Chapter 209 The Sharpshooter
However, even faster than the blade was a sharp whistling sound that cut through the air.
It was a sharp, almost ear-piercing screech that seemed to pierce everyone's ears, followed by a bloodcurdling scream.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly opened his eyes and saw the steel knife in the hand of the imperial guard who was about to kill him fall to the ground. He was clutching his wrist and howling. Upon closer inspection, he found that an arrow had pierced his wrist, and blood was flowing out continuously.
This is--
Shang Ruyi's eyes widened in surprise, while another imperial guard beside her shouted in terror, "Enemy—"
Before he could finish saying the word "enemy," the word abruptly stopped with a muffled thud. Shang Ruyi looked up and saw that his eyes were bulging like those of a dead fish, his body was stiff and straight, and an arrow had pierced his throat. He made a gurgling sound in his throat before finally collapsing to the ground.
One of his guards, his eyes reddening, immediately turned to look at the opposite bank: "Who—"
Before he could finish speaking, another arrow struck him squarely between the eyebrows.
"An assassin!"
"careful!"
At this moment, the people around reacted completely, but their reaction was not as fast as the arrows that came flying at once. In just an instant, several cold lights pierced the wind and the imperial guards surrounding Shang Ruyi fell to the ground.
Suddenly, the area around her was cleared out!
Shang Ruyi was stunned by this sudden turn of events. She subconsciously turned her head and looked towards the other side of the river.
Those around her might not have seen it clearly yet, but just now, all those who were hit by arrows were surrounding her, and she saw more clearly than anyone else where the arrows came from—right to the north of the military camp, in the pitch-black night on the opposite bank of the river.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, and she immediately found a point in the deep night.
That glint of cold light was like the only star in the dark night sky.
Then, she saw a tall figure gradually emerge around the cold light. It seemed to be a lean man who was standing sideways, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow. The arrow at his fingertips shone like starlight in the night, yet it also contained the power of thunder. As soon as he let go, someone would fall under his arrow!
Shang Ruyi was somewhat taken aback.
Not only was she astonished at why this person was there, and why he was shooting the guards around her, but more importantly, upon closer inspection, she discovered that there seemed to be many dark figures moving on the opposite bank of the river. Clearly, there was more than one person, but the cold light was only a single point!
In other words, all the arrows just now were shot by him alone!
To hit targets in the darkness in such a short time, without missing a single one, without the slightest deviation—this is probably no less impressive than that of Yang Youji, the descendant of Hou Yi!
Could it be Yuwen Ye?
The moment the name popped into her mind, Shang Ruyi's heart pounded a little harder, but she immediately dismissed the guess.
Although both are sharpshooters, Yuwen Ye's archery skills are more outstanding in terms of power, making him a domineering presence on the battlefield who can amaze the world with a single arrow, while this person's arrow style is more agile and skillful.
But who is he?
Only this one thought flashed through her mind before she immediately dismissed it. At this moment, there was no time to care who anyone else was; the most important thing right now was this:
run!
Seeing the people around her retreating in terror, she hurriedly kicked aside the corpse in front of her and rushed out in the chaos!
When Kou Yunliang saw her trying to escape, he immediately shouted, "Don't let her get away! Kill her!"
Although the Imperial Guards and soldiers still on the perimeter heard the panicked screams at the entrance of the main tent, they didn't know what had happened for a moment. They only saw the general's wife rush out of the crowd, and the supervising officer was shouting to kill her. Naturally, they dared not delay and hurriedly chased after her.
Suddenly, another streak of cold light pierced through the air.
The imperial guard who was chasing the closest screamed and fell to the ground clutching his neck. The others chasing behind were stunned by the sight and fell back several steps.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi finally understood one thing.
This archer, who appears like a ghost in the night, has come to help me!
As if to confirm her idea, several more arrows flew over, and the people following Shang Ruyi all screamed and fell to the ground, clutching the places where they were hit by arrows. Their screams echoed throughout the valley!
Although she didn't know who the other party was, at least at this moment, they gave her a way out. Shang Ruyi's heart was slightly relieved, but she didn't stop and ran forward quickly. In a short while, she squeezed through the middle of the two fences.
Meanwhile, the military camp behind them was already in chaos, terrified by the rain of arrows.
Kou Yunliang, in particular, screamed for the people around him to protect him, but as soon as he saw Shang Ruyi rush out of the crowd, he immediately pointed at the people around him and yelled at them to chase after her. The imperial guards and soldiers around him were at a loss, while in the chaos, Shang Ruyi had already rushed out of the military camp, leaving the noise and chaos far behind.
She ran desperately, and the sound of her footsteps and heavy breathing seemed amplified countless times, sounding so jarring in the valley.
And inexplicably, she could also hear footsteps on the other side of the river.
With just a turn of her head, she saw that tiny, cold star that had been running alongside her the whole time!
This is--
Shang Ruyi was puzzled, but she understood one thing even more clearly: this person was definitely not Yuwen Ye. Moreover, although he had just rescued her, he was now walking alongside her with an arrow in hand, which meant that she was also his target!
But he didn't shoot an arrow at himself, so what was he going to do?
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi looked up again and immediately understood—after passing Luokou Ferry, the Luo River would suddenly make a huge turn and flow northward, and Huangtu Ridge was located to the east of the turn. Therefore, after passing this bend, people who were originally on the south bank of the Luo River could approach or even climb Huangtu Ridge without crossing the river!
Huangtuling is where Xingluocang is located.
A sudden flash of inspiration struck Shang Ruyi, as if she understood something. Of course, she didn't stop running, searching quickly in the darkness as she ran. Soon, she saw a small path ahead that turned south!
She immediately ran towards that path.
However, the instant she turned the corner, she saw a flash of cold light and an arrow was embedded right at her feet!
Shang Ruyi's breathing became heavier. She stopped and slowly turned to look at the opposite bank of the river. The night was deeper and the darkness was heavier. She watched as a glint of cold light drew a beautiful arc and then stopped again.
Once again, it was aimed at itself!
The other party was preventing her from running down this path!
Therefore, the other party is trying to force her to keep moving forward!
Now, she has guessed who the other party is—even if she doesn't know exactly who it is, she knows where this sharpshooter who never misses a shot comes from.
Just ahead, there stands that majestic and towering loess ridge!
He came from Xingluocang, which means he was one of Wang Gangjun's men!
Shang Ruyi held her breath, watching the arrow flash coldly in the night, yet it remained motionless, aimed directly at her. In the silent mountains, only the heavy pounding of her heart could be heard, almost making her lose her balance.
What to do? She can't escape now.
Although she has escaped Kou Yunliang's pursuit, she came here to find Yuwen Ye. Yuwen Ye's whereabouts are currently unknown, and it is unclear what kind of tragic situation the Yuwen family will fall into under Kou Yunliang's trap. However, if she is captured by Wang Gang's army, then the consequences are unimaginable.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi gritted her teeth and turned to leave again.
But this time, the arrow did not fly over!
Shang Ruyi was overjoyed, thinking that the other party had let her go, and hurriedly turned around to run away. But as soon as she turned around, she bumped into a tall, dark figure and stumbled, almost falling to the ground.
"ah!"
She let out a quick, low cry, but before she could fall, a hand grabbed her and pulled her back sharply, causing her to fall into a solid chest!
In her haste, Shang Ruyi looked up—
A pair of bright, shining eyes smiled at her in the night.
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