Chapter Twenty-Four: Escape

  "Madam, I am the steward of the mansion, Lin Zhanhe." The steward is actually so young.

  "Since you know me, I am who I am, then if you recognize me, quickly leave!"

  "Madam,"

  "Stand there and talk."

  "Madam, this is the martial arts training ground of the mansion. It's forbidden for non-mansion warriors to enter, especially women."

  "What! Impossible, I clearly asked about it before, this is already outside the mansion."

  "Master, this is indeed the martial arts training ground of the Wang Manor."

  "You knew? Why didn't you say so earlier."

  "At that time, I didn't know what the master was going to do."

  "I clearly said I was going out."

  "Yes, but didn't say what to do here?"

  "You"

  "Madam, the gate out of the mansion is opposite the martial arts training ground." I must have remembered it wrong! My legs went limp and I fell to the ground.

  "Master!"

  "Madam!"

  "Don't move from where you are." Is this my fate? "Then what crime is privately sneaking into the martial arts arena?"

  "Cutting off all hesitation!"

  "There is precedent for leniency."

  "Not yet."

  "Is that so? Then how will I and Wanday Cheng be disposed of."

  "The great lady does not know yet, but Wan Ri Cheng will definitely be punished."

  "Should be beheaded?"

  "Yes."

  What's going on? That demon is sure to kill Wan Ri Cheng, and for me, it won't be a good outcome either. Suddenly, many people rushed in from the entrance of the training ground, getting closer and closer. I narrowed my eyes to look at them, they all had weapons in their hands, coming so quickly, really well-trained. And with Lin Zhan's raised hand, those figures stopped moving.

  "Wan Ri Cheng, I'm asking you again, and I hope you'll answer truthfully." I lowered my voice so that only Wan Ri Cheng could hear.

  "Yes."

  "You can hate me for letting you be executed."

  No regrets.

  "You can hate me for letting Master Xiang's whole family die."

  "...no regrets."

  "Since you're so hesitant, just hate me then."

  "Lin Zhanhe, stop right there!" The loud voice startled me, and I couldn't believe that I was frightened by my own voice.

  "Wanjie Cheng, you too." I continued to lower my voice.

  Looking at the Zhan Yue that was just pulled out of the leg strap, is it really going to be like this?! I drew the knife out of its scabbard, and the sunlight reflecting off the blade was indeed dazzling.

  "From birth till now, I am just an ordinary and insignificant person. I never thought that these things could happen to me, nor did I ever think of harming the Wang family. From my arrival here, to meeting you all, to entering the palace, to becoming a princess, this series of events has left me bewildered. Even now, I still can't tell whether it's a dream or reality."

  "Master."

  "Madam!"

  "Halt! Don't make me repeat myself."

  Blood gushed out from the root of my ring finger. It was strange that I didn't feel any pain, probably because I've gotten used to it after cutting so many times!

  "Now I'm unable to escape the palace, and have alarmed these people. Later on, if I want to leave the palace, it will be very difficult. But you're different, without me, you can escape, so just stay here and continue hating me for the rest of your life."

  I put the dagger on the ground, covered my hand with my sleeve, and secretly tied a knot. Behind me, Wan Yat-sen suddenly couldn't catch his breath as expected, and knelt down to the ground. My back was facing him, so I couldn't see his situation at that time, but from the sound, his breathing became heavier and heavier.

  And I was the same, though not to the point of gasping for breath, but the blood overflowing from my throat was getting more and more, I couldn't let Lin Zhan discover anything unusual, so I swallowed hard with each mouthful.

  This time is different from Sima Nan's last time, that time was just a small test, this time I fully released the technique, although I don't know why this technique is so magical, but if I can come to this space-time, what else can't happen?

  That side of Wan Ri Cheng estimated has been close to the limit, I shifted over to look at him, and indeed, a mouthful of blood spurted out from his mouth. My seal also ended, picked up the dagger, forced myself to stand up, Wan Ri Cheng also stopped, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, stood up again, raised his head when, a surprised expression floated on his face.

  "Master, this is..., you..."

  "You're a martial artist, you must have noticed the changes in your own body. This is 'Lotus Broken Silk', I don't need to explain its effects to you. So, leaving here will give you a great advantage. You can leave now, Wu Qing Su wants me, not you, and you have nothing to do with this. Leave immediately and don't worry about me anymore."

  "Master, I've told you before..."

  "Are you not listening to me? Hurry up and leave, I won't look for you, don't come looking for me. Your life is mine, I haven't let you die yet, so struggle to live on for me."

  "Master..."

  "Leave at once, this is an order."

  "Wanjiri Cheng, you think you can just walk away?!"

  I turned around, and Lin Zhan had already arrived in front of me, just one step away from my back. He raised his hand to grab Wan Ri Cheng, but Wan Ri Cheng blocked him with both hands. Lin Zhan took another step forward and effortlessly grabbed Wan Ri Cheng's right wrist. Wan Ri Cheng lifted his right leg to kick Lin Zhan, who dodged to the side and released Wan Ri Cheng. Wan Ri Cheng then turned sideways and jumped towards the high wall in front of the martial arts arena.

  Lin Zhan was about to chase after lifting his leg, I grabbed his sleeve with one hand, but didn't expect him to have such great strength, pulling me over in an instant. Just as my whole body was about to be flung out, a pair of hands from behind hugged me tightly. I saw Wan Ri Cheng jump onto the wall, leap down, and disappear.

  "Ma'am, are you alright?"

  I felt it was improper, so I struggled free from Lin Zhan's embrace, turned around, and a pale face suddenly appeared before my eyes. I hastily retreated.

  "Ma'am, are you hurt anywhere? Ah, your left hand..."

  "I'm fine, please don't chase after Wang Ri Cheng anymore."

  Lin Zhan looked slightly older than that demon, and his appearance was not particularly handsome, but rather ordinary. He had a bookish face, perhaps he was a knowledgeable person. Those eyes were bright and deep, although the person was somewhat thin, yet his movements were incredibly agile, if I hadn't grabbed him just now, it would have been difficult for Wan Ri Cheng to catch up with him.

  "Madam, you're making it difficult for me. If the prince were to blame me..."

  "I'll take responsibility."

  "But..."

  "I'll take responsibility!"

  "Gotcha!"

  This voice, the demon has finally arrived! I looked towards Lin Zhan and others' back, the demon had already walked into the martial arts arena, with the guards from the mansion following behind him. This formation, even if I had three heads and six arms, I wouldn't be able to escape, right?

  "Your Highness, Zhang He is incompetent and failed to capture Wan Ri Cheng."

  "What brings the lady to this martial arts arena?" As he spoke, the scoundrel had already arrived in front of me, his face filled with rage that was even more intense than what I saw earlier, making my heart feel a chill.

  "What does the king think!"

  "I've intruded upon your martial arts training grounds, but surely Lin's steward has already spoken with the mistress about this?"

  "I'll take full responsibility."

  "How will madam take responsibility?"

  "It's just a life, everyone's is the same, so let me be the one to make up for it."

  "Madam seems to have forgotten, there were two people who snuck into the martial arts arena, but Madam only has one life."

  "Then use this!"