"I didn't wound you, did I?" Wei Liuying asked with a sneer. "Also, who actually makes the first move is clear, isn't it? What's the purpose of me staying here if I know that all of you are going to kill me?"
"The treaty is still existing, Princess."
"Oh, really?" Wei Liuying didn't avert her eyes from the middle aged man as she spoke out. "Mo."
"Yes."
Shi Mo was originally standing by Wei Liuying's side. But when Wei Liuying was provoking the middle aged man, whom she didn't recognize but knew his status was high, Shi Mo moved to the pile of 'black rock' and dried grass.
The moment the order was said, a pouch was torn and Shi Mo started the fire on top of the pile of the black rock and the dried grass. Grey smoke mixed in red color immediately soared to the sky. It was as if a pillar was born in the middle of the dry lands.
"That's…"
Smoke signal.
It was hard to communicate with each other due to the distance, so several types of communication device were created. One of them was this smoke signal that would give different message according to the color. Shi Mo always carried the pouch and items to start fire with him in order to send the message.
Black and red smoke meant the treaty was broken and the princess got hurt.
When the message reached Han Shi Kingdom, it would undoubtedly start the war. From other places, similar smoke pillars were formed. Those travelers who roamed in the dry lands with no apparent destination were Prince Ji Sheng's people who have been assigned to give this message.
But of course, they could not use this message carelessly. The only reason why they chose to use this right now was because they have to be prepared for an all out war against Xiong Tribe.
Yang Xian wanted to use it back in Village K, but Wei Liuying had different plan. Since they still have the bird to communicate, she wanted to use this pillar right in front of their faces. That way, she would be able to give them the hardest blow.
The middle aged man looked at Wei Liuying with bulged vein. "Do you want to court death?"
"You're the one who wants to court death," Wei Liuying replied. "Assassination attempt to both the crown prince and also the princess of Han Shi Kingdom, what do you think the most suitable punishment would be?"
"You b*tch!"
Swish!
A soldier beside the middle aged man couldn't take it any longer and lunged forward. Wei Liuying stepped back right away, but the tip of the sword still hit her hands. Blood dripped on the ground.
Wei Liuying looked at the ground then at the middle aged man. "You should understand the consequences for breaking the treaty."
The middle aged man's face was pale. He planned to coax 'Princess Ji Xiaoli' and led her back, away from the eyes of the soldiers here. Not everyone here was on the second prince's side, so war would be inevitable if 'Princess Ji Xiaoli' were to get hurt.
And his idiotic subordinate had to be the one to make the move.
Now, there was no option to return.
"KILL HER!"
"Protect the princess!"
Shouts, screams, sound of metal clashing, and meat slashed filled the area almost immediately. No one was spared from the brutal war against one another. No one knew who the enemy nor friends was. All they knew was that they have to either protect or kill the princess.
Those who shout kill the princess would be killed by those who say protect the princess and vice versa.
It was chaos.
In the middle of everything, Wei Liuying stood still. Her white dress fluttered along with the wind generated by the fight around them, contrasted the gory figure. As dead bodies began to pile up, blood started to form pool below her.
Her eyes watched everything with indifference. It was as if everything that occurred didn't have any relation with her whatsoever. The fact that she was the one who instigated this cruel fight didn't deter her in the slightest bit.
"You B*tch! Do you really think that you can get away safely after you have created this mess?" the middle aged man roared angrily. "We'll never let you off. I'll kill you, chop your limbs, and mince your meat before giving it to the wolves."
Slash!
Wei Liuying looked at the middle aged man with hollow gaze as if she felt nothing from his threat. Her black eyes showed nothing but calm. The sword in her hand was rested firmly by her side as her small fingers were holding the handle tightly.
"Why don't you try?"
"Do you think that you can be protected by your guards? You're nothing more than a pampered princess who will…"
Slash!
In but a moment, Wei Liuying had arrived by the middle aged man's side. Her sword was swung in swift motion. The movement was light, yet the middle aged man could feel pain deep within his hand.
Fear filled his face. His body jumped to the back to evade her as his eyes watched the unfamiliar woman before him. That movement, that gaze, and that composure, the middle aged man felt as if he had seen a demon.
"You… you'll not survive! The one who's following the first prince have all left and died in the dry lands!"
"Do not fret, my husband will return with reinforcement soon," Wei Liuying replied unhurriedly. Her eyes were looking at the middle aged man without any emotion. "Do you really think I'm stupid enough to come here without any preparation?"
It was a lie. She didn't know where the first prince was after he run with his tail tucked on his back to the west. But even if it was a lie, she had to act as if it was the truth. This would be the only method for her to survive.
"You're lying," the middle aged man shouted in response.
"It's up to you whether to believe me or not," Wei Liuying replied. In that moment, she dashed forward and slashed her sword against the middle aged man.
Clang!
The middle aged man parried the attack as his eyes narrowed. The weight that Wei Liuying put on the sword didn't seem to be comparable with her body frame. His pupil dilated as he looked at Wei Liuying's direction.
"Who are you…?"