Chapter 166
Wang Jin had brought only a single guard. The guard transformed into his beast form, placing himself protectively in front of Wang Jin. He snarled and growled in warning at the figures closing in, but the attackers were unmoved, slowly tightening their circle around them.
Cheng Bai and Zhao Qi exchanged a glance, both inwardly alarmed. They hurried forward, placing themselves in front of Wang Jin.
Wang Jin was relieved. Zhao Qi asked, "What's going on? Young Master, who are these people?"
Wang Jin, while remaining on guard, shook his head. "I don't know. They rushed out suddenly."
Cheng Bai said to Wang Jin, "Step back further."
"...Alright." With his own guard shielding him, Wang Jin backed away several paces. He watched as Cheng Bai and Zhao Qi shifted into their beast forms and charged forward to meet the attackers.
These people seemed professionally trained. Even with Zhao Qi and Cheng Bai fighting together, dealing with them required great effort.
Especially Cheng Bai. His body was already weakened from his own previous ordeal, and now his spirit was willing but his strength was lacking. After managing for a while, Cheng Bai stopped and whispered to Zhao Qi with a frown, "These aren't ordinary assassins. They seem like trained beastman guards. Zhao Qi, I'll take the little delicate one and flee first. You go find the city lord and bring reinforcements. Look for our marks to find us later."
"No," Zhao Qi refused. "You're too weak. I'll take the young master and flee. You go for reinforcements."
Cheng Bai frowned, shoving him forcefully. "Stop wasting time arguing. Go, now!"
With that, he turned back, picked up Wang Jin by the scruff, placed him on his back, and dashed toward one side.
The beastman guards were all after Wang Jin. Seeing this, they all pursued Cheng Bai.
Zhao Qi chased after them for a couple of steps, stamped his foot in frustration, then turned and swiftly ran toward the city center.
However, the closer he got to the city center, the more panic Zhao Qi felt inside.
At the city center, the original council hall and the residence where City Lord Xi Ning lived were littered with the bodies of beastmen.
Some Zhao Qi recognized as guards protecting City Lord Xi Ning; others he had never seen before.
Zhao Qi's heart turned cold. He quickened his pace toward Xi Ning's quarters and finally saw Xi Ning in the courtyard...
At that moment, Xi Ning was surrounded by a group of beastmen along with his own guards. Those beastmen bared their teeth, forelimbs slightly bent, all poised to attack.
And the leader of these beastmen was actually Zhao Shan.
Had Zhao Shan rebelled?!
"!" Zhao Qi stared at this scene, shocked and stunned. The next second, he rushed like the wind to stand in front of Xi Ning, adopting a protective stance, ready to fight to the death.
"Zhao Qi?" Xi Ning called out. Zhao Qi glanced back slightly.
Xi Ning's voice came again: "So it really is you. It seems this Zhao family rebellion has nothing to do with you."
"?" The Zhao family? The entire Zhao family? Even my own father, Zhao Yu, who has never cared about me?!
Zhao Qi's feelings were complicated. To keep such a matter concerning the family's survival from him... he didn't know now whether to be grateful or resentful toward the Zhao family...
"Where is Cheng Bai?" Xi Ning asked.
Zhao Qi quickly snapped back to attention, remembering Cheng Bai fleeing with the young master. He transformed back to human form, stepped closer, and said quietly, "City Lord, the young master was surrounded and attacked. Young Master Cheng took him and fled. I originally came to fetch reinforcements, but..."
Zhao Qi glanced at the current situation. Xi Ning's guards were clearly outnumbered by Zhao Shan's; they were at a disadvantage here too...
Xi Ning's heart tightened. "Isn't Yuan Heng by Yao'er's side?"
Zhao Qi shook his head. Xi Ning gritted his teeth, a flash of anxiety crossing his face.
"Zhao Qi, go release Cheng Li immediately. Have Cheng Li take men to find Cheng Bai and Yao'er. Then you go find Pan Yue and bring Pan Yue to assist me."
"...Yes." Zhao Qi acknowledged and turned to leave.
Almost as soon as he departed, the two groups of guards collided in combat.
Seeing his chance, Zhao Shan silently slipped away and began to pursue Zhao Qi.
Zhao Qi hadn't run far before he sensed someone behind him. He stopped and saw Zhao Shan step out from the side.
"Xiao Qi, it's been a long time."
"..." Zhao Qi furrowed his brow tightly, intense disgust flashing in his eyes.
A long time? I've been in Ning'an City this whole time. I even went with City Lord Xi Ning to the coast to bring back the young master—we crossed paths then. So in my elder brother's mind, it's been a long time?
A trace of mockery flashed in Zhao Qi's eyes. Zhao Shan said, "You are, after all, a member of the Zhao family. Let's not talk about the past. At a time like this, don't cause more trouble, alright?"
"Cause trouble? Your rebellion is what's causing trouble! This city has always been peaceful. Why are you shattering that peace?" Zhao Qi demanded.
A look of disdain flashed across Zhao Shan's face. "Peaceful? That's just what you think. Ever since Xi Ning took power, when has our Zhao family ever truly known peace?"
"That's the Zhao family. The city lord must consider all the people of Ning'an City!" Zhao Qi retorted.
Hearing this, Zhao Shan rolled his eyes. "Naive!"
Zhao Qi's expression turned cold. Zhao Shan said, "Do you know why no one in the entire Zhao family treats you well?"
"..." Zhao Qi didn't speak, his expression turning desolate.
Zhao Shan said mockingly, "It's because of that attitude of yours. What do the people of Ning'an City have to do with our Zhao family? Everyone in the Zhao family knows the family's interests come first. Only you, a traitor, spend all your time mixing with the Cheng brothers, rotting your brain!"
"...The Cheng brothers are loyal and devoted to the city lord, kind and benevolent to the people. I follow them because I admire their character. Not like you all, whose brains may not be rotten, but whose hearts are utterly corrupted!" Zhao Qi said.
Zhao Shan's gaze turned cold. "So, you insist on causing trouble today?"
Zhao Qi snorted coldly. "You're wrong. I'm not causing trouble; I'm stopping you from causing trouble."
With that, he swiftly turned and sped away in another direction.
Zhao Shan chased a couple of steps but was stopped by a voice.
"Shan'er, don't chase." The speaker was Zhao Yu.
Zhao Shan’s face lit up when he saw Zhao Yu. He stepped closer and asked, “Father, has Pan Yue’s side succeeded?”
Zhao Shan’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Their plan had been unfolding step by step: he had led men to trap Xi Ning, while his father, Zhao Yu, took Pan Shulin to deal with Pan Yue…
They were originally meant to regroup later at the elders’ residence. But since Zhao Yu had returned ahead of time, it was likely Pan Yue had already been dealt with.
Sure enough, Zhao Yu nodded. “Not only Pan Yue. The outsider beastmen staying at Keyuan Residence are also with us now. They’ve all headed to the elders’ residence already.”
"Excellent!" Zhao Shan responded. "That Xi Ning can command beasts, and his subordinates are troublesome too. Even though we outnumber them, we haven't been able to capture him... But now with Pan Yue and those outsider beastmen helping, Xi Ning won't be able to escape even if he grows wings."
He paused, then said, "Father, let's head to the elders' residence now. That elder previously said he needed to seclude himself for a month and must not be disturbed, or his life would be in danger. Let's see if he really will be in mortal danger when we arrive. Also, I'm curious whether Xi Ning will be willing to back down for the elder's sake at a time like this."
Zhao Yu replied, "I was thinking the same. However..."
He frowned slightly and asked, "Has there been any news of the ancient beastman, Yuan Heng?"
Zhao Shan was taken aback and shook his head. "We thought he would be guarding Xi Yao, but he wasn't. The elite beastman guards sent to deal with Yuan Heng forced Cheng Bai to flee with Xi Yao. Zhao Qi came back to deliver the message."
Zhao Yu frowned. "Apart from Yuan Heng, everything is under control now."
A trace of worry flashed across Zhao Shan's face. "But the biggest variable is often this Yuan Heng. Father, I have an idea, I'll take another group to capture Xi Yao and bring him back. With Xi Yao in hand, even if Yuan Heng comes, he won't dare act rashly."
Zhao Yu lowered his eyes, thinking for a moment, then gritted his teeth and shook his head. "No. To be safe, you come with me to deal with Xi Ning. Xi Ning is cunning, and that elder is not easy to handle either. Without Yuan Heng, that squad of elite beastman guards should be enough to capture Xi Yao. We just need to wait a little longer."
"...Yes." Zhao Shan assented. Zhao Yu walked ahead first. "Let's go. Time to meet our city lord."
Cheng Bai, carrying Wang Jin on his back, ran swiftly all the way, with the beastmen close behind in pursuit.
These beastmen were not ordinary; they were undoubtedly elite guards by Ning'an City's standards.
The city lord only has one such squad under his command. This squad definitely isn't his. So whose are they? And why are they targeting the little delicate one?
Moreover, it's broad daylight on the streets. The streets are much quieter than usual today. All the shops are closed. Every post that should have guards is completely empty.
Cheng Bai faintly sensed that things might not be simple...
"Cheng Bai." Wang Jin gripped the white fur beneath him, leaning down to call to Cheng Bai. "Head for the forest."
The forest had fierce beasts. He could command beasts. That way, they wouldn't be so passive, merely needing protection.
Cheng Bai's steps faltered slightly. After a moment's thought, he gritted his teeth and ran toward the forest.
There was a patch of forest within the walls of Xining City, but that was a safe zone; the fierce beasts there posed no threat to beastmen at all.
Cheng Bai thought it over and ran toward the city outskirts.
Normally, the city should have guards, but the people chasing them were too skilled. Likely, those guards wouldn't be able to hold them off much...
Just who is it? Who dares to target the little delicate one so openly in broad daylight? Pan Shulin shouldn’t have this capability!
As Cheng Bai pondered this, he carried Wang Jin to the city gate. Today, the city gate was eerily empty. Not a single guard who should have been there was in sight...
This wasn't normal. Ning'an City today was far too abnormal...
Cheng Bai didn't say more, taking Wang Jin to the dangerous beast forest outside the walls.
Originally, his speed was the fastest in Ning'an City; no one could catch up to him. But he had been frozen and starved for a long time, and now his stamina was greatly depleted. His steps were already somewhat unsteady.
Seeing the beastmen behind about to catch up, Wang Jin closed his eyes and channeled his power. His power seemed slightly weaker than before, but it was still usable.
Wang Jin quickly directed it. The green plants in the forest suddenly rustled without any wind, emitting a rushing sound. The beastmen seemed to sense danger, slowing their pace slightly, allowing Cheng Bai a chance to catch his breath.
"Cheng Bai, stop running. Put me down," Wang Jin said quietly.
Hearing this, Cheng Bai set him down, transformed back to human form, and positioned himself in front of Wang Jin.
The beastmen, all in nimble fox beast forms, seeing this, advanced cautiously toward Wang Jin and Cheng Bai.
"Roar!" Suddenly, a chorus of roars erupted. Many fierce beasts leaped out from all directions in the forest, of various sizes and species.
The beastmen guards orderly formed a circle, vigilantly watching the numerous fierce beasts surrounding them, their gazes sharp.
"These people... they move and react like trained guards, Cheng Bai," Wang Jin said, also noticing something amiss.
Cheng Bai didn't answer, only asking, "Little delicate one, what are the chances of you commanding the beasts to defeat them?"
"?" Wang Jin looked in astonishment at the dozens of beastmen surrounded by fierce beasts. Faced with so many beasts, they were neither panicked nor flustered, counterattacking with ease.
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