"So it was you!"

When Liu Wei saw He Miao appear, he suddenly realized what was going on.

The assassination attempt on Liu Wei in Luoyang was most likely carried out by He Miao without He Jin's knowledge.

The assassins wielding sharp blades and crossbows before them, along with the Cui family merchant who had infiltrated the delegation last time, and the black-clad men killed by Pei Yuanshao and Liu Wei's guards in Jiuzong Mountain, all seemed to be people recruited separately by He Miao.

Behind this, it should be that Empress He gave the order alone, without He Jin's involvement!

Now that the He family holds great power, as their power expands, disagreements naturally arise regarding the distribution of power.

"What, do you still have something to say when you're about to die?"

"How dare you disrespect the Empress and go against the He family!"

"I will avenge you today all the humiliation you suffered on the journey from Jiuzong Mountain to Luoyang City."

He Miao was extremely pleased with himself.

"Heh, He Miao, you're too smug! Do you know what the consequences will be if you kill a prince, a nobleman, or a general who guards the north?"

Liu Wei smiled faintly.

"Since you've taken my things, don't you know the consequences?"

"However, the consequence now is that you will suffer a fate worse than death, and the imperial court will be powerless against me!"

He Miao's expression suddenly turned cold as she spoke, "Wang Shang, Wang Xia, make your move! Capture this man alive, and the bounty will be doubled!"

"Yes, General!"

The two assassin leaders shouted their approval, then waved their hands, "Attack!"

With the leader giving the order and the men hearing that the reward would be doubled, all their previous concerns were forgotten.

At a shout, the assassins standing at the front row immediately sprang into action, grabbing at Liu Wei and his two companions!

"court death!"

Seeing the assassins swarming over, Yan Shisan and Yan Xiaoliu made their move!

Needless to say, Yan Shisan wielded his crescent-shaped dagger cleanly and swiftly, aiming straight for the assassins' necks, joints, and other vital areas.

With a flash of the blade, a quick combo slit the throats of the first three assassins who charged at him.

Blood flowed like a rainbow, and before the three assassins could even scream, they collapsed like a pile of straw.

Yan Xiaoliu, having been shot in the right shoulder with an arrow, switched the knife to his left hand.

However, his left hand seemed even more ruthless, each strike potentially fatal.

With a few quick movements, he swiftly and decisively took down the two assassins.

He Miao was slightly startled; he hadn't expected the two guards beside Liu Wei to be so fierce.

Their skills far surpassed those of He Miao's assassins.

"Wang Shang, Wang Xia! Go and hold those two back!"

"Liu Wei is just a prince, weak and injured, not worth worrying about. Once we take care of his two guards, we'll have accomplished our mission."

In He Miao's view, Liu Wei at this moment was like a big mouse caught by a cat, at He Miao's mercy.

However, he certainly didn't have time to play slowly.

This place is not far from the palace. If the Imperial Guards are alerted, there will be no way to keep Liu Wei here.

If Liu Wei were to escape, it would not only ruin He Jin's plans but also bring the conflict between He Jin and Empress He to the forefront.

The He family is rife with infighting. If they were to part ways, wouldn't they become a laughingstock for the court officials and the Ten Attendants, who could then take advantage of their vulnerability?

We must act swiftly and decisively!

He Miao then asked the Wang brothers to take action!

These Wang brothers are no ordinary people; they are disciples of the famous swordsman Wang Yue.

He studied swordsmanship under Wang Yue for ten years, but after mastering the skill, he became arrogant and caused several murders, which led to Wang Yue expelling him from the school.

The two brothers were running rampant in Hedong when they happened to be recruited by He Miao, so they joined his ranks.

Because of their outstanding martial arts skills, He Miao appointed the two brothers to lead this thousand elite warriors.

He usually taught people how to kill and also did dirty work for He Mian and Empress He.

The Wang brothers don't usually make a move, but when they do, they don't stop until they've drawn blood!

He Miao has now ordered the Wang brothers to take action, which means the other party is a tough nut to crack.

Upon hearing He Miao's order, Wang Shang and Wang Xia's eyes turned cold, and they drew their swords from their waists.

The sword energy was chilling, and those around them couldn't help but shrink back.

Whoosh!

The two men stabbed at Yan Shisan and Yan Xiaoliu from the left and right respectively.

Wang Xia was even more vicious.

He seemed to have already seen Yan Xiaoliu's injury, and his sword went straight for Yan Xiaoliu's right shoulder, a typical way of striking while the iron was hot!

The four men immediately engaged in close combat, exchanging blows with swords and knives, their fighting evenly matched.

The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun swept across the battlefield, invincible wherever they went.

However, they often fight as a unified whole.

More importantly, they need warhorses.

Only when the horse and rider work together can their strengths and endurance be fully utilized.

They were now facing wandering swordsmen, and without the added benefit of warhorses, Yan Shisan and Yan Xiaoliu's combat capabilities were greatly weakened.

Also, the length of the crescent-shaped scimitar was considerably shorter than the three-foot-long sword of the Wang brothers.

Adding to the fact that Yan Xiaoliu was still injured in his right shoulder, after only about ten rounds of fighting, Yan Xiaoliu and his companion were completely entangled by the Wang brothers' exquisite swordsmanship.

The two men were worried that the Wang brothers might hurt Liu Wei, so they kept a distance from him.

During the fight, Liu Wei's opening was exposed.

He Miao's mouth twisted into a smirk!

You had me captured back then, so now I'll capture you myself!

A prince who is weak and injured is easy to subdue.

With a thought, He Miao charged directly at Liu Wei without even drawing his sword: "Don't resist, just surrender obediently!"

"Perhaps the Empress will take pity on you and find an imperial physician to prolong your life, so you can live a few more days."

Those who are often surrounded and killed by villains know that villains usually die from talking too much.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!