Сохраним красоту - Глава 28
Thinking this through, Feng Ning abandoned the lead assassin in front of her and turned to kill the man who had run to the higher ground to light the arrows. Once the lead assassin was free, he no longer cared about Feng Ning and headed straight for Granny Yu's room. The original plan was simple: dealing with a group of low-ranking guards was more than enough for them to capture an old woman. Unexpectedly, a fierce woman appeared out of nowhere. He was single-mindedly focused on completing his mission, his eyes bloodshot. He was about to reach Granny Yu's door; once inside and capturing the old woman, the outcome would be immediately clear.
He kicked one guard to the ground, then slashed down another with a backhand. The door was right in front of him, and he kicked it hard. The maids and servants inside gasped in surprise. The assassin leader immediately saw the old woman they were protecting in the middle. He was overjoyed and was about to step forward when suddenly a sharp blade flashed behind him. The assassin turned around hastily, but it was too late to dodge, and a large gash was cut on his arm.
Feng Ning didn't stop, swinging her knife again. The assassin, having no other choice, leaped away from the doorway and retreated into the courtyard. Feng Ning pressed closer, step by step: "You were too eager for a kill, and let your guard down. You've committed a grave offense; your death is near."
As Granny Yu watched Feng Ning's retreating figure as she fought, she thought to herself: "She's even using江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) slang now. What a 'well-bred lady from Huzhou'—she's definitely a fraud."
At this moment, many assassins in the courtyard had been cut down, but the fire in the house was about to escalate. Feng Ning shouted to the remaining guards to form a defensive formation and block the assassins in a corner, while turning around and shouting, "Quickly protect Granny Yu and get out of here."
Everyone quickly helped Granny Yu out of the safe area created by the guards. When the assassins saw the old woman come out, they rushed forward desperately. Feng Ning took the lead, grabbed another knife, and fought on both sides. She shielded Granny Yu's group from the back, cut down two people, and led the guards to block the assassins in the courtyard.
Granny Yu escaped with the help of others. Seeing two male servants rushing towards her with sticks in the distance, she grabbed one of their wrists and asked, "Is the library alright?"
The servant, panting, said, "Li Ke and the others are holding on with all their might. We've already sent people out to fetch reinforcements. As long as we can hold out for a while, the reinforcements will arrive soon."
As expected, Granny Yu's heart sank. The Long family master wasn't home, yet these people arrived—the timing was incredibly opportune. The attacks on the servants' quarters and the library were so precise; how could anyone believe there was no one directing them?
The male servant said, "The defenses of the main hall have been activated. Granny, hurry over there." Granny Yu nodded and was escorted by the crowd to hurry towards the main hall. She knew that there was no use in her staying; she would only be a burden and a drag. The roof and walls of the main hall had been specially constructed, and there was a passage leading to an underground secret room. This was to provide a place for the women and children of the Long family to hide in the event of a great disaster, and now it came in handy.
Just as Granny Yu arrived at the main hall and sat down, instructing more people to guard the library, Feng Ning came running over with several guards. She called out from afar, panting, "Is everyone safe?"
Upon closer inspection, she saw Granny Yu and the others sitting peacefully. She smiled happily, wiped her face, ignoring the bloodstains on her face and body, and asked, "Has anyone reported this to the authorities? With both fire and assassination attempts, the outside world must know. Don't panic, everyone."
Granny Yu didn't answer, but several male servants pulled the guards to go and help the library. Feng Ning suddenly realized, "Is the library in trouble? Are all the important things in the house there? I'll go!"
As she turned to leave, her wrist was grabbed by Granny Yu, who said, "Feng Ning, you should stay by this old woman's side. If anything happens, we can look out for each other."
Feng Ning was stunned. She met Yu Mama's gaze, and after a moment of bewilderment, she finally understood. She pushed Yu Mama's hand away and said in a deep voice, "Mama, given the current situation, please trust me this once." After saying that, she turned around and headed straight for the study.
Before even arriving, the sounds of fighting could be heard in the distance; indeed, this was the place of the fierce attack. Feng Ning recalled the trap formations she had seen in front of the library; this library likely contained something of utmost importance to the Long family. With this thought, she quickened her pace. She couldn't erase her past actions, but now she could also do something good for the Long family. Long San had been so good to her; she wasn't doing it for anything else, but for him alone, she would fight to the death to protect this place.
She jumped onto the artificial hill and saw several corpses lying on the ground. In front of the library, a dozen or so familiar Long family guards were fighting with several assassins. Feng Ning looked at the terrain and the arrangement of the traps and was about to go to help when the large lake next to her shimmered in the moonlight and suddenly pierced Feng Ning's eyes.
Feng Ning's legs went weak, and she almost fell off the artificial hill. She quickly bent down and hugged her dizzy head, but the image of the lake was already deeply etched into her mind. She closed her eyes, her limbs were stiff, and cold sweat broke out on her body.
Feng Ning was unable to move at the rockery, while the Long family guards in front of the library were in dire straits. Feng Ning heard the sounds of clashing swords and screams, and she was extremely anxious.
She gritted her teeth, desperately trying to reassure herself: "It's okay, I won't hit it in the lake, I won't fall in..."
Just then, a masked assassin shouted, "It's open! Let's go in!" The voice startled Feng Ning; it sounded familiar, like the man who wanted to kill her.
Feng Ning clenched her fist and rushed towards the library. She deliberately avoided looking at the lake and said to Long San in her heart, "Long San, you have to protect me."
Of course, there was no response from Long San here, but Feng Ning rushed to the front of the library in the blink of an eye. The guards and assassins were fighting fiercely, but Feng Ning ignored them and rushed straight into the open door.
The library was very large, with several rows of large bookshelves and two desks, but there was no one on the first floor. Feng Ning was on guard and carefully jumped up the stairs. Three men in black were rummaging through a wall cabinet on the second floor. Several hidden weapons shot out from the wall with a "whoosh" sound, but they dodged them.
The voice Feng Ning recognized said, "It really should be here." The other two nodded and began to explore the mechanisms in the cabinet again. Feng Ning remained silent, drew her sword, and slashed at the one who had spoken. The man, startled by the attack from behind, rolled away to avoid it, while the other man drew his sword and blocked Feng Ning's attack.
Without a word, Feng Ning swung her sword twice and started fighting with the man. Seeing this, another person wanted to step forward to help, but the one who had dodged earlier said, "Ignore her, finding the things is the priority."
Feng Ning was secretly on guard. The man who had attacked was far more skilled than the leader who had stormed the servants' quarters. It seemed that none of the three were easy to deal with, but she absolutely could not allow them to take anything from the Long family. Feng Ning fought with all her might, which frightened the man. Both of them were skilled fighters, and in this life-or-death struggle, the outcome would be clear in an instant.
Feng Ning slashed his side with her sword, then turned and struck his shoulder with another. The man, already defeated, could only roll to the ground. Another man in black rushed forward, wielding his sword to block Feng Ning's attack. Feng Ning didn't stop, her swordplay fierce and rapid.
At this moment, a guard from the Long family rushed up and, seeing the situation, thrust his sword at the man in black who was about to open the cabinet. The man who had just been wounded by Feng Ning roared and lunged at the guard. After a few exchanges, a clang was heard, the cabinet opened, and the man in black reached inside and began rummaging. Feng Ning, anxious and impatient, took a step forward, ignoring her opponent, and cleaved the man who had opened the cabinet in two with her sword.
The man dodged, but the black-clad men behind Feng Ning attacked. Helpless to save his life, Feng Ning spun around and leaped away from the top. In just a moment, the man in front of the cabinet went back inside. This time, he finally took out a small box. He opened it and exclaimed, "This is it! Got it! Let's go!"
Feng Ning panicked and shouted, "No one is leaving!" Ignoring the sword that was already piercing her eyes, she leaned back and let the long sword pass over her face. She bent her leg and slid to the person who was trying to steal the item, raised her knife and slashed, trying to take the small box back.
At this moment, a guard from the Long family, who was fighting nearby, kicked one of his opponents in black to the ground and attacked the assassin holding the small box. The assassin was attacked from both sides and had no choice but to raise his sword to block the Long family guards while kicking at Feng Ning. Another man in black raised his sword to slash at Feng Ning, but Feng Ning ducked and braced himself with his palms on the ground to dodge the sword attack. In an instant, he was upside down and kicked the wrist of the man holding the box. The small box flew up, and Feng Ning kicked again with his toe, hitting the man in black in the side. Using the momentum, he slid to the ground and barely caught the box.
Her series of movements were quite skillful, leaving everyone else stunned. The box was already in Feng Ning's hands. The black-clad man, whose voice Feng Ning recognized, suddenly shouted, "You're risking your life for them? Do you really think you're Madam Long San?"
Feng Ning was stunned, not understanding the meaning behind the words, but she was certain of the voice: "It really is you." Feng Ning's words surprised the Long family guard: "You know each other?" As soon as he finished speaking, the man in black gave him a look, and the three of them attacked him together. The guard was startled and raised his sword to fight back. Feng Ning was a little far away and it was too late to help him. The guard could not resist, and with the three of them working together, he was kicked down the stairs.
Seeing this, Feng Ning turned around and ran to the window, intending to jump down and join the guards. She was carrying the Long family's property, and working together with everyone to protect them was the right thing to do.
But as soon as the window opened, two hidden weapons shot out with a "whoosh." Feng Ning narrowly missed one, but the other grazed her shoulder. The pain was excruciating, but she endured it and rushed to the window. The moonlight outside was bright, making the lake look exceptionally beautiful. Feng Ning could no longer hold back and screamed "Ah!" before collapsing to the ground.
Author's Note: Oh no, my Fengfeng is injured! Someone come quick!
twenty one
21. The Third Madam of the Dragon Clan, fleeing for her life...
Feng Ning's fall startled the three men, who were wondering what she was up to. While they were still stunned, two more guards rushed up from downstairs. The assassins turned around and started fighting with the guards, giving Feng Ning a chance to catch her breath.
She struggled to her feet, first stuffing the small box into her arms. Seeing this, the man in black swiftly attacked with his sword. Feng Ning gritted her teeth and dodged, catching a glimpse of one of the Long family guards lying on the ground, wounded, while another was forced to the stairwell. At that moment, another man in black rushed up from downstairs, forcing the Long family guards to turn and defend themselves. Feng Ning's situation instantly became one against three.
Feng Ning's body stiffened, her confidence shattered. Facing a formidable enemy ahead and with no way to retreat, she felt utterly trapped. She retreated step by step, her back pressed against the windowsill. Three men in black stood before her, swords raised, blocking her path. Feng Ning stared at them, her mind blank.
"Hand over the items," the familiar voice said coldly to Feng Ning.
Feng Ning stared into his eyes without speaking. The other man in black beside her glanced nervously at the large lake outside the window. They didn't press forward any further, fearing that Feng Ning might jump into the lake in a moment of panic, and if the object sank, it would be a huge problem.
Feng Ning remained expressionless, taking a few deep breaths. She tried hard not to think about the scenery outside the window, but rather about the expression on Long San's face when he said to her, "I believe in you." His gaze was so sincere at that moment.
The man in black narrowed his eyes, unable to hold back any longer, and swiftly thrust at Feng Ning. But in that instant, Feng Ning shouted and swung his blade at the three men. The man in black hurriedly took a half step back to dodge, and Feng Ning seized the opportunity to throw away his blade, flipped over and jumped out of the window, shouting, "I'd rather die than give it to you!"
Feng Ning's leap startled not only the three men in black, but also made her own heart skip a beat. As soon as she jumped out of the window, she closed her eyes tightly. Since she could no longer see, she could only rely on her senses and intuition. She landed on the windowsill, barely managed to slap her hands on the window frame, and used the force to propel herself upwards onto the roof.
Unable to see, she nearly crashed into the roof because she was using her hands incorrectly. Her fingertips were scraped, and her fingers were twisted and aching, but she couldn't care less about that now. As soon as her feet touched the roof, she opened her eyes. She was unsteady on her feet and swayed a few times, almost falling. She tried to calm herself down and regain her balance, feeling incredibly lucky to be alive.