Li Man'er fought with increasing ferocity, her bones creaking. Though a woman, she was petite compared to the barbarians, but now, wielding her Miao sword, she was like a killer god descending from the heavens. The coldness in her eyes was like ten-thousand-year-old ice, chilling anyone who dared to glance at her.
Among those present, aside from Li Wenchang, only four or five barbarians remained alive. The rest were either severely wounded and lying unconscious, or had been cleanly dispatched by Li Man'er's blade.
Those four or five burly men looked at the corpses of their comrades on the ground, then at Li Man'er opposite them. Without a word, they grabbed their weapons and charged at her.
Barbarians on horseback typically used sabers, axes, or occasionally curved swords – mostly cumbersome weapons that were wielded with ease from the saddle but proved awkward on foot.
In contrast, Li Man'er's Miao sword was much lighter. With skillful maneuvers, she made the large, fat men spin around like tops. She didn't rush to end their lives, but instead, with a slash here and a cut there, she inflicted wounds on them, drawing blood with every strike, yet stopping short of a fatal blow.
However, during the fight, the surging vital energy caused these wounds to tear open wider. Over time, significant blood loss was inevitable, leading to dizziness and weakness at best, and death at worst.
The barbarians realized Li Man'er was toying with them, and they charged with renewed desperation, intent on killing her. But Li Man'er gave them no such opportunity. The Miao sword in her hand radiated a chilling aura, ceaselessly reaping barbarian lives.
When the last barbarian fell, his throat slit, Li Wenchang actually began to applaud Li Man'er.
"The young lady is indeed from a renowned family, her skills are exceptional."
Li Man'er removed her veil, revealing a delicate face. Since she had been recognized, there was no need to conceal herself any longer.
"Wuwuwu..." Ah Qi's eyes widened in disbelief. The heavenly figure who had descended to save him was none other than the young lady Li.
Truly...
A relative!
"Li Wenchang, you betrayed my father, you betrayed the Zun Kingdom. Do you have any last words before you die?"
Li Wenchang calmly drew his personal sword. "Who dies first is yet to be determined! But I am very curious, how did the young lady survive the wolves' den?"
Li Man'er removed her veil and casually wiped the blood from her sword. "Oh, that. It was quite a coincidence. I was born to be the bane of beasts, including you."
She tossed away the veil and pointed her sword at Li Wenchang. "You have betrayed your master and abandoned your lineage, attempting to instigate discord between the Xiao and Li families, allowing the barbarians to profit. Morally and legally, I cannot let you live."
Li Wenchang asked again, "May I know, young lady, when did you begin to suspect me?"
"You don't need to know. Prepare to die."
Li Wenchang laughed heartily. "Such arrogance, young lady! Do you take me for these barbarians? You have just fought a fierce battle and must be exhausted. How can you possibly be my match now? But don't worry, you are so beautiful, I won't kill you. Presenting you to Wuni Hehan would be a great service."
Li Man'er, too lazy to exchange further words, drew her sword and attacked.
Just as Li Wenchang was contemplating the need for caution, Li Man'er was already upon him. She suddenly flung a handful of sand into his face.
Li Wenchang had never expected her to resort to such underhanded tactics. He quickly dodged to the side, instinctively recoiling to evade her scheme.
Even so, his speed was no match for Li Man'er's blade. After throwing the sand, her sword descended, its impossibly sharp edge slicing through Li Wenchang's arm.
Li Wenchang looked at the wound on his arm. It wasn't long, barely an inch. He figured Li Man'er truly was out of strength, otherwise, his arm might have been lost.
"The young lady has truly remarkable skills."
Li Man'er chuckled lightly. "One uses the appropriate strategy for the opponent. You, Li Wenchang, are nothing but a rat from a sewer. I don't need to fight you honorably."
"Woo, woo~" Ah Qi, tied to the tree, shook his head and cried out, but it was impossible to discern what he was saying.
"Young lady, what goes around comes around. You should be careful."
Li Man'er, however, said, "You won't get the chance."
"What do you mean?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Li Wenchang felt his vision darken. Li Man'er seemed to possess a clone technique, one turning into two, two into four, her figure becoming increasingly blurry.
"You... you poisoned me?" Li Wenchang quickly plunged his sword into the ground, using it for support to remain standing.
"I poisoned the veil. By wiping the sword with it, the poison naturally transferred to the blade. Once it enters the bloodstream, it will invade your heart. Even a celestial being could not save you."
Li Wenchang let out a mouthful of blood, his gaze towards Li Man'er filled with venomous resentment. "You..."
Before he could finish whatever he intended to say, he slumped to the ground with a thud, his eyes wide open as he breathed his last.
He died with his eyes open.
Li Man'er sheathed her sword and meticulously examined the bodies of the fallen, ensuring no one was left alive. Only then did she proceed to rescue Ah Qi from the tree.
The first thing Ah Qi did upon regaining his freedom was to remove the foul-smelling sock from his mouth. He coughed a few times, spat out bloody phlegm, and collapsed onto the ground.
"Thank you, young lady, for saving my life."
Li Man'er handed him a barbarian's water skin.
Ah Qi took it, first rinsing his mouth. Feeling the stench dissipate somewhat, he then drank a few sips of water.
He drank too quickly, choked, coughed violently, and vomited blood.
Li Man'er hurried forward to check his pulse.
"You've been poisoned?"
"I won't die for now," Ah Qi said. "Young lady, I didn't expect you to be so formidable."
"Speak less," Li Man'er said, pulling out a porcelain bottle from her robes. She picked out two pills and said, "Open your mouth."
Ah Qi obediently opened his mouth. The pills entered his mouth, and he eagerly chewed and swallowed them. The pills seemed to take effect, the pain in his internal organs lessened considerably, and he felt a warmth spreading through his body, making him much more comfortable.
"The young lady's medical skills are truly amazing. No wonder Duan Xu was no match for you."
"Were you out on official business alone?"
Ah Qi seemed to have a great deal he wanted to say, but ultimately, he uttered not a single word.
It seemed the matter was of great importance.
Li Man'er did not press further. She handed him another porcelain bottle. "This is for external application. It's very effective for stopping bleeding. Can you apply it yourself?"
Ah Qi received it as if it were a treasure. "Thank you, young lady. You are truly a good person."
Li Man'er asked, "How did you get captured by these barbarians? Do you have a place to go now?"
Ah Qi replied, "My business is not yet concluded. As for how I was captured, it's hard to explain in a few words. Young lady, may I travel back to the prefectural city with you?"