Chapter 596: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 596: Disfigurement (2)
This fierce sword strike not only deterred the attacking beasts but also boosted the morale of others. Taking advantage of the beasts' hesitation, the first wave of twenty-five guards intensified their efforts, aiming to eliminate the beasts that had breached their defenses.
The eerie flute sound continued to drive the beast pack. The pressure on the outermost layer, where Xiao Ruiyuan and his team stood, was immense. The beasts continued to attack relentlessly, and distant roars from other beasts approaching from the deep mountains made it clear that there was no room for relaxation.
The second wave of guards was not idle either. They not only had to deal with the beasts breaking through the first layer of defense but also had to take the place of the exhausted guards from the first wave, putting in their all to prevent any beasts from breaking through the second layer. Failure would mean punishment and potential harm to their families, especially if any princes or nobles were injured.
Although the third layer of Prince Heng and his companions did not need to fight directly at the moment, they still remained on high alert. These fierce and powerful beasts were not easy to handle. It was only a matter of time before they would breach the defenses. By conserving their strength now, they hoped to make dealing with the beasts easier once their stamina was depleted, minimizing casualties.
The guards worked together seamlessly, and with Xiao Ruiyuan fighting like ten men, the beasts were momentarily held back. Many beasts were killed or injured, and several princes and nobles vomited from the intensity of the battle.
However, this brief victory did not last long. Compared to the beasts, human stamina was much more easily exhausted. After about half an incense stick (approximately half an hour), more than ten guards, worn out and slowed down, were bitten by the beasts, causing a significant drop in defense.
Other guards, though still relatively unaffected, had to cover the gaps left by the injured, continuing the fight. The princes and nobles, fearing for their lives, were pale and cursed the guards for being useless.
...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://www.eternalnovelhits.com....
Among them, Prince Qi was the most vocal in his anger. He fiercely kicked several injured guards who had been pushed to the inner layer and yelled, “You useless fools, if you let the beasts get to me, I will report to Emperor Huian and demand your nine clans be punished!”
Despite knowing it was their duty to protect those inside, even if it meant being scolded and threatened, the guards were deeply affected. They had exerted their utmost effort, lost comrades to the beasts, and yet those inside who could help remained passive and dared to utter such threats. Even with the best of tolerance, they were affected.
The guards gritted their teeth and endured, but Xiao Ruiyuan did not. He slashed at a tiger, temporarily driving it back, and took the opportunity to draw an arrow from his quiver. He aimed and threw it at Prince Qi, who was making the loudest threats.
The arrow pierced through Prince Qi's hair, and as Prince Qi stared in horror, Xiao Ruiyuan's cold gaze and chilling voice cut through the air, “If you dare utter another word, the next arrow will be aimed at your throat.”
This act not only stunned Prince Qi but also terrified the other nobles who had been shouting. They almost couldn't bear to look at Xiao Ruiyuan.
If Xiao Ruiyuan dared to threaten a prince, what did that make them, mere nobles?
Prince Qi, recovering from his shock, was torn between fear and anger, his face alternating between blue and red. He longed to crush Xiao Ruiyuan but was paralyzed by Xiao Ruiyuan's murderous gaze. The desire for revenge vanished instantly.
It was only when Xiao Ruiyuan turned away, his murderous gaze gone, that Prince Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead in terror and hissed through gritted teeth to the quiet King Heng, “Third Brother, Xiao is too arrogant. He dares to threaten me, it's like slapping the entire royal family in the face!”
Prince Heng, rarely responsive, stared at the figure of Xiao Ruiyuan as he slaughtered the beasts, his gaze heavy and concealing his own murderous intent. This man could not be allowed to leave the beast forest alive!
As more guards fell and no replacements arrived for the second layer, the beast pack continued to be driven by the flute sound, with more beasts arriving from all directions to launch a fierce assault.
The situation grew increasingly dire. To save their lives, Prince Heng and the others had no choice but to join the fray. Their combat experience paled in comparison to Xiao Ruiyuan’s, and even the guards themselves were less capable. Facing beasts capable of tearing off an arm with a single bite, their courage faltered, reducing their effectiveness. Eventually, even King Heng was clawed across the chest by a tiger, bleeding profusely.
Half an hour had passed, and the reinforcements of two hundred guards were still nowhere in sight. As more and more people were injured and lost their ability to resist, Xiao Ruiyuan, covered in beast blood, looked like a grim reaper. His eyes were filled with an almost palpable hostility.
He mechanically swung his now weary and numb arms, fighting off the relentless beasts. He didn’t want to think, nor had the time to ponder whether the delay in reinforcements was due to an ambush.
Prince Heng, severely injured and covered in blood, lost his previous composure. While fighting the beasts, he pityingly remarked to Xiao Ruiyuan, “To deal with me, they even abandoned your safety. This is the person you pledge loyalty to! Hahaha, it's truly laughable!”
As Prince Heng laughed maniacally, who could tell that he was actually mocking himself?
He had never imagined that the frail brother he considered worthless would display such ruthless determination. Initially, he had suspected that the poison plot was orchestrated by the imprisoned Jing Wang or Kang Wang, but if they had such capability, they wouldn't have ended up demoted and imprisoned for life.
He then speculated that it was the fourth prince, who had grown influential, who set the trap to eliminate all the princes and nobles, intending to ascend to the throne after the death of his sickly brother.
However, seeing several adult princes being maimed and on the brink of death, he dismissed that theory as well.
The Da Chu throne would never be given to someone with a disability!
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