The King of Xiliang stared at the wooden box in Tantai Qingyue's hands. He thought for a moment, then signaled one of the imperial bodyguards beside him to go and bring it over.

The bodyguard came up to Tantai Qingyue and held out his hand. "Give me the box."

Tantai Qingyue handed it over.

The bodyguard carried the box to the King of Xiliang.

The King of Xiliang didn't touch it himself. He was worried there might be some hidden mechanism inside. If he opened the box and a poisoned arrow shot out, wouldn't that be the end of him?

He ordered the bodyguard, "Open it!"

The bodyguard obeyed and opened the box with great care.

There was no hidden mechanism in the box.

But what was inside made the King of Xiliang's head ring, and he froze where he stood.

The bodyguards around him all gaped.

Inside the box was a human head: the head of the crown prince.

At that very moment, Tantai Qingyue struck.

She shot toward the King of Xiliang like a streak of light.

Shing!!!

Her long sword left its sheath.

She thrust it out like a snake's tongue, hissing through the air, and it struck the King of Xiliang square in the chest.

But even Tantai Qingyue hadn't expected it: her sword didn't go in.

It didn't go in, but the force of the thrust sent the King of Xiliang flying backward into the screen behind him, and he let out a scream.

Tantai Qingyue was about to rush over and finish him off when the shrill whistle of something cutting the air rang out.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!

A dense hail of arrows shot out from behind the screen.

Cold light flashed.

The sword in Tantai Qingyue's hand spun blossom after blossom of steel.

Clang, clang, clang!!!

Sparks flew in every direction, and every arrow that came at her was struck down by her sword.

Right after that, the old eunuch who'd left earlier appeared with a large number of archers and formed a shield around the King of Xiliang.

The imperial bodyguards came…