struggling to hold on, and she nodded: "General Cheng." Then, her gaze passed over the crowd and landed on the quiet carriage—or more accurately, on the pair of calm yet slightly frightened dark eyes behind the slightly ajar carriage window.

In a mere instant of eye contact, Mulan no longer hesitated. She brandished her heavy sword, her figure flashing like lightning, and plunged directly into the fray.

Her swordsmanship lacked Cheng Yaojin's fierce and domineering style, but it was more refined and sharp, combining expansive movements with the simplicity and efficiency honed on the battlefield. The heavy sword seemed weightless in her hands; each swing carried immense power, yet it was also exceptionally agile, always striking the enemy's most vulnerable points from the most treacherous angles.

"Form ranks!" The assassin leader roared, sensing the danger.

The remaining assassins immediately changed formation, attempting to counter Mulan with a combined attack. However, they underestimated the strength of the Great Wall captain.

"A mere trick!" Mulan sneered, slamming her heavy sword into the ground. A scorching wave of air erupted from her, repelling all the assassins who tried to surround her! Then, she drew her sword and swept it horizontally with a backhand. The sword wind was fierce, forcing the assassins to retreat and parry, their formation instantly collapsing.

With the pressure greatly reduced, Cheng Yaojin's spirits lifted, and he roared as he joined forces with Hua Mulan to launch a pincer attack. The combined power of these two seasoned warriors was astonishing; in just a few breaths, the remaining assassins were almost all dead or wounded. The last remaining leader, seeing that the situation was hopeless, flashed a ruthless glint in his eyes and without hesitation bit into the poison sac hidden between his teeth, dying instantly.

The battle began suddenly and ended just as quickly. The alley returned to silence, leaving only a scene of devastation and the heavy stench of blood.

Cheng Yaojin, leaning on his double axes and panting heavily, grinned at Hua Mulan: "Captain Hua, you've come just in time! I, Old Cheng, owe you a favor!"

Hua Mulan sheathed her sword, her heroic brows slightly furrowed, and glanced at the corpses of the assassins: "General Cheng, there's no need for such formalities. I was ordered to return to the capital to report on my duties and happened to be passing through this area. Who were these people? Why did they attack your carriage?" Her gaze returned to the carriage, filled with inquiry. For Cheng Yaojin to personally escort them, and for such professional assassins to pursue them, the people inside the carriage were definitely not ordinary.

Cheng Yaojin's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "The person in the carriage is Yi Xing from the Yaotian Organization. I was ordered by Lord Di to escort him back. As for these scum..." He kicked at the corpse at his feet, "They're probably trying to silence him, or... frame him again!"

"Yao Tian? Yi Xing?" A knowing glint flashed in Hua Mulan's eyes. She naturally had some understanding of the various forces in Chang'an City, and she had heard of Yao Tian's reputation, but she had never been close to him. As for Yi Xing... that name seemed somewhat familiar.

At that moment, the carriage curtain was gently lifted by a pale hand. Yi Xing's face appeared behind it; although still pale, his eyes had regained their calm.

"Junior Yi Xing thanks General Hua for saving my life." His voice was clear and sincere.

Hua Mulan looked at his excessively young, pale, and obviously sickly face, and his calm eyes that didn't seem like those of a young man, and her heart stirred slightly. Was this the young Yao Tian who had been implicated in the palace murder case? He did indeed appear... as frail as the rumors suggested.

"It was nothing," Mulan said succinctly. "It seems that things haven't been peaceful in Chang'an lately either."

Yi Xing nodded slightly, saying nothing more. He knew that Hua Mulan's appearance was a variable, and perhaps an opportunity. The Great Wall Guards were independent of the power struggles in Chang'an; their stance leaned more towards protection. If he could gain their understanding…

Cheng Yaojin told the still-shaken coachman to start the carriage again, and said to Hua Mulan, "Captain Hua, we shouldn't stay here any longer. I'll take this boy back first. I will report today's events to Lord Di truthfully."

Hua Mulan nodded: "I also need to go to the palace to meet the Emperor. General Cheng, Young Master Yixing, take care."

With a flick of her red hair, she vanished into the darkness at the end of the alley in a few leaps and bounds, appearing suddenly and leaving just as abruptly.

The carriage resumed its journey. Inside, Yi Xing leaned back on the cushions, recalling the thrilling scene that had just unfolded, and the heroic figure of Hua Mulan. The night in Chang'an was indeed fraught with danger. But it seemed that not everyone was an enemy.

He coughed lightly twice and closed his eyes. Too much had happened tonight; he needed time to sort it all out. As for his master, he wondered how things were going.

The night deepened, concealing the battle that had just taken place, but also sowing the seeds of more unknown events.