Chapter 40: The Siege

"Not bad. I didn't expect you to lose your patience and make your move so soon." I had assumed she would wait at least another two days, but it seems that as soon as I stepped out of the academy, she couldn't hold back any longer. To be precise, judging by her posture, she had been prepared for a long time, just waiting for me to emerge.

"Heh, Su Yunqing, what if you do know? You alone are no match for me! Die here today!" Her eyes were filled with murderous intent as she spoke viciously.

Her expression was as if she longed to feast on my flesh and drink my blood, her gaze as venomous as a viper.

"Do you really think I came unprepared?" I swept my eyes over the group of people she had hired, then fixed my gaze on Su Yunyue.

I had wanted to kill her for a long time. Now that she was seeking her own destruction, she had only herself to blame.

With that, I released Xiao Yun and Xiao Wu from my space. "Find a way to hold them off; I will finish her as quickly as I can!"

As I spoke, my figure flickered, and I appeared in front of Su Yunyue in an instant. Terrified, she retreated repeatedly, hiding behind the men beside her. "Quick! Quick! Kill her!"

She was still nursing injuries, and even if she weren't, she was no match for me, so she naturally wouldn't throw herself into the fray.

Though she hated to admit it, the fact remained that the wretch Su Yunqing had indeed defeated the Third Prince in front of everyone. There was no denying that, and since she couldn't even defeat Xiao Jinghuai, she certainly couldn't best me.

Understanding this, she chose not to engage head-on, opting instead to hide and let others do the work.

She had brought more than a dozen men with her, determined to leave me no path to survival. Thinking of this, her courage returned, and she pointed toward me. "Whoever kills her today shall receive a heavy reward!"

This undoubtedly bolstered their spirits, and they turned their gaze toward me with intense malice. "Since that's the case, obediently surrender!"

A group of them charged forward, blocking my path and launching attacks. Fortunately, I reacted quickly, darting away the moment they lunged.

Just as they were about to pursue, Xiao Wu stood in their way, preventing them from interfering with its master's business.

I skirted around them, heading straight for Su Yunyue, for she had been my target from the very beginning.

Su Yunyue naturally noticed my intent and hurriedly ducked behind her men, hoping they would act as a shield while she stayed safely in the rear.

She wouldn't have followed me here if she hadn't been absolutely certain of success; plus, she wanted to witness me struggling in the throes of death.

The men standing before her channeled their spiritual energy to block my path, determined to prevent me from reaching their employer.

One man said impatiently, "Su Yunqing, they say you aren't the useless shell you once were. If you have the skill, let's fight. I'd like to see if the rumors hold any truth."

"Exactly! If you have a grievance, take it up with us!" They were committed to protecting Su Yunyue, as they were counting on the hefty reward upon completing the mission. They were, therefore, quite diligent in their defense.

I saw this clearly and curled my lips into a smile, quickening my pace. This made Su Yunyue, who was already anxious, grow increasingly tense.

She glanced left and right, guarding against any sudden movement, ready to hide behind her protectors the moment I charged.

"What are you looking at?" Just then, my voice sounded from behind her. Su Yunyue realized something was wrong, but it was too late to evade. A blast of spiritual energy struck her chest, sending her stumbling backward uncontrollably.

I didn't let the opportunity slip, but just as I moved to follow up, someone rushed from the left to intercept me, causing my brow to furrow.

At that moment, Xiao Yun leapt onto that person's shoulder and, before he could react, slashed its claws viciously across his face.

I lunged toward Su Yunyue with my sword. She, thinking she had dodged the attack, had no time to rejoice before she saw my figure looming over her.

"Su Yunqing!" Her face turned deathly pale the moment she recognized me.

She frantically channeled her spiritual energy to strike back, desperate to avoid death. The best way out, she realized, was to kill me first.

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes as she shouted to those nearby, "What are you waiting for? Help me!"

She glared at me and hissed, "Die here today. I will take your place at the Qingwu Sect. Hahahaha!"

The thought of going to the sect alongside the Third Prince filled her with glee. Her eyes were alight with expectation and a sense of inevitable triumph.

"Forget about the Qingwu Sect. You'd better spend this time thinking about your last words—though I certainly won't be the one to deliver them for you." I loathed them to the core and felt no shred of compassion. I intended to defeat her, torture her well, and only then end her life.

Xiao Yun and Xiao Wu were occupied with three or four men, but even so, the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming. Five men were currently rushing to Su Yunyue's aid, meaning I had to contend with six attackers at once.

Su Yunyue looked at me triumphantly. "Hahahaha, it's useless! So what if you beat the Prince? You cannot overcome all of these men at once."

I scanned the group. Excluding Su Yunyue, there were two at the early stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, one in the middle stage, and two in the late stage. It was not without hope.

I charged directly at the two in the early stage, intending to thin their ranks by eliminating the weakest first.

I was now at the small perfection stage of Qi Condensation; these men were no match for me. The two early-stage cultivators were subdued in nearly a single strike.

I believed in cutting the weeds and digging up the roots, for otherwise, they would grow again with the spring breeze.

After defeating them, I decisively ended their lives. I felt no remorse; they had sought my life, so why should I be merciful?

Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself. I would not allow myself to repeat the tragic death of my past life. In this existence, when it was time to be ruthless, I would not hesitate.

Having finished them, I didn't stop, but surged toward Su Yunyue. The remaining three men rushed to block my path once more.

Seeing this, my patience evaporated. I launched an attack on the man at the middle stage of Qi Condensation, showing no quarter. Within three strikes, I had claimed his life.