Bei Gong Jue Shi suddenly realized, his eyes turning bloodshot, and then he launched a new attack. He was merely a tool! His only goal was to kill the man before him named Nan Xu Cong; everything else was unimportant!
Nan Xuzong watched his movements with annoyance, narrowed his eyes, and the next second, after turning around to dodge his powerful internal force, he immediately brought his left side, near his heart, to meet his longsword...
In an instant, Nan Xuzong felt a pain that pierced his very soul. He stared at the soft sword deeply embedded in his chest, then slowly raised his head to look at Bei Gong Jueshi, "Jueshi!"
Bei Gong Jue Shi remained expressionless, staring stiffly at the person standing before him, before gracefully drawing his soft sword. Nan Xu Cong collapsed to the ground, his head tilted back to look at the night sky, only to see Ji Wu Shang smiling at him.
She's definitely waiting for me to come back!
Bei Gong Jueshi stood before him, raising his soft sword once more, but Nan Xuzong said, "Jueshi, I owe you nothing anymore. Jueshi, we can still be brothers!"
Bei Gong Jue Shi's eyes were bloodshot, and he was about to pierce Nan Xu Cong's chest with the soft sword in his hand again. Unexpectedly, Nan Xu Cong's neck tilted to the side, and he seemed to have stopped breathing.
The soft sword stopped just centimeters away from Nan Xuzong's chest. Beigong Jueshi sheathed his longsword and walked into the night.
A long time passed, and there was not a sound around. All that could be seen were some fireflies and weeds and bushes. Nan Xuzong moved his hands and feet, then sat up. His face was cold and stern. He took out a silk handkerchief from his bosom, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and then put the handkerchief back in his bosom.
He took out a small bottle from his pocket and poured the powder onto his wound. "Damn it, if my heart wasn't on the right side, wouldn't I have been stabbed to death? Bei Gong Jue Shi, you're really ruthless!" Nan Xu Cong grimaced as he applied the medicine despite the pain.
After dealing with the situation, he stood up, observed his surroundings, roughly estimated the direction Beigong Jueshi had left in, and then walked into the jungle.
——
Ji Wushang returned to Moxuan Garden, but his heart was filled with even more unease. He wondered if Yiyun Shangcheng was still in that secret room. He really didn't want to go in to check again... But what if he was trapped and died in the secret room? Or what if he had already come out and was watching him closely from the shadows?
Ji Wushang was restless and could only sit at his desk.
Why hasn't Nan Xuzong come back yet?
Ji Wushang then had Cuiwu summoned in, "Cuiwu, how is the young master?"
"Your Highness, the Prince is on his way back and should be back at the residence soon!"
"Has anything unexpected happened?" Ji Wushang asked anxiously.
"There was nothing unexpected, except that only Master Nan Xuzong returned." He didn't know why he emphasized to Ji Wushang that only Nan Xuzong had returned.
Ji Wushang understood. But as long as Nan Xuzong could return safely, everything else could be put aside for the time being!
"Thank you all for tonight, but I still want you to keep a close watch tonight and not let your guard down," Ji Wushang said.
"Yes! Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. Protecting Your Highness is our duty," Cuiwu said.
Ji Wushang nodded, then told Cuiwu to go and keep watch, while he began to write and draw on his desk.
If Nan Xuzong becomes the fourth prince tomorrow, what will his status and position be? The power struggles in the harem will intensify, and the affairs of the Marquis's mansion will certainly not be over... His revenge must absolutely continue. Those in the Marquis's mansion who deserve to die must be eliminated; no one can be overlooked! All of this requires Nan Xuzong's help...
But I'm really worried, so worried. Nan Xuzong, you made a promise to me, I know you remember, I know you will keep it, but when you're in a high position, when you become the fourth prince, you have your responsibilities, and you have more and more people who support you. When you have to do things that go against your heart, what will you do?
Ji Wushang stared blankly at the candlelight before her, lost in thought. Ji Wushang, oh Ji Wushang, was everything you did before right or wrong? Probably right! To love someone is to give everything you can, otherwise, how could you face them? Nan Xuzong is the only person she has ever loved in this life. She hadn't done much, just sacrificed a little for his future, and that wasn't a big deal… He would rise higher and higher, making her look up to him, worship him… Ji Wushang touched her lower abdomen. If she could conceive a child, perhaps she could protect her happiness with him?
Ji Wushang smiled silently, shaking off his thoughts, and reopened the medical book, but he couldn't concentrate on reading it. Oh well. His mind was already in turmoil; how could he possibly calm down?
Ji Wushang took a deep breath and closed the medical book, but at that moment, he heard footsteps outside!
Ji Wushang immediately drew a long sword from a shelf on the side. It was left behind by Nan Xuzong when he left. He didn't know much about swords, but he still wanted to be able to defend himself properly!
Within the courtyard of Moxuan Garden, several black-clad assassins silently descended. The iron guards and attendants stationed at the mansion immediately surged forward. "Who dares to trespass?" Tie Feng stood at the forefront, coldly observing the landing men in black. He knew at a glance that these were all highly skilled assassins, and a fierce battle was likely to ensue! However, Ma Rui's Ma family army hadn't arrived yet; he would have to hold them off for a while!
According to Ji Wushang's plan, there is still a great chance of success!
Tie Feng secretly counted the men in black; there were twenty-eight of them. But then, to his horror, he saw the nameplates hanging on the waists of these twenty-eight men!
These are the Twenty-Eight Ghosts of Yanyun! Each of these twenty-eight wields a different weapon—a knife, a sword, a rope, a death hook, or a hidden weapon like a dart—the variety is endless! They usually kill with a single slash or a single sword strike to the throat!
Legend has it that the Twenty-Eight Ghosts of Yanyun disappeared fifteen years ago, but who would have thought they would suddenly appear here!
How many of his iron guards would it take to withstand such an impact? A chill ran through Tie Feng's heart.
Ji Wushang sat inside, the door closed, but she could sense what was happening outside. She poured herself a cup of wine and took a small sip. Just then, Hongfei and Cuiwu rushed in from the outer room. "Princess Consort! Something terrible has happened! It's the Twenty-Eight Ghosts of Yanyun!"
"Twenty-eight ghosts claim lives, twenty-eight ghosts deliver souls to the underworld." Ji Wushang smiled slightly. "Truly, you've had a tough time."
☆、235 No sorrow, no sorrow, we vow to fight with all our might!
This is a sentence I once saw in my father Ji Dingbei's study, used to describe the power of the Twenty-Eight Ghosts of Yanyun. Wherever they go, they will inevitably cause bloodshed and take lives.
Hongfei looked at Ji Wushang and said, "Princess Consort, why don't we hide in the secret room and see how things go before making any further plans?" But when she saw the long sword in Ji Wushang's hand, Hongfei was stunned. Was this the sword that the master left for her?
Ji Wushang walked outside, saying, "No." Going inside might mean facing danger in Yiyun City, with wolves in front and tigers behind. It's better to stay here. Whether he lives or dies, he can stay in Moxuan Garden. Besides, he might even see Nan Xuzong return.
“The Twenty-Eight Ghosts are very powerful, so you must be extremely careful. If you die, I will give you a proper burial and treat your families well.” Ji Wushang spoke the truth. “If you become cowardly and run away in fear, I, Ji Wushang, will not blame you.”
Hongfei was stunned for a moment, but immediately knelt down. "Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will definitely protect you! Death is nothing to us. We are all people who have received the Lord's kindness, and we will certainly swear to stay by your side until death!"
"Thank you." Ji Wushang's lips curled up slightly.
Just then, Yue'er ran in from outside, "Miss, many places in the mansion are on fire!"
"It seems they really intend to destroy my Marquis's mansion!" Ji Wushang said. "Send some people to put out the fire, and gather all the old and young people in the mansion together so that not too many people get hurt!"
"yes."
"Quickly inform General Ji's residence that the Marquis's mansion is in trouble and the fate of the Princess Consort of the Southern Heir is unknown!"
"yes!"
"Go!" Ji Wushang closed his eyes slightly. "Hongfei, go down! I'll stay here. If the door is broken down, you don't need to come in." Ji Wushang smiled and looked at the upper beam of the room.
Hongfei was startled, "The Crown Princess?"
"It's alright." Ji Wushang waved for her to leave. He hadn't finished avenging himself yet, and Nan Xuzong hadn't returned. He had promised to wait for him, so he would never give up any hope of survival!
So what if this place is full of wolves and tigers? At worst, I'll just die! I've been reborn for so long, and I've killed many people, directly or indirectly, making them receive their due retribution. That's enough!
Ji Wushang sat at the desk, her hand gripping the long sword, ready to draw it at any moment. Her gaze was resolute as she looked at the piece of paper in front of her. If she died, she would write her last words on this paper.
She folded the paper and put it in her bosom.
At this moment, Ji Wushang heard shouts, battle cries, the sounds of water breaking and fire extinguishing, the clash of weapons, and the sound of swords cutting flesh outside. These sounds made Ji Wushang's heart tremble. The Twenty-Eight Ghosts of Yanyun were truly coming to claim his life...
Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open. Ji Wushang immediately looked up and saw a guard staring at her with a panicked expression. "Your Highness...Your Highness's Consort! There's too much killing outside. Please, Your Highness, move aside!"
However, Ji Wushang saw the people behind him: Iron Guards, bodyguards, members of the Ma family army, and people from General Ji's mansion! Although these people were all fighting against the Twenty-Eight Ghosts, and the Twenty-Eight Ghosts were being slain by the crowd, they still killed many people as burial victims!
Ji Wushang stood up, about to speak, but the guard was suddenly cut in half at the waist by a ghost. Blood splattered all over the ground. "Ah!" Ji Wushang was terrified, her face turning pale. The feeling of death was so familiar! The blood sprayed onto the ground, staining it red!
The ghost was entirely black, its face hidden under a cloak, and it exuded a deathly aura. Its body was covered in blood.
Ji Wushang finally regained his senses and immediately drew his longsword. The ghost had already walked towards Ji Wushang and thrust the sword towards his chest! Ji Wushang parried and leaned back to dodge the fatal blow. However, as the ghost saw Ji Wushang retreating, it changed direction and thrust the sword at Ji Wushang again!
Ji Wushang retreated repeatedly, but was forced into a corner by the ghost. The ghost raised its long sword and slashed at Ji Wushang again. Ji Wushang threw the silver needle in its hand at the ghost, but when it pierced the ghost's acupoints, the ghost still did not react at all!
The long sword was about to strike Ji Wushang's head. Knowing he couldn't dodge, Ji Wushang had no choice but to close his eyes in resignation. But the instant he closed his eyes, he was pulled into someone's arms. "Why are you giving up and want to die?" Ji Wushang was shocked. He looked at Yi Yun Shangcheng, who was pulling him. Yi Yun Shangcheng punched the ghost, and the ghost's heart and lungs ruptured, and it fell to the ground dead.
Ji Wushang immediately broke free from his large hand, "Let go!"
"I saved your life!" Yi Yun Shangcheng's eyes were dark purple as he looked at Ji Wushang, who was determined to break free from his grasp. "I didn't ask you to save me!"
He froze for a moment.
"Let her go!" Just then, a man pointed his long sword at Yiyun City. Nan Xuzong was standing five steps away from them, full of vigor. His white robe was stained with blood, and the blood flowers bloomed in a bewitching way.
Ji Wushang was startled, "Cong."
However, Yiyun Shangcheng immediately pulled Ji Wushang into his arms, wrapping his large hand around her waist, "What if I say I won't let go?"
"Let her go! I'll make you let her go!" Nan Xuzong pointed his long sword and strode forward. Damn it, he had to kill him! At this moment, the mural of Yiyun Shangcheng and Ji Wushang standing opposite him flashed through Nan Xuzong's mind. His heart clenched. "I never thought that the King of the Western Regions would break into my Moxuan Garden at night to kidnap and kill my imperial concubine!"
Imperial Concubine?! Yi Yun Shangcheng was stunned. What was going on?
"If anything happens to my imperial consort, I will immediately lead my troops straight into the Western Regions. Even if rivers of blood flow, I swear to turn the Western Regions into a living hell!" Nan Xuzong stepped forward. "The King of the Western Regions, even if you don't care about yourself, you should think about your people! General Ji's 900,000 troops have pressed into the border, awaiting only my command. At my command, these 900,000 troops will slaughter and massacre the cities of the Western Regions!"
"I don't believe it! You're just the Prince of the South, how could you have such abilities!" Yi Yun Shangcheng's lips curled up. "However, it's truly remarkable that you were able to survive Bei Gong Jue Shi's sword strike. But today, I'm taking Ji Wu Shang away!"
"How dare you!" Nan Xuzong stepped forward, his longsword immediately attacking Yiyun Upper City.
At this moment, Ji Wushang reached back and tried to insert the silver needle into Yi Yunshangcheng's acupoints. However, Yi Yunshangcheng was even more ruthless and struck Ji Wushang's acupoints with lightning speed. He held her waist with one hand and fought with Nan Xuzong with the other.
Seeing Ji Wushang in his arms, Nan Xuzong's anger intensified. His sword moved faster and more ruthlessly, but he had to keep an eye on Ji Wushang. Meanwhile, in Yiyun City, although he was holding Ji Wushang, seeing Nan Xuzong's rage and Ji Wushang's tense expression, his heart pounded with excitement! Having such a beautiful woman in his arms was enough! Who did Nan Xuzong matter? Just seeing him anxious, angry, and in pain was enough!
Why, Ji Wushang, do you refuse to even glance at me? I saved your life, not Nan Xuzong's! Yet you say you didn't let me save you! Does she mean she'd rather die than let me, Yiyun Shangcheng, save her? Do you hate me, Yiyun Shangcheng, that much?
As Yi Yunshangcheng realized this, he went mad. The evil energy burned away his reason, and his fist, carrying great power, was aimed at Nan Xuzong as a deadly attack!
Ji Wushang was shocked and cried out, "Be careful!"
Nan Xuzong dodged his attack, then countered with a palm strike, meeting his fist with all his might. Instantly, their forces collided with a "bang," and both were forced back. The clash of forces injured both of them; Nan Xuzong and Yi Yun Shangcheng clutched their chests, glaring fiercely at each other.
Nan Xuzong propped himself up, his eyes blazing as he stared at Yiyun Shangcheng, and immediately thrust his longsword forward!
Seeing that Ji Wushang was determined to take him down with him, Yi Yun Shangcheng quickly dodged Nan Xuzong's attack. At that moment, one of Ji Wushang's hands was already being held by Nan Xuzong! Yi Yun Shangcheng's lips curled up, "Wushang, become a spirit and stay by my side!" With that, he pushed Ji Wushang towards Nan Xuzong's oncoming attack!
Nan Xuzong's eyes widened in panic, and he immediately released his grip, pulling Ji Wushang close. However, at that moment, Yi Yunshangcheng struck Nan Xuzong with a palm strike! Nan Xuzong felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and a mouthful of black blood spurted from his mouth!
"Cong!" Ji Wushang shouted loudly, hurriedly checking on his injuries. Nan Xucong, clutching his chest, held her tightly in his arms. "I, I'm fine!"
Yi Yun Shangcheng raised his proud head and looked at the man in front of him. At this moment, Nan Xuzong held Ji Wushang's waist with one hand and held a long sword with the other, looking at Yi Yun Shangcheng. He was struggling to hold on.
Ji Wushang felt heartbroken just looking at him. "Cong, let me see your injuries quickly. Are you alright? Are you alright?" Ji Wushang wanted to check his internal injuries, but Nan Xuzong calmly said, "I'm fine. Do I look like someone who would die so easily?" As he spoke, he shielded Ji Wushang behind him. "Go, enter the secret chamber. Go straight, don't look back."
Ji Wushang looked at him. Was he going to perish together with Yiyun Shangcheng? No, she didn't want him to do that!
"Hahaha!" Yi Yun Shangcheng sneered at him. "Nan Xu Cong, shouldn't you feel ashamed? Look, you don't even have the ability to protect her. What do you have to compete with me for her?"
"Her heart is mine, she is mine, everything she has is mine, that's enough!" Nan Xuzong sneered. "And you, Yiyun Shangcheng, what do you have?"
"I possess the future, I possess the world, I possess her future, and you will forever remain her past!"
Ji Wushang shook his head, able to feel Nan Xuzong's body trembling slightly. "Zong, don't say anything more, let's leave quickly, don't pay any attention to him!"
"Quick, to the secret room." Nan Xuzong whispered in her ear and immediately pushed her into the secret room. Yi Yun Shangcheng, however, saw Ji Wushang running into the secret room with sharp eyes. As fast as lightning, she was in front of Ji Wushang in a "whoosh". Before Ji Wushang could react, Yi Yun Shangcheng had already imprisoned her in his arms.
Ji Wushang was furious and bit his arm with his teeth. "Let go of me, you madman!" Yi Yun Shangcheng looked on, not only not angry, but his face seemed even more excited!
Nan Xuzong panicked and stabbed at Yi Yunshangcheng in the back with his sword. Yi Yunshangcheng chuckled evilly, nimbly dodging Nan Xuzong's attack. Then, he wrapped his arms around Ji Wushang from behind, holding her waist tightly and gripping her neck with his large hand. He breathed into Ji Wushang's ear, causing her to tremble. "Ji Wushang, how about becoming my spirit? Neither alive nor dead, neither extinguished nor alive, just like that, following me by my side."
"No!" Ji Wushang roared.
Yiyun Shangcheng was taken aback. "Let me tell you, Nan Xuzong has always wanted you dead! He's thinking about killing you all the time! You and him will not have a good ending!"
Ji Wushang shivered, as if enveloped in icy cold. She dazed herself for a moment before realizing what was happening. "Yi Yun Shangcheng, you can't fool me!" she cried, as a sharp dagger slid from her sleeve and immediately attacked the person behind her. At that moment, Nan Xuzong spat his blood onto his longsword, instantly causing it to glow with a powerful light, a faint aura of strength swirling around it. He aimed at Yi Yun Shangcheng and plunged the dagger into his chest!