The princess regretted it.

A few days later, the sun shone outside the Dali Temple, bringing a hint of autumn coolness. Jia Wen had finished his shift, dressed in his official uniform, looking slightly exhausted. Just then, several yamen runners gathered around, calling out for drinks at a tavern. Jia Wen glanced at them and nodded in agreement. With that, the group headed towards the tavern in a lively, boisterous manner, their laughter and chatter echoing in the air.

A few people arrived at the tavern. It was dinner time, and the place was quite lively, with two or three tables of guests enjoying drinks and food. One of them boldly called over the waiter and said, "Waiter, give us two pounds of braised beef in soy sauce, a plate of peanuts, a roast chicken, a plate of braised pig's trotters, a plate of cold-mixed pig ears, and a few jugs of good wine." The waiter quickly replied, "Okay, please wait a moment, sir." The waiter quickly replied, "Okay, please wait a moment, sir." Soon, various delicacies were served. The braised beef was bright red and fragrant; the peanuts were plump and had a light, oily aroma; the roast chicken had a golden, crispy skin and a juicy, tender interior; the braised pig's trotters were attractively colored, soft and flavorful; and the cold-mixed pig ears were refreshing, delicious, and chewy.

Several people gazed at the delicious food on the table, their hearts filled with joy. One of them expertly picked up the wine jug and filled everyone's bowls. The aroma of the wine instantly spread, its rich fragrance filling the air and bringing a sense of peace and joy. They raised their bowls, gently clinking them together with a crisp sound. They chorused a "drink" in unison, then tilted their heads back and gulped it down. The wine, with its pungent and refreshing hit, brought a satisfying look to their faces. Then, they each picked up their chopsticks and invited one another to join in the meat dishes. As they savored the food, they chatted and laughed, filling the tavern with a cheerful atmosphere.

After three rounds of drinking, everyone was a bit tipsy. Their cheeks flushed slightly, their eyes blurry. They stood up unsteadily and stumbled out of the tavern. Meanwhile, everyone kept toasting Jia Wen, their words full of admiration and friendship. Jia Wen was also a bit tipsy, but with a simple smile on his face, he responded to everyone's toasts one by one. After leaving the tavern, they said goodbye and went their separate ways home.

Jia Wen seemed to have drunk a bit too much, clearly intoxicated. His face flushed, his eyes unfocused. He stumbled, as if treading on cotton, each step proving difficult. He struggled to maintain his balance, but his body swayed uncontrollably from side to side.

Two more people appeared behind him. They were sturdy and sharp-eyed, closely following Jia Wen's steps. However, Jia Wen seemed oblivious, still humming a little tune and strolling leisurely.

As they reached a somewhat secluded alley, the two men behind them quickened their pace and caught up. Their footsteps were particularly clear in the quiet alley. Jia Wen paused, turned to face the two, and a bright smile, yet with a subtle hint of cunning, spread across his face. "Are you following me?" Jia Wen's voice was casual and relaxed, as if he were simply greeting an old friend.

The two men paused, one hand quietly placed on their waist, and they looked at each other, their eyes filled with vigilance. They obviously did not expect Jia Wen to face them so calmly. One of them stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Mr. Jia, our master invites you!" His tone was respectful, but it also revealed a firmness that would not be refused.

"Oh! Who is your master? Why would you ask a nobody like me to do this?" Jia Wen's smile remained, but his tone darkened.

"You'll know when you go there." the other party replied.

Jia Wen pursed his lips, raised his eyebrows, and said slowly: "What if I don't go?" As soon as these words came out, a tense atmosphere filled the air.

"I'm sorry!" As soon as the other man finished speaking, the two men leaped at Jia Wen. Their movements were as swift as cheetahs, closing the distance between them. The hands at their waists swiftly pulled out, each holding a sword. The swords shone with a cold light, appearing particularly dazzling in the dim alley. The blades gleamed with an icy light, as if they could penetrate anything. With a sharp sword intent, the two swords pierced Jia Wen's body with such speed that it was almost impossible to react.

Jia Wen's pupils constricted, instantly realizing the impending danger. In this crucial moment, his body reacted instinctively. With a tap of his toes, his body drifted backward. Jia Wen's movements were light and agile, like the swiftness of a swallow. In an instant, he distanced himself from the two men, dodging the sharp sword thrust.

After landing, his eyes became fierce, and he stared intently at the two sword-wielding men. After Jia Wen dodged the first wave of attacks, the two men's eyes flashed with surprise, but they quickly drew their swords and attacked again. Their movements were as fast as lightning, and their swords were extremely sharp. One of them flashed and approached Jia Wen like a ghost, stabbing Jia Wen's vital parts with his sword at a tricky angle. The blade drew a cold arc in the air, accompanied by a whistling sound, as if it could cut through the air. The other attacked from the side, his sword powerful, like a tiger descending from the mountain. His sword stabbed towards Jia Wen's side with great force, as if to pierce Jia Wen.

Facing another attack from the two, Jia Wen quickly dodged sideways, barely avoiding the incoming sword thrust. Then, he spun, swiftly avoiding the side attack. However, the two men's attacks continued. They constantly shifted their angles and methods, their sword shadows enveloping Jia Wen.

Jia Wen could only rely on his agility and sharp reflexes to dodge the deadly sword strikes again and again. But without a weapon, he began to tire. His movements became slow, his breathing rapid. As he struggled to avoid the two men's relentless attacks, he rapidly composed a countermeasure. The two sword-wielding men seemed to sense Jia Wen's fatigue and intensified their attacks, their sword shadows descending upon him like a storm.

Just as Jia Wen seemed unable to evade this wave of attacks, a figure suddenly flew out from a nearby rooftop. He was dressed in black, his figure slender and powerful, his face covered by a black mask that revealed only a pair of hawk-like eyes. In his hand, he clutched a longsword, the blade gleaming with a cold light, emanating a fierce aura.