As the shadow disciples deflected the incoming blades, about fifty black-clad figures appeared around them—faces hidden, movements sharp and silent.
Ye Tian's gaze sharpened.
"Assassins, huh." His lips curved into a cold smile. "To think you'd come for the head of the strongest assassin group… with such mediocrity."
A short chuckle followed. "I suppose I was expecting too much."
He pressed the talisman on his wrist. "Zheng."
Then, turning to the others, his voice grew calm and commanding.
"Qingyao, Yuhua, Feng'er, Xiuying—prepare yourselves."
"Understood," Mu Qingyao said, unsheathing her blade.
Xiuying cracked her knuckles with a grin. "Already ahead of you, brother."
"Good." Ye Tian's smile deepened slightly. "We'll cut our way out before we leave the city."
---
The streets of the City of Blades erupted into chaos.
Steel clashed, qi flared, and shadows leapt across rooftops. The disciples intercepted strikes like a dark tide, while Ye Tian advanced with silent precision.
Each step carried killing intent; each motion painted blood across the stone.
By the time the dust settled, only a few assassins still drew breath.
---
Ye Tian waved his hand lightly. "That's enough. Get into the cart."
Xiuying leapt in first. "On it."
The wives followed after, their weapons still gleaming with faint qi traces.
"Disciples," Ye Tian said evenly, "finish the rest and follow us."
"Yes, Patriarch!" they echoed in unison.
The driver tightened the reins, and the horses surged forward, hooves pounding as the city walls faded into the distance.
---
After several minutes, the sound of pursuit vanished. The cart rocked steadily along the uneven path.
Ye Tian exhaled softly. "Looks like we've shaken them."
Qingyao brushed her sleeve. "Seems so."
Ling Feng frowned slightly. "What if they track our trail?"
"They won't," Xiuying replied, leaning back. "We're cutting through the forest. No scent, no prints—they'll lose us halfway."
Lan Yuhua smiled faintly. "You've planned this well."
Ye Tian's tone darkened. "These clansmen… I spared them before because their provocations were childish. Harmless. But this…" His violet eyes glimmered coldly. "Now they've touched a line I don't forgive."
Outside the cart window, tall trees blurred past, their shadows swaying with the wind.
If I hadn't been buried in those reports, he mused silently, I'd have used the map function to mark their positions early. Hmph. Lesson learned.
"Wait," Xiuying said suddenly, blinking. "If we're not leaving any trace, how will the disciples follow us?"
Ye Tian gave her a lazy smirk. "I'm not that careless. I used a special perfume blend—it leaves a scent that only our fox scouts can detect."
Xiuying's eyes widened. "You trained foxes for that?"
Lan Yuhua chuckled softly. "Our Vice Patriarch grows more resourceful by the day."
Laughter filled the cart, soft and brief, easing the tension.
"Rest for now," Ye Tian said finally. "We'll move again before dusk."
The wheels creaked on, the forest deepening as the sky began to darken. Orange hues bled into twilight.
And as night slowly descended, their journey pressed onward.