“Let’s go, Princess Qingya.”
The black-clad man watched as Wan Qing saw off Hong Lian and the other person being supported away, even though she had told them whom to look for. The man showed no anger, merely extending his hand calmly toward her.
As he spoke, two black-clad men immediately stepped forward.
“I don’t need your help. I can walk on my own.”
Wan Qing was puzzled by the audacity of these black-clad men, who dared to abduct her in broad daylight in the capital, despite knowing she was a princess. Yet, as the two approached, though she felt helpless—her acupoints sealed—she maintained her haughty demeanor and followed them.
“Hmm.” She walked on her own, and though the black-clad men didn’t force her, seeing her arms crossed as she followed their group, the leader quietly signaled two of his subordinates. At his command, the two swiftly moved ahead.
“You—” Before Wan Qing could voice her rejection, one of them sealed her acupoints. She could only glare as they lifted her onto the rooftops, gliding away with her in tow.
“Master, look—”
Though their departure was swift, a few passersby arrived moments later. However, the sight of the group gliding across the rooftops was clearly observed by two men drinking tea in an elegant teahouse nearby.
“Qing’er…” Bai Yu’s reminder snapped Leng Mingye out of his brooding. Following his gaze, Leng Mingye spotted the small figure being escorted by black-clad men across the rooftops.
With a low murmur, he set down his wine cup and leaped into pursuit.
“Master, let’s go!” Seeing his lord chase after her, Bai Yu thought of the troublesome girl and her two shadow-like, skilled attendants. Though unsure why she was here—hadn’t she left with Feng Moli?—he and Qingfeng swiftly followed.
“Who would’ve thought the aloof and woman-averse Prince Ji’s heir would care so much? Girl, it seems you’re not only favored by the King and Prince Ning but also hold a special place in the heart of Prince Ji’s heir.”
The black-clad leader, noticing Leng Mingye’s relentless pursuit, smirked at Wan Qing, who was held by his subordinates.
“Enough talk. If you’re scared, release me now. Otherwise, when he catches you, you won’t even know how you died.”
Unable to move due to her sealed acupoints, Wan Qing shot him a disdainful look. Though she wanted to shout for Leng Mingye to leave—she was temporarily safe and would escape when she could—she feared provoking the man further. Worried about the poison he wielded, which rivaled her own skills, she knew Leng Mingye’s pursuit might only endanger him.
“Ha! Ordinary men might fear him, but I don’t. Let him follow. I’d like to see how he plans to save you—and just how much he cares.”
Her warnings fell on deaf ears. The leader chuckled, unfazed by Leng Mingye’s persistence.
“You… how tedious.”
His smug laughter left Wan Qing speechless. What did her relationship with Leng Mingye matter? Unable to struggle, she scowled and fell silent.
“We’re here. The heir arrives swiftly. What? Here to play the hero—or to cooperate with me?”
After a long journey, they stopped above a desolate, long-abandoned estate. As the black-clad men landed, the leader turned to Leng Mingye, who had caught up.
“Cooperate with a coward like you? You overestimate yourself. Release her, and I’ll spare your lives.”
Leng Mingye descended, surrounded by black-clad men. Despite being unarmed and outnumbered, his aura was lethally calm.
“So the heir chooses to be the hero? I wonder how you’ll make me die. Take the girl inside.”
The leader smirked, unbothered by Leng Mingye’s defiance, and ordered his men to drag Wan Qing away.
“Insolence! Release her—”
Leng Mingye’s patience snapped. No one in the Great Ming Dynasty dared defy him so brazenly. Though the leader’s aura felt eerily familiar, he wouldn’t stand idle. As the men pulled Wan Qing inside, Leng Mingye struck with a powerful palm strike.
“Impressive, Lord Leng. But you’re still no match for me.”
The leader blocked but was forced back several steps. Gritting his teeth, he steadied himself and sneered. Leng Mingye, however, suddenly felt his energy falter.
“Your palm… it’s poisoned! How despicable—”
Realizing his palm bore a small, blackened wound, Leng Mingye cursed. Despite the poison, he lunged again.
“With ‘Heaven’s Fragrance’ in your veins, you’re no threat. Leave now, or die painfully.”
The leader dodged, watching as Leng Mingye swayed, his face paling with a sickly hue.
“You’re poisoned. Why did you come? Go back!”
Wan Qing, held by the two men, watched Leng Mingye’s struggle. Though grateful for his resolve, she urged him to leave.
“I won’t leave. Unless I die, they won’t take you.”
Despite her cold tone, her worried gaze softened him. With a faint smile, he summoned his last strength and charged at her captors.
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