Chapter 3: A Beauty Like Jade, A Sword Like a Rainbow

The first time Ying Zhao saw Ji Ye, she was momentarily stunned. There was no other reason; he was simply too beautiful, as if he had been sculpted exactly according to her heart's desire, leaving her unable to look away.

Then, she suddenly remembered Ji Ye's fate in her dreams—

Disfigured and severely wounded, even after returning to the palace, he was forced to wear a mask to face the world.

Even worse, not only did he lack his biological father's affection, but even his biological mother, with whom he had relied on since childhood, grew to loathe him and ultimately betrayed him ruthlessly!

Given such a tragic ordeal, it was no wonder he later completely succumbed to darkness, becoming an iron-blooded tyrant whose fury could leave millions dead!

If she could prevent his descent into darkness, countless people could be spared a tragic death.

That was why the rewarded Merit Points were exceptionally high.

Ying Zhao had come here specifically for those Merit Points. However, seeing Ji Ye's appearance now, she found herself feeling a genuine desire to save him.

It would be such a pity if a beauty like this were to be disfigured.

Ying Zhao didn't have any ulterior motives, but since Ji Ye was this handsome, there was no harm in taking a few extra looks.

So, seeing Ji Ye surrounded and his situation growing increasingly dangerous, Ying Zhao hurriedly picked up her bow and arrows.

This bow had been handmade for her by her father; she had always loved it and maintained it with great care.

Having slept for a year before waking again, the bow's body was still oily and smooth, clearly having been maintained by someone else in her absence.

Ying Zhao guessed it was her brother, Changsheng, but now was clearly not the time to dwell on such things. She found her target and decisively released her arrow!

*Swish!*

The arrow flew out, instantly piercing the neck of an assassin.

"Not good! Everyone, watch out! Someone is firing hidden arrows!"

*Swish!*

Ying Zhao decisively fired another arrow, but unfortunately, the assassins were already on guard, and the arrow was knocked down by a sword strike.

Just as Ying Zhao was feeling regretful, she suddenly saw Ji Ye take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, piercing an assassin with his sword.

"Ah!"

Seeing the assassin collapse in pain, Ying Zhao decisively began to coordinate her attacks with Ji Ye.

Though it was their first time meeting, they shared a strange, inexplicable synergy. Through their cooperation, they quickly dealt with the remaining assassins.

Ying Zhao could tell that Ji Ye's swordsmanship was quite excellent; she suspected that if he hadn't been alone and without support, he wouldn't have been disfigured and wounded in her dreams.

However, the fact that he managed to escape despite such heavy injuries suggested that he must have killed all the assassins at the time, albeit at a great cost.

With her help now, Ji Ye was clearly much more at ease.

Yet, even after the assassins were dead, Ji Ye did not lower his guard. He watched Ying Zhao's hiding spot warily and spoke coldly, "Are you not coming out yet?"

Ying Zhao subconsciously felt for the remaining arrows in her quiver. There were twenty arrows in total, but now only two remained. Ji Ye's swordsmanship was superb; if he were to suddenly turn on her, she would be no match for him.

Thus, she decisively stepped out from her hiding place, her body trembling incessantly, putting on a pitiful appearance as if she had been greatly frightened: "Who... who are you? Why... why are they trying to kill you?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth—

【Detected successor of the "Phoenix Origin Art," unlocking "Phoenix Origin Art."】

【Detected residual toxins, please purchase "Basic Toxicology" and "Basic Alchemy" as soon as possible.】

Ying Zhao's heart skipped a beat: 【!!!】

Does it have to be this sudden!

This is too intense!

Ji Ye was not like Ying Changsheng or the Yu clan; if he sensed anything was amiss, a single mistake could cost her her life!

Ying Zhao struggled to control her expression, fearing Ji Ye would see through her.

Ji Ye watched the emerging Ying Zhao, his eyes as cold as ice scrutinizing her for a long time before he finally asked, "You do not know my identity?"

Ying Zhao played dumb: "I... should I know? I was just... just out hunting rabbits, who knew... who knew I would suddenly hear fighting over here...

I... I was worried they were bandits, so I... I crept over just to see clearly before going back to report it. I didn't expect... I didn't expect to see them trying to kill you.

They didn't look like good people, and I was afraid they would discover me, so I acted. You... you don't look like a bandit, so why... why are they trying to kill you?"

Ji Ye scrutinized Ying Zhao. Seeing her trembling slightly, dressed simply, and possessing an unremarkable appearance with dark, yellowish skin, she indeed looked like a youth from a farming family.

He then said, "There is no need to be nervous. I am not an evil man. I was traveling when I was targeted by a slave-trading gang that intended to kidnap and sell me into slavery.

When I resisted, I wounded their leader, and they have been hunting me ever since out of spite. Thank you for your righteous assistance just now, little brother; otherwise, I fear I might have met with misfortune."

Ying Zhao: "..." As expected of him!

He was even better at making things up than she was!

At that moment, Ji Ye added, "They have accomplices. You cannot leave these arrows here; you must take them back, otherwise, if their comrades find them, they will certainly not let you go."

Ying Zhao shuddered in fear: "Then... then what should I do? Will they... will they kill me? I don't want to be a slave!"

Her tone was panicked and urgent, as if she were terrified to death.

Ji Ye said, "Come over and take these arrows back. Act as if you were never here, and once you return, stay indoors and do not go out. Wait a month before you emerge again."

He was handsome and his tone was gentle; a jade-like, elegant young man could easily inspire goodwill in others.

However, Ying Zhao knew that this was all a facade. Since childhood, Ji Ye had lacked his biological father's love. At the age of five, he and his biological mother were sent to the State of Song as hostages.

The mother and son had lived like walking on thin ice in the State of Song for years, maneuvering carefully through countless schemes and assassinations, yet they had survived.

How could the Ji Ye before her be a gentle, harmless gentleman? He was a thorn growing amidst sharp rocks—not only covered in spikes but also carrying lethal poison.

One wrong move, and she would die under his blade just like those assassins.

Ying Zhao gritted her teeth and then walked over with a face full of tension.

She knew this was risky, but she had no choice. Ji Ye had just survived an assassination attempt; he would undoubtedly be extremely wary and on the verge of further darkening.

If she didn't go over, Ji Ye would know she was pretending. Not only would all her hard work be in vain, but Ji Ye would view her as an enemy and seek to eliminate her!

Though it was risky, Ji Ye was not yet the iron-blooded tyrant from her dreams. As long as she didn't attack him, he wouldn't be so deranged as to kill her directly.

In her dreams, when Su Qi and Su Xi encountered the disfigured and wounded Ji Ye, he hadn't killed them; instead, he had taken them to the capital.

Presumably, even though he had been brutally disfigured then, he had not yet fully succumbed to darkness. Since he wasn't disfigured now, his level of darkness should be even lower.

Ying Zhao felt she could take the gamble.

As she approached step by step, she suddenly smelled the scent of blood and a faint medicinal aroma coming from him.

A quick glance revealed several new wounds on his body that had not yet been treated.

Ying Zhao hesitated for a moment before deciding to gamble once more. She put on an expression of surprise and concern: "You're injured!"

Ji Ye instantly tightened his grip on his sword hilt and responded flatly, "Mhm. Slave traders are all mad desperados; they are ruthless, and I have indeed sustained some injuries."

Ying Zhao: "..." Don't think she didn't know—slave traders only use drugs to capture beauties; they wouldn't dare disfigure them!

She asked worriedly, "Are... are you alright? There are witch doctors in the county town; you could try going to them. However, hiring them comes at a high price, so you must be careful."

"I know."

As Ji Ye spoke softly, he suddenly caught a refreshing, faint fragrance emanating from Ying Zhao.

He instantly became alert, killing intent surfacing in his eyes as he prepared to strike!

Ying Zhao: *Take as many looks as I can while I have the chance!*

Ji Ye: *You dare imply I am a beauty!*

Later—

Ji Ye: "Zhao Zhao, who is more beautiful, I or Changsheng?"

(End of Chapter)