"Princess, go on ahead!"
When Hong Qilin saw more cultists charging out of the cave, he feared they would hold the princess up, so he hurriedly shouted to her.
The princess had also spotted the dozen or so cultists rushing out. They carried heavy sabers and machetes, their faces vicious. They were clearly among the better fighters in the Heavenly River Cult. Worried, she said, "Qilin, what about you...?"
"I'll be fine. Don't forget, Princess, I still have the Qilin Shield," Hong Qilin said. "Besides, my mission here is to protect you. As long as you get away safely, my mission is complete! Then I can leave or flee without anything holding me back!"
"All right. Thank you for your efforts!"
After quickly weighing the pros and cons, Shang Xueli ultimately made the most sensible choice.
She knew perfectly well that staying would only bind Hong Qilin's hands and feet!
"Li Pu, leave this to me." After killing the last Heavenly River cultist blocking their way, Hong Qilin swung his saber in a circle before charging toward the newcomers. "The princess is in your hands. You must protect her, even if it costs you your life. Understood?"
"You're shirking your responsibility, but I get it."
Li Pu grumbled.
Still, he knew this was no time for jokes, so he agreed!
Shang Xueli took advantage of the gap between waves of attackers, sheathed her sword, and said, "Let's go!"
Soon...
Shang Xueli and Li Pu were gone.
Wielding his Ghost-Head Saber, Hong Qilin hacked his way forward. Not one of the cultists charging toward the three of them could withstand a single strike from him. Every last one was cut in two!
Then...
Like a guardian door god, he stood alone at the cave entrance, battling the cultists trying to rush