Mu Ruoyan then quickly chased after them.
Meanwhile, their horses, caught in the earlier panic, had wandered off somewhere, leaving the two of them to continue on foot.
Mu Ruoyan quickly caught up and walked briskly to Lin Xihe's side, saying with a solemn expression, "They are Nanzhao people, but there are definitely more than just these useless people."
He frowned, pondering to himself, unable to understand why someone would have laid an ambush here beforehand.
But he knew that if the other side knew he was here, they would never send only these people to deal with him. After all, with these people's skills, even if there were twice as many, it would only make him put in more effort.
"Were you acting just now?"
Mu Ruoyan didn't stop walking. She turned her head and looked coldly at Gu Qinghuai, asking him a question.
Mu Ruoyan's lips curled into a confident yet frivolous smile, her tone full of arrogance about her martial arts skills: "Otherwise, do you think you can defeat me?"
Gu Qinghuai remained silent, but he had to admit that he had underestimated Mu Ruoyan's martial arts skills.
He thought he knew enough about Mu Ruoyan's strength, but he never expected that Mu Ruoyan had hidden it so well.
Such skill is probably unmatched in the world; there is indeed a considerable gap between me and him.
"A despicable person."
Looking at Mu Ruoyan's smug expression, Lin Xihe felt a surge of anger. She thought he was incredibly childish for using such methods to mock them.
Lin Xihe was held tightly by Gu Qinghuai as they walked westward. The surrounding light grew dimmer and dimmer until it was completely pitch black.
The trees on both sides resembled menacing beasts, hidden in the darkness, making it impossible to see anything clearly. The occasional chirping of insects added to the eerie and terrifying atmosphere.
Just then, an unexpected change occurred.
Suddenly, a huge net popped up from the ground and covered the three of them with lightning speed.
In an instant, the three of them were tightly bound by ropes and unable to move.
Gu Qinghuai's heart sank. He realized that the seemingly safe breakthrough on the west side and the first group of men in black were actually traps carefully set by the enemy to lure them here.
Gu Qinghuai was extremely anxious and immediately swung his sword at the net.
However, this net was made of double-layered rope and iron chain, making it exceptionally tough, and ordinary swords and knives could not damage it at all.
His sword struck the iron chain, sending up only a series of sparks and making a clanging sound.
Left with no other choice, Gu Qinghuai could only quickly shield Lin Xihe between himself and Mu Ruoyan, forming a human barrier in an attempt to prevent Lin Xihe from being harmed.
"Lin Xihe, don't be afraid."
Mu Ruoyan lowered her voice and spoke softly, while quickly reaching for her waist and drawing a short knife.
The short knife gleamed coldly in the darkness, its blade incredibly sharp, clearly indicating it was no ordinary weapon.
"How can you not be afraid? Don't speak, look ahead, don't turn around." Lin Xihe was anxious, her voice trembling slightly, but she still tried to remain calm as she replied.
Mu Ruoyan said no more. He slashed forward with his short knife, and in an instant, the chain on the net was easily cut open, as if cutting tofu.
As the chains snapped, the three fell straight down from the height.
Before they could even establish themselves, a new crisis struck.
Arrows rained down again, this time in double the number.
The dense array of arrows gleamed coldly in the darkness, sending chills down one's spine.
Gu Qinghuai and Mu Ruoyan reacted quickly, immediately brandishing their weapons to deflect the incoming arrows.
However, before they could even catch their breath, they were surrounded by a group of people again.
These people walked steadily and moved nimbly, clearly much more capable than the previous ones.
“Gu Qinghuai, I’ll handle the enemy. Take my woman out of here. If you’re injured or die, she’ll start nagging me again.”
Mu Ruoyan didn't turn her head, but simply handed the short knife that could cut through iron like mud behind her, her tone carrying a hint of teasing, yet revealing a firm resolve.
"Take it."
Mu Ruoyan spoke again to those behind her.
Lin Xihe was already panicked by the wave after wave of attacks. Her heart was racing and her palms were covered in cold sweat.
But she knew she couldn't panic, after all, this wasn't the first time she had faced such a dangerous situation.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, realizing that at this moment, staying calm and not causing trouble was the most important thing.
So she quickly took the dagger and gripped it tightly in her hand.
When Mu Ruoyan handed over the knife, he intentionally touched Lin Xihe's hand lightly with his fingers.
In the darkness, a smug smile appeared on his lips, as if he was quite pleased with his little gesture.
If it were anyone else, Gu Qinghuai would never abandon his companions to fight the enemy alone, but this person is Mu Ruoyan.
So, taking advantage of Mu Ruoyan's advance to meet the enemy, Gu Qinghuai did not hesitate to carefully break through the encirclement with Lin Xihe.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mu Ruoyan, wielding her soft sword, charged into the enemy ranks like a fierce cheetah.
His swordsmanship was fierce, each strike carrying deadly power, and several enemies fell to his blade in an instant.
"Oh, two groups of people again?"
Mu Ruoyan fought with the enemy for a while, and gradually realized that something was wrong.
Although these enemies were all dressed in black, their skills and moves were clearly different.
Some of them were ruthless and skilled, clearly seasoned killers; while others were unpredictable and mysterious, their moves exuding an aura of mystery, making them far more powerful than the others.
"People from Da Hao?"
Mu Ruoyan muttered to herself in confusion.
He thought to himself that the only one capable of sending such a skilled expert was probably the Great Hao Dynasty.
Gu Qinghuai had not yet broken through the encirclement, so he naturally heard Mu Ruoyan's words.
He felt a chill run down his spine and carefully observed the enemy's moves, discovering that he found some of them somewhat familiar.
He suddenly remembered that the techniques these people used were the same ones that the royal guards, who were specifically tasked with handling shady matters, were adept at.
He had once witnessed these bodyguards in action by chance and was deeply impressed by their moves.
Gu Qinghuai understood that these people were after him, and the mastermind behind them was likely the current emperor.
Thinking of this, his expression became even more solemn.
Now, with the enemy numbers increasing, he is having difficulty moving around while carrying Lin Xihe.
Moreover, these people's target was him, and no matter how he retreated, the enemy's focus remained on him.
If things continue like this, Lin Xihe will only become more and more dangerous.
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