Attack

At the third quarter of the Mao hour, the sky had just begun to lighten, and the morning mist had yet to disperse. The bluestone street outside the vermilion gates of the Carefree Prince's Estate lay in utter stillness.

Suddenly, a chaotic and heavy thud of footsteps rang out from afar, drawing closer and shattering the quiet of the early morning.

Accompanying those footsteps came the clang of metal and the rasp of heavy breathing—a murderous aura surged forward like rolling waves.

Gazing into the distance, two men in black form-fitting attire strode swiftly at the very front.

Their steps were vigorous, their pace extremely fast.

At their waists hung long blades that gleamed coldly; the scabbards and hilts shimmered with a frigid light in the dawn.

Their eyes betrayed a ruthless chill, and their entire bodies exuded a spine-tingling presence.

Behind these two men followed a crowd of burly, broad-shouldered thugs.

Some wielded spiked clubs, others carried great axes—each bore a vicious, menacing look, clearly not to be trifled with.

Their footsteps made the ground tremble faintly, and the weapons in their hands flickered in and out of view through the morning mist, radiating a killing intent.

This mob surged down the street like a black tide, their target fixed on the Carefree Prince's Estate.

Soon, these uninvited guests arrived before the estate gates.

The copper studs on the vermilion doors gleamed coldly in the dawn light, while the stone lions flanking the gate stood tall and imposing, as if guarding this noble residence.

Two guards stood sentry before the estate gates.

They wore fine steel chainmail, the armor glinting coldly under the sun.

The long swords at their hips were razor-sharp, exuding a chilling murderous aura.

These guards stood as straight as pines, clearly possessing martial cultivation.

Seeing the aggressors' fierce approach, their eyes instantly filled with vigilance, and they tensed up.

One guard gave a slight nod and a meaningful glance; the other understood and quietly turned to enter the estate and report.

The remaining guard steeled himself, pressing a hand to his sword hilt as he strode forward and barked, "This is the Carefree Prince's Estate! Who are you? How dare you cause trouble here!"

His voice rang out like a great bell, echoing through the air and stinging the ears.

Yet, faced with his challenge, the two leading men in black showed no fear.

They exchanged a glance, and a contemptuous smile curled simultaneously at the corners of their mouths.

One of them sneered without restraint, "We're here for the Carefree Prince!" His tone dripped with disdain.

Before the words faded, the other man struck like lightning.

He suddenly lifted his foot, moving with the speed of a gale, carrying a fierce gust of wind.

That kick was infused with his profound inner energy, its power terrifying.

With a dull thump, the guard couldn't even react before he was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.

His body arced through the air, then slammed heavily into the estate's main gate.

A thunderous crash followed—the sturdy gate burst apart instantly, countless splinters of wood scattering like snowflakes.

Amid the deafening noise, the guard flew backward like a broken kite, spewing blood from his mouth, crashing to the ground. His body twitched a few times before going still, and the light in his eyes faded—clearly dead.

"Charge!" With a furious roar from the leading man in black, the thugs behind him lunged forward like starving tigers, howling and brandishing their various weapons, surging into the estate like a torrent.

At that moment, the estate's alarm bell rang out—clang, clang, clang—sharp and urgent, echoing throughout the grounds.

Hearing the alarm, the estate guards reacted with remarkable speed. They assembled like the wind, gripping their weapons, and raced toward the gate as if facing a great enemy.

At the forefront of these guards was the estate's guard commander, Xiao Lie.

He was a towering figure, over eight feet tall, with a broad back and a thick waist.

A hideous scar ran from the corner of his eye to his chin, giving his face a fierce look.

Yet the scar didn't make him ugly; instead, it added to his imposing presence.

Xiao Lie gripped a heavy Mò Dāo tightly, its blade glinting with a bone-chilling light under the sun.

"What petty scoundrels dare to trespass on the Carefree Prince's Estate!" Xiao Lie stood in the center of the front courtyard, his voice like a great bell, deafening.

The two leading men in black showed no sign of retreat at Xiao Lie's roar; instead, a contemptuous smile spread across their faces.

One of them sneered coldly, mocking without mercy, "A mere Martial Master like you dares to try and stop us? How utterly foolish!"

"If you know what's good for you, hand over the Carefree Prince at once. Otherwise, this estate will be left in ruins today!"

Xiao Lie's fury erupted. His eyes bulged like copper bells, and his face twisted with rage as he bellowed, "You madmen, stop your wild talk! As long as I, Xiao Lie, am here, you won't touch a single hair on the Prince's head!"

Before his words ended, he raised his Mò Dāo high and roared, "Kill!"

With that shout, the estate guards cried out in unison, surging forward like a raging tide, charging at the intruders.

In an instant, blades clashed and sword lights flashed; the din of battle was deafening. The entire estate was engulfed in the fierce melee.

The estate guards, well-trained and perfectly coordinated, quickly formed a tight battle formation, encircling the intruders.

Yet, though the guards outnumbered them, these intruders were no ordinary foes. Most were even slightly stronger, hardened ruffians all. For a time, the two sides were locked in a stalemate.