Wishful Spear in the Right Hand, Longxiang Sword in the Left: Breaking the Deadlock by Force as Disaster Strikes the Grand Gathering!

Ding Longxiang had been deeply uneasy, certain there was no hope. Forced into the carriage, she had traveled some distance when she suddenly heard arrows flying toward them. A thought flashed through her mind: If the Flower Thief is in trouble, perhaps I can be saved. She struggled despite herself, kicking at the carriage wall. But the Flower Cords bound her tightly, restraining her strength, and beneath her clothes ran a Rope Loincloth that passed over the Changqiang, Meeting of Yin, and Crooked Bone acupoints, constricting the junction of her governing and conception meridians. Any violent movement made her body go numb, then her face flush scarlet. She kicked twice and mumbled to Zhao Yingqiong, "Heroine Wu, this is a golden opportunity. If we miss it, we'll be miserable from now on."

Zhao Yingqiong vaguely understood, but inwardly cursed, Damn it, something's gone wrong! She mumbled, "Let's watch for a moment. If the chance comes, we'll escape together. We only need someone to notice us, and we'll be saved."

Ding Longxiang nodded. Both women had numbing walnuts stuffed in their mouths, making their speech indistinct, but they could roughly understand each other. Outside the carriage, the Wood-Seeking Guards had surrounded them. The crowd suddenly parted, and a figure in silver armor rode out.

The man cut an imposing figure, his head high and chest thrust forward. He wore a red crest, and his face was long and lean. Slanting hair covered his left eye. He was Han Yinjia, the Wood-Seeking Guards' Central Lang General. When the Wood-Seeking Guards had sailed overseas in search of treasure, Han Yinjia had remained stationed east of the city, maintaining order within it.

Han Yinjia rode forward, glanced at Li Xian's carriage, and shouted, "Flower Thief, I've got you surrounded. Kneel and surrender!"

Though Li