Chapter 116: Desperate Situation

The instant Quan Quan Tianchen and the shadow guards carried Seeing Jun Jun Zijin and the Empress out of the cave mouth, the entrance collapsed with a deafening "Boom!"

Amidst the flying dust, Quan Quan Tianchen quickly scanned the surroundings and found that dawn had just broken.

Only then did Quan Quan Tianchen clearly see the Empress, covered in wounds; his eyes were filled with guilt:

"Mother, your son has come too late and let you suffer."

The Empress gently stroked Quan Quan Tianchen's cheek, her eyes full of maternal love:

"Chen'er, Mother knew you would definitely come."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin stood aside, watching the scene of the mother and son reuniting, and a wave of bitterness rose in her heart; that was the mother Quan Quan Aoyu missed day and day, yet he was not here today...

Just then, as the four had just steadied their footing, the roar of the collapsing cave mouth still echoed in their ears and the dust had not yet settled, a sound of urgent horse hooves came from the distance. Quan Quan Tianchen frowned, quickly shielding the Empress and Seeing Jun Jun Zijin behind him; Feiyan and Guazi gripped their swords tightly, looking alertly toward the direction of the sound.

"It must be the old traitor Gao's men!" the Empress ground out through her teeth. She had been imprisoned in the cave for a full five years and had seen Chancellor Gao; although it was only a side profile, she still recognized him.

Sure enough, a group of black-clad figures emerged from the dust, the leader wearing a mask. He held a long blade, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, staring coldly at Quan Quan Tianchen and his group.

"The Fourth Imperial Prince, Lady Lady Qingping, and Her Majesty the Empress are all here; you truly have formidable means."

Gao Yuan looked at them as if viewing several corpses, his voice icy and bone-chilling.

"Pity, you cannot escape the grasp of our Right Chancellor, my lord."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin frowned; the masked man had stated without hesitation that this was the work of Chancellor Gao. There were only two reasons for this: first, to deliberately spread rumors, and second, he was certain they could not survive to get out.

Quan Quan Tianchen let out a cold sneer, his gaze blazing like a torch:

"Do you think someone like you, who steals chickens and dogs and dares not show his face, can stop us?"

The masked man snorted coldly, gave no answer, and merely waved his hand. The cavalry behind him all dismounted, immediately spreading out to form a cordon, and lunged toward the four.

Feiyan gripped her twin swords, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes: "My lady, Your Highness, I will hold them off; you take the Empress and leave first!"

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin shook her head, throwing out a handful of silver needles to block the black-clad attackers' assault: "No, they are too numerous; you cannot hold them alone."

Quan Quan Tianchen's sword light flashed like lightning, cutting through the night sky and driving straight for the masked man's throat. The masked man sidestepped, sweeping his long blade horizontally; Quan Quan Tianchen tapped his toes, his form swift as a swallow, narrowly avoiding the strike.

Guazi's short blade was already soaked in blood, cutting down one opponent after another as if slicing melons.

Cold light flickered in the eyes of the group. This battle was unavoidable; they could only fight for their lives.

The group shielded the Empress, who remained calm, in the center, and both sides plunged into chaos once more.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had exhausted her anesthetic needles and could only fight with short weapons; she possessed no internal energy and was already so exhausted her lungs felt ready to burst.

Quan Quan Tianchen's sword technique remained fierce; though Feiyan and Guazi were brave, the enemies were simply too numerous, and the group's stamina was nearing its limit.

The group was already covered in wounds. Their only chance of survival was to flee on horseback; the enemies' horses were lingering nearby. But they were surrounded by the black-clad figures and could not break through at all.

"It seems you cannot escape," the lead masked man sneered, his gaze as cold and icy as ice.

Just then, a black-clad figure saw Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's movements slow and thrust straight at her; she cried out in her heart that she was about to become a victim under the blade, and if she died and could not return, it would be a huge loss.

Just then, Quan Quan Tianchen slashed his sword, barely deflecting the long sword thrust at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, but her arm was still cut by the black-clad figure's blade edge, and blood immediately gushed out.

"My lady!"

"Jun Zijin!"

Quan Quan Tianchen, Feiyan, and Guazi shouted simultaneously.

Quan Quan Tianchen's eyes were bloodshot with rage; there was not a trace of his usual gentle, immortal-like demeanor left.

He roared: "Those who harm her shall die!"

Quan Quan Tianchen went berserk, slashing his sword down at the masked man. The masked man hurriedly retreated, but Quan Quan Tianchen's sword qi surged forth, forcing him to retreat repeatedly; his chest was injured by the sword qi. Feiyan took the opportunity to rush forward and slashed her sword at the masked man's head. The masked man quickly sidestepped, but Feiyan's blade still sliced through his shoulder, and blood sprayed out.

That strike by Quan Quan Tianchen, with its terrifying sword qi power, not only injured the masked man but also knocked many black-clad figures flying; a gap instantly appeared in the cordon.

"Mount up!" Quan Quan Tianchen roared. He pulled Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, while Guazi grabbed the Empress beside them, and they both flew out.

"You insects dare to injure me!" the masked man, seeing the group try to flee, roared in fury. Ignoring his injuries, he swung his long blade down with a sudden force.

To protect Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, Feiyan blocked in front without hesitation.

"Feiyan!" a hint of anxiety flashed in Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's eyes.

Feiyan gritted her teeth and said: "My lady, do not worry about me; go quickly!"

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin summoned all her strength, turned, and threw the dagger in her hand straight at the masked man's face.

The dagger flew toward the masked man's face with a whistling sound; the masked man, already injured, moved slightly slower and could not dodge in time. The dagger plunged straight into his left eye. He let out a painful howl, waving his long blade wildly.

Feiyan took the opportunity to leap onto a horse and galloped after the two warhorses ahead.

The masked man covered his eyes, his face covered in blood, emitting a beast-like low growl from his mouth.

"Chase them! Kill them all, leave not a single one alive!"

The black-clad figures reorganized their ranks and rode after them.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin and the others' horses galloped wildly through the mountain forest, with the pursuing forces close behind, relentless.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin and Quan Quan Tianchen rode the same horse, held tightly in his embrace; she did not resist, resting her head against his chest, for she was dizzy from blood loss and likely could not even sit steady on a horse; to survive, she could not be bound by trivialities. Her wound was still bleeding, and the white clothes of Quan Quan Tianchen behind her were soaked through.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin felt a darkness before her eyes; the wind howled in her ears, and the jolting on the horseback made it nearly impossible for her to maintain her posture. She gritted her teeth, striving to keep herself conscious, but the weakness from excessive blood loss surged like a tide, as if ready to swallow her at any moment. Yet even so, she was still unwilling to completely abandon the thought of saving herself.

Quan Quan Tianchen's arm tightened around her waist, and warm breath passed through her clothes.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin struggled through her dizziness; her trembling hand tried several times before finally retrieving a medicine bottle from her bosom. It was her life-saving medicine carried with her; once taken, it could temporarily suppress the injury and restore some strength.

But due to the severe jolting on the horseback, combined with her arm losing strength, the moment the bottle was pulled out, it slipped from her fingertips and fell toward the ground.

"Oh no!" Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's heart tightened; she wanted to reach out to catch it, but was too dizzy and faint to move.

In that instant, Quan Quan Tianchen, with quick eyes and fast hands, suddenly leaned forward, stretched out his long arm, and caught the medicine bottle steadily in mid-air. His movement was crisp and decisive, and he did not even slow the horse's speed.

"Do not move recklessly," his gentle voice sounded by her ear, carrying a hint of non-negotiable authority, "I will do it."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was slightly stunned; before she could react, Quan Quan Tianchen had opened the bottle, poured out a pill, and held it to her lips.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin raised her eyes to look at him, but what met her gaze was the face of Quan Quan Aoyu, who was currently in the Northern Frontier; she was slightly dazed and revealed a smile.

Quan Quan Tianchen was slightly stunned, and the color in his eyes deepened several shades.

"Open your mouth," he urged in a low voice.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin immediately came to her senses. She hesitated not, obediently opened her mouth, and let him place the pill inside. The bitter taste spread across her tongue. She closed her eyes, feeling the medicine's effect gradually take hold; the dizziness eased slightly.

"Thank you." Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's voice was weak yet sincere.

Quan Quan Tianchen offered no reply, merely holding her tighter, his gaze still scanning the surroundings warily. He had promised Yu'er he would protect her.

Three warhorses galloped along the rugged mountain path, their hooves striking with urgent, heavy thuds, as if each step trod upon the heart. The pursuers behind drew ever closer; the thunder of hooves filled the ears, clearly indicating the enemy had drawn near.

Ahead lay a sheer cliff, bottomless, wreathed in swirling mist, like a giant maw waiting to swallow all.