19: Chapter 19 Cao Yun is wounded by an arrow!

Wang Tu did not take Zhao Zilong seriously, underestimating him to some extent.

Zhao Zilong's battle intent flared up, and he treated the fight with great seriousness.

The Shaolin Saber Technique was grand and sweeping, every slash and every move carrying immense power. Although Zhao Zilong could not fully unleash its potential yet, under his focused concentration, it was still not to be underestimated.

Zhao Zilong retreated as he fought, partly due to the combat itself and partly on purpose; he was leading Wang Tu toward a corner to draw everyone's attention.

Seeing Zhao Zilong being constantly forced back by Wang Tu, Cao Yun and Jin Rong were very excited. The two even stepped out of the ruined temple and came to the entrance.

Clang!

Zhao Zilong retreated to the wall and could go no further. A trace of cold, grim intent surfaced in Wang Tu's eyes.

"Zhao Zilong, let's see how you retreat now?"

Wang Tu shouted loudly and slashed his blade toward Zhao Zilong's head. If this hit, Zhao Zilong would definitely be split in two.

Zhao Zilong's gaze sharpened, and the blood and qi throughout his body surged like a rushing river, pouring into his waist. The next moment, just as the blade was about to strike his head, Zhao Zilong narrowly avoided it. Wang Tu's blade struck the wall, sinking deep into it.

Wang Tu immediately tried to pull the blade out to strike at Zhao Zilong again, but Zhao Zilong's attack arrived in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Zilong swung his blade horizontally, aimed straight for Wang Tu's neck. This strike was heavy and powerful, giving Wang Tu quite a scare.

At this moment, it was far too late to pull the blade back to parry; his head would likely be lopped off. Wang Tu had no choice but to abandon his blade and dodge backward.

Wang Tu narrowly avoided Zhao Zilong's slash and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, though his heart was filled with rage.

As a dignified Second-Grade Martial Artist, he had nearly lost his life to a First-Grade Martial Artist. He was beyond furious.

However, before he could do anything, Zhao Zilong, holding his blade, pressed the attack.

The large blade rained down frantically upon Wang Tu's body.

Wang Tu was skilled with the blade but mediocre in hand-to-hand combat. Moreover, Zhao Zilong's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and he was actually being suppressed by Zhao Zilong.

Standing at the entrance of the ruined temple, Cao Yun and Jin Rong were somewhat dazed as they watched this scene.

"Young Master Cao, Wang Tu doesn't seem to be able to beat Zhao Lao Si. What should we do?"

Jin Rong's voice was a bit nervous. If Zhao Zilong managed to deal with Wang Tu, they would be in danger.

Cao Yun's face darkened. Wang Tu being no match for Zhao Zilong was something he hadn't expected.

Although Wang Tu could still hold on for now, without a blade, he probably wouldn't last much longer.

"Give Wang Tu a blade!"

Cao Yun barked angrily. Only then did the other five men react; they had been somewhat frightened just now.

One of them was about to throw a blade to Wang Tu when suddenly, a battle cry rang out from the top of the wall.

Cao Yun and Jin Rong were startled to see several figures leaping over the walls on both sides of the ruined temple, quickly charging toward them.

"Stop them!"

Cao Yun was panicked, but not so much that he was at a loss. He shouted and ran toward the interior of the temple.

He knew these people must be Zhao Zilong's helpers. As long as he used Zhao Xiaotian as a threat, he would be fine.

"Argh!"

Just as one of Cao Yun's feet crossed the threshold, he let out a miserable scream and tumbled forward into the temple.

A sharp arrow was lodged in his right calf.

Cao Yun clutched his leg and rolled on the ground, screaming in agony.

Jin Rong's legs went weak with fear, and she just stared at Cao Yun, momentarily at a loss.

"Dammit, what are you still standing there for? Hurry and take Zhao Xiaotian hostage, or we'll all die!"

Cao Yun endured the pain and shouted furiously.

"Oh."

Snapped out of it by Cao Yun's shouting, Jin Rong ran toward the back of the temple.

"Swoosh!"

"Argh!"

A sharp arrow shot through the air like a meteor, also striking Jin Rong's calf. She instantly collapsed, screaming in pain.

Several guards rushed to Cao Yun and Jin Rong, surrounding them and placing blades against their necks.

In the courtyard of the ruined temple, the other five men were all lying on the ground, already corpses.

Due to the guards' intervention, Wang Tu was also heavily wounded. Finally, Zhao Zilong's blade slashed through his skull, and he died a gruesome death.

Xu Wei had already leaped into the courtyard and was walking toward Cao Yun and Jin Rong.

Zhao Zilong also walked toward the temple. He was very glad he had withstood Wang Tu's attacks and held out for so long; otherwise, rescuing Zhao Xiaotian tonight would definitely not have gone so smoothly.

Upon reaching the temple entrance, Zhao Xiaotian, who had been untied by a guard, threw himself into Zhao Zilong's arms.

"Dad, Xiaotian thought I was going to die and would never see you again in this life, waah..."

Zhao Xiaotian burst into loud sobs.

Zhao Zilong held Zhao Xiaotian and stroked his head to comfort him. "Don't be afraid, Xiaotian. Dad is here. No one can hurt you."

"Dad, Xiaotian isn't afraid of dying. Xiaotian is only afraid of dragging you down and never seeing you again, waah..."

"Mr. Zhao, how should we deal with these two Rebels?"

Xu Wei asked; he did not recognize Cao Yun.

Zhao Zilong looked at Cao Yun and Jin Rong. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but after a while, he said with resolve, "Kill them."

"Alright."

Princess Zhu Yunxi had instructed that everything in today's operation should follow Zhao Zilong's lead. Xu Wei did not hesitate and prepared to order the execution of Cao Yun and Jin Rong.

The guards raised their blades to strike.

Cao Yun and Jin Rong were scared out of their wits.

"My father is Cao Yuan, the County Lord of Qingyang County, and he is the Emperor's cousin, a member of the imperial family! If you dare to kill me, my father will not let you off!"

Cao Yun screamed.

"That's right, Young Master Cao is an imperial relative! If you dare to kill him, County Lord Cao will not let you off!"

Jin Rong echoed him.

The guards about to strike were stunned and couldn't help but look at Xu Wei.

Xu Wei frowned and looked at Cao Yun.

"Who did you say your father is?"

Xu Wei asked in surprise.

Cao Yun said, "My father is Cao Yuan, the Emperor's cousin."

Xu Wei didn't know whether to believe him or not, so he looked at Zhao Zilong. "Mr. Zhao, you are from Qingyang County. Do you recognize this man?"

Zhao Zilong was very displeased. He had reminded Xu Wei to bring bows in the hope that Xu Wei would find an opportunity to shoot Cao Yun dead. He hadn't expected Xu Wei to intentionally leave him alive.

In fact, Zhao Zilong had completely misunderstood Xu Wei. Xu Wei had truly wanted to shoot both Cao Yun and Jin Rong dead, but while he was skilled with a blade, he was not good with a bow. Thus, his shots had gone wide. Xu Wei felt somewhat embarrassed about this.

However, he naturally couldn't mention such a thing, or he would lose even more face.

After all, aiming for the heart and hitting the calf was too ridiculous a miss.

It would likely make people laugh their heads off.

Although Zhao Zilong was displeased, he knew this matter couldn't be hidden, so he could only tell the truth.

Hearing Xu Wei's question, he stepped forward, rubbed his eyes vigorously, and then put on a look of surprise.

"Oh, this really is the son of County Lord Cao, Banner Master Cao of the Fuzheng Division! Banner Master Cao, what is going on? It was clearly the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty who kidnapped my son, Zhao Xiaotian. How did it become you who captured him? Could it be that you have defected to the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty? Banner Master Cao, you are confused! You are an imperial relative; how could you defect to the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty? How can you face the Emperor? How can you face the Princess?"

"Does County Lord Cao know about this?"

Zhao Zilong's expression was a bit exaggerated, but this line of reasoning infuriated Cao Yun so much that he gnashed his teeth, wishing he could swallow Zhao Zilong alive.

When had he ever become a Remnant of the Previous Dynasty?

Also, Zhao Zilong, you were talking to us for so long before; did you not recognize me?

Why are you playing dumb now?

Zhao Lao Si, you are so damn devious!