Chapter 43: The Crisis of the Arrow Rain

As the slanted sunlight cast its warm glow, a carriage carrying the princess moved slowly along the official road near the outskirts of the capital. Surrounded by a tight escort of guards, the procession passed through a sparsely populated landscape. The princess was traveling incognito this time, with the sole purpose of quietly inspecting several villages plagued by famine, understanding the hardships of the common people, and laying the groundwork for her upcoming relief initiatives. Li Chuan accompanied her closely, sharing the responsibility of security with the captain of the guards.

"Li Chuan, you tell me—with the imperial court now weakened and our granaries empty, what fraction of a chance do we truly have to stabilize the situation?" The princess lifted the carriage curtain, her brow knitted with worry.

Riding alongside the horse, Li Chuan offered a faint, reassuring smile. "Your Highness, the hearts of the people are the decisive factor. The common folk need to see hope. As long as Your Highness adheres firmly to benevolent governance, the tide can ultimately be turned."

The princess nodded softly, remaining silent as she slowly let the curtain fall, lost in deep contemplation.

It was not until the procession advanced into a narrow stretch of mountain forest that an eerie stillness suddenly descended. A strange, menacing murderous intent drifted faintly on the breeze. Li Chuan's gaze sharpened; his hand rested instantly on the hilt of the long saber at his waist. He lowered his voice, warning, "Increase vigilance! Something is wrong here!"

Before his voice had even faded, the piercing, shrill twang of a bowstring resounded through the woods.

"An ambush!"

Prompted by Li Chuan's shouted warning, several sharp arrows tore through the air, heading straight for the carriage!

The guards reacted swiftly, drawing their sabers to shield the carriage body, but they were too late to intercept every projectile. One lethal arrow flew directly toward the spot where the princess sat inside. At that perilous split second, Li Chuan vaulted from his horse, lunging desperately into the trajectory of the arrow to block it with his own body!

*Thud!*

The arrow pierced his shoulder, and blood instantly stained his clothes crimson. Though his body wavered slightly from the agonizing pain, he gritted his teeth and refused to fall. Standing firmly before the carriage, he roared, "Protect Her Highness! Engage the enemy!"

The number of ambushed assassins far exceeded expectations. More than a dozen figures dressed in black leaped out from the forest, brandishing blades as they charged directly at the carriage. The guards quickly closed ranks, encircling the princess's carriage to form a protective barrier as they clashed fiercely with the assassins.

"Li Chuan! You are wounded!" The princess's anxious voice rang out from inside the carriage.

"Do not panic, Your Highness! Your servant can still hold on!" Enduring the searing pain, Li Chuan swung his saber to parry a sneak attack from an assassin, deflected the enemy's weapon with a backhand strike, and then kicked the assailant off the road with a powerful blow.

"Protect Her Highness! Do not let the assassins near the carriage!" Roaring in anger, Li Chuan swung his arm and charged at another assassin rushing toward him. Although his movements were slightly sluggish due to the wound in his shoulder, his keen combat instincts and extraordinary courage allowed him to force two enemies back.

Yet, the assassins were numerous, clearly elite, cold-blooded killers who had undergone rigorous training. Their objective was singular and unwavering: they kept their sights locked squarely on the princess inside the carriage. Taking advantage of a moment when the guards were distracted, one assassin slipped around to the rear of the carriage, attempting to sever the axle and render the vehicle immobile.

"In your dreams!" With a fierce glare, Li Chuan snatched a dagger from his belt and hurled it with pinpoint accuracy. The blade flashed coldly through the air, burying itself deep into the assassin's wrist.

"Aargh!" The assassin shrieked in agony as his weapon dropped to the ground, only to be instantly cut down by a guard who rushed up behind him.

Seeing the overwhelming force of the assassins driving the guards into a defensive disadvantage, Li Chuan rapidly assessed the situation and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Listen up, everyone! Cover Her Highness's retreat!"

"No!" The princess suddenly threw open the carriage curtain, her voice cold and resolute. "We cannot abandon you all! If I were to forsake the lives of everyone here today, how could those common folk who follow me ever willingly lay down their lives for my cause?"

"Your Highness!" Li Chuan urged desperately, "The assassins are ferocious. If any harm comes to you, this servant would die a thousand deaths and still not make amends!"

The princess's eyes burned with determination. "Li Chuan, I believe you can help me fight our way out!"

Li Chuan was momentarily stunned, and then a surge of hot blood rushed to his heart. With a fierce sweep of his blade, he shattered the weapon of an approaching enemy and declared in a deep, resolute voice, "Understood! This servant will ensure Your Highness's safety!"

Confronted by the encircling assassins, Li Chuan swiftly regained his calm and scanned his surroundings, a flash of insight crossing his eyes. He spotted a hidden path winding through the forest to the left. Although the terrain was rugged and complicated, it might just offer a chance to break through the siege.

"Your Highness, that path may lead us out, but our numbers are too few; we must create a diversion to scatter the enemy's attention," Li Chuan whispered to the captain of the guards.

The guard captain nodded. "We will stay and hold the rear. You take Her Highness and go!"

Gritting his teeth, Li Chuan said, "In this life-or-death moment, everyone must be careful! Your Highness, stay close to me!"

The princess nodded. "Rest assured, I will not hold you back."

...

With that, Li Chuan issued a command, and the guards dispersed to draw the enemy's fire while he shielded the princess as she retreated toward the narrow path.

Realizing their intent, the assassins quickly shifted their targets, several of them turning to pursue the princess. With cold determination in his eyes, Li Chuan spun around and swung his blade, hacking the foremost enemy down to the earth, before trudging onward despite his heavily bleeding and stiffening body.

"Li Chuan!" The princess looked back, her eyes filled with dismay as she saw that the blood from his shoulder had soaked entirely through his garments. "If you cannot hold on any longer, let me take the lead!"

Li Chuan shook his head stubbornly. "Your Highness, you are the future ruler of the Great Liang. If the slightest mishap befalls you, how could I ever face the common people? Even if this servant dies, I must escort you to safety!"

Before his voice had even faded, another assassin closed in. Li Chuan pivoted sharply, narrowly dodging a descending blade, and capitalized on the enemy's momentary exposure to thrust his saber through the man's throat, felling him instantly.

Amidst continuous skirmishing along the trail, the princess and Li Chuan finally broke through the ring of assassins and emerged temporarily into an open clearing. However, the remaining assassins refused to give up, continuing their relentless pursuit.

Leaning heavily against a massive tree, Li Chuan breathed in ragged, heaving gasps, his face drained of color from the agonizing pain of his wound.

"Li Chuan, how are you holding up?" The princess rushed to his side, pressing her personal handkerchief against his wound, her voice laced with unconcealed distress.

"This servant... is fine," Li Chuan forced a weak smile. "Just a minor injury; I can manage."

A complex emotion flickered in the princess's eyes as she murmured softly, "Li Chuan, if not for you, I am afraid today..."

Li Chuan waved a hand dismissively. "Your Highness, no more words are needed. This is simply my duty."

Gazing at him, the princess spoke with solemn gravity, "Li Chuan, for such steadfast loyalty to me, I have no adequate way to repay you. But please remember, no matter what happens in the future, I will never forget your kindness."

Li Chuan was taken aback for a moment before laughing softly, "If Your Highness can secure peace and stability for the people, that will be the greatest reward you could ever bestow upon this servant."

The two exchanged a gentle smile. Despite the perilous circumstances enveloping them, the atmosphere felt imbued with a sudden warmth.

No sooner had Li Chuan and the princess momentarily shaken off their pursuers than low, heavy footsteps echoed once again by their ears. Faint murmurs drifted through the dense woods; the assassins had regrouped and were cautiously closing in on the pair.

"Your Highness, we must keep moving; we cannot linger here," Li Chuan pressed a hand tightly against his shoulder wound in an attempt to stem the steady flow of blood, though his complexion grew paler by the second.

The princess looked at him, her eyes brimming with anxiety. "Li Chuan, you have reached your limit. If this continues..."

"My life is of little consequence, but Your Highness's safety is what matters above all else." Li Chuan forced himself to stand straight, positioning his body to shield the princess behind him. "Run!"

They pressed deeper into the heart of the forest. The woods grew increasingly dim and shadowy, and the path beneath their feet became nearly indistinguishable. Li Chuan remained constantly alert to every movement around them. He sensed the assassins drawing closer by the moment, turning their situation increasingly critical.

"Your Highness, this servant fears I no longer have the strength to escort you further. You should go on ahead; I will hold the rear."

"No!" the princess refused flatly, her tone unyielding. "If you die here, how could I possibly go on living alone?"

"Your Highness!" Li Chuan urged with desperate urgency. "This is no time for misplaced sentiment! Every moment I can stall them buys you another chance at survival!"

Looking at him, complex emotions swirled within the princess's gaze. She bit her lip and declared, "Li Chuan, I will never abandon you! If you wish me to leave, we go together!"

As the words left her lips, several assassins leaped out from the thicket, a web of flashing blades and steel instantly trapping the two of them.

Li Chuan roared and charged forward with his saber raised. Though his movements showed signs of exhaustion, his strikes remained fierce and his blade flashed like lightning, felling an assassin lunging toward the princess with a single blow. Seizing the opportunity, another attacker ambushed him from the flank. Li Chuan spun around violently, the sudden motion tearing open his shoulder wound anew as a fresh burst of blood sprayed forth. Yet, he maintained a death grip on his weapon, raising his blade horizontally to block the assault.

"Li Chuan!" the princess cried out involuntarily. She tried to step forward to aid him, but he stopped her with a stern shout, "Your Highness, fall back immediately!"

The princess gritted her teeth, her expression a mix of fury and helplessness. Gazing at Li Chuan's broad back, she seemed to understand something profound in that very instant. This man was using his own life to shield her from every conceivable danger, offering his loyalty without reservation or regret.

*I will never let you die in vain!* The princess resolved silently within her heart. Picking up a stout branch from the ground, she stepped resolutely to Li Chuan's side. "If we are to die today, I will die with you!"

"Your Highness..." Hearing this, a flash of profound shock crossed Li Chuan's eyes, quickly giving way to a deep, stirring wave of emotion. But there was no time for words as the assassins closed in for another wave of attacks. Gritting his teeth, he threw himself back into the fray.

Just as Li Chuan was locked in desperate combat, the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed from afar. Moments later, dozens of cavalrymen charged into the grove, led by none other than the captain of the guards. They plunged instantly into the battle, engaging the assassins and turning the tide in a single stroke.

"Your Highness! Li Chuan!" the guard captain shouted, spurring his horse right up to the two of them.

Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Li Chuan finally allowed himself a brief moment of relief. Though his physical strength was depleted to its absolute edge, he forced himself to remain standing upright. Turning back toward the princess, his eyes were filled with apology. "This servant is incompetent and has allowed Your Highness to be frightened."

The princess shook her head, her voice trembling slightly. "Li Chuan, you are the one who saved me; you bear no fault whatsoever."

Under the overwhelming suppression of the cavalry, the assassins were swiftly routed. Most were captured, while only a handful managed to scatter and flee. The guard captain ordered the prisoners bound and hauled back to the capital for interrogation. The princess issued a direct decree: "Ensure that the names of the masterminds behind this are wrenched from their lips by whatever means necessary!"

As night fell, Li Chuan and the princess were escorted back to the official guesthouse in the capital. Li Chuan's wounds received prompt medical attention, though he remained visibly weakened.

"You need to rest now," the princess said softly, sitting by the edge of his bed.

"This servant is fine." Li Chuan looked at the princess, hesitated for a fraction of a second, and then spoke in a low voice, "Your Highness, regarding today's battle, there is one matter I do not understand. Those assassins possessed fine equipment and rigorous training—they were by no means ordinary bandits. Who on earth could have sent them?"

The princess's expression instantly darkened. Slowly, she replied, "These men were not acting in isolation. There is indeed someone pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"Who?" Li Chuan's gaze narrowed.

The princess remained silent for a long moment before finally whispering, "The mastermind is most likely a powerful official within the imperial court."

Li Chuan was deeply shocked. "Someone within the court actually intends to bring harm upon Your Highness? How could such a thing—"

"Precisely because of this, I am forced to tread with the utmost caution," the princess said, a trace of melancholy chilling her gaze. "Do you truly believe I willingly submit to compromise within the treacherous struggles of the palace? Were it not for the future of Great Liang and the safety of countless common folk, I would long ago have cast off these heavy burdens."

Gazing at her, Li Chuan felt deeply moved. He had once assumed the princess was merely a pampered lady of the royal family, but today's trials had revealed the forbearance and steel fortitude hidden beneath her exterior.

"Your Highness..." Li Chuan said solemnly, "No matter how perilous the road ahead may be, this servant vows to follow you to the death!"

The princess raised her head, looking at him with complex emotions in her eyes. Her lips quivered slightly before dissolving into a soft sigh. "Li Chuan, it is only with you here that I feel I can keep going."

Early the next morning, the results of the interrogation arrived. The assassins had confessed, implicating a prominent noble figure in the capital—a trusted confidant of the reigning Prime Minister. The Prime Minister had long been at odds with the princess, and this plot was clearly engineered to undermine her reputation and sow chaos.

The princess's hands trembled slightly as she clutched the confession document. Her voice turned icy. "Since he has acted without benevolence, do not blame me for casting aside righteousness!"

"What are Your Highness's intentions?" Li Chuan asked.

The princess's gaze hardened with resolve. "We shall remain outwardly calm for now. I must first stabilize the situation before seeking an opportunity to strike back."

Li Chuan nodded. "This servant will certainly assist Your Highness in turning the tide, step by step."

"Li Chuan," the princess suddenly called out his name, her voice carrying a trace of uncharacteristic tenderness. "You are the person I trust most. I hope you will always stand by my side."

Li Chuan froze for a beat before offering a faint, gentle smile. "This servant has no regrets following Your Highness in this lifetime."

The two exchanged a smile, their mutual trust growing deeper still. A storm was fast approaching, but their hearts were now firmer and more resolute than ever before.