Dusk, like blood, spilled across the jagged rocks and withered thorns. Wild Wolf Valley, the only route to the border of Xiling Kingdom, was now eerily silent, save for the mournful howl of the wind whistling through the cracks in the rocks, like the low weeping of wild ghosts. Xiao Chengkang and A Yuan, escorted by fifteen of the most elite shadow guards from the Jing Prince's mansion, were riding through this treacherous pass. The horses' hooves pounded on the gravel with a monotonous, tense "clatter."

Suddenly, the deathly silence was ripped apart!

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!"

A piercing whooshing sound rained down from the steep mountain walls on both sides like a torrential downpour! Not arrows, but something far more insidious: poisoned crossbow bolts with a ghostly blue sheen! Their sheer number nearly blocked out the last ray of sunlight!

"Enemy attack! Protect the young master and the young lady!" the Shadow Guard leader roared, his voice echoing through the valley. The well-trained Shadow Guards instantly tightened their formation, their heavy round shields clanging as they stood firm, protecting Xiao Chengkang and A Yuan in the center. Poisoned crossbow bolts struck the shields with a sickening "thud," many embedding themselves in the soil or hitting the rocks, scattering tiny, eerie blue sparks.

However, this was only the beginning.

Almost simultaneously with the rain of arrows, countless dark figures, like ink seeping from cracks in the rocks or a swarm of startled bats, surged wildly from the mountain walls on both sides and the valley entrances! Their numbers far exceeded those of the previous night raid on Prince Jing's residence by more than double! The flashing of swords and the clash of blades instantly filled the narrow valley, the shouts of battle, the clanging of weapons, and screams of agony mingling together in a deafening roar!

"Kill! Whoever takes Xi Lingyuan's head will be richly rewarded!" The voice of a masked leader, like the hooting of a night owl, pierced through the chaotic battlefield.

The battle instantly intensified. The Jing Prince's Shadow Guards, true to their elite status, formed a rock-solid formation of fifteen, their movements precise and controlled. Wherever their blades flashed, a black-clad figure fell. Xiao Chengkang had already shielded A Yuan behind him, his silver needles flashing like venomous snakes, precisely targeting vital points like joints and eye sockets. With each strike, an assassin froze or screamed as they collapsed. A Yuan was no weakling either; her short dagger danced in her hands, complementing Xiao Chengkang's needlework with cunning and ruthless precision, targeting the enemy's lower body and wrists, deflecting several deadly attacks aimed at Xiao Chengkang's flanks.

But the enemies were simply too numerous! They surged forward wave after wave, fearless and relentless. The Shadow Guards' formation began to falter. One Shadow Guard, trying to shield his comrade from a heavy blade slashing from the flank, was ambushed from behind by another assassin, a long blade piercing his abdomen! Blood gushed forth!

"Seventh Brother!" The shadow guard beside him exclaimed, his eyes wide with fury.

On the other side, a shadow guard was entangled by three knives at the same time. Although he managed to parry two of them, the third knife slashed his shoulder blade so hard that the bone was visible! He groaned and knelt on the ground, but his knife still held firmly against the other blade coming down!

"Young master! Take the girl away!" The shadow guard leader, covered in blood, cleaved an enemy in front of him with a single blow and roared hoarsely. The formation had been broken, and casualties were rapidly increasing.

Xiao Chengkang's eyes were icy cold, and he didn't hesitate for a moment. He suddenly pulled out a specially made medicine pouch from his pocket and slammed it hard at the feet of the assassins who were rushing to the front and trying to surround them!

"Hold your breath!" he shouted, pulling A-Yuan behind him.

"puff--!"

The medicine sac burst open, and thick, pungent yellow smoke instantly filled the air, carrying a spicy bitter taste and a strong numbing effect! The assassin who rushed into the smoke immediately coughed violently, tears and snot streaming down his face, and his movements became sluggish and stiff.

"Go!" Xiao Chengkang grabbed A Yuan's wrist, and under the cover of smoke, amidst the furious roars of the remaining shadow guards desperately covering the rear, they sped off like two wisps of smoke toward the relatively open area outside the valley! Behind them, there was an even more brutal battle and figures falling one after another.