roccoschili Chapter 162 So this was all the so-called good show?!
Chapter 162 So this was all the so-called good show?!
Xu Longxiang trembled all over!
He stared intently at the scene before him.
Jiang Qingxue's small face, glistening white in the moonlight, resolutely stood in front of Qin Mu.
She didn't even hesitate for half a second.
Every frame was like a red-hot branding iron, searing deep into Xu Longxiang's soul!
"No--!!!"
A heart-wrenching, silent roar, which could only be heard in his heart, almost shattered his internal organs!
Mo Ya was even more horrified than Xu Longxiang!
His attack was intended to force Qin Mu to reveal his trump card; it was ruthless and unreserved.
Seeing Jiang Qingxue recklessly charging towards him, how could he dare to actually hurt her?!
He knew all too well the prince's feelings for this Miss Jiang!
If he had injured or even killed Miss Jiang with his own hands, he would be guilty beyond redemption!
In the blink of an eye, Mo Ya forcefully reversed the fatal blow that was infused with his full power!
"puff!"
He groaned, his internal energy violently trembling due to the sudden reversal of its flow. He felt a sweet taste in his throat, and a trickle of blood seeped out from under his mask.
The five fingers that were originally aimed at Qin Mu's back narrowly missed the edge of Jiang Qingxue's nightgown when they were only a hair's breadth away from her shoulder!
"Sizzle—!"
The sharp energy tore through the thin, moon-white fabric, leaving a shallow bloodstain on her shoulder. A burning pain shot through her, but it was ultimately just a superficial wound.
Taking advantage of the situation, Mo Ya spun rapidly, like an ink droplet scattered by a gale, about to disappear into the shadows beside him.
At this moment, thanks to Jiang Qingxue's reckless act of blocking, Qin Mu seemed to have just recovered slightly from his "panic".
He frantically reached out and pulled Jiang Qingxue, who was staggering forward with blood on her shoulder, back into his arms.
Her seemingly rough movements actually managed to pull her out of the aftershocks of Mo Ya's attack.
Qin Mu's face still showed signs of shock and pallor. His eyes darted around in a panicked manner in the direction Mo Ya had fled, and his voice trembled with anger:
"Guards! Protect the Emperor! There's an assassin! Seize him!!!"
Almost as soon as he finished speaking—
"Thump thump thump!"
The sound of hurried and orderly footsteps rang out from all directions!
Dozens of figures suddenly emerged from the shadows throughout the Imperial Garden, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain!
Some were dressed in imperial guard armor, their swords drawn, gleaming coldly.
Some were dressed in practical, action-oriented clothing, their aura deep and composed, clearly indicating they were experts from the palace.
Further away, sharp whistles and more running sounds came from the direction of the palace walls, and the entire palace's defenses seemed to be mobilized instantly!
The firelight began to flicker, and voices quickly approached from afar.
Mo Ya's heart sank.
He knew that the best opportunity had passed, and if he didn't leave now, he really wouldn't be able to leave at all.
He took one last deep look at Jiang Qingxue, who was being held tightly in Qin Mu's arms, her shoulder bleeding, her face as pale as paper, and her eyes empty and blank.
He glanced at the direction of the artificial hill out of the corner of his eye again.
We can't hesitate any longer!
Mo Ya's figure flickered again, like a real night raven blending into the night. In a few leaps, he disappeared into the depths of the artificial rockery, leaving only a faint wisp of true energy fluctuation in the air.
"Chase him! Don't let him get away!"
"Seal off the palace gates!"
"Protect His Majesty!"
The Imperial Garden was quickly filled with a cacophony of shouts, running, and the clash of weapons.
The torchlight dispelled the chill of the moonlight, illuminating the once tranquil and beautiful path in a chaotic yet bright light.
Qin Mu held Jiang Qingxue tightly, his arms wrapped around her tightly, as if he was still in shock.
His chest rose and fell slightly as he looked down at the woman in his arms, his voice carrying a mixture of concern and lingering fear, as if he had survived a close call.
"My beloved concubine! How are you? Where are you injured? Imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician immediately!"
His fingers seemed to brush unintentionally across the wound on Jiang Qingxue's shoulder, which had been slashed by the force of his qi, and blood stained his fingertips.
Jiang Qingxue leaned against him, her body trembling slightly from the shock and exertion.
The pain in my shoulder was real, burning.
But what made her feel even colder, as if she had fallen into an ice cave, was...
It was the scene that had just been replaying wildly in my mind, and the sudden clarity of understanding that came as if by divine intervention!
assassin……
The shadowy figure's movements, the momentum of his attack, the subtle hesitation when he forcefully reversed his attack, and the complex look in his eyes as he glanced at her last...
And towards the artificial hill… she seemed to have sensed a familiar, heartbreaking gaze there just now…
It's Xu Longxiang!
That assassin was sent by Xu Longxiang!
And Qin Mu...
Jiang Qingxue stiffly raised her head and looked at Qin Mu, who was looking down at her with "concern".
The firelight danced on his face, illuminating the "just right" look of panic and lingering fear in his eyes.
But Jiang Qingxue's unusually clear mind at this moment allowed her to detect a hint of amusement and coldness!
Considering Qin Mu's previous strength and what he said:
"Let's go see a good show..."
and so……
Qin Mu's panic just now was fake!
His shouting was intentional!
All his reactions weren't from being attacked at all, but rather... acting!
It was a performance for the assassin, for Xu Longxiang who might be on the artificial hill, and even... for her!
What's the purpose?
Jiang Qingxue's heart pounded wildly as a terrifying thought slithered into her mind like a venomous snake:
Let Xu Longxiang lower his guard!
Xu Longxiang believed that Qin Mu had no so-called "land immortal" by his side, and that he himself might not be as powerful as rumored!
His behavior just now was exactly like that of an ordinary emperor who was poorly protected, lacked personal strength, and could only panic and cry for help when faced with danger!
In this way, Xu Longxiang will underestimate him, believe that his plan has a better chance of success, and thus...act more boldly!
Qin Mu could watch from the shadows, like a spectator, as Xu Longxiang stepped into the trap he had laid!
A chill instantly ran from the soles of her feet throughout her body, causing Jiang Qingxue to shiver uncontrollably.
She actually... became one of the most important pawns in his play.
"My beloved concubine? My beloved concubine, what's wrong? Are you frightened?"
Qin Mu's voice rang out again, his warm breath brushing against her cold earlobe.
He raised his hand and gently wiped away a tear that had somehow slipped down her cheek with his blood-stained fingertips, his gesture so tender it was almost pitying.
"Don't be afraid, the assassin has escaped, and the guards are here. It's alright now."
Jiang Qingxue looked into Qin Mu's deep, unfathomable eyes, which were now filled with worry.
She was overwhelmed by a tremendous sense of absurdity and a deep-seated fear.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but her throat felt as if it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, and she couldn't make a sound.
She could only let Qin Mu pick her up and carry her quickly towards the brightly lit Yuxiu Palace, surrounded by more and more imperial guards and palace servants.
The firelight flickered, and shadowy figures moved about.
The hustle and bustle gradually faded away from the Imperial Garden.
On the top of the artificial hill, Xu Longxiang still lay there like a stone sculpture.
He stared intently at Qin Mu's departing figure carrying Jiang Qingxue, and at the glaring crimson stain on Jiang Qingxue's shoulder.
Mo Ya had successfully escaped and returned to his side. His breathing was slightly disordered, and he quickly reported the details of what had just happened and Qin Mu's panicked and easily defeated performance in a low voice.
But Xu Longxiang was no longer listening.
All that remained in his mind was the image of Jiang Qingxue recklessly charging towards that deadly black shadow.
The scene was clearer, more cruel, and more...heart-wrenching than the shadow on the window paper last night.
"Qingxue..."
He murmured softly, his voice hoarse and broken, carrying a despair that even he himself was unaware of.
Why...did you shield him?
Could it be that in this deep palace, in such a short time, you have already...
Do not!
impossible!
It must have been Qin Mu who forced her!
That tyrannical emperor must have used some trick to bewitch her!
Or... she was trying to gain trust for a bigger scheme...
Xu Longxiang desperately searched for reasons in his mind, trying to convince himself.
But when Jiang Qingxue looked at Qin Mu, there was clearly a trace of dependence and attachment in her eyes.
This image haunted Xu Longxiang's mind like a nightmare.
The moonlight turned cold again, casting its light on his contorted face.
His hands gripped the cold rock beneath him tightly, the pain shooting through his fingertips, but it was nothing compared to the excruciating agony he felt inside.
Qin Mu...
What exactly did you do to her?!
Xu Longxiang felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, each heartbeat so heavy it felt like it was about to shatter his ribs.
"Your Highness!"
Mo Ya's hoarse, deep voice rang in his ears, abruptly pulling Xu Longxiang back from his turbulent thoughts.
"We can't stay any longer, let's leave quickly!"
Xu Longxiang turned his head stiffly. In the moonlight, his eyes were bloodshot, like a trapped beast.
"Let's go." His voice was dry and hoarse, as if it were being forced out from deep in his throat.
The two figures flickered again, like true night crows blending into the night, silently darting towards the outskirts of the imperial city.
The journey away went surprisingly smoothly.
Although the palace was in complete chaos, with flickering firelight, imperial guards running around, and shouts rising and falling.
But those visible guards were practically useless to experts like Xu Longxiang and Mo Ya.
They moved like two ghosts through the shadows of the rooftops, dodging the approaching columns of Imperial Guards.
Occasionally, when encountering skilled patrollers, they could easily evade them thanks to Mo Ya's uncanny ability to hide.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two had already scaled the palace walls and disappeared into the darkness outside the imperial city.
.......
In the courtyard of their temporary residence, Sikong Xuan and Fan Li were pacing anxiously back and forth.
Seeing two dark figures scale the wall and enter, the two immediately went to meet them.