The Prime Minister’s Darling

His gaze was resolute, and it was impossible for him to reveal any information to Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao didn't want to waste time on him. Retracting her foot, she walked into the villa like a demon wielding a blood-dripping Red-Tasseled Spear, under the watchful eyes of the Sword Villa disciples who dared not step forward.

The Seventh Protector struggled to stand, staring coldly at Gu Jiao's back. With a clenched fist, he gathered a surge of inner strength, ready to strike Gu Jiao's back fiercely!

Just as Gu Jiao passed by the corpse of a Sword Villa disciple, she stepped on his sword hilt. The long sword flipped into the air, and she struck the hilt with a reverse palm.

The long sword shot fiercely towards the Seventh Protector behind her, who didn't even have time to react before it pierced through his chest!

Throughout the entire process, Gu Jiao never turned her head.

Her Red-Tasseled Spear touched the ground, following her steps. The cold, shining spear tip scraped a slow and piercing sound on the bluestone floor, occasionally sparking a series of sparks.

Disciples rushed at her, each one falling beneath her Red-Tasseled Spear.

The Sword Villa's disciples were simply terrified of her killing spree.

A trembling disciple said, "Quick... quickly report to the master!"

Cangjian Villa, with one sect and two peaks, had the master, the masters, and protectors all on the rear peak. Today happened to be the day the Seventh Protector was guarding the front peak.

Gu Jiao discovered Duke An tied up at the rear gate of the front peak by four disciples, just as she suspected. They were planning to take him down the mountain through the side gate to another dock.

Gu Jiao quickly resolved the four, cut Duke An's ropes, knelt beside him, and lifted the unconscious Duke An up.

"Foster father, foster father," she leaned Duke An on her shoulder, taking his pulse.

Duke An faintly woke up, weakly blinking his heavy eyelids, saying to Gu Jiao: "Jiaojiao... leave… don't worry about me… hurry… down the mountain…"

Gu Jiao said, "We'll go together!"

Duke An gritted his teeth, used his remaining strength, and said, "There's medicine on me! It will harm... you..."

Gu Jiao had noticed earlier. She untied the ropes on his feet too: "This Paralysis Medicine is useless against me. I'll carry you down the mountain."

As she spoke, she turned around, carrying Duke An on her back.

But just as she turned, a shadow-like figure unexpectedly appeared, striking her chest with a palm, sending both her and Duke An flying.

"Jiaojiao!"

Duke An, somehow gathering strength, turned mid-air and fell beneath Gu Jiao, holding her protectively in his arms.

He was smashed, and coughed up blood on the spot.

They crashed into nearby rocks, and he shielded Gu Jiao's head with his hand.

Gu Jiao's head was protected, yet the massive impact still forced her out of his embrace.

Ahead lay the cliff.

He reached to grab Gu Jiao but was too late.

Gu Jiao flung out completely—

"Jiaojiao—" Duke An cried out desperately, "You all save her! Quickly! She's the one you're looking for!"

The Sword Villa's Second Protector was stunned fiercely.

"What? She's that—"

"This is bad! She can't die!"

The Second Protector dashed to the edge of the cliff, but he was a step too late. He reached out, failing to even grasp a corner of her clothing.

He teetered several times, the gravel under his feet whispering as it slipped down the cliff, as if he was about to slide down as well.

He looked at the pitch-black cliff in horror, completely bewildered.

Duke An crawled toward the cliff, tears streaming: "Jiaojiao—"

"What's that noise?" Shangguan Qing, limping along supported by Xiao Hen, furrowed his brows amidst the woods.

Xiao Hen focused intently, looked up: "Sounds like Duke An... something happened to Jiaojiao!"

The cliff's violent wind fiercely whipped upwards, making it hard for them to keep their eyes open.

The Second Protector raised his hand to shield his eyes, retreating a few steps.

And at that very moment, a pale blue figure leapt from behind, without hesitation, jumping off the cliff. His robe met the fierce wind, blooming into a mesmerizing lotus in the dark canyon.

Gu Jiao kept falling.

The fierce wind sliced her face like knives.

When the plane crashed... did it feel like this?

So, this time, I'm going to die too?

Her thoughts were scattered by the wind, and amid the daze, a powerful hand grasped her wrist.

She felt herself being held onto something, and when she opened her eyes, it was a familiar, handsome young face.

"Gu Changqing?"

Gu Changqing grabbed her with one hand, gripping the cliff face with the other. However, it wasn't easy to stabilize from the force of both falling.

His fingers were scraping against the cliff, raw and bloody, revealing stark white bone.

Finally... he managed to hold on!

Gu Jiao dangled below him, with a warm liquid dripping on her forehead, drop by drop.

She touched the liquid on her forehead, rubbing her fingertips: "Gu Changqing, you're hurt."

His hand was in so much pain it didn't feel like his own, his body drenched in cold sweat, but Gu Changqing spoke calmly: "I'm fine, do you still have strength? I'll pull you up first, hold onto me, I'll take you up."

Here, if you're careless, you'll fall.

True, they were skilled, but they were human, not gods.

Fall, and they'd die.

Gu Changqing cautiously pulled Gu Jiao up, letting her climb onto his back, tying themselves with a whip.

Gu Jiao said, "I can do it myself."

Gu Changqing: "Don't move."

He'd seen it earlier when she was struck. Even though the armor blocked most of the force, there was still some impact.

Gu Jiao hugged his neck, saying, "But you're hurt."

Gu Changqing softly said, "That's why I need to carry you; alone, I don't have that strong will to survive."

Gu Jiao didn't insist anymore.

Thinking of something, Gu Jiao added: "I have a fire starter, I'll light up the path for you."

"No need." He glanced at his bloody left hand, saying calmly, "I can see the path."