Chapter 18: Rin’s Strength

“The barbarians wanting to assassinate me—that’s somewhat expected! But I didn’t realize their intelligence network was so formidable. They managed to track me down so quickly! But why target me first? Shouldn’t they have gone after Qin Qingxue instead?”

Li Ye felt a twinge of disappointment. “I had hoped for a chance to spar with the people from Yunlu Pavilion.”

“Yunlu Pavilion wouldn’t send assassins after you over a mere grudge. Such exposure would ruin their reputation entirely,” Mr. Xiao remarked.

“Since they’re just barbarians, I won’t need to lift a finger. Rin Yue, these scoundrels are yours to deal with. Keep one alive for questioning; kill the rest.”

“Understood!” Rin Yue responded decisively, drawing her sword and charging at the attackers.

The assassins surged forward, and the battle erupted instantly. They did not expect a woman to be so formidable. Each weapon that met Rin Yue’s sword shattered with a sharp crack, leaving the attackers stunned only moments before their bodies were cleaved in two.

Rin Yue moved like a phantom through the battlefield. Every swing of her sword was fatal. She paid no heed even to their attempts to block, her blade slicing through iron as if it were paper—its power astonishing.

Li Ye silently counted the fallen assassins: “One, two...”

The leader of the assassins was utterly shocked. They had assumed the guard at the prince’s mansion was lax and that a swift assault would secure Li Ye’s death. Yet they could not even overcome a single female bodyguard.

If this continued, their entire group would be wiped out in no time.

“Let’s attack together!” they cried, bypassing Rin Yue and charging directly at Li Ye.

According to their intelligence, aside from Rin Yue, the other three had no martial skills whatsoever. If they could get close, the mission would succeed.

Rin Yue snorted coldly, her swordplay growing even more fierce. In an instant, she eliminated four assassins before her. Her movements were ghostlike, blocking their advance and striking without hesitation.

The two assassin leaders suddenly felt an overwhelming murderous aura. Hastily, they raised their weapons to defend themselves.

“Clang! Clang!”

Two crisp sounds rang out as their short swords shattered in their hands.

They were stunned once again. Their weapons were forged from fine iron, yet they broke with such ease. What kind of sword possessed such power?

There was no time to ponder further. Their hearts pounded wildly as they sensed death lurking just inches away.

Throwing their sword hilts forward, they retreated swiftly.

But Rin Yue was faster still. Closing the distance, she slashed twice, sending a chill deep into their bones. Then she turned to the other assassins.

Before long, every assassin was slain except for one survivor.

The remaining assassin, realizing escape was impossible, grabbed a longsword and slit his own throat.

“Damn it! The prince ordered to keep someone alive for questioning—why did you have to die?” Rin Yue stomped furiously.

I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.