Chapter 936 - God-killing Arrows (1/2)
Princess Xingyue revealed an overjoyed expression when she saw Shangguan Qiong. The courtiers of the Tortoise Kingdom were divided into two factions: those that were loyal to the royal family and those that were loyal to Queen Wu Yuenian.
Currently, the two factions were equal in power. Shangguan Qiong in front of her was the Vice Commander of the Royal Guard and was a loyal supporter of the Tortoise royal family. She was someone who could be completely trusted.
She said, “Commander Shangguan, Xiahou Hongxiang is disrespecting me. Come quickly to protect me!”
“Your Highness, don’t panic. No one can hurt you with me here!”
As an important courtier of the Tortoise Kingdom, Shangguan Qiong knew very well that Xiahou Hongxiang belonged to the Queen’s faction. She turned around, glared at him, and said, “Xiahou Hongxiang, how dare you disrespect the Princess? Are you trying to rebel?”
As she spoke, the momentum that belonged to a master at the late stage of the Combination Realm suddenly broke out.
Feeling the other party’s strong momentum, Xiahou Hongxiang was stunned. Then the anger in his heart subsided considerably. His reasoning was slowly restored.
His brain was thinking rapidly. He tried to figure out how to respond to the situation in front of him.
Although Shangguan Qiong’s cultivation was a level higher than his, she was still unable to withstand his force. As long as he gave the order, so many arrows would be shot. None of the people present would survive.
But if he did that, he wouldn’t be able to bear the consequence.
If he only killed Princess Xingyue and the others, he could shirk the responsibility and shift the blame onto the Ghost King Sect. However, if the Vice Commander of the Royal Guard in the Tortoise Kingdom was shot as soon as she arrived in Golden Horse City, he would have no way to explain it to Zhao Xianlong.
He was just one of Queen Wu Yuenian’s men and was able to survive by relying on the two great trees, Wu Yuenian and Zhangsun Chengdu.
If he was accused of rebellion, he would not only lose his current power and influence but the entire Xiahou Family would also be exterminated.
Thinking of this, he suppressed the anger in his heart. He then stepped forward and said respectfully, “Vice Commander Shangguan, it’s a misunderstanding. I just lost control of my emotions because of my son’s injuries. How could I be disrespectful to the Princess?”
Shangguan Qiong gave a cold humph and said, “I’m sure you wouldn’t dare. The Princess is the daughter of the King and should be respected. You can’t offend her.”
“General Shangguan is right. Just now, I lost my composure. I apologize to the Princess.”
Xiahou Hongxiang was also a cunning old fox. He knew when to yield and when to stand tall. Now, he had to suppress the anger in his heart. He came to Zhao Xingyue and bowed respectfully. “Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
The Little Witch was relieved. She was about to ridicule him. However, Qin Haodong stopped her.
He knew very well the circumstances before him. What could keep Xiahou Hongxiang under control wasn’t their strength but the royal family’s influence. It would be troublesome if the Little Witch angered the old man again.
Princess Xingyue gave a cold humph and said, “Regarding what happened in Golden Horse City, I will faithfully report to my father.”
Xiahou Hongxiang respectfully replied, “Your Highness, I have not treated you well this time. When I return home, I will write to the King and request for forgiveness.”
Shangguan Qiong was slightly stunned. In the old days at the palace, Princess Xingyue was known to be timid. She had long been known to be submissive in such a situation. How could she be so majestic as she was now?
It seemed that sneaking away this time had indeed changed the Princess a lot.
Xiahou Hongxiang spoke again, “Your Highness, General Shangguan, please come to my Lord Mansion. I will prepare a banquet to apologize to the two of you.”
Princess Xingyue said, “I don’t dare to eat your banquet.”
These words were filled with anger and also the truest thought in her mind. As long as they stayed a moment longer in Golden Horse City, their lives would be in danger. It would be better to leave as soon as possible.
She turned to Shangguan Qiong and said, “Let’s go. My friends are coming with us to Tortoise City together!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Shangguan Qiong responded.
She ordered her guards to put Princess Xingyue, Qin Haodong, and the others in the middle and protect them as they flew in the direction of Tortoise City.
“Bid farewell to you, Your Highness!”
Xiahou Hongxiang led Jiang Bin and his soldiers to bow. Only when the figures of Princess Xingyue and the others disappeared into the horizon did he slowly straighten up, with a look of irrepressible hatred flashing across his eyes.
He dismissed the surrounding soldiers and gritted his teeth as he said to Jiang Bin, “Select 3,000 soldiers right away. We will immediately follow them. As long as Princess Xingyue leaves the jurisdiction of Golden Horse City, we will take action at once!
“No matter if it is Princess Xingyue or Qin Haodong, kill them all. Don’t leave a single one alive!”
“Yes, General!”
Jiang Bin was his trusted subordinate and had no hesitation at all in attacking the people of the Tortoise royal family.
Xiahou Hongxiang added, “This thing must be carefully planned. We mustn’t give anything away. These 3,000 soldiers must not only be strong but also loyal. We must ensure no information is leaked out.”
“Got it!” Jiang Bin answered and went to gather people right away.
…
Xiahou Hongxiang looked in the direction where Qin Haodong and the others had left and shouted angrily, “Qin Haodong, Zhao Xingyue, just wait. I swear I’ll kill you!”
Qin Haodong and the others galloped all the way. They finally left the jurisdiction of Golden Horse City near evening time.
In front of them was a seemingly huge endless forest. This was the largest and most famous Doomsday Forest in the Tortoise Kingdom.
Zhao Xingyue let out a long breath and said softly, “We have finally left Golden Horse City. We are finally safe now.”