Chapter 630: Chapter 411: Loyalty to the End

Everyone tiptoed slowly backward, and it wasn’t until they had retreated about ten yards that they finally relaxed a bit and turned to hurry back.

Just as they neared the entrance, they heard the sound of weapons clashing from above. The Team Leader whispered, “Let’s cover our faces before we go out. After we exit, you few will lead fifty guards to escort the Lady away!”

The group used swords to cut pieces of cloth from the hems of their garments to cover their faces, and Ran Yan did the same.

Two people climbed up first, saw that those inside were still their own, and asked, “What’s happening outside?”

A Guard holding a torch answered anxiously, “A group of men in black came without warning, silent like lunatics, killing anyone they see. Our men are engaged in a fight with them, but those people are ferocious and seem to be assassins. We have more men, but they’re no match for them.”

The Team Leader climbed up and immediately ordered, “These people are out of their minds. All of you, escort the Lady to evacuate, but don’t make it too obvious. Let the Lady blend in and run out with you.”

Everyone agreed, even cutting cloth from their own garments to cover their faces. Ran Yan also gripped a knife and left the loft with more than thirty people.

In the courtyard, a dozen or so black-clad, masked men were battling with the guards. Those men’s sword strikes were lethal without a hint of superfluity, and the guards could not withstand them at all.

Ran Yan grieved for these lives, but she knew they were there to protect her, and staying would only result in more death. Without hesitation, she ran out through the main gate with the others.

The Team Leader rushed into the courtyard in the opposite direction, taking command of the fight. With his leadership, the guards were much more effective than they had been charging in headlong.

Seeing Ran Yan get out, the Team Leader immediately shouted, “Retreat!”

Upon his command, the guards began fighting even as they withdrew.

When they reached the entrance of the inn, they found that Ran Yan and the others were surrounded by more than twenty men in black.

Ran Yan locked eyes with the Team Leader, and, though uncertain if he could understand, she gave him a meaningful glance.

Fortunately, the Team Leader was sharp-witted. Seeing her signal, he guessed she was suggesting communication rather than fighting. However, faced with desperadoes who didn’t care for their own lives, the Team Leader was at a loss for words, afraid of giving away his intentions, he dared not look at Ran Yan again.

After a tense standoff, the Team Leader raised his voice, “Noble heroes, we are here on orders to find someone. Why block our path to life?”

The lead black-clad figure gave them a once-over and noted that killing everyone present would cause too much commotion. Assassins also weigh the pros and cons of their kills; a true assassin won’t attack just because someone rubs them the wrong way. So he asked, “Whose orders are you following?”

Ran Yan recognized the voice, which seemed like that of the “Second Master” from earlier.

“Junior Minister Sun Zhen has entrusted us with finding someone,” the Team Leader responded.

After a moment’s silence, the black figure scoffed, “Do you take us for fools? If Sun Zhen had this many men at his disposal, he wouldn’t let us have our way with him!”

The Team Leader quickly said, “We are from the Northern Forbidden Army Camp, helping Junior Minister Sun on a private mission to find someone. We have no intention of causing you any trouble. We have deserted against military orders and will not reveal a word of today’s events!”

The leading figure in black huffed coldly, still on guard with his sword, “I can’t believe that widower Sun Zhen has connections with the Forbidden Army Camp. Go report this and ask for instructions from the leader.”

Another black-clad person turned and ran towards another inn.

Ran Yan, thinking of the secret passage, worried they might be attacked from behind. She subtly shifted her position within the group to keep an eye on the rear.

After a long while, a cry of alarm suddenly came from there, “Ambush! Second Master, retreat!”

The lead black-clad man’s killing intent surged, and after giving them a fierce look, he decisively ordered, “Retreat!”

Like specters under the moonlight, the black-clad figures swiftly fled, but within a few steps, a barrage of arrows rained down from above.

The Team Leader, startled, yelled, “Get back inside the inn to avoid the arrows!”

Ran Yan and the guards retreated back into the inn, and once they closed the doors and windows, arrows thudded against the door frame. Some penetrated the Korean paper windows but, being from a distance, were easily deflected with swords.

There were no sounds of fighting outside, but every now and then a muffled groan was heard.

The arrow storm continued for the time it took to drink two cups of tea, and Ran Yan thought that even those with exceptional martial arts would have been turned into sieves by then.

Those inside dared not get too close to the doors and windows and backed away towards the back of the hall.

Quiet returned to the surroundings.