In these peaceful times, Hong Ning found it strange—she had been traveling alone for over a year and had never encountered anything like this. From the looks of it, these were indeed organized bandits, but had they not sent scouts ahead? Duan Fei had gone out today specifically to attend a banquet. If they were truly after money, they should have ambushed him on his way there, when he was carrying the celebratory gifts. Now that the gifts had already been delivered, what did they hope to gain on his return? Unless… they intended to take him hostage for ransom?
Duan Fei remained unhurried as he stepped out of the carriage and walked forward, raising his voice. “Gentlemen, why don’t we all pause for a moment and hear me out?”
The bandits gave no reply, launching their attack instead.
Steward Han panicked and pulled at Duan Fei. “Young Master, there’s no point talking—they’re clearly nothing but desperate criminals! This—” Before he could finish, a bandit struck down one of their guards, his eyes burning red as he raised his blade to slash at Duan Fei.
Fortunately, Duan Fei reacted swiftly, sidestepping just in time and retreating several steps. Even so, the situation remained perilous.
With his target now within reach, the bandit’s eyes flashed with mad delight. Unrelenting, he swung his blade down again.
With nowhere left to retreat, Duan Fei simply stopped dodging.
A chorus of gasps rose—then just as quickly fell into silence.
At the last possible moment, a dazzling streak of red shot forward like a phantom, yanking Duan Fei several steps back before he could steady himself. At the same time, a cold glint of blue flickered, and in midair, a mist of blood scattered.
A heavy body collapsed to the ground. The fatal wound was at the throat.
Rescuing a life and taking one—both had happened in the blink of an eye. For a skilled martial artist, pulling off such a sudden counterattack was not particularly impressive. But when the one who had done it was a seemingly delicate young woman, it was enough to catch people off guard.
The bandits had held the advantage, yet they had lost one of their own in an instant. One after another, they hesitated, shifting their gazes to her warily.
Duan Fei remained as composed as ever. Glancing at the sword now held protectively across his chest, he even flashed his usual charming, devil-may-care smile. “It seems the sword was given to the right person. Many thanks for saving me, my lady.”
She had long noticed that he lacked martial arts skills. Given the dire situation, if she hadn’t struck hard enough to shock them, these desperate criminals would never have backed down. Clenching her teeth, Hong Ning pushed him toward the carriage. “Get inside.”
This time, Duan Fei didn’t ask any questions and obediently stepped back into the carriage.
Hong Ning took two steps forward, raising her sword and pointing it at the bandits. Her tone was calm. “You’re not here just for a robbery. Who sent you to kill him?”
The bandits finally regained their senses. One of them, squinting as he looked her up and down, let out a lewd chuckle. “Well, well, what a fine little lady. Pretty, too. Be careful not to harm her.”
Seeing them close in again, Hong Ning gave a faint smile. In the blink of an eye, the three-foot-long sword in her hand shrank into a hairpin no more than three inches long. “If you wish to die, go ahead.”
Her sword had disappeared before their very eyes. The bandits, startled, hesitated in confusion. Then, without warning, Hong Ning lifted her hand and traced a few lines in the air.
A fierce wind howled to life from nowhere.
Dark clouds swirled overhead, and the forest around them suddenly echoed with the eerie sound of wailing cries.
The bandits shuddered. Fear flickered in their eyes, and the word “witchcraft” spread among them in hushed, terrified whispers. Their offensive formation crumbled as they instinctively drew closer together, shifting into a defensive stance.
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