Chapter 222: Escape
Seeing Feng Xiyan drink in one go, the generals also raised their cups. "Long live the Feng Army! Long live the Great General!"
After saying that, they emptied their cups.
Watching from his seat, Tuluo Cheng clenched his hands as his eyes flickered with hope.
Meanwhile, news spread through Xiqiang City that the envoy from the Jin Empire had tried to assassinate Feng Xiyan.
At the Xihua Inn, Zheng Dong rushed to Jin Yan’s room with the remaining guards.
Knocking on the door, he called urgently, "Seventh Princess, we must leave now!"
Inside the room, the personal maid frowned. Seeing that Jin Yan was still asleep, she went to open the door.
When she saw Zheng Dong, the personal maidservant said, "General Zheng, the Seventh Princess has already fallen asleep. If you need anything, you can come again tomorrow."
"Move aside!" Ignoring her, Zheng Dong rushed into the room.
Shocked by his presumption, the personal maidservant chased after him. "General Zheng, you can’t go in! That is the inner room!"
Striding inside, Zheng Dong went straight to the bed.
Shocked to see him, the other three maidservants hurriedly blocked Zheng Dong. "General Zheng, please leave!"
Despite the maidservants trying to stop him, Zheng Dong lifted the bed curtain.
Seeing Jin Yan finally open her eyes, he hurriedly pulled the blanket over her and said, "Seventh Princess, please forgive this subordinate’s offense."
Without giving her time to react, Zheng Dong wrapped her in the blanket, carried her in his arms, and ordered, "Let’s go!"
At his command, the guards surrounded him and Jin Yan and rushed downstairs.
Seeing this, the personal maidservant regained her senses. Grabbing Jin Yan’s clothes, she shouted, "Hurry and follow them!"
The three other maidservants quickly gathered whatever they could and ran after them.
By the time they left the inn, Zhan Qi was already waiting outside with a dozen of the Feng Army’s elite soldiers.
Smirking, Zhan Qi asked, "General Zheng, where are you going in such a hurry? You didn’t even let the Seventh Imperial Princess dress up properly."
Gritting his teeth, Zheng Dong ordered, "Delay them!"
The moment he spoke, the guards of the Jin Army drew their swords and rushed forward, while Zheng Dong activated his lightness skill and dashed toward the northern city gate.
Seeing this, the personal maidservants cried out, "Seventh Princess, you must stay alive!"
Left behind, the maidservants could only surrender.
Sitting on top of his warhorse, Zhan Qi calmly took out a flare and pulled the cord.
Psyiu~ Bang!
Thanks to the gunpowder formula provided by Bai Hanyun, they had managed to create this convenient signal flare.
When Xue Ruhong saw the signal in the distance, he scanned the area. Before long, he spotted Zheng Dong approaching, carrying Jin Yan in his arms.
Raising his hand, Xue Ruhong calmly ordered, "Archers, get ready!"
Following his order, the archers loaded their bows and took aim at Zheng Dong.
When Zheng Dong was just a few meters away from the arrow’s effective range, Xue Ruhong commanded, "Release the arrows!"
The moment the words left his lips, hundreds of arrows rained down toward Zheng Dong.
Swish~! Swish~! Swish~!
Seeing this, Jin Yan screamed in fear. "Ah!"
Gritting his teeth, Zheng Dong abruptly changed direction, causing his internal energy to flow into the wrong meridian.
The instant his soles touched the ground, he dropped to one knee and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Cough!"
Startled, Jin Yan’s face turned pale. She asked in panic, "General Zheng! What is wrong with you?!"
Zheng Dong shook his head, then looked at her and replied, "Seventh Princess, it seems this subordinate can’t accompany you any further."
Hearing this, Jin Yan’s eyes widened in fear. "No, General Zheng. You will be fine. My Second Imperial Elder Brother will surely save us."
Zheng Dong shook his head again and explained, "Seventh Princess, His Highness the Second Prince was arrested by Feng Xiyan not long ago. Thanks to his personal bodyguard, this subordinate managed to learn the news. Unfortunately, we are still too late."
After saying that, he looked up at the city wall and saw Xue Ruhong and the archers who were ready with their bows.
Following his line of sight, Jin Yan trembled when she saw the arrows aimed at them. Gripping the blanket tightly, she asked, "General Zheng, can we safely leave here tonight?"
Zheng Dong was silent for a second and then replied, "Seventh Princess, listen closely. This subordinate will buy you some time."
"Seventh Princess, this subordinate will draw their attention. When you see an opportunity, keep running to the city gate and don’t look back. Our people are already waiting outside to escort you to the army."
Realizing what he wanted to do, Jin Yan grabbed Zheng Dong’s clothes and said in horror, "No, General Zheng! We must go together! You can’t die! You promised me!"
Ignoring Jin Yan’s protest, Zheng Dong set her down and took off his coat, wrapping it around her.
Staring directly into her eyes, he gently reminded her, "Xiao Yan, remember—keep running and don’t look back."
After saying that, he let go of her and drew his sword. Clenching the hilt tightly, Zheng Dong looked straight at Xue Ruhong.
A heartbeat later, he charged forward and shouted, "Go now!"
"General Zheng!"
On the city wall, Xue Ruhong calmly commanded, "Release the arrows!"
Swish~! Swish~! Swish~!
The next second, hundreds of arrows fell upon Zheng Dong.
Seeing this, Jin Yan closed her eyes, and tears flowed down her cheeks. When she opened her eyes again, the fear was gone, replaced by determination.
Gripping the blanket and coat tightly, she rushed toward the city gate.
From on top of the wall, Xue Ruhong gestured to his vice general and ordered, "Take one hundred soldiers with you. Remember, bring the Seventh Imperial Princess of the Jin Empire back alive. The Great General has use for her."
The vice general clasped his fist and responded, "This subordinate accepts the order."
After the vice general left, Xue Ruhong turned his attention back to Zheng Dong.