IDWBE -Chapter 173 Assassination

He immediately felt at ease.

His loyalty to Prince He was unquestionable, and he was willing to give his life.

But he would never give it up lightly, without reason.

The Shen family had been single-line heirs for four generations. By his generation, having a son was a must, otherwise he would have failed his ancestors.

Unfortunately, his wife had given birth to five daughters in a row—no sons.

Worse, he was forbidden to take a concubine.

Seeing the Shen family line on the verge of extinction, he was secretly relieved when he came to Sanhe with Prince He and managed to marry another woman. After ten months of pregnancy, he hoped for a son—yet again, it was a girl.

Fate, indeed!

Prince He had even said: if you want a son, it’s only feasible if your family has a throne to inherit.

His words left everyone trembling, red-faced and flustered.

He had long abandoned the hope of having a son.

But six daughters, two wives—he couldn’t just abandon them.

If he died, how would they survive?

At the very least, in his lifetime, he had to earn dowries for the six daughters. Otherwise, what kind of good families could they possibly marry into without him?

Thinking this, he helped Consort Wen move a chair while Xiao Xizi prepared tea.

Consort Wen held the teacup, sitting elegantly, head lowered, as if nothing had happened.

When she closed the cup lid, she suddenly paused and looked at Ye Qiu, who was yawning nearby.

Ye Qiu twitched his ears. Taking advantage of Yu Xiaoshi’s inattention, he snatched the hammer from his hands, leapt into Lin Yi’s tent, and confronted an iron hook glinting coldly in the moonlight.

The hammer slammed directly into the chest of the hook’s owner—a large man in black robes, face covered with a beard.

With a clang, the man staggered back and finally fell to the ground.

Under the moonlight, both remained motionless.

“Earth Venerable?”

The man furrowed his brow unconsciously.

“You’ve come, so don’t leave now.”

Ye Qiu tossed the hammer aside. Yu Xiaoshi had already rushed over, catching it, and glared angrily at Ye Qiu.

“You bastard!”

Yu Xiaoshi swung the hammer, directing all his fury at the large man.

The man didn’t dodge; the iron hook aimed straight at Yu Xiaoshi’s hammer handle.

Just as he prepared to strike, another hammer appeared.

A-Dai leapt up, smashing the large man with his hammer.

This time, the man had no choice but to retract his hook.

Facing two seventh-rank opponents simultaneously, he dared not overreach.

He retreated—a single step—but that was all!
He was an Earth Venerable!

But Ye Qiu struck.

The man abandoned Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai, stomping back dozens of paces.

Just as he was about to land, his neck ached. Reaching up, he felt warmth—blood.

Watching the woman approaching him, he tried to speak—but collapsed.

His neck and body were severed in two.

“Thank you, Consort Wen!”

Shen Chu, who had followed, also thanked her.

Consort Wen said nothing, her eyes fixed on the mountain peak.

“Keep watch here. Don’t wander off.”

With that, she dashed toward the mountain summit.

After her shadow disappeared, Shen Chu’s face grew serious again as two figures, one short and one thin, emerged from the shadows.

“So these are the Earth Venerables of Ayu?”

Shan Yin, accompanied by Hong An, Fang Pi, Cui Gengren, and Pan Duo, stepped out from the darkness and smiled at Ye Qiu. “Young Master Ye, the Earth Venerable is ninth-rank?”

Ye Qiu said nothing, staring at the short and thin pair.

Pan Duo stepped forward, exchanged a glance with Ye Qiu, and they struck simultaneously.

Ye Qiu engaged the short one directly.

Pan Duo, at the peak of eighth rank, faced the tall thin one.

Shan Yin and Yu Xiaoshi almost simultaneously joined, helping Pan Duo attack from both sides.

With a thud, Fang Pi fell first, spitting blood, screaming in anger.

Deep night.

Roars.

Screams.

The cries of startled livestock.

All these sounds mingled together. Even though Lin Yi slept deeply, he was awoken.

“Prince,”

Xiao Xizi hurriedly helped him up. “The outsiders have no discipline. I’ll make sure to punish them later. Such rudeness disturbed your rest.”

“Not right,” Lin Yi shook his head. He wasn’t really foolish. “An ambush?”

Xiao Xizi laughed wryly. “Prince, don’t worry. They’re no match for us.”

Lin Yi rose and sat at the table, waiting as Xiao Xizi poured tea. He took a sip, smiling. “Let’s go take a look.”

Xiao Xizi said, “Prince, it’s messy outside. Better wait a bit.”

Lin Yi was about to reply when a shadow appeared at the tent’s entrance.

“Bold one! Who are you?!”

Xiao Xizi stood in front of Lin Yi, shielding him.

Lin Yi’s heart skipped a beat.

Where had everyone gone? How could an unknown person enter freely?

The figure was dressed head to toe in black. Once inside the brightly lit tent, she removed her cloak, revealing a woman’s face.

Lin Yi, seeing her, was at a loss for words—just like when he first saw Du Yinnian. How could one describe such peerless beauty?

“Miss, you’re so beautiful. Is all this fighting really necessary?”

Lin Yi’s eyes remained on the sword in her hand. “Peace brings prosperity—for you and me.”

“You are Prince He?”

Even full of killing intent, her voice was like a warbling oriole—soft, delicate.

“No changing of names or surnames,”

Lin Yi raised his cup again, smiling. “I am indeed the handsome, elegant, talented, and witty Prince He, known as the Jade-faced Little Flying Dragon. And you, beautiful lady, what advice do you have for me? By the way, I am still unmarried! Would you care to consider it?”

He was nervous as he stared at the sword glinting in moonlight.

The woman snorted coldly. “Truly a smooth-talking scoundrel. Die!”

Xiao Xizi and the woman drew their swords almost simultaneously. But Xiao Xizi was a step too slow; her sword nearly pierced his chest.

Xiao Xizi, undaunted, struck with all his strength to parry, blood dripping from his hand.

“Xiao Xizi!”

Lin Yi was dumbstruck!

He was about to leap at him, claws and teeth ready, when the tent above tore—a shadow shot directly at the woman.

In an instant, she stepped back.

Xiao Xizi narrowly avoided the strike.

“Commander!”

Xiao Xizi rejoiced.

“Xiao Ying, your timing is perfect.”

Seeing Hong Ying, Lin Yi finally exhaled in relief.

“I arrived late, Prince. Sorry for frightening you.”

Tears streamed down Hong Ying’s face as he kowtowed repeatedly.

“Let’s just be glad to be alive.”

Lin Yi felt a wave of despair—only two eunuchs were present, and this woman’s skill was formidable.

At this moment, there was no shouting—their last bit of restraint and pride.

“Thank you, Prince!”

Hong Ying stood and coldly said to the woman, “You insolent wretch, die!”