Overturned nest eggs
Gongyi Xiu sensed her getting off his back, but didn't hear her leave. He only shouted, "Aren't you leaving?"
At the same time, he was already facing dozens of knives and spears thrusting at him.
Zhu Zuosi took the lead and leaped forward, his spearhead conjuring countless afterimages as it attacked him like mercury spilling onto the ground.
If Gongyi Xiu were only dealing with the swords and spears of the enforcement team, he could still manage with ease. However, with the addition of Zhu Zuosi, the chief of the Enforcement Bureau, wielding the incomparably powerful "Howling Wind Spear," he would surely be entangled and killed here today.
This was also Zhu Zuosi's purpose.
If Gongyi Xiu were allowed to break into the prison and take away prisoners unharmed, the Xingfeng Hall, known for its strict law enforcement, would no longer need to stand among the three halls.
Even just for the name of Gongyi Xiu, Zhu Zuosi wouldn't dare to directly confront "Marquis Liu" like this. His decisive move now was also because he had anticipated that Gongyi Xiu was currently surrounded by the battle and unable to deal with the situation. With his storm-like attacks, combined with the enforcement team's group combat, he estimated that he had a 70-80% chance of defeating Gongyi Xiu on the spot.
But just as he unleashed his ever-changing spear techniques, a series of clanging sounds suddenly rang out.
The sound was incredibly crisp, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, but the impact from the gun barrel was heavier with each strike, making his hands go numb and his blood flow backward.
To be able to connect with more than ten shots with such incredible speed and skill, and to deflect and parry the force of each shot from different angles, this person's control over the weapon and timing is so masterful that he can be described as having complete ease and freedom of movement.
Zhu Zuosi was greatly alarmed. Even while fighting so fiercely, he couldn't help but look up and glance at who was blocking his attack.
The newcomer had long, disheveled hair, filthy clothes, but a slender and delicate figure; he was none other than the criminal that Gongyi Xiu had just carried on his back.
Zhu Zuosi was once again greatly alarmed. If this criminal's skills were truly this impressive…
He dared not think any further, his heavy iron spear swirling even more frantically. At this moment, he had no choice but to go all out, for A Qiu had switched from defense to offense in just a few moves, each strike aimed at breaking through his iron spear's blockade and targeting his vital points. With her ruthless and skillful technique, if he were to be careless and allowed to get close, he would likely be killed instantly.
In truth, although A Qiu's technique appeared forceful, she was already exhausted and secretly lamented her predicament. Using exquisite techniques to directly confront an opponent's heavy weapon was extremely taxing on her internal energy, and A Qiu was not at her peak. She had just been dragged back from the underworld by Gongyi Xiu, and her three souls and seven spirits had only just returned to their places. The fierce and rapid attack she had just launched had exhausted the little strength she had managed to gather.
Gongyi Xiu, however, remained oblivious, his back to her as he focused on dealing with the onslaught of the law enforcement envoys. To him, A Qiu had always been an invincible figure. Now that she was able to move freely again and deal with Zhu Zuosi's attacks, there was nothing more to worry about.
A Qiu must not utter a warning, lest Zhu Zuosi see through her weakness. Otherwise, if these people swarm her, and Gongyi Xiu has to flee with her, the inevitable result will be defeat and capture.
It would be too humiliating for a Hall Master of Yiyan Hall and a Hall Master of Shenbing Hall to be captured and taken back by the Xingfeng Hall.
Ah Qiu was fighting so hard that she could barely hold onto her dagger. Suddenly, a clear shout rang out, and someone had already darted behind her, then quickly over her head and pounced on the enemy opposite.
A cluster of dazzling sword light exploded before their eyes, like a rainbow of frost and snow, with sword intent flowing like a waterfall, leaving people in awe, and forcefully separating the Xingfeng Hall members from A Qiu.
Just by observing the sword's gleaming blue light, which seemed to carry the force of wind and thunder, A Qiu knew who the newcomer was.
What shocked her the most was that it was this person who came.
Shangguan Yuqi, the head of the Eastern Palace Flying Phoenix Guard. And her gentlemanly sword "Binghuang," which had been famous throughout the world since the time of her great-uncle, stood solemnly before the members of Xingfeng Hall.
Therefore, when Gongyi Xiu issued the Lanling Whistle, the one who answered the summons was actually Shangguan Yuqi.
Shangguan Yuqi turned her back to the two of them and said only one word: "Go!"
Upon hearing the sound, the members of Xingfeng Hall immediately rushed forward, but Shangguan Yuqi remained calm and composed, raising her sword once more.
Without exception, everyone was drawn into the chilling blue light of the Ice Bamboo Sword.
Seizing the opportunity, before A Qiu could react, Gongyi Xiu grabbed her and quickly drove away.
The sound of wheels rolling over the ground kept reaching my ears.
Gongyi Xiu had taken A Qiu several miles away and immediately boarded a carriage that had been waiting by the roadside. The carriage was simple and plain, but the horses tied in front of it were of exceptional quality, spirited and clearly of high quality. The coachman, wearing a straw hat and red clothes, also looked somewhat familiar.
Ah Qiu was leaning against the soft cushions inside the car, his face pale, because he had just exerted too much force.
She couldn't help but ask, "You're just leaving Miss Shangguan to deal with Xingfeng Hall's thugs and Zhu Zuosi all by yourself? Won't she get hurt?"
After such a long and rapid journey, Gongyi Xiu was already drenched in sweat. He said without hesitation, "Wake up! That's the future sword immortal of the Southern Dynasty! If it were a one-on-one fight, neither of us would necessarily be able to defeat her!"
When he found that A Qiu was still staring at him, he finally spread his hands and smiled bitterly, "What do you want me to do? I told you to go alone but you wouldn't. If I stayed to fight with her, how many steps could you take in your current state?"
A Qiu was annoyed, thinking that it was indeed the case. Given her current condition, if Gongyi Xiu hadn't used his unparalleled lightness skill to carry her far away, she probably wouldn't have been able to walk even a mile.
Gongyi Xiu then said, "Don't worry. Chief Shangguan is more than capable of dealing with those people. Even if I can't wipe them all out, I should be able to escape more than enough if I face them alone."
A Qiu reflected that he had indeed let his concern cloud his judgment. He heard Gongyi Xiu cry out "Ouch!" and saw him lift his sleeve to reveal a large patch of blood on his right shoulder. He must have been injured by a weapon during the fight, but hadn't had time to pay attention to it at the time.
Gongyi Xiu casually tore off the silver silk cloth from his cloud-patterned satin and used it to bandage himself to stop the bleeding. He said fiercely, "These blind brats from Xingfeng Hall dare to be so disrespectful and insubordinate even to their senior brother. They are truly despicable."
Ah Qiu kept her head down for a long while before finally uttering two words in a barely audible voice: "Thank you."
Gongyi Xiu finally revealed a smile, like the sun breaking through dark clouds, and said meaningfully, "What are you thanking me for?"
A Qiu raised her head, looked him straight in the eye, and said, word by word, "I never imagined that my senior brother could make such a great sacrifice for me. I'm afraid I can never repay this kindness in my lifetime."
Every word she spoke came from the heart, and every word was true.
No one knew better than her the place Wan Qiqing held in Gongyi Xiu's heart. And for Gongyi Xiu to betray his master Wan Qiqing for her sake was probably the greatest price he had ever paid in his life.
Gongyi Xiu also wiped away his smile, his handsome face becoming completely expressionless. He looked out the window and said calmly, "You don't need to feel guilty. If it were Junior Brother Mo Yi, I would have done the same. From the first day you entered Lanling Hall, I have regarded you as my own younger brother and sister-in-law, and that has never changed."
A Qiu was shocked.
She had always taken her senior brother's friendly attitude, which he treated everyone equally, as a mask. She never imagined that Gongyi Xiu truly regarded them as family.
When Gongyi Xiu looked at her again, his eyes had softened considerably. He said, "Do you still remember the day you first came to Lanling Hall?"
Ah Qiu thought to herself, how could she not remember the day Wan Qiqing abducted her from Gu Yi's side?
Gongyi Xiu continued, “At that time, your eyes were not only blank, but also filled with a desolate, ashes-like look. Just like... when I first saw you today. At that time, I knew that you were not dull or dull, because a dull or dull person could not have such a heartbroken expression. You have experienced great pain. But your master will not understand.”
A Qiu's heart trembled once again.
She never imagined that this senior brother, who always joked and laughed with them, could observe her so keenly.
Gongyi Xiu seemed to recall the past, and sighed softly, saying, "When Junior Brother Moyi first entered Master's school, his expression was actually the same. But when he entered, he was much older than you were then, a teenager, and he could hide many of his thoughts. Fortunately, Master didn't care about these things."
Ah Qiu whispered, "Many times, it was you who taught us things in place of our master."
Gongyi Xiu grinned again and said, "Like Master, I have little patience. Don't blame me. Fortunately, since you came out of the snowfield, you've mastered everything related to martial arts, as if you had divine help. The only thing you can't learn is calligraphy."
A-Qiu knew he must be thinking about the time when he taught her to write in place of her master, and she stammered, "I really didn't have the talent, no wonder you're so great, senior brother."
Gongyi Xiu's expression suddenly darkened, and he said, "If my younger siblings were still alive, they would be about your age."
A-Qiu had never heard Gongyi Xiu mention the past. She used to think that Gongyi Xiu was like her, not remembering anything from her childhood. But now it seemed that was not the case.
One reason is that when Gongyi Xiu and Mo Yimingyue joined Wanqiqing's school, they were already teenagers, not children like she was back then.
A-Qiu hesitated and said, "So, Senior Brother's home is..."
"Luoyang. Like my second junior brother, my homeland was destroyed by the iron hooves and flames of war of the Northern Qiang."
Gongyi Xiu answered the question for her first.
Although A Qiu had suspected it before, she was still deeply shaken when Gong Yixiu personally confirmed it.
After a moment of silence, Gongyi Xiufang said, "This is also why I spared no effort to get you out after I learned that you had been thrown into the Xingfeng Hall prison by my master."
Ah Qiu hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Given the current situation, what else can I do?"
The last few words of this sentence are filled with endless sorrow.
With Jianzhang having decided to surrender, Jiangdong will soon become the territory of the Northern Qiang. Under the master's strategic planning and manipulation, it is only a matter of time before the Northern Qiang's iron hooves trample into Jiangnan.
Even if she were still alive, what difference would it make if she had already been expelled from the center of power in the Southern Dynasty?
The speed at which the Northern Qiang army broke through the Southern Dynasty's blockade far exceeded everyone's expectations, and the speed of the border retreat was also unimaginable. It almost made her wonder if the Southern Dynasty had been too complacent in recent years since Shangguan Jin's death, and whether the border troops had never been seriously trained or prepared?
At such a rapid and devastating defeat, even if her sworn brother Li Chongyu and the Fan family army of the Marquis of Yongding wanted to provide assistance, it would be too late.
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