Chapter 231: Ambush

Zhao Yan: "……"

His face twitched a bit, Yun Shui stepped forward, smiling, and said, "Prince, you are unaware; Deputy General Zhao said that as long as Southern First Young Master can bring the provisions, he will give his life to her." Yun Shui said it lightly, but every word pierced Zhao Yan's heart.

Zhao Yan was both angry and embarrassed, his complexion turning a pale green.

Who could have thought he could actually bring so much provisions?

Moreover, those words were spoken by him himself, and now Yun Shui, in front of the Prince and the camp soldiers, said that sentence crystal clear, and now he couldn't even utter a single rebuttal.

Zhao Yan clenched his fists tightly, rigidly half‑kneeling on the ground.

When Yun Shui finished speaking, silence fell all around, even the surrounding air grew still; the soldiers in the camp fell silent, their faces shocked as they stared at the figure ahead of Zhao Yan.

Provisions... were they brought by her?

The mountain‑piled provisions, truly brought by her?

How could that be?

Incredible, truly divine.

No wonder she earned the Prince's special regard.

Those who had previously mocked her lowered their heads, fearing Chi Nan Yi's gaze falling upon them; if retribution came after autumn, none could escape.

Mo Junyan, hearing Yun Shui's words, relaxed his expression slightly, his gaze returning to Chi Nan Yi, and said softly, "Very well, since Deputy General Zhao has this intention, This Prince will fulfill it for her."

"Agreed." At this moment Zhao Yan wished he could slap himself hard; what a vile mouth!

Chi Nan Yi had not intended to do anything to Zhao Yan, just as she was about to dismiss the matter, she heard Mo Junyan whisper, "The father of the Zhao brothers was previously under Situ General."

Father's subordinates?

After this turmoil, dawn had already broken, and Chi Nan Yi and Mo Junyan took a simple breakfast in the camp.

"I should go back."

"Now?"

"Hmm." Chi Nan Yi nodded, "My maternal grandfather still disapproves of me getting too close to you; if he learns I spent a night in the camp, he'll probably chase us here."

Thinking of the way Old Master Chi's beard blew and eyes glared, Mo Junyan couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't you want to know where Man Shan Dong's provisions and silver came from?" Chi Nan Yi looked at him, her eyes full of slyness.

"I want to know." Mo Junyan replied bluntly, "But based on what I know of you, you probably won't tell me."

Chi Nan Yi forced a laugh, Mo Junyan took her hand, "Yi'er, I know you're different from others, but until you choose to tell me, I won't pry into your secrets."

Hearing him say that, Chi Nan Yi's lingering worry finally eased.

"By the way, this is for you."

He took from a nearby cabinet a whip entirely golden in color; though it seemed slender, it felt weighty in the hand, its tip adorned with tiny golden scales like dragon scales, glittering brilliantly in the sunlight.

"What a handy weapon; I've been thinking of getting a whip I fancy these past few days, and you just brought it to me."

Seeing her genuine delight, Mo Junyan's eyes also showed a hint of smile.

"When your leg can stand up properly and openly, I will definitely have a fight with you."

"I'm ready to accompany you anytime."

Mo Junyan asked Yun Shui to escort her back, but Chi Nan Yi refused.

She turned to Zhao Yan, smiled lightly, and said, "Didn't you say you'd give your life to me? Then you can take me back."

Zhao Yan: "……"

Mo Junyan nodded, Zhao Yan mustered courage and led two horses; Chi Nan Yi gave a light step, her body landing lightly on a horse, the whip raised in her hand, "Let's go."

The camp's people watched the receding figures, feeling deeply conflicted.

Southern First Young Master truly did them a great favor; if she were a woman, how wonderful that would be! Then being with the Prince wouldn't invite gossip.

From the camp to the city about thirty li, Zhao Yan, in plain clothes, followed her at a moderate distance.

Halfway there, the figure ahead tightened the reins and stopped.

"Young Master." Zhao Yan frowned slightly, "What's wrong?"

Chi Nan Yi gave no reply, her gaze scanning the surroundings.

Both sides of the official road were silent, a gentle breeze rustling the treetops, the forest around exuding a dead silence.

She narrowed her eyes, Chi Nan Yi's hand gripping the whip at her waist, her voice deepened slightly, "Be careful, there's an ambush."

Before the words finished, several black shadows darted from the woods like wraiths, their blades flashing coldly, rushing straight at Chi Nan Yi and Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan, seeing this, felt a chill, drew the sword at his waist and blocked in front of Chi Nan Yi.

"Young Master, leave this to me, you go ahead!"

Chi Nan Yi looked at his back, a slight curl at the corner of her mouth.

Truly worthy of Mo Junyan's troops.

Though she doesn't like herself, she still keeps her promise.

"Swish swish swish!" Dozens of arrows shot toward Chi Nan Yi's direction.

"Their target is me." Chi Nan Yi drew the whip, kicked off powerfully, leapt into the air, swung the whip vigorously, knocking all the arrows down to the ground.

Watching her skill, Zhao Yan couldn't help but be stunned.

"What are you still standing there for? Waiting to die here or waiting for me to save you?"

Chi Nan Yi's cold shout snapped him back to his senses.

Zhao Yan looked at the black‑clad men already surrounding them, and said gravely, "Who are these attackers?"

"Those who will take your lives."

The leader of the black‑clad men swung his arm, saying not a word, and the rest surged forward in a pack.

As a deputy general, Zhao Yan's martial skill was naturally not weak; he brandished his long sword and charged, entangling with the black‑clad men.

In the blink of an eye, over a dozen exchanges passed; Zhao Yan's martial skill was impressive, but two fists cannot match four hands, and those black‑clad foes fought ruthlessly, each move lethal, clearly desperate outlaws.

At that moment, a black-clad person went around behind him, thrusting his long sword forward, aiming for Zhao Yan's back.

Feeling the sword qi from behind, Zhao Yan wanted to dodge but it was already too late.

His heart sank instantly to the valley's bottom; he thought he was surely doomed today.

「Pfft! 」

The sound of the sharp blade piercing flesh rang out.

The black-robed man stared in disbelief at his chest pierced by the long sword, his eyes wide as he collapsed.

Zhao Yan turned his head and saw Chi Nan Yi flip off her horse, the Golden Whip flying in her hand, entangling the scattered long swords on the ground; with a forceful swing, the blade flew out and claimed another life.

She tapped her toes lightly, her body leaping into the air, sweeping past like a startled swan; the whip lashed, golden light like a silken thread, the golden scales at the whip's tip sweeping across the black-clad man's chest, his front robes tearing apart as crimson blood spurted out.

Before the crowd could react, Chi Nan Yi had already harvested several lives.

Seeing this, the black-clad men all gritted their teeth in hatred.

"Charge! Kill her!"

More than a dozen black-robed men, killing intent plain in their eyes, charged toward Chi Nan Yi.