Chapter 173 - 173: Trap
Zi Wei had been living in the Silver Moon Pavilion for many years, so he was well-acquainted with its layout. He led Su Yingxue into the Central Academy, where all the transaction records were stored.
Su Yingxue gazed at the tightly sealed door and mused that the Silver Moon Pavilion was no different from other places. The guards could be easily evaded, and even this pavilion lacked any distinctive features.
It was somewhat different from what she had imagined.
As she took her first step, Zi Wei suddenly grasped her hand. “We’ve fallen into a trap!”
His deep and hoarse voice resonated with a sense of impending danger.
Before he could protect Su Yingxue within his embrace, the courtyard echoed with the sound of arrows.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”
These were thick, heavily weighted arrows, ten times more lethal than those crafted within the imperial palace.
Su Yingxue widened her eyes in astonishment. “Indeed… there’s quite a difference!”
She had underestimated the situation.
By the time she snapped out of it, Hong Lian and several assassins were already perched on the rafters.
Hong Lian scolded sternly, “Who dares to trespass into my Silver Moon Pavilion?!”
Su Yingxue raised an eyebrow. “Are you genuinely blind, or are you pretending?”
Hong Lian had been in her study during daylight hours and now appeared before her.
Su Yingxue didn’t doubt that tonight was a trap set by Hong Lian to ensnare her.
And she had fallen right into it!
“Miss Su, we have no grudges between us. Even if you’re unwilling to treat me, why barge into my Silver Moon Pavilion and disrupt my rules?” Hong Lian proclaimed with a tone of magnanimity.
Su Yingxue sneered. “Pavilion Master Hong Lian, are you genuinely asking this question?”
She forcefully seized her mother’s diary, raised a lion to harm her, and even intruded into her study. And now, they were saying she disrupted their rules?
“My Silver Moon Pavilion has always conducted itself by the rules. But I apologize, Miss Su, tonight you and Number One must stay!” Hong Lian raised her hand, formed a fist, and her assassins descended.
Su Yingxue was protected by Zi Wei behind her. When she saw him rush out recklessly, her heart tightened.
She had been careless!
The assassins below, when working together, were challenging for Zi Wei to handle alone, despite his superiority in one-on-one combat.
However, Zi Wei had been an assassin for many years and understood one thing very well.
That was captured the leader first!
By capturing Hong Lian, he and Su Yingxue might escape this intricate trap unscathed.
Zi Wei inflicted injuries upon the others, preventing them from being able to concentrate. He then leaped into the air and thrust his sword toward Hong Lian.
Although Hong Lian possessed formidable martial arts skills, her blindness meant that after exchanging only a couple of moves with Zi Wei, her arm was pierced by his blade.
“All!”
Hong Lian tumbled heavily. Just as Zi Wei was about to seize her, he sensed a swift cold gleam stabbing towards him.
Despite his years of combat experience and exceptional speed, this sword arrived at an astonishing pace. He narrowly avoided a fatal strike but couldn’t evade the second sword.
“Puchi!”
The Qingfeng Sword pierced his abdomen. He attempted to counterattack but suffered a forceful palm strike.
His flexible sword shattered under Chu Yihan’s palm force, its sharp fragments slashing across his body. A surge of potent internal energy sent him hurtling from the rafter.
Su Yingxue watched him land and rushed to assist him.
“Zi Wei!”
“Get out of the way!”
To avoid injuring her, Zi Wei managed his force and flew to the opposite side. Su Yingxue merely stumbled, but he collided with the wall. The arrow that had previously fallen on the wall embedded itself into his body, causing intense pain.
“Puff!”
Zi Wei expelled several mouthfuls of blood. He raised his head, his gaze filled with concern as he looked at Su Yingxue.. “Be careful!”