Chapter Seventy-Eight: Falling from the Broken Cliff

Li Mohan spoke indifferently, his expression cold. “You have betrayed the Prime Minister’s residence and slaughtered your own brother. Today, I will take you back and hand you over to Father for punishment.”

He drew his sword and, without hesitation, attacked Li Yuxi.

Uncle Zhao, who was on the carriage, also took up his weapon and stood nearby to assist.

Li Yuxi’s eyes held a trace of mocking amusement as he rushed forward to meet Li Mohan.

The two brothers tangled once more, locked in fierce combat.

The clash of their swords rang out, sparks flying. Their eyes blazed with battle fervor, every strike aimed at the other’s vitals.

Li Yuxi’s martial skills had recently improved greatly, while Li Mohan, still weakened from his injuries, quickly began to falter.

“Brother, it seems you are not my match.” Li Yuxi let out a light laugh, the smile never reaching his eyes, making him seem even colder.

Li Mohan wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze icy. “Spare me your words!”

He leapt forward with his sword, but Li Yuxi caught an opening and slashed directly at Li Mohan’s shoulder.

“Master!” Uncle Zhao’s face changed; he rushed forward and took the blow for Li Mohan!

“Uncle Zhao!”

Li Mohan, worried, fell to the ground. Seeing the pale-faced Uncle Zhao before him, anger finally welled in his usually indifferent eyes.

“Li Yuxi!”

“Why so anxious?” Li Yuxi sheathed his sword, looking down at Li Mohan with a hint of pity. “I’ll give you a chance. Will you come with me, or… will you leave your life here?”

Li Mohan’s stare was cold as steel. “I will never betray Father as you have.”

“He’s hardly a father!” Li Yuxi scoffed, his sword pointed at Li Mohan. “You refuse the wine offered, so you must drink the penalty instead.”

Chu Bing, inside the carriage, was beside herself with worry. Seeing Li Yuxi’s sword about to strike Li Mohan, she suddenly flung open the curtain and drove the carriage straight toward them!

“Hyah!”

Li Yuxi never expected the delicate-looking girl to dare charge with the carriage. Taken off guard, he stumbled back several steps to evade.

Chu Bing reached out to Li Mohan lying on the ground.

“Get in!”

Her hair fluttered, sunlight streaming behind her in a sweeping cascade.

Li Mohan could hear the beating of his own heart.

Steady and resolute.

He closed his eyes, placed his hand in hers, and was pulled up into the carriage by Chu Bing.

Chu Bing immediately gripped the reins and sped away along the main road.

Li Yuxi’s expression changed and he prepared to give chase, but Uncle Zhao, clutching his shoulder, blocked his path. “I am here, and I will never let anyone harm my young master!”

Li Yuxi’s eyes were icy. Without a word, he kicked Uncle Zhao in the chest.

Uncle Zhao spat out blood and collapsed, unconscious.

A group of men in black leapt down from the trees.

“Master, shall we pursue?”

Li Yuxi’s gaze was cold, “After them!”

“Are you alright?” Chu Bing asked as she drove, glancing at Li Mohan.

Li Mohan’s face was pale. “I’m fine.”

“Head south, there…”

“They’re coming!” Chu Bing’s expression shifted; she hadn’t caught Li Mohan’s words, but chose a random direction and sped away.

They must not let Li Yuxi catch them. That man was ruthless—he would surely kill them!

Li Mohan gripped the edge of the carriage, his voice low and urgent. “Go faster, don’t look back.”

Chu Bing’s face was taut. The carriage was already at its maximum speed, but the wind behind them grew louder—Li Yuxi was closing in.

Chu Bing flipped her sleeve, silver needles glinting between her fingers. She was about to throw them, but realized that if she did, Li Yuxi would surely recognize her identity!

“Don’t be afraid.” Li Mohan placed his hand over hers, thinking she was fearful.

Chu Bing quickly withdrew the needles, lowering her voice. “Young Master, if we can’t escape today…”

“I will protect you,” Li Mohan interrupted without hesitation.

Chu Bing was stunned, but before she could react, Li Yuxi had caught up behind the carriage!

He leapt onto the roof!

Li Mohan, his expression cold, followed, sword in hand.

The brothers fought atop the moving carriage, while below, Chu Bing’s heart raced with fear. She wanted to stop the carriage and help Li Mohan, but—

Chu Bing was horrified to find the carriage was out of control!

The horses ignored her commands, racing wildly, no matter how she pulled at the reins.

She was about to alert Li Mohan when suddenly the view brightened—the carriage burst out of the forest, and before them lay a cliff!

If they went over, it would be certain death!

Chu Bing clung desperately to the reins, but it was useless. She could only watch as the carriage hurtled toward the precipice.

On the roof, the brothers noticed the danger. Li Yuxi spun and leapt onto a nearby tree.

Li Mohan jumped down, reaching to pull Chu Bing out.

In that instant, Li Yuxi’s sword flew straight toward them!

Li Mohan, with Chu Bing in his arms, leapt into the chasm!

Chu Bing nestled in Li Mohan’s embrace, her face pale as the wind screamed past.

“System! Help!”

The system, startled by the sudden crisis, responded in a flustered tone. “I’ll activate a protective shield for you at the moment of impact. You shouldn’t die.”

“What do you mean, ‘shouldn’t’? How can you say ‘shouldn’t’ at a time like this?” Chu Bing was on the verge of tears, trembling.

Li Mohan noticed her shaking and tightened his hold. “Don’t be afraid.”

He channeled all his internal energy to shield Chu Bing, leaving himself unprotected.

Bang!

The two crashed heavily to the ground.

The world spun. Chu Bing felt every bone ache; grimacing, she struggled to her feet, only to see Li Mohan unconscious beside her.

His forehead was soaked with blood, wounds covering his body—he was a complete wreck.

Chu Bing froze, then scrambled to his side. “Li Mohan! Young Master!”

She cautiously checked his pulse, discovering it was slow and his face gray with death.

“He’s not dead yet! But if you don’t treat him quickly, he won’t last long!” The system prompted urgently.

Chu Bing looked around frantically, sweat breaking out on her brow. “What do I do? What do I do?”

“Go north—there’s a cave where you can hide for now!”

For the first time, Chu Bing felt genuine gratitude for the system.

Half dragging, half carrying Li Mohan, she moved toward the direction the system had given, every step a struggle, but she gritted her teeth and held back tears.

Her body was sore, but she had no external injuries—when they fell, Li Mohan had taken the impact on his back, holding her in his arms, bearing all the pain himself.

Chu Bing glanced at Li Mohan’s closed eyes, her voice resolute. “Don’t worry, I will get you back safely!”