He asserted his status as an official of the imperial court, arguing that although bandits were fierce, they would not openly antagonize the court. If they angered the court and it sent people to suppress them, they would suffer losses.
But the other side didn't budge an inch. The leader squinted and sneered, "Don't listen to his nonsense. Attack! Leave no one alive!"
Shen Ci's face darkened, and he drew his sword from the carriage with a backhand!
Shen Tangning felt a chill run down her spine and held her breath. The other party's behavior was nothing like that of a bandit, killing even government officials without hesitation. He seemed more like a vicious and desperate fugitive.
Or perhaps... he came here specifically to resign!
Her heart nearly jumped out of her throat: "Aci, be careful!"
Unfortunately, Shen Ci couldn't hear him. He was quite skilled, but the enemy outnumbered him. The coachman, who didn't know martial arts, had his throat slit immediately.
Although the two guards were skilled in martial arts, they were no match for four hands.
During a brief moment when Shen Ci was entangled with his opponent, Shen Tangning noticed that the bandit leader narrowed his eyes impatiently and raised his bow and arrow to aim at Shen Ci.
Her pupils suddenly contracted, and she lunged forward almost without thinking. However, the arrow pierced straight through her body and shot towards Shen Ci's left leg!
Shot in the leg, Shen Ci staggered and his movements slowed, quickly putting him at a disadvantage.
With his two guards dead, he faced the bandits alone. Shen Tangning watched helplessly as he was wounded again and again, her eyes bloodshot as she rushed forward to protect him.
But she could only watch in vain as the sharp blade pierced through her body and landed on Shen Ci. The young man's clothes were stained with blood, making him almost unrecognizable.
He was kneeling on the ground, exhausted, his breath reeking of blood. He wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with his fingertip, his eyes deep and troubled.
Who exactly are you?
The other man sat on his horse, his eyes coldly fixed on him.
"Your life is at stake!"
He slowly raised the knife. "Blame yourself for getting in other people's way."
Shen Tangning's eyes widened in horror as she staggered and fell to her knees: "No! Don't!"
The purse that Shen Ci was clutching tightly rolled to the ground, stained with his blood. He tried to pick it up with difficulty, but was kicked to the ground.
The approaching blade whipped up a fierce wind and was about to strike him in an instant. He was too badly injured to even lift a finger, and Shen Ci closed his eyes helplessly.
Tears welled up in her eyes and surged forth; at this moment, boundless hatred welled up in Shen Tangning's heart—
Why make her watch this happen without being able to do anything about it?
Her brother was clearly honest and kind, so why did he end up like this?
This is absolutely unfair!
It seemed as if heaven had heard her prayer; the falling blade was struck by some force and deflected.
The sound of approaching hooves grew louder, and Shen Tangning, like the bandits, looked up in surprise and uncertainty.
The leader was a man wearing a silver mask and dressed in all black. He moved with the speed of the wind, and the moment he looked up, his eyes revealed a cold sharpness.
...
Shen Tangning suddenly woke up from her dream and met Chi Yan's worried gaze. His eyes softened, and as if afraid of frightening her, he gently wiped away the tear stains on her face.
"Why are you crying?"
For a fleeting moment, those eyes seemed to overlap with those of the person in my dream.
She was on the verge of losing control of her emotions and suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck.
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