Chapter 229 Life and Death
Arrows rained down, heading straight for Qiu Heng and his companions.
The Crimson Flame Prince, who was standing in front of Qiu Heng, was instantly riddled with bullets.
Qiu Heng gripped the "shield" with one hand and swung her soft sword with the other to catch the flying arrows.
A scream rang out as the Great Xia guards, with nowhere to hide, were struck by arrows. In the brief pause, they were riddled with arrows.
All I could hear were the whistling of arrows flying through the air, the screams of my own men, and the fluttering of startled birds.
Amidst the chaotic and cruel sounds, Qiu Heng heard a muffled groan.
The voice was low, but because it was so familiar, she recognized it immediately.
It's Xue Han!
Qiu Heng glanced over and saw Xue Han deflect countless arrows with his longsword, saving the guard closest to him. But there were too many arrows flying in, and one arrow pierced straight into his shoulder.
Humans are ultimately made of flesh and blood, not of iron and stone. Xue Han's movements slowed due to being hit by an arrow, and more arrows came flying at him.
For some reason, even at such a critical moment, Qiu Heng thought of what Xue Han had said before coming to Xijiang.
"You swear that if you harbor any other intentions and don't tell me, may Xue Han be struck by a thousand arrows—"
Is it like being pierced by a thousand arrows?
Qiu Heng absolutely refused to accept such a thing happening before her eyes. If she really couldn't avoid it, then let her go first—she was the one who brought Xue Han here!
Qiu Heng pushed the corpse of Prince Chi Yan towards the countless flying arrows, her soft sword moving like a nimble snake, swirling away the arrows aimed at Xue Han.
The physical injuries affected his movements, and these were not things that could be controlled by sheer willpower; the only thing unaffected was his brain. Xue Han was acutely aware that every second he lingered in this desperate situation increased the risk of death.
"Aheng, jump!" In a moment of crisis, even communication is a luxury. Xue Han shouted and grabbed Qiu Heng as they ran toward the cliff.
The surrounding terrain was already deeply imprinted in Xue Han's mind. When there was nowhere to retreat or escape, only jumping off the cliff would offer a glimmer of hope.
With an overwhelming advantage, Princess Duoya watched Qiu Heng and the others fight like cornered beasts with the relaxed attitude of someone watching a contest. Three Great Xia guards fell one after another. When she saw Xue Han pulling Qiu Heng towards the cliff, Princess Duoya's expression changed drastically: "Fire arrows! Fire arrows quickly! Stop them!"
More arrows, like a woven net, enveloped the two running hand in hand. Princess Duoya saw an arrow pierce Xue Han's back. As the boy fell forward, he pushed with all his might, sending the person beside him flying even further away.
Qiu Heng felt a powerful force come at her, and as she fell, she turned around to see arrows blotting out the sky, chasing after her. Xue Han lay on the ground, looking up at her slightly.
Time was short, but it seemed to slow down. Qiu Heng clearly saw a tear roll down Xue Han's cheek, but he tried to raise the corners of his lips as if to smile at her.
"Xue Han!" With a heart-wrenching cry, the girl who had been pushed away by Xue Han with all his might disappeared at the edge of the cliff like a bird with its wings folded.
Princess Doya raised her hand, signaling the guards holding bows to stop.
The ground was covered with layers of arrows, several corpses, and Xue Han, who was lying on the edge of the cliff, his fate unknown.
Princess Duoya walked to a corpse, which was Prince Chiyan.
The once-glorious prodigy at the Warriors Tournament was now riddled with arrows and was long dead.
It looks like a hedgehog, even in death it's still so ugly.
Princess Duoya looked down at them, her eyes filled with disgust and pleasure.
Those who covet the throne of the Emperor should die.
Princess Doya ordered, "Throw him down."
Those present were all her confidants. If they threw Chi Yan's body off the cliff, they could then claim that Princess Suiyun had kidnapped Chi Yan and jumped off the cliff.
There is no way to verify the truth since the dead are dead.
Soon, the two guards, one lifting the head and the other the leg, threw Prince Chiyan's body off the cliff.
Princess Duoya walked towards Xue Han.
"Is he still alive?" Princess Duoya gently nudged Xue Han as she stopped beside him.
Xue Han moved his body slightly.
Princess Doya raised an eyebrow in surprise: "You're still alive? You're really lucky."
Not receiving a response, Princess Duoya was not annoyed. She circled around Xue Han with great interest, letting the wind at the edge of the cliff blow her skirt.
"Xue Han," she called out, her voice a mixture of excitement and hatred.
"You think so highly of yourself, yet you're lying half-dead at my feet. And that Princess Suiyun, you'd rather die yourself than let her die. Is she your little lover? Too bad, falling off this cliff is still death."
Princess Doya laughed, a truly wicked laugh: "On the contrary, it's you I'll save, and then every day I'll cut off a piece of your flesh to feed the eagles, making you wish you were dead!"
Xue Han glanced calmly at the girl with the fierce smile, slowly stretched out his hand, and used all his strength to climb towards the edge of the cliff.
The foot, clad in deerskin boots, ruthlessly stepped on Xue Han's hand.
"What, are you planning to jump off and commit suicide for love?"
Xue Han moved his hand, and the foot that was stepping on the back of his hand ground down.
"Look at you, you can't even die. Why don't you beg me? If you beg me, I might consider throwing you off a cliff so you can reunite with your little lover."
Xue Han closed his eyes and remained silent.
Princess Doya's anger flared: "Are you mute? Fine, you won't take my chance, then I'll take you back to feed the eagles! Guards—"
Before she could finish speaking, a commotion arose behind her, and Princess Duoya saw the shocked expressions on the faces of her guards.
What happened?
She tried to turn around, but a sharp pain shot through her shoulder, followed by the girl's icy voice: "Tell your men to back off!"
“Princess Suiyun? How is this possible—” Princess Duoya subconsciously turned her head to take a look.
"Don't move."
The sharp cone that had pierced Princess Doya's shoulder was now pressed against her neck.
Princess Doya froze, incredulous: "You didn't fall off the cliff?"
Unable to turn back, she screamed to the guards, "How did she get up here? How did she get up here?"
The head guard also wore an incredulous expression: "She...she suddenly flew up!"
Only Xue Han felt more disapproval than shock.
Ah Heng should save her strength to escape, instead of saving this dying man.
“Princess Doya, my patience is limited. I’ll have your men lay down their bows and arrows and retreat. You’re a smart woman, you should know this situation. It would be easy for me to drag you off the cliff with me.”
Princess Doya was extremely unwilling, but her life and death were in the other party's hands, so she had no choice but to compromise.
"Put down your bows and crossbows and step back!"
The guards exchanged glances, slowly placed the crossbows on the ground, and retreated step by step.
Qiu Heng raised her voice and said, "Not enough, retreat again."
The guards hesitated and looked at Princess Doya.
Having come this far, Princess Duoya stopped hesitating and said sternly, "Listen to her, then back down!"
Qiu Heng watched expressionlessly as the guards retreated dozens of feet, then took a light breath.
Princess Doya then spoke up: "Are you satisfied now? Release me, and I'll let both of you go."
"Really?" A surprised voice rang out from behind.
"real."
Princess Doya gave a casual reply, when suddenly a low voice sounded: "But I don't want to let you go."
What's the meaning?
After a moment of confusion, Princess Duoya suddenly opened her eyes wide, but couldn't ask any questions.
Qiu Heng quickly pulled out the sharp cone that had pierced Princess Duoya's neck, letting the splattering hot blood spray all over her body, and pushed Princess Duoya forward forcefully.
The guards, who were dozens of feet away from them, changed their expressions drastically and ran towards the edge of the cliff while calling out for Princess Duoya.
After pushing Princess Duoya out, Qiu Heng picked up Xue Han without hesitation and fell off the cliff.
The guards rushed over.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, are you alright?"
Princess Duoya had a bloody hole in her neck and was panting heavily.
Before her consciousness completely faded, tears of blood streamed down her face, and only one thought remained: How much I hate you!
(End of this chapter)
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