Without outside interference, Wenwu wouldn't have given those arrows a second thought. But for Phyllis's sake, he abandoned Amia to rush to her aid. If Phyllis got hurt, it would betray his original purpose of stopping the duke.

Wenwu swiftly moved behind Phyllis. One arm wrapped around her slender waist; the other swung Jade Star through the air. A powerful gust erupted from its power, sweeping the unbalanced arrows to the ground.

"Miss Phyllis, please avoid such dangerous acts in the future. If you're hurt because of me, I'd never forgive myself."

After the crisis, Wenwu said this with a calm smile. He then turned and walked toward Amia.

"Now, you'll pay for what you've done!"

Wenwu seethed at the sight of her.

"Do you really think you've won like this?"

"Oh? Bring out whatever tricks you have left."

Wenwu stood fearless, brimming with confidence.

"Any other tricks? If not, don't blame me—"

His words cut off as sharp pain shot through his back.

After a brief shock, Wenwu guessed the culprit. He slowly turned to Phyllis and demanded, "Why?"

"Wenwu... I'm sorry. They said you're an imperial fugitive. They showed me the wanted poster. Amia promised that if I did this, I wouldn't have to marry Harvey. Wenwu... I'm sorry... I know you're not that person... but... but..."

Phyllis knelt, covering her face and sobbing.

Seeing her like this, Wenwu swallowed his rebuke. In a way, Phyllis had done nothing wrong—neither for herself nor duty.

"Hahaha, dear Wenwu! So confident moments ago? How does betrayal feel? That dagger Phyllis used? My custom poisoned one. Victims die within ten minutes. And she's enchanted—immune to harm, be it Duke Alessandro's whip or arrows."

Amia gloated as Wenwu took the bait.

Betrayed from behind? Wenwu had felt this before. This time, he stayed calm. "Every man for himself"—just human nature.

"Impressive, Wenwu. Still standing after so long? Ordinary people pass out instantly from that poison."

"Poisoned? Who told you that?"

"Tsk tsk, Wenwu. Bluffing now is pointless."

"My Mountain looks like a giant sword, but its true power is defense, not offense. Phyllis did stab me—I felt it. But Mountain's ability blocked the injury. Pain without harm. Clear enough?"

Wenwu yanked the dagger from his back and tossed it at Amia's feet. Not a trace of blood stained it.

Harvey's duel challenge. The duke's insults to lure me out. The pre-set teleportation magic. Phyllis stopping me earlier wasn't for rerouting—it bought the Four Spirit Guards casting time. Her arrow-shielding act lowered my guard. All leading to that backstab.

A solid plan. Using Phyllis for the final blow? Wenwu never saw that coming.

"What a pity, Amia."

Wenwu smiled.

Amia clenched her teeth. Such a perfect scheme ruined by ignorance of Mountain's power. She couldn't accept it.

"Mountain, lend a hand."

Sword Spirit and master shared a bond; Mountain knew Wenwu's intent.

"You got it!"

Earthen walls sprang around Amia, then snapped shut. Only her head remained free, immobilized.

"Mountain, take her. Let's go."

"Got it."

Mountain shifted to his burly form, hoisted Amia onto his shoulder, and followed Wenwu.

Wenwu considered taking Phyllis—he didn't know the way to Sor City. But safety first. Who knew Amia's backup tricks?

Jade Star's speed boost made Wenwu swift. He hadn't expected Mountain, a giant in a frilly dress, to keep pace running—not flying like other Sword Spirits. Wenwu lacked courage to look back at that sight.

Meanwhile, in Sor City.

"Harvey, what's happening? Phyllis should've teleported back by now."

Duke Alessandro worried as Phyllis didn't return.

"This... I'm not sure..."

Harvey struggled to explain. Amia handled the teleportation array; he was just a pawn. With Wenwu taking her, Phyllis couldn't return.

"You promised Phyllis would be safe before I agreed. If she's harmed, I won't spare you."

Duke Alessandro grabbed Harvey's collar.

"Uncle Alessandro, relax. Phyllis has protective magic—she can't be hurt. The Four Spirit Guards are with her."

Harvey soothed the agitated duke, though he doubted his own words.

After endless running, Wenwu stopped. He sheathed Jade Star and pulled the gag from Amia's mouth—she'd talked nonstop.

"Speak. What other plans do you have?"

"Hmph."

Amia stayed silent.

"Mountain, free her. Then bind her like this..."

"Yes, master."

Mountain laid Amia flat, shattered the stone casing, and replaced it with three earthen rings pinning her hands and neck to the ground.

"Hey, pervert! What are you doing? No! You're going to... Stop... Don't!"