Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Hero

Sang Yan listened to He Ying say this, and her frantic heart slightly calmed down: How could she have forgotten this? The Beiqi Crown Prince and Wuya did not get along, using this bait to convince him–maybe–

“Ha, you think you can exchange your lives for that useless person’s life? You think too highly of him!”

Wuya’s voice was cold, and his gaze scornful.

Sang Yan’s heart gradually sank.

She had underestimated Wuya: How could such a conceited man ever accept He Ying’s help?

“He Ying, do you know who I hate the most in this world?”

Wuya rolled up a corner of his robe, leisurely wiping the blood off his long sword.

Then, he stepped over to He Ying.

“I want your life more than I want that useless Qi Lv’s life!”

Compared to He Ying.

What was Qi Lv!

He only left him sitting in the Crown Prince’s position because he temporarily did not want to compete with that useless person.

“So, prepare to die!”

Wuya suddenly made his move, his long sword striking.

He Ying was prepared, quickly sidestepping to avoid Wuya’s attack.

The action pulled at his wound, causing him to sharply inhale.

“He Ying!”

Sang Yan saw Wuya make his move, her heart nearly stopped from fright.

Luckily, he dodged.

Sang Yan, biting her teeth in anger, said, “Wuya, you despicable villain!”

Wuya did not succeed, his eye becoming even more sinister: “Is this despicable? I want him to watch you kneel down and beg me, watch you submit to me.”

He wanted to thoroughly humiliate him before taking his life!

“Madman!”

Sang Yan’s eyes were red and moist, filled with murderous intent.

“Don’t even think about it!”

She supported He Ying and picked up the sword from a corpse nearby, facing him.

The sword was too heavy.

She struggled to lift it.

The sword trembled.

But murderous intent blazed in her eyes.

The guards of Puluo Country nearby saw this and also closed in, greedily eyeing He Ying: that was ten thousand gold!

“Everyone back off.”

Wuya was once again enraged by the disgust in Sang Yan’s eyes, his expression fierce: “I want to kill him with my own hands!”

He brandished his sword and slashed at He Ying.

In a flash of lightning, He Ying had already raised his sword to block the attack.

Their swords collided, producing a harsh sound.

Wuya glanced at his chest, then freed his right hand and slapped him on it.

He Ying’s old wound had not healed, and he was exhausted, unable to dodge, and staggered a few steps back.

Crack–

His long sword stabbed into the ground, sliding far away.

He knelt on one knee, relying solely on the long sword in his hand to support his body.

“Uh–”

Pain seared through his chest.

He spat out another mouthful of dark blood.

The miserable scene was nearly killing Sang Yan with anguish.

She grabbed the sword, unflinchingly blocking in front of He Ying.

Her trembling sword pointed at Wuya, tears blurring her sight: “You, you stay away…”

“Dying, and you’re still protecting him?”

Wuya disdainfully glanced at Sang Yan, his wide sleeve sweeping her sword clanging to the ground.

Sang Yan tried to stop him, but he kicked her in the shoulder, knocking her to the ground.

Ignoring Sang Yan, he advanced towards He Ying with his sword.

The sword scraped the ground, emitting a sharp noise, like the grim reaper’s call for souls.

“Go to hell!”

He raised his long sword, slashing down at He Ying–

“No!”

Sang Yan’s eyes widened, tears almost bloody.

She had dragged He Ying into this!

If it weren’t for her, he would have been the lofty Emperor of Da He, living a long life, his name lasting through the ages, instead of dying with her in this dilapidated, forgotten country!

“Don’t be afraid–”

He Ying lifted his blood-soaked hands, covering Sang Yan’s eyes.

He seemed oblivious to the danger, in the moment before death, his eyes only had her.

It was fate playing tricks.

Ah Yan.

Blame my incompetence.

Forgive me for not being able to accompany you anymore…

“Kill! Save the Emperor!”

“Heroes do not ask about origins, today we pirates will also save the emperor!”

“Live as Da He’s pirates, die as Da He’s heroes!”

“Brothers, charge! Kill!”

The sudden roaring startled everyone present.

Everyone looked towards the source of the noise.

Countless burly men in coarse clothes charged in from the direction of the palace gate.

They each held long spears and short swords, their faces filled with wild laughter.

They were the drifting pirates of Puluo Country.

They might not have as complete equipment as the guards, but they had a brute force and wildness.

Like wild horses breaking their reins, they instantly trampled those pampered guards underfoot.

The situation quickly turned around.

Sang Yan didn’t care about the rest, she threw herself in front of He Ying, frantically trying to stop his bleeding: “How are you?”

He Ying fell weakly into her arms, “I’m…fine.”

Qi Wuya’s face turned ashen with rage, no longer paying attention to the two of them, he turned to the rushing guard captain Ye Motian, demanding sternly, “What’s the deal with those pirates?”

“Re…re Mr. Jiu.”

Ye Motian’s legs trembled, and with a thud, he knelt on the ground: “It’s… it’s the Lv Sect Pirates!”

“Impossible!”

Han Chen kicked him to the ground.

The Lv Sect Pirates were all killed by Mr. Jiu, how could there possibly be any survivors?

“Mr. Jiu, I’ll take some men to check it out!”

Han Chen volunteered.

Qi Wuya hadn’t agreed yet when a one-eyed pirate jumped onto the flower bed.

He was a dwarf, as thin as a monkey, yet carrying a great sword taller than himself.

“Qi Jiu!”

He glared at Qi Wuya, his eyes filled with towering hatred.

Qi Wuya squinted, looking disdainfully at him: “And who are you?”

“I’m Lv Dakuan.”

Lv Dakuan’s eyes were split with rage: “You slaughtered my Lv Sect brothers, today I’m here to take your life!”

That day, he and his brothers were originally out to capture Sang Yan for a reward.

However, during the search, he got diarrhea and got separated from his brothers.

By the time he found his brothers, he saw them all brutally slain by their opponents.

Qi Wuya probably knew he was the fish that slipped through the net among those pirates, he scoffed with contempt: “Just a pirate, you should be thanking heaven for leaving you a dog’s life, yet you come here seeking death, haha, how amusing.”

Lv Dakuan also burst out laughing: “Haha, indeed I possess a cheap life, not worth mourning, however, I must remind you, even us pirates are enough to crush your beautiful dreams!”

As he said this, he raised his arms and shouted: “Brothers, the Emperor Da He is in peril, it’s our time to make a mark. Kill them, tomorrow we’ll be crowned and recorded in history!”

This one was a master in stirring up people’s hearts.

Qi Wuya looked at the ordinary-looking dwarf in front of him, if not for being on opposing sides, he’d be moved to admire his talent!

“Kill!”

“Emperor, I, Lv Dahu, am here to rescue you!”

“Emperor, I, Lv Kang, am here to rescue you!”

“Emperor, I, Liu Sanhai, am here to rescue you!”

…

The pirates charged over.

They were fearless of death, like wild beasts, clashing with the guards.

Qi Wuya was stunned for a moment.

He Ying and Sang Yan watched incredulously at the scene.

These notorious sea villains showed their true patriotic heart in the moment of crisis.

“Protect the Emperor!”

The roar echoed again and again.

Numerous pirates went forward one after another.

Some died under the guards’ arrows, but were quickly replaced by another…

Such a poignant and valiant scene deeply moved He Ying’s heart, making his eyes moisten.

“Courting death!”

Qi Wuya closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his murderous intent was fully apparent.

He ordered Han Chen: “Gather all troops, whether they be pirates or Dahe people, kill them all.”

“Yes!”

Han Chen had been waiting for this order, immediately summoning others.

Qi Wuya then turned his head, his eyes wolfish, staring at He Ying who was getting ready to leave with Sang Yan.

Sang Yan, looking at Qi Wuya’s ominous eyes, panicked inwardly: This time, Qi Wuya wouldn’t give them any more time to delay!

“He Ying, I didn’t expect that heaven would favor you so much.”

He smiled pityingly: “Unfortunately, I don’t believe in heaven! I’m set on taking your life today!”

As his words fell, he swung his sword directly at He Ying.

But just then, Tan Yunjian broke free and charged over: “Qi Wuya, I’m going to kill you!”

His body covered in blood, he positioned himself in front of He Ying and Sang Yan.

“He Ying, take them and go first, leave this to me!”

Tan Yunjian was almost roaring as he shouted, his sword moves becoming fiercer with each strike.

“Courting death!”

Qi Wuya was forced back several feet, his eyes full of scorn: “I’ll send you and your dear brother to meet right now.”

His slender fingers slightly curved.

Hundreds of rushing guards released their arrows.

The dark rain of blades and arrows bore down.

“Run!”

Tan Yunjian pushed with both hands.

He Ying and Sang Yan stumbled forward.

Pirates had already rushed over, protecting them.

“Tan Yunjian!”

He Ying turned back, his face changing.

He watched as an arrow pierced through Tan Yunjian’s chest!

“Go! Run!”

Tan Yunjian, using every bit of his strength, roared. Ignoring the fatal wound in his chest, he turned back to fight, blocking the attacking guards.

Blood mist filled the air.

Cries of agony continued.

Sang Yan dragged He Ying constantly retreating backwards.

They finally retreated to the palace gates.

The last vision they had was of Tan Yunjian being turned into a pin-cushion, falling heavily.

“Tan Yunjian–”