Song Qingshu's heart tightened. Avoiding that sword strike would not have been difficult for him, but he suddenly realized that if he dodged, Xue Baochai, left where she was, would very likely be pierced through by it.
He had come here only to clear Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying of suspicion, not to kill anyone. Even when he had fought the Imperial City Department agents earlier, he had merely rendered them unable to fight and had not dealt any killing blows.
He had shown mercy even to unfamiliar men, much less to a famed beauty like Xue Baochai, renowned even in his previous life.
With a twist of his wrist, he snapped off the tip of the sharp sword in Xue Baochai's hand. Without pausing, Song Qingshu used that fragment to meet the sword thrust coming from behind him.
In an instant, they exchanged more than a dozen moves. Though the situation had been perilous, Song Qingshu still neutralized every one of his opponent's attacks.
"Eh?" The newcomer was clearly shocked as well. He had not expected his opponent to fight him for so many moves using only half a sword tip.
By then, Song Qingshu had gotten a clear look at the newcomer. It was none other than Xue Baochai's cousin, Xue Yiren.
Recognizing him, Song Qingshu secretly sighed in relief. He no longer needed to deliberately protect Xue Baochai. With a shove at her waist, he sent her flying toward Xue Yiren like a sandbag. Then, while Xue Yiren moved to catch his sister, he used his lightness skill to flee without a trace.
"Quick, chase him!" Xue Baochai watched the clue that had nearly fallen into her hands escape, and hurriedly ordered the agents under her command.
"No need. That man's lightness skill is exceptional. You won't