Sheng Li and Wang Hao turned to look with the daggers in their hands but did not find anyone there. Sheng Li gestured to Wang Hao, and the two turned towards the forested area, as that place was safer for them.

An arrow was shot in the direction of Sheng Li, but he dodged it. Immediately, he turned back and saw the same man who was following them. He threw a fist at him, but he dodged it. Wang Hao was attacked by another man there so he got busy in that.

Sheng Li was attacked by the sword when he defended himself from the dagger in his hand. The two hit against each other, producing a clunking sound. Sheng Li kicked at the man's leg, but he did not budge from his place. Sheng Li realized that the unknown man was well trained.

"Your highness," Wang Hao shouted as another man was going to attack him. Thanks to that, Sheng Li defended himself. He somersaulted, kicked the other one who was attacking him from behind, and threw the dagger towards him which pierced through his chest.

A few more men came there and had masks over their faces. His reflexes acted quickly as he picked the sword that had fallen on the ground. Fighting with those men was not difficult for Sheng Li and Wang Hao but a few of them were good fighters.

Oppositely, Ying Lili heard everything from Xiao Zhan. "General Xiao, you should not have let him and General Wang go alone. What if the spy wanted that?" Ying Lili worriedly asked.

"Your highness, what are you trying to say?" Xiao Zhan queried.

"The spy or assassin wanted to separate Sheng Li and Wang Hao from us. That's why he intentionally bumped against Sheng Li. Who knows how many more assassins are with him?" Ying Lili worriedly said.

"Ying Lili is telling the truth. Let's go there. Those assassins will not do anything here because it would bring them to notice. That's why he put such bait," Hu Jingguo proclaimed.

"But your highness, I cannot do this. For me the Crown Prince's orders are supreme," Xiao Zhan affirmed and bowed his head.

"Even supreme then his life? I am also coming with you. Let's not delay even for a second. It is about Sheng Li's and General Wang's life," Ying Lili asserted.

Xiao Zhan did not want the Crown Princess to go when she said, "General Xiao, I got training for such moments only. It is the order of the Crown Princess and I believe my order is as equal as the Crown Prince's order," Ying Lili announced.

"But where has the Crown Prince and General Wang gone? We don't know where they lead them to?" Hu Jingguo stated.

"This rest house is near the border, far from the marketplace. When we arrived here, I saw the forested area which is nearest to this place. Sheng Li would have led those assassins to that route only because he cannot let the commoners see all this," Ying Lili stated. General Xiao agreed with the Crown Princess.

"General Xiao, let's go on the horses. That way we will reach them fast and give me a bow and arrow set, a sword too," Ying Lili commanded Xiao Zhan who bowed his head and took them to the other room.

Ying Lili quickly tied up her hair into a bun and put the hairpin which Sheng Li had told him to put whenever she would be out. Xiao handed one sword to Ying Lili and another to Hu Jingguo. Ying Lili put the quiver and bow around her shoulder.

"People here might notice us," Hu Jingguo stated.

"It's not important now," Ying Lili said and walked out from there. Xiao Zhan and Hu Jingguo followed her. A few people noticed them, but they ignored them and went straight to the horse stable. Ying Lili saw Kongqi there and caressed its face.

"Kongqi, your master needs you today. Let's get there as fast as we can," Ying Lili told him and hopped on it. There was a fear in her heart, but she did not let it overpower her.

~~~~~

Sheng Li and Wang Hao were surrounded by more than a dozen assassins. "Your highness, there are too many. It was a good move that we brought them away from the rest-house," Wang Hao stated who was standing against Sheng Li with his back touching Sheng Li.

"I cannot see the man with whom I bumped into! He only fought for a few minutes. Did he go back to the rest-house to attack them?" Sheng Li voiced.

"Let's finish this quickly and then we will head back to the rest-house," Wang Hao pronounced. Sheng Li hummed and marched forward. He was attacked by three at once while Wang Hao got busy with the others.

The man who earlier baited Sheng Li was now at a certain height. He pulled out an arrow from the quiver, which had poison on its pointed edge. Because Sheng Li was moving too much, it was tough for him to make an aim.

Sheng Li got hit on his arm, but he did not flinch a bit. Instead, this infuriated him. He stabbed the assassin and swiftly moved back to hit the other. An arrow came gushing in between the air, directly towards Sheng Li. Sheng Li could not see it, as he was busy fighting with the other four assassins.

The shooter assassin was delighted to see that an arrow was going to hit Sheng Li. "Empress Wei, you will praise me this time. Sheng Li will die even before reaching Luoyang's borders. Finally, I can get the military powers after killing his Generals as well," the man smirked seeing all that.

~~~~

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