The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Amidst Guan Lingxuan's exclamation, Xiao Jinyan whirled around. His eyes instantly sharpened like knives, and the Xuanming Sword in his hand seemed to come alive, tracing a dazzling arc and piercing the attacker's chest with pinpoint accuracy. The enemy fell to the ground.

Xiao Jinyan, disregarding the blood on his face, quickly and gently placed Guan Lingxuan on the ground. His hands trembled as he stroked her blood-stained back, his voice choked with sobs: "Madam, how are you? Hold on, I will definitely save you!"

Guan Lingxuan, enduring the pain, used her last strength to say, "Husband, don't worry about me, go quickly, go quickly..."

Xiao Jinyan held Guan Lingxuan's hand tightly, his gaze firm yet tender, and whispered in her ear, "Silly girl, don't be afraid, I, Xiao Jinyan, will never abandon you."

However, this tranquility did not last long, as a heavy sense of oppression swept over them. A group of men in black approached them, instantly shrouding the once peaceful world in a chilling atmosphere. Luo Chuan was now deeply entrenched in the enemy ranks, with the men in black surrounding him like shadows, leaving him unable to spare any attention and only able to barely protect himself.

At this critical moment, a deafening sound of hooves approached from afar, like the beating of war drums, resonating in everyone's heartstrings. A dark green steed charged out like a whirlwind, and on its back sat a robust man—Tan Lin.

Tan Lin appeared like a divine warrior descending from the heavens, instantly shattering the impenetrable wall of black-clad men. He wielded his long sword, each strike accompanied by a flash of cold light. The bodies of the black-clad men seemed as fragile as paper beneath his blade, each one a clean, decisive blow.

The men in black were utterly powerless against his relentless onslaught, forced to watch helplessly as their companions fell one by one. The air was thick with the stench of blood, and the ground was soon a river of blood, littered with severed limbs, severed heads, and scattered bodies—a truly gruesome scene.

Tanlin was like a merciless meat grinder, crushing the enemies one by one until almost all the men in black were wiped out, leaving only a few who fled in despair.

Tan Lin sheathed his sword, dismounted, and strode towards Xiao Jinyan and Guan Lingxuan: "Jinyan, how is Madam Guan's injury?"

Xiao Jinyan took off his brocade robe and gently wrapped it around Guan Lingxuan's trembling back, trying to stop the gushing blood. He held Guan Lingxuan tightly, his eyes filled with anxiety and heartache: "Madam, how are you feeling?"

Guan Lingxuan's face was pale, but she managed a weak smile: "Husband, don't worry, this little injury won't kill me."

Xiao Jinyan then turned his gaze to Tan Lin: "Brother Tan, thanks to your help, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Tan Lin waved his hand gently: "Jin Yan, we are brothers, there's no need to be so polite."

Xiao Jinyan then asked, "Brother Tan, why did you come back again?"

Tan Lin paused slightly: "Jin Yan, I left in a hurry and forgot to tell you something extremely important before I rushed back. I never expected to run into you being assassinated."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly: "What important matter could make Brother Tan disregard everything and return?"

He thought to himself, "Luckily, Tan Lin forgot to mention this so-called important matter, otherwise, I would be dead."

Tan Lin did not answer immediately, but slowly took out a yellowed piece of paper from his pocket. The paper was covered with tiny characters, as if it recorded some unspeakable secret.

Tan Lin carefully handed it to Xiao Jinyan, and said with a solemn expression, "When I followed General He Jian before, I knew some of the Crown Prince's remaining followers. These people are still in the court and have not been discovered by Liu Kun..." He paused here, "There are not many officials of the fourth rank or above left."

Xiao Jinyan stared quietly at the paper in her hand. The lines of ink were clearly visible, recording a string of names, each with its corresponding official rank marked next to it.

Tan Lin's voice was low and urgent, like a cold wind in the night, piercing the silence of the room: "Jin Yan, I know you and Liu Kun are not of the same ilk. That Liu Kun is sinister and ruthless, and sooner or later he will become suspicious of you. Jiankang is a den of dragons and tigers, and there are probably countless people who secretly covet your head."

At this point, Tan Lin sighed: "As a last resort, you can contact and win over these people on the list in order to protect yourself in this turbulent political situation."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's eyes flashed with a complex expression. He gently stroked the list, overwhelmed with emotion: "Thank you, Brother Tan. However, as a wanted criminal by the imperial court, it is not advisable for you to stay in Jiankang for long. You should set off for Pengcheng as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Tan Lin's eyes flashed with worry: "Jin Yan, if I leave, what if those assassins come back to kill you? Besides, Madam Guan is also injured now, how can you be left unattended? Otherwise, I should send you back to the city."

Xiao Jinyan said in the same worried tone, "Brother Tan, you are a wanted criminal. The closer you get to Jiankang City, the more dangerous it will be!"

Tan Lin added, "But Jin Yan, before I leave, I must ensure your safety. Otherwise, how can I leave in peace?"

Xiao Jinyan thought for a moment, then turned his gaze to Luo Chuan beside him and said, "Luo Chuan, go find Wang Xuanyu and tell him to immediately send a battalion of elite soldiers to provide support. Do it quickly."

"Yes, sir! Protect the army!"

Before he could finish speaking, Luo Chuan had already vanished like an arrow released from a bow.

Xiao Jinyan then looked at Tan Lin: "Brother Tan, you can hide in that dense forest not far away. Once Wang Xuanyu arrives with his troops, you should leave Jiankang immediately and head to Pengcheng."

Upon hearing this, Tan Lin nodded slightly: "Alright, Jin Yan, take care."

After saying that, he nimbly mounted the "Green Dragon Steed," flicked his whip, and with a clatter of hooves, the horse disappeared into the shadows of the dense forest.

At this moment, Xiao Jinyan's attention was completely focused on Guan Lingxuan. Her face was pale, but she still managed to force a weak smile.

Xiao Jinyan gently placed Guan Lingxuan on the ground, holding her tightly in his arms, and tenderly stroking her slightly cold face, his eyes full of tenderness: "Silly girl, why did you risk everything to save me just now?"

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan's lips curved into a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with determination and love: "My husband, to me, you are the most important person in this vast world. What meaning would my life have without you? So, even if it means being shattered to pieces, I will save you."

Xiao Jinyan gently kissed Guan Lingxuan's forehead, his voice low and firm: "Silly girl, hang in there. When we get home, I'll hire the best doctor in Jiankang and use the best medicine to treat your injuries."

Guan Lingxuan forced a smile through her pain, nodded gently, and rested her head on Xiao Jinyan's broad shoulder.

"Oh, right, silly girl," Xiao Jinyan said as if suddenly remembering something, "where's your dagger?"

Guan Lingxuan turned her head with difficulty, her gaze falling on the corpse of a man in black not far away. The familiar dagger was deeply embedded in the man's chest, gleaming coldly.