Before anyone could react, Nan Xun kicked the man away and deftly kept everyone else from getting close. They came to the realization that this mission wouldn’t be a simple one.

Nan Xun clearly had the upper hand, but Jun Huang couldn’t stop herself from worrying for him. A mere spectator might find the battle thrilling. Jun Huang, however, noticed only how close the blades were to Nan Xun. Soon, her hair was drenched with sweat.

Suddenly, there was rustling behind her. She whirled around and saw a pair of dark, focused eyes. She tried to run, but the man easily caught her by her wrist and pulled her close, putting a dagger to her throat to stop her from struggling.

“Halt, or she dies,” the man croaked, his grating voice echoed in the woods.

Nan Xun couldn’t keep his calm when he saw the dagger...