"Get out of my way!"

Liu Su couldn't understand Aya's reply, but he was running out of time. At a moment like this, he would not welcome anyone who stood between his gun and Wu Shengchen. His figure once again blurred as he accelerated rapidly, attempting to bypass Aya.

In his line of sight, only Wu Shengchen remained behind Aya. Liu Su thrust his gun forward. If it hit, this shot could tear a gaping hole in Wu Shengchen's chest and abdomen. Wu Shengchen was just an ordinary person, without practicing any immortal techniques, leading to a certain death for him.

"Sorry, this path is blocked!"

One had to admit that Liu Su's speed after taking the medicine was astonishing. Aya barely managed to keep up, but without unlocking the Qi scales for acceleration, even the first collision they had couldn't be stopped. It was hard to imagine what kind of outrageous drug that was; it was practically a must for assassination.

Of course, even though the Qi scales had not yet recovered, Aya had a plan.

"Damn, the price I'm paying for this is too high, isn't it? I have no personal relationship with him, so why do I have to block a blade for this old man!"

With a determined bite of the teeth, Aya forcibly shifted her body sideways and threw another punch. However, this punch was just a feint. As Liu Su moved the gun tip to avoid it and aimed directly at Wu Shengchen, Aya thrust her shoulder forward instead.

If a fist was a "point," Liu Su could still evade it at high speed. But with the entire shoulder blocking the way, there was no time to dodge.

"If you don't want to live, I'll pierce you along with him!"

Infuriated, Liu Su exerted even more force, thrusting the long spear forward in an attempt at a sugar-coated haw slice. Yes, even with a human shield, a normal person definitely couldn't stop this strike.

Unfortunately, Aya was not a normal person, or even human.

The spear tip pierced into flesh, creating a grating sound as it scraped against bones. Then it encountered a huge resistance. The sensation was not like piercing through flesh; it was more like drilling through golden crystal. Liu Su almost watched in horror as the gun came to a sudden stop after piercing Aya's shoulder.

When he couldn't push any further, the distance between Aya and him was minimal. He could clearly see a bead of sweat rolling down Aya's cheek, a slightly distorted expression, and smell a strange fragrance.

"I've caught you! Now, you can't use your speed, can you?" Aya, though pretending to stay calm for appearances, was actually in so much pain that speaking became difficult. Through gritted teeth, she managed to spit out each word, threatening fiercely.

The gun was stuck between Aya's bones, unable to move. The dragon bones were so hard that not just any weapon could leave a mark. Exhausted, Liu Su, whose momentum had already dissipated, became even more immobilized.

"Goodbye then!"

With one hand gripping the gun barrel and the other forming a tight fist, Aya unreservedly delivered a punch to Liu Su's chest, sending him flying.

As he flew backwards, with his almost powerless mind, Liu Su's final image was of the person he last saw. Who is this person? Why would a mere woman have the courage and audacity to block his sudden strike with her body... and her scent... so sweet...

...If Aya had heard his thoughts, she probably couldn’t resist chasing after him to land more punches.

He didn't have the opportunity to ponder further. The moment he hit the ground, a sharp pain in the back of his head was accompanied by a sudden dissipation of consciousness.

"Phew..."

Aya maintained her fist position for a while, until Jojo jumped in through the window she had smashed earlier.

"Aya, are you okay? Why did you stop moving? Did you get stabbed to death?"

"You...ugh, ugh, ugh...hurts so much..."

Aya dared not even breathe loudly, whispering through pained breaths. Although she had predicted that his attack wouldn't cause her severe harm, it still hurt greatly.

The sudden appearance of Aya and Jojo caused a bit of confusion among the court officials, but soon several officials who were acquainted with the Minister of Foreign Affairs recognized Jojo. After explaining a few words to their colleagues, everyone gradually calmed down.

At this moment, outside the grand hall, there were rhythmic and orderly footsteps and the sound of metal friction. The imperial guards lined up under the steps of the hall, with a military officer at the forefront striding up the steps into the hall. Upon seeing the six bodies of the golden-armored palace guards on the ground and Liu Susong being sent flying by Aya's final punch, his face turned pale, and he immediately knelt down before the already rising Wu Shengchen.

"I am late, and I deserve to die!" he said.

Wu Shengchen's face showed no joy or anger as he waved his hand calmly, then looked at the restless court officials on both sides due to the attack of Liu Su, saying, "You are the pillars of our dynasty. How can you lose composure because of an assassin?"

"Exactly as the Prime Minister says."

Someone in the crowd responded, and gradually, order was restored.

"Well, let's keep quiet about today's events for now. We will discuss the topics at another time. Please go back," Wu Shengchen said as he dismissed the officials and gestured to the kneeling leader of the imperial guards.

Understanding the signal, the leader stood up and left the hall. The guards immediately dispersed, with more guards converging from all directions of the imperial city, most heading towards the bedridden emperor's palace, forming layers of protection inside and out.

As the people in the hall gradually dispersed, only the bodies on the ground, the solemn Wu Shengchen standing aside, and Aya and Jojo, unsure how to react without any instructions from Wu Shengchen, were left.

Outside the hall, the guards were still nervously deploying, but compared to the quietness inside the hall, the outside commotion seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier, distant but existing.

"Um... Lord Wu, are you... angry?" Jojo tentatively asked, unable to bear Wu Shengchen's silence.

"...It's only natural to be angry," Wu Shengchen said. "But if this little girl hadn't come, I, this old man, might have been stabbed by him. I can't blame you anymore."

"Oh, and this heroic lady, no need for many thanks. If you need my help, just say so, as long as it doesn't go against ancestral laws, I can still make some decisions."

After saying that, he saluted Aya.

"By the way, about your injury..."

Yes, Wu Shengchen understood Jojo's nature. Although it was out of line for her to sneak into the palace, it was something she could indeed do. Wu Shengchen was more concerned with the mysterious white-haired girl who intervened in stopping the assassin.

He decided to probe with words. Wu Shengchen had been in officialdom for decades and was confident in his judgment of people. Young talents like her were most likely disciples of some Taoist sect, not too complicated in their thinking. A few basic interactions should reveal more.

But when his gaze met her crimson eyes, Wu Shengchen froze.

What is going on? There was no response to his questions, no indication of emotions or words to convey.

He couldn't read anything at all?

Surprise filled Wu Shengchen's heart. Could it be that she was someone who could hide her inner emotions very well? He needed to reassess this situation.

"Um... are you talking to me?" Aya realized that the old man in front of her had been muttering something in East Land's language and staring at her without speaking after. She raised a hand and said, "I'm from the west and do not understand your language."

Puff!

Wu Shengchen felt like he was going to spit blood. It wasn't because he didn't realize it himself, but because the guy in front of him seemed to be naturally slow! Luckily, the Prime Minister was well-educated and knowledgeable. He had studied the common language of the Western Yi, so basic communication shouldn't be a problem. After understanding Aya's words, he awkwardly repeated what he had just said earlier.

Then he noticed that Aya's expression was a bit unhappy.

Huh? He had only said a few polite words just now, there shouldn't be anything offensive, right? Were there some customs of the Western Yi that he didn't know about?

"Firstly, don't worry about my injury, it's not a big deal."

Aya pulled the gun barrel out of his shoulder and threw it on the ground, then stared at Wu Shengchen, gritting his teeth. "Secondly, I am a man!"

It hurts so much, he regretted pretending to be cool!

"Wow! Blood, blood! Aya, you're bleeding!"

…

For various odd reasons, the three of them had a chaotic situation for a while after treating Aya's wound, and they returned to the original scene.

"Cough, anyway, let me sincerely express my gratitude once again." Wu Shengchen arched his hand.

"Um, no need to thank me?" Aya was not sure how to respond according to Eastern customs, so he could only respond with the way he learned from Tiran, "I just did a little trivial work."

Although in Aya's opinion, even if he didn't lend a hand, the old man seemed calm enough to deal with the assassin later. He naturally didn't refuse such a good opportunity to help.

"You are too modest… Oh, forgive me for being presumptuous, but I haven't asked for your name yet."

"Aya."

"Ah, Aya, I assume you had a reason for entering the imperial palace without permission? Although this violates the rules and regulations, since you helped, I am willing to believe that you are not a malicious person. If there is anything I can assist you with, please feel free to speak."

"Oh, that's right!"

Before Aya could make a request, Jojo interrupted.

The girl first looked around vigilantly, confirmed that the imperial guards were outside the hall, and then cautiously approached Wu Shengchen. "Grandpa Wu, um... my father shouldn't be here, right?"

"He's not."

Wu Shengchen's tone was somewhat helpless. Jojo was the daughter of his close friend, and he always treated her well. Even when interrupted, he could only smile apologetically at Aya. "Jojo, Stara is probably preparing for negotiations with the steppe people now. The news of Prince Xiang Ling breaking through the steppe cavalry has already reached Luojing. I believe that the steppe court envoys will come to seek peace soon. He must be very busy right now."

Implicitly suggesting, "Little ancestor, just let your father worry less."

"Phew, that's good…" Jojo breathed a sigh of relief, but suddenly lowered her voice and leaned in towards Wu Shengchen, "My father... seems to be secretly transporting weapons into the palace."

"!!!"