Even before Zhu Qian led his men into the thick of the melee, Prince Xin's Army was already showing signs of defeat.
Jiang Silin was not exactly conceited, but the several groups he had dispatched to the border had all sent back the same news in succession: "Emperor Mingze has disappeared within Beiming Territory"-
He did not believe that several groups of subordinates, none aware of the others' existence, could all betray him at once, so he had believed the news, which to him had been a delightful surprise.
Confidently, he had divided his men into several detachments, intending to bring Jiang Yanchuan's Imperial Harem entirely under his control. Inevitably, this had greatly dispersed the forces attacking Chongyun Hall. Now, with traitors mixed into their ranks as well, their morale crumbled...
The instant the soldiers' earth-shaking battle cries rang out, half of Prince Xin's Army could not help trembling.
Jiang Silin raised his longsword and wiped the blood from it on his cuff. His sinister gaze remained fixed on Jiang Yanchuan opposite him. The figures constantly moving around him and the clamor seemed to stop at that moment, leaving Jiang Yanchuan as the only figure between heaven and earth.
After a long moment, the two seized their opening almost simultaneously. Their toes pushed off the ground, and in the next instant, both figures rushed at each other at tremendous speed, swords raised!
After a crisp clang, the black and silver figures darted off in different directions, then turned to face each other.
Pan Jifeng's heart leaped into his throat. His gaze remained locked on the figure in black, and "Your Highness-" slipped from his lips. Yet before he could finish, he suddenly let out a shrill scream-
"Aah!!"
A surge of excruciating pain came from his right arm.
Pan Jifeng