Fortune Across the World

Chapter 167: Facing Peril, Who Will Stand Together? (Part 2)

The disciples present had witnessed the power of the Shenji Arrows before. As the arrows hurtled toward them, their charge was completely disrupted, forcing them to dodge in panic. Several arrows lodged into the stone wall and thickets, igniting the dense underbrush. Flames roared to life, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky...

Le Zhuyi returned victorious from her offensive against Zhenxiao Sect, greatly aided by the improved Fire Whip. The attack had severely crippled the enemy, decimating their camp on the western side of Danying Mountain.

During the fierce battle, Le Zhuyi had suffered a wound to her waist from a sneak attack by Zhenxiao Sect. After a quick bandage from Aunt Lin, without even changing her blood-stained outfit, she hurried to the bamboo courtyard to share the triumphant news with Ding Qiyu.

Upon arriving at the bamboo courtyard, she found it empty. After questioning the disciples crafting small components, she learned that Ding Qiyu had been called away by another disciple. Frowning, Le Zhuyi left the courtyard.

What was wrong with the mechanisms in the northeast corner that needed Qiyu's personal attention? The more she thought, the more uneasy she felt. Annoyed, she realized that amidst the chaos following the mountain blasts, she'd overlooked the traitor they hadn't yet uncovered...

Unable to calm herself, Le Zhuyi rode her horse, Chi Ni, to the northeast corner. Midway, she saw smoke rising from that direction. Her heart sank—something had happened. Too far from help, she didn't hesitate, urging Chi Ni into a gallop, her mind fixed on one thought: Ding Qiyu must be safe.

Racing to the northeast, Le Zhuyi found the thicket ablaze, smoke billowing thickly. In the distance, she saw a group engaged in battle. Even from afar, she recognized the figure entangled by multiple Fire Whips, struggling to hold on—it was Ding Qiyu.

The crackle of flames and the sharp snaps of the whips filled the air. Le Zhuyi's heart ached as if each whip struck her own heart. She wanted to rush to help, but Chi Ni, sensing danger, refused to enter the burning thicket. Gritting her teeth, Le Zhuyi drew her Thousand Feathers Fire Whip, snapping it against Chi Ni for the first time. With a pained cry, Chi Ni obeyed, leaping into the fiery thicket.

By now, Ding Qiyu was already severely injured, her body covered in wounds. Only her determination and the chaos of the flames kept her alive, as the Fire Whips had nearly claimed her life.

Her once pristine clothes were slashed and stained with blood, the white fabric soaked in red. A long wound from a whip's barbs ran from her forehead to her cheek, blood trickling down, staining her vision red. Gone was her usual gentle demeanor; she now resembled a warrior from the depths of hell, fighting fiercely against fate and death.

Another barb-laden whip wrapped around her ankle like a steel trap. Ding Qiyu bit back a cry, her strength failing as she fell into the thorns. The short sword embedded in her shoulder drove deeper, the sound of tearing flesh audible. Pain exploded in her head, and she coughed up blood, darkness edging her vision.

Seeing the opportunity, Le Mengxiao pulled the trigger on her Xuanyuan Fire Whip, increasing its force, and swung with all her might to deliver a fatal blow to the fallen Ding Qiyu.

The whip, adorned with barbs, descended on her chest, poised to crush her internal organs. Unable to move, her arm caught by another whip, Ding Qiyu could only watch, her mind blank—

A loud clang rang out as Le Mengxiao's whip was deflected by the incoming Thousand Feathers Fire Whip, sparks flying from the collision. The powerful strike scattered the whips binding Ding Qiyu and disarmed several disciples.

Struggling to open her eyes, Ding Qiyu saw Le Zhuyi, in her scarlet outfit, riding Chi Ni through the flames. Her whip, a blur of motion, wove a protective barrier around Ding Qiyu, fending off the deadly attacks and scattering the traitorous disciples' formations.

Blood loss dulled Ding Qiyu's senses; the world was a distant echo, her muscles unresponsive. She stared at Zhuyi, feeling a pure, profound awe at the sight—like a goddess descending to save her.

Suddenly, her waist tightened as Zhuyi's whip wrapped around her. Leaning from Chi Ni, Zhuyi pulled Ding Qiyu onto the horse. The effort ruptured Zhuyi's hastily bandaged wound, but she gritted her teeth through the pain.

"Block their path!" Le Mengxiao commanded, furious. She hadn't expected Zhuyi to rescue Ding Qiyu so swiftly. If they escaped, Le Mengxiao's plans were doomed. Determined to prevent their escape, she ordered her disciples to block the thicket's path.

Ding Qiyu, barely conscious, slumped against Zhuyi, unable to grip her waist. Fearing she'd fall, Zhuyi deftly entwined the whip around them both, securing Ding Qiyu to her.

Never had Zhuyi imagined her senior sister, raised in Qianli Palace, would betray them, conspiring with an outsider to destroy the palace. Meeting Le Mengxiao's hateful gaze, Zhuyi's eyes, burning with fury, glistened with unshed tears. They were family, sisters—how had it come to this?

But there was no time for sorrow. As Le Mengxiao's whip targeted Chi Ni's hooves, Zhuyi closed her eyes briefly, quelling her grief. When she reopened them, her resolve was fierce. With a squeeze of her legs, she urged Chi Ni to leap, narrowly dodging the whip.

Chi Ni galloped towards the path, but the traitorous disciples had blocked it. Zhuyi's skills could guide Chi Ni past a few whips, but the combined assault was too much. Halting, she turned Chi Ni sharply, bolting in another direction.

Pursued by Le Mengxiao's group, attempts to snare Chi Ni's hooves were thwarted by Zhuyi's expert riding. Even injured, Chi Ni's speed and agility were unmatched, carrying them beyond the whips' reach. Out of range, Le Mengxiao seized a Shenji Crossbow, firing at them. Her disciples followed suit, launching arrows at the fleeing pair.

The whistling of arrows reached Zhuyi's ears. Ding Qiyu, hearing the sound, tried to help, shifting slightly against Zhuyi's back, but dizziness and pain immobilized her.

Sensing her movement, Zhuyi urged, "Carpenter, stay still. I've got this!"

The tender, worried tone pierced through the haze in Ding Qiyu's ears, warming her blood-drained heart. "Alright..." she whispered, smiling faintly, closing her eyes, and leaning back to shield Zhuyi. If Zhuyi couldn't dodge the arrows, she'd protect her with her own body.

The warmth enveloping her back brought tears to Zhuyi's eyes. Steeling herself, she took a deep breath, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The path was uncertain, but having chosen to save Ding Qiyu, they were bound together, come what may.

Shenji Arrows, louder than ordinary arrows, were easy to track for Zhuyi's keen ears. Though her whip was occupied, Zhuyi grabbed Ding Qiyu's Wuchang Sword, activating its mechanism. The blades extended, forming the longest configuration.

With no time to marvel, she guided Chi Ni without looking back, relying on sound to judge the arrows' trajectory. Of the arrows fired, three threatened to hit them. As they closed in, Zhuyi struck decisively, deflecting them with precision. The arrows veered off course, igniting fires in the thicket as they landed.