On one side was his junior brother, stripped of all Martial Arts; on the other was Baozhu, utterly defenseless. Even Wei Xun, who had always been quick to adapt and unflappable in danger, rarely encountered a predicament this thorny.
Pang Liangji had been kneeling on the ground for the ceremony. Hearing the hiss of concealed weapons, he had no time to rise and simply threw himself over the bride beside him. In the flash of a spark, Wei Xun and Huo Qilang flipped backward and kicked out, each snapping a wooden post supporting the Blue Tent. The entire tent collapsed, its thick hemp canvas covering the newlyweds beneath it and stopping most of the weapons.
That moment's delay left no room to maneuver where Baozhu was concerned. Wei Xun could only shield her with his own flesh. He lunged over, caught her in his arms, and rolled to the ground.
The upheaval came so abruptly that Baozhu had no idea what had happened. She only heard hissing fill the air and saw the Blue Tent collapse before her vision went dark and Wei Xun hurled her to the ground.
The tackle was fierce. His weight and momentum bore down on her at once, squeezing all the air from her chest. Baozhu could not breathe; her head roared, her mind blank. Fortunately, he realized immediately and arched his back, lifting his weight off her. Able to breathe again, Baozhu discovered that, hard as the fall had been, his iron arms had held her close, one hand supporting her neck and the back of her head, the other shielding her lower back. She was unhurt.
Baozhu's heart pounded. At the hollow of his neck, she caught a cool, clean scent, as crisp and clear as the air beneath forest trees after rain.