Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

Chapter 501: A Dark Shadow Appears, Danger Lurks

As Xiao Yanzi watched intently, the dark figure moved again, slowly extending a hand from the shadows. It seemed to be holding something that gleamed coldly in the dim light. Xiao Yanzi instinctively clenched her fists, a sense of unease rising within her. She quietly tugged at Yongqi's sleeve and whispered, "Yongqi, look over there in that corner. There seems to be someone acting suspiciously."

Yongqi looked in the direction she pointed, his brow furrowing and a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. He replied softly, "Don't make a sound, I'll go check it out." With that, he gently pushed through the crowd and casually walked towards the shadowy figure. Seeing this, Erkang and Ertai understood and followed Yongqi discreetly, forming a fan-shaped encirclement.

Little Swallow couldn't contain her curiosity and wanted to follow, but Ziwei grabbed her arm. Ziwei looked worried and whispered, "Little Swallow, don't go. What if there's danger?"

Xiao Yanzi waved her hand dismissively, broke free from Ziwei's grasp, and said, "What's there to be afraid of? Yongqi and the others are here. I'll just go take a look." With that, she crouched down and tiptoed behind Yongqi like a little mouse.

At that moment, the shop owner was smiling broadly as he introduced the show to everyone, completely unaware of the strange occurrence in the corner of the hall. The acrobats tumbled and leaped in the air, drawing cheers from the audience, while the dark figure, taking advantage of the lively atmosphere, grew bolder and slowly stood up, walking towards the center of the hall.

Yongqi quickened his pace, with Erkang and Ertai close behind. Just as Yongqi was about to reach the shadowy figure, the man suddenly turned, revealing a face covered by a black cloth, with only a pair of cold eyes showing. He held a dagger in his hand, its cold light flashing as he thrust it towards Yongqi. Yongqi dodged to the side, easily avoiding the attack, and shouted at the same time, "Bold assassin, how dare you act so presumptuously here!"

The shout silenced the entire hall, all eyes fixed on a corner. The shop owner, pale with fright, cried out in a trembling voice, "Help! There's an assassin!" Chaos erupted below the stage as guests rose to their feet and scattered in all directions.

Seeing Yongqi engaged in combat with the assassin, Xiao Yanzi's eyes lit up with excitement, completely forgetting her promise to the Emperor to abide by the rules. She drew a long whip from her waist and shouted, "Yongqi, I'm here to help you!" With that, she charged forward, brandishing the whip.

While Yongqi was dealing with the assassin, he shouted, "Little Swallow, be careful, don't be reckless!" But Little Swallow wouldn't listen. She brandished her long whip, the tip whistling as she lashed out at the assassin. The assassin dodged left and right, finding it difficult to escape for a moment.

Erkang and Ertai joined the battle, and the three surrounded the assassin. Although the assassin was skilled in martial arts, he gradually became overwhelmed by the three-on-one attack. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly feinted an attack before turning and lunging at Xiaoyanzi.

Little Swallow was engrossed in her fight when the assassin suddenly attacked, throwing her into a panic. Just as the assassin's dagger was about to pierce her, Yongqi leaped forward and tackled Little Swallow to the ground. The dagger grazed Yongqi's shoulder, leaving a bloody mark.

"Yongqi, you're injured!" Xiaoyanzi exclaimed, her eyes filled with anxiety and heartache. She helped Yongqi up, and when she saw the wound on his shoulder, her eyes instantly reddened. She turned and glared fiercely at the assassin, saying, "You dare hurt Yongqi? I'll never forgive you!" As she spoke, she wielded her long whip even more fiercely, each move deadly.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall; it was the merchant's guards who had heard the commotion and rushed over. Seeing the situation was dire, the assassin panicked and tried to escape. He suddenly threw his dagger at Xiao Yanzi, who couldn't dodge in time, and the dagger was about to pierce her. At the critical moment, Er Kang leaped in front of Xiao Yanzi, shielding her with his own body, and the dagger pierced his arm.

"Erkang!" Ziwei exclaimed, rushing over without hesitation. She supported Erkang, tears streaming down her face, and said in a trembling voice, "Erkang, how are you?"

Despite the pain, Er Kang comforted her, "Ziwei, I'm fine, don't worry." As he spoke, he looked at the assassin, his eyes filled with anger.

Surrounded by the crowd, the assassin was finally subdued. The shop owner wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and stepped forward to thank Yongqi and the others: "Thank you all for your help. If it weren't for you, something terrible would have happened today."

Yongqi waved his hand and said, "No need to be so polite. I just don't know why this assassin would attempt an assassination here, and who is behind it?"

The shop owner frowned and said with a puzzled look, "I don't know either. I've always been kind to people and have never made enemies. I really can't understand why anyone would want to assassinate me."

Little Swallow looked at the assassin pinned to the ground, walked over, and ripped the black cloth off his face, revealing an unfamiliar one. She crouched down, stared into the assassin's eyes, and asked, "Why did you attempt the assassination? Who sent you?"

The assassin snorted coldly, turned his head away, and remained silent. Little Swallow, enraged, stood up and kicked him hard, saying, "You'd better confess, or you'll regret it!"

Yongqi stepped forward and stopped Xiaoyanzi, saying, "Xiaoyanzi, don't be impulsive. Since he refuses to talk, let's hand him over to the authorities and let them interrogate him."

Although Xiao Yanzi was unwilling, she had no choice but to give up. Looking at Yongqi and Erkang's wounds, she felt guilty and whispered, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so reckless, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Yongqi gently patted her head and said with a smile, "Silly girl, how can we blame you? It's our duty to protect you when you're in danger."

Erkang smiled and said, "Yes, Little Swallow, don't blame yourself. As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

Ziwei, who was bandaging Erkang's wounds, looked up when she heard this and said with a smile, "That's right, Little Swallow, you mustn't be so reckless in the future. We were all worried sick about you."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "I understand. I will definitely listen to you from now on and will not act rashly again."

By this time, the guests in the hall had gradually calmed down, and the host rearranged the seats, preparing to continue the banquet. But after all this commotion, everyone had lost their appetite, and the atmosphere had become somewhat somber.

Sitting in her seat, Xiao Yanzi looked at Yongqi and Erkang's wounds and secretly vowed to be more careful in the future, so that no one around her would be harmed because of her. But what secrets lie behind this sudden assassination attempt? Is it intricately connected to the turbulent changes in the palace? How will Xiao Yanzi and her companions unravel these layers of mystery and continue their adventure in this dangerous and challenging court and martial arts world?