Volume Two: The Emergence of the Nine Provinces Map, Joining Lingxu. Chapter 125: The Danger Dissipated.

As they ventured deeper, Chen Yu and his companions felt the invisible pressure mounting. It seemed the enemy was already waiting for them to walk straight into the trap.

"Show yourselves!" Hong Dong shouted sternly.

Whoosh! Several masked figures darted out from the darkness. There were five cultivators at the Yin-Yang Realm and five at the Primal Realm; it was clear they intended to leave no survivors.

Hong Dong’s brow furrowed as he bellowed, "Form up!"

In such a situation, tactical maneuvering was no longer an option; it was a pure test of strength.

"Who are you people?" Hong Dong demanded coldly. "Do you realize that attempting to assassinate Princess Muyang of the Great Qing is a capital offense?" Perhaps it wouldn't scare them off, but it might at least apply some pressure.

"Enough talk. Attack!" The masked assassins had no interest in chatter and launched their assault immediately. Flying darts and hidden weapons rained down like falling flower petals.

The attackers were far superior in strength, forcing Chen Yu and his group to huddle together, pooling their power to resist. Led by Hong Dong, the soldiers formed a defensive array, their spiritual energy coalescing into a barrier that deflected the dense barrage of projectiles.

The masked assassins were not surprised. After the initial volley, they charged, determined to slaughter Princess Muyang and her retinue.

"Hmph, I want to see who sent you," Princess Muyang declared, a murderous glint in her eyes as she drew her sword and charged at the enemy.

"Follow the Princess! Kill!" Hong Dong roared, leading his soldiers into the fray.

Chen Yu and his companions hesitated no longer, rushing forward to join the battle. As sharp sword lights clashed, sand and gravel were kicked into the air, and leaves fluttered like falling snow.

Chen Yu soon found himself locked in combat with a Primal Realm cultivator. From their first exchange, he realized the opponent had already opened four apertures, placing his cultivation level above his own. Yet, Chen Yu felt no panic.

"Hmph, a mere two-aperture cultivator daring to challenge me? Die!" The man scoffed disdainfully, his killing intent pressing down on Chen Yu.

Chen Yu remained calm, responding with composure. Within a few breaths, they had exchanged dozens of blows, and Chen Yu gained an understanding of the opponent's true ability. Although the man’s cultivation was higher, their actual combat prowess was similar, and defeating him would not be difficult.

Suddenly, the aura of the sword in Chen Yu’s hand shifted, becoming razor-sharp. His body turned into a streak of golden light as he lunged forward. "Tai Zhu Sword Art: Golden Light of Wind and Rain!"

The sword light was blindingly fast, yet it carried a sense of chaotic unpredictability. Before the enemy could even react to the seemingly plain strike, Chen Yu had already sliced across his throat.

"What? The Tai Zhu Sword Art?" The masked assassins tensed. "Which disciple of the Lingxu Sect are you, to have mastered the Tai Zhu Sword Art at this level of cultivation?"

Wu Yue and the others were equally shocked and envious, even though they had seen Chen Yu perform the technique before.

"Chen Yu of the Lingxu Sect."

"A fine 'Chen Yu of the Lingxu Sect.' Let me test you myself." Another attacker lunged at Chen Yu. This one was even stronger than the last, possessing a five-aperture Primal Realm cultivation.

Chen Yu did not shrink away, but he was not arrogant enough to grow complacent from a single victory. With a cold snort, he met the challenge without hesitation.

By now, Princess Muyang and Hong Dong were holding off the five Yin-Yang Realm cultivators, while Wu Yue and the others were entangled with the remaining three Primal Realm fighters. No one was free to assist Chen Yu, yet he held his ground, trading blow for blow with his opponent.

The battle reached a stalemate, leaving the outcome to depend on who could endure the longest. As time passed, the masked assassins grew increasingly angry and anxious. If the fight dragged on, they could not guarantee that reinforcements for Princess Muyang would not arrive.

"Speak! Who sent you?" Princess Muyang demanded angrily.

The assassins snorted, refusing to answer. Seeing no other way, they shouted, "Xu Kongzi! Why haven't you acted yet?"

"Xu Kongzi?" At the mention of that name, Princess Muyang and the others grew tense. They were no match for a Heaven-Man Realm cultivator.

"Useless trash, you can't even handle a few people like this?" Xu Kongzi’s figure suddenly streaked out from the forest, charging directly toward Princess Muyang.

"You dare kill disciples of the Xu Kong Sect? Today, you shall all be buried here!" Xu Kongzi roared, slashing his sword toward the Princess and her group.

"Xu Kongzi, you dare?" Princess Muyang’s face darkened. "Do you not fear the retribution of the Qingmu Prince’s Mansion?"

"Ha! What a joke. If I kill you all, who will ever know it was me?" Xu Kongzi sneered with contempt.

"Who? Who exactly ordered you to do this?" Princess Muyang and the others, though knocked back by the force of his attack, continued to press him for answers.

"Heh... you can ask that in the underworld." Xu Kongzi laughed coldly, preparing to deliver the final blow to the Princess.

"Hmph... Xu Kongzi, you have quite the audacity to lay a hand on my sister." A cold voice echoed, causing Xu Kongzi’s hand to freeze in mid-air.

A handsome man in green robes arrived, stepping on a flying sword. It was Mu Chen, the Little Prince of the Qingmu Prince’s Mansion, a Four-Image Realm expert.

"Little Prince Mu Chen... you... how are you here?" Xu Kongzi panicked, turning to flee.

"You hurt my sister, and you think you can just leave?" Mu Chen said coldly. His flying sword streaked forward, piercing directly through Xu Kongzi’s back.

"No..." Xu Kongzi tried to dodge, but the sword was too fast. It punched through his body, and his corpse fell lifelessly to the ground.

"Run!" Realizing the situation was lost, the remaining masked assassins scattered in every direction.

Chen Yu snorted. Having fought so long, he would not let them escape. With a wide sweep of his blade, he unleashed his technique once more. "Tai Zhu Sword Art: Golden Light of Wind and Rain!"

The strike claimed another life. As that man fell, screams rang out from the other assassins. Finally, Chen Yu watched as the flying sword returned from the distance into Mu Chen’s hand.

"So strong!" Chen Yu couldn't help but marvel. To truly have the power to take an enemy's head from a thousand miles away.

"Big brother!" Princess Muyang cheered happily. "I was wondering who would come to meet me, but I never expected you to arrive yourself."

Mu Chen smiled dotingly. "Let's go home. Father’s condition has stabilized."

"Yes, the medicine you brought back from the Lingxu Sect was indeed effective," Mu Chen added.

Princess Muyang beamed with undisguised joy. She then introduced Chen Yu and the others to Mu Chen.

"Little Prince Mu Chen," Wu Yue and Wu Yi greeted him respectfully.

"Ah, it’s you, little Wu Yue. You’ve had a hard journey," Mu Chen said with a smile. Finally, his gaze fell upon Chen Yu, and he scrutinized him carefully. "You are Chen Yu?"

"Yes, Little Prince," Chen Yu replied, cupping his hands in respect.

Little Prince Mu Chen smiled. "You are quite impressive!"