In the late spring light, Xiang'er felt as if she were buried in snow, the cold seeping into her very bones. She broke free from You Yuanzhi's grasp, swaying as she rose, her face as pale as snow under the sunlight, stinging everyone's eyes. Fine beads of sweat dripped from her forehead, mingling with her tears, making it impossible to distinguish between them.

Xiang'er walked towards Fukang'an step by step, each step feeling like walking barefoot on thorns, the pain shooting from her toes to her heart. You Yuanzhi watched Xiang'er's retreating figure, which seemed to have been crushed, his eyes welling with tears, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. The moment Fukang'an appeared, he knew that Xiang'er would never belong to him again.

The river murmured, and birds chirped. The scenery was tranquil and peaceful, a world apart from the state of mind of everyone present. Fukang'an's weary expression filled Yan Ning with fear; it was an expression he only wore during battles, and now he was facing his aunt.

Xiang'er walked up to Fukang'an, took out a dagger from her sleeve, and said in a desperate and sorrowful voice, "Under the red candlelight, your smile was as warm as spring, and you gave me this dagger. Then you held my hands and said that if you ever betrayed me, you would let your own blood stain this silver dagger. At that moment, I gave you my life, to be with you through thick and thin, in life or in death. I have dreamt of you many times, but now the flowers are still there, but you are different."

After saying that, Xiang'er slammed the dagger heavily against Fukang'an, and then fell to the ground like a broken jade vase.

Fukang'an's face remained unmoved. He looked at You Yuanzhi and repeated his words in an icy voice, "Take away the people you want to take, and leave behind the people I want!"

Enraged by Fukang'an's ruthlessness towards Xiang'er, You Yuanzhi charged at Fukang'an with his bare hands. For a moment, the two fought fiercely, neither gaining the upper hand.

Zhao Xing ordered the soldiers behind him to remain stationary while he approached Tie Mu to rescue Yan Ning. You Yuanzhi had instructed Tie Mu to only hold Yan Ning hostage to save her life, and not to harm her in the slightest. Tie Mu drew the dagger from his waist to intimidate Zhao Xing, creating a stalemate as Zhao Xing hesitated to act rashly.

The sounds of fighting continued unabated in the silent forest. You Yuanzhi channeled all his emotions for Xiang'er into his fists and feet, while Fukang'an remained expressionless as he relentlessly pressed closer to You Yuanzhi. The withered leaves and branches piled up in winter fluttered up like a strong wind, and the river seemed to quicken, making the hearts of the onlookers pound with every punch and kick.

Xiang'er was like a pool of melting snow, as if the slightest movement could make her disappear.

Yan Ning was held captive by Tie Mu and unable to move. Having survived countless brushes with death, she was not afraid of the dagger Tie Mu placed at her neck. No matter what happened, Fukang'an would not let her life be in danger. At this moment, she was more worried about Xiang'er, who lay limp on the ground. Nothing could be more painful than despair.

Concerned for the distraught Xiang'er, You Yuanzhi gradually lost ground and was swept to the ground by Fukang'an. The soldiers behind Fukang'an immediately stepped forward and placed their knives against You Yuanzhi's neck. You Yuanzhi looked at Fukang'an with a contemptuous smile, then gracefully rose to his feet.

Seeing You Yuanzhi captured, Tie Mu immediately plunged the dagger, which had been two fingers' width away from Yan Ning's neck, into her flesh. Tie Mu was blind to women, so he had no regard for Yan Ning's appearance, nor did he show her any mercy. His only thought was to rescue You Yuanzhi.

The pain of the knife rubbing against her flesh made Yan Ning cry out immediately. Fukang'an took a few quick steps to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Xing, his face still expressionless.

Seeing that Fukang'an remained unmoved, Tiemu panicked. His and You Yuanzhi's lives now rested in Yan Ning's hands. If Fukang'an didn't save her, they would both face certain death. To test Fukang'an's intentions, Tiemu plunged his knife deeper into Yan Ning's neck, staining the bleached white handkerchief around her neck a horrifying crimson.

Seeing Yan Ning injured and bleeding, Zhao Xing lost his temper and threatened, "If you dare to hurt my lady again, I'll tear You Yuanzhi to pieces!"

Temu glanced at You Yuanzhi, who was being held captive by the soldiers, and loosened his grip slightly. He said to Fukang'an, "Release my sect leader, and I'll return this woman to you!"

Fukang'an's originally expressionless face was now filled with disdain, and his voice gradually grew louder, "If threatening me works, how will I be able to command the three armies and quell the chaos of war throughout the world in the future!"

Just as Tie Mu was at a loss, Xiang'er suddenly stood up and, as if possessed, lunged at the soldiers holding You Yuanzhi. The soldiers, knowing Xiang'er's identity, were caught off guard and loosened their grip. You Yuanzhi, being clever, immediately broke free and ran to Tie Mu's side. With You Yuanzhi free, the soldiers had no choice but to grab Xiang'er and report to Fukang'an.

Fukang'an waved his hand, and the archers behind him aimed at You Yuanzhi and Tiemu, ready to fire. Fukang'an himself picked up a bow and arrow, drawing it taut. With lightning speed, he shot at Tiemu. Fearing that Tiemu might use Yan Ning as a shield in desperation, You Yuanzhi pushed her aside from Tiemu's grasp. Tiemu leaped away, dodging the arrow.

Without Yan Ning as a shield, the archers unleashed a volley of arrows. Tie Mu, trying to shield You Yuanzhi, was riddled with arrows and became a target. You Yuanzhi, struck in the shoulder, fell into the river and was swept away by the current; his fate remains unknown.

Yan Ning watched as Tie Mu was struck by an arrow, blood gushing from various parts of his body, and You Yuanzhi was submerged in the floodwaters. Her eyes were filled with a blood-red hue, and although she tried her best to cover her mouth, she couldn't help but scream in terror.

Fukang'an carried the unconscious Yan Ning into the carriage, then helped Xiang'er into the carriage as well. Xiang'er's tear tracks had dried, and her eyes were empty. Fukang'an held the muttering Yan Ning in his arms, while looking worriedly at the motionless Xiang'er.

The injuries to the three masters of the Fucha family kept the imperial physicians and servants extremely busy. Xiang'er, who was in good health, only suffered a slight miscarriage, but she seemed to have lost her soul; Yan Ning was so frightened that she fell into a coma and kept muttering in her sleep.

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