Liu San's body suddenly halted, and the iron claws on his left hand abruptly clawed toward Sima Ling's face.
Sima Ling instinctively raised her saber to block, never expecting it to be Liu San's ploy to lure her in.
His right iron claw suddenly flung a poison needle from his sleeve. Fine as a cow's hair and nearly invisible in the dusk, it flew straight toward the wound on Sima Ling's left shoulder.
"Watch out!"
Yan Shuangfei, who spotted the danger, hurriedly shouted a warning. He had already gripped his spear, ready to rush in and support her at any moment.
But it was too late.
Sima Ling had no time to dodge. She only felt a sharp sting in her left shoulder, followed by numbness spreading from the wound and instantly flooding her entire body.
Her broadsword fell to the ground with a clang, and her arm could no longer muster any strength.
Seeing that his scheme had succeeded, Liu San revealed a vicious grin. "You bitch, once you've been struck by my Corpse Rotting Needle, in less than half a shichen, your bones will melt into a puddle of pus!
This day next year will be your death anniversary!"
With that, he raised his iron claws and clawed at Sima Ling's chest.
At that critical moment, a figure shot over like an arrow loosed from the bowstring.
Yan Shuangfei thrust his spear straight at Liu San's back. The spearhead whistled through the air with fierce force, forcing Liu San to turn and block.
"Clang!"
The spear collided with the iron claws, sending Liu San stumbling back more than ten paces.
Seizing the chance, Yan Shuangfei wrapped an arm around Sima Ling's waist and shielded her behind him. The Wuzhui Horse stepped backward, retreating to their own side.
He