CHAPTER 860: CHAPTER 705

Meng Qianqian sneered, "Do you really think the hostage from the Shang Family can still threaten me? Why don’t you ask your subordinates if the hostage is still in their hands?"

Ayimulan looked intently at Meng Qianqian.

After a moment, she curled her lips, "Are you referring to this eagle?"

With that, she clapped her hands.

A Loulan Guard entered holding a large birdcage.

When Meng Qianqian focused her gaze, who else could it be in the cage but her Hunting Eagle?

At the same time, a Hai Dongqing with more splendid and broader wings flew over, landing on Ayimulan’s shoulder.

One human, one eagle, commanding presence.

The Hunting Eagle, inside the cage, drooped its head in utter defeat.

Ayimulan said, "The tricks you used in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion won’t work here."

She was referring to Chen Long and Yu Zichuan’s rescue of Shang Wuyou and Shang Changle.

"In your words from the Central Plains, this is called ’repeating an old trick.’

Meng Qianqian looked at her coldly.

Suddenly, her ears twitched, detecting a murderous aura from all directions.

Looking toward Ayimulan and Mo Yi, their faces remained unchanged.

What is going on?

Could it be that the people from the Governor Mansion realized she was in danger and came looking for her?

However, Meng Qianqian quickly dismissed this guess.

For she saw Xun Wu.

Xun Wu led a group of masked assassins over the wall, landing in Ayimulan’s courtyard.

Though Xun Wu was masked, Meng Qianqian recognized him.

He wouldn’t act on his own; he must be following Duan Mingyue’s orders.

That made it even stranger.

Why would Duan Mingyue, without reason, assassinate the people of Loulan?

Does he hold a deep-seated grudge against the people of Loulan?

Or did the incident with Emperor Liang make him feel betrayed by the people of Loulan, prompting him to seek revenge?

No, that doesn’t suit Duan Mingyue’s character.

Duan Mingyue must have a reason to break ties with Loulan.

Yet, whatever the reason, going after Ayimulan is too bold.

Mo Yi led the Loulan Guards to confront Xun Wu’s group.

Meng Qianqian watched the battle between the two sides.

It was her first time seeing Xun Wu in action.

Previously, when they dispelled the witchcraft of the Loulan Witch in the old street, Xun Wu had followed them but didn’t fight.

Unexpectedly, Xun Wu’s martial arts were so formidable that he didn’t appear clumsy when exchanging blows with Mo Yi.

The people he brought were not ordinary guards but seemed like well-trained assassins.

Why would a businessman like Duan Mingyue train so many assassins?

Mo Yi was formidable.

In a one-on-one battle, he was stronger than Xun Wu.

But he couldn’t withstand Xun Wu’s large number of assassins and the military formation tactics used.

Mo Yi was temporarily trapped.

Meng Qianqian said to Ayimulan, "If your wizard doesn’t act soon, you and your guards fear you won’t make it back to Loulan."

Ayimulan remained calm, with no trace of panic in her eyes, "Then the hostage from the Shang Family won’t reach Great Zhou either."

Meng Qianqian clenched her fists.

Xun Wu swung his sword toward Ayimulan.

Ayimulan remained still, not even blinking, and calmly stared at Meng Qianqian.

Just as she was about to be split in two, Meng Qianqian flicked her fingers, shooting a silver needle to deflect Xun Wu’s sword.

Xun Wu somersaulted backward, landing steadily on one knee.

He then asked strangely, "Why did you stop me?"

Meng Qianqian stood in front of Ayimulan and said to Xun Wu, "I can’t let you kill her yet."

"Killing her is for your own good!"

Xun Wu gritted his teeth.

He knew Meng Qianqian recognized him, so he stopped concealing, "Do you know she intends to kill you? No, she will definitely kill you! The prophecy from Loulan isn’t just about the King of the Western Regions; there’s another prophecy that she will ultimately die at your hands!"

Meng Qianqian’s eyes flickered.

She hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.

Xun Wu pointed at Ayimulan, "No matter how eloquent she is, it’s just stalling for time. Only one of you can survive!"

Meng Qianqian paused, "Is Duan Mingyue doing this because of me, wanting to kill her?"

Xun Wu choked up.

His brother had instructed him to keep it a secret.

Did he give it away so quickly?

"Don’t concern yourself with my brother’s matters; in any case, I must take her life today!"

"Seize this opportunity while the Loulan Witch is suffering backlash and his witchcraft weakens. Now is the god-sent chance to kill her. Once the old man recovers his witchcraft, it will be difficult to kill her!"

"So that’s why I haven’t seen the witch,"

Meng Qianqian suddenly understood and paused before saying to Xun Wu, "But now, I can’t let her die."

"Why won’t you listen to reason?"

Xun Wu was nearly frantic.

If anyone else were blocking him, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill them all.

But it was his brother’s protégé.

He didn’t dare harm a single hair on her head...

He looked back at Mo Yi, who was surrounded by the Brave Shadow Guards, "The Trapping Battle Formation can’t hold Mo Yi for long, that guy is also a deadly weapon..."

Meng Qianqian resolutely said, "You all should leave. With me here, you can’t kill her."

"Everything my brother has done is for you. Today, my brother’s trump card has been exposed right under the Loulan people’s noses. Do you think the Loulan people will spare my brother? If you don’t kill her today, it’s not just you who will suffer, but also my brother!"

Originally intending to persuade Meng Qianqian, Xun Wu truly grasped the perilous situation of Duan Mingyue.

He couldn’t let Ayimulan return to Loulan alive.

Apart from Meng Qianqian, everyone who saw the Brave Shadow Guards today must be silenced!

"Forgive me, Little Yin Hu."

He gripped his sword with both hands, recklessly slashing toward Ayimulan.

Meng Qianqian kicked his wrist.

He shifted the sword to his other hand with agility.

Meng Qianqian had anticipated this, and her hand, wearing silver thread gloves, gripped his blade.

The two were at a stalemate.

"Opportunity knocks but once!"

"You all should leave first and give me two days."

"Not even a day!"

Xun Wu disengaged and launched a fierce attack, tangling with her again.

Ayimulan watched from the sidelines.

"Do you really think he will return the hostage to you?"

Xun Wu said.

Meng Qianqian replied, "I have my own plan."

Xun Wu struck with a sword, "Is your plan to trust her? To become her tool for coercion and execution?"

Meng Qianqian caught the blade, hinting, "If I were you, I’d quickly take everyone away to avoid regret."

Xun Wu retorted, "I’m not afraid of death."

Meng Qianqian countered, "Then are you not afraid of Duan Mingyue’s death?"

Xun Wu was stunned, "What do you mean?"

As she battled him, Meng Qianqian whispered, "You’ve taken everyone away. How many experts are left around Duan Mingyue?"

Xun Wu: "... My brother has Wenliang with him."

Meng Qianqian continued, "Where do you think the Loulan Witch went? Surely you don’t believe he’s recovering from injuries?"

Xun Wu: "He..."

Meng Qianqian: "He’s gone to kill Duan Mingyue."

Xun Wu was suddenly shaken.