Chapter 289: Chapter 289: The Princess Will Never Be Humiliated, Long Moon Sword Song

Even in this desperate situation, Princess Lan Yue refused to give up. If she truly couldn’t escape, she would take someone with her. Taking a prince from the Jin Meng Empire down with her wouldn’t be a loss.

She had never entertained the thought of surrendering or begging for mercy. She knew all too well the miserable fate of those sent to the Jin Meng Empire for political marriages.

Especially with the two empires at war, they would not only suffer physical and mental humiliation but would ultimately be stripped naked and sacrificed to the war banners before being beheaded. A truly miserable end.

This was why she refused to cooperate with Nalan Hongbo and his men; they clearly meant her harm. If she were taken to the Jin Meng Empire, she would be forced into a state where she could neither live nor die, only to perish miserably in the end—and be recorded in history as a disgrace.

She would rather seize this chance to fight to the death. Killing one would make it worth it; killing two might even give her a chance to escape. If she was no match for them, then so be it. Death was an acceptable outcome.

She had already prepared poison. If no opportunity arose, she would die before suffering humiliation.

These bastards from the Jin Meng Empire were utterly depraved. Fathers sharing women with sons, generals with their soldiers—such things were commonplace. She refused to suffer such a fate.

As a proud prodigy, she refused to live a life of endless darkness and suffer inhuman torment.

"HUUU..."

"If that’s how it is, then let’s see who’s stronger!"

Princess Lan Yue took a deep breath. Her decision made, she stopped overthinking. She gripped her Long Sword, her gaze turning utterly resolute as killing intent surged from her.

Though she had focused on her development as a Pharmacist, she had never neglected her Martial Arts Cultivation, which was how she had managed to reach the External Refining Iron Bone Realm.

Reaching such a level of Martial Arts Cultivation wasn’t just a matter of having ample Cultivation Resources; it also required exceptionally high talent for Cultivation.

If her father and her master hadn’t participated in the rebellion, she would still be a favored daughter of the heavens. This political marriage would have never fallen to her, her future would be bright, and her dream of becoming an Empress might not have been impossible.

The Old Emperor was not as wary of the princesses of the Imperial Family as he was of the princes, which naturally would have given her a greater opportunity.

But now, all of that was impossible.

She had a dream so brilliant it could have lit up the world and made the very heavens change color. But now, that dream was stillborn.

She refused to accept it, yet she was powerless to resist. The ways of the world were unpredictable, and she lacked the strength to change any of it.

"Princess, why must you be like this? I sincerely wish to form an alliance with you. After all, neither of our situations within the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty is favorable right now."

Nalan Hongbo put on an expression of profound sympathy, as if he genuinely wanted to join forces with Princess Lan Yue.

Wulan Haochuan, standing to the side, started to approach and speak, but Nalan Hongbo immediately stopped him. He had clearly sensed Princess Lan Yue’s current state and refused to let Wulan Haochuan get close and take a foolish risk.

In his eyes, Princess Lan Yue was like a wounded lioness, ready to pounce on anyone at any moment. If Wulan Haochuan approached now, he would very likely be killed.

After all, Wulan Haochuan’s Cultivation was rather weak—only at the External Refining Copper Skin Cultivation. He was no match for an External Iron Bone Refining practitioner and wouldn’t last long against her at all.

Even though Princess Lan Yue was injured by the Bone-Piercing Nail and poisoned, leaving her in poor condition, she was still exceedingly dangerous.

He knew full well that a wild beast is most dangerous when wounded, and the woman before him was no different. She was a massive threat.

"Heh..."

"Die!"

Even after taking an Antitoxic Pill and a Healing Elixir, Princess Lan Yue could still feel the throbbing pain in her shoulder, and it was already affecting her ability to fight.

’I can’t last long in this state,’ she thought. ’Especially the Poison from the Bone-Piercing Nail. It hasn’t been completely neutralized.’

’If they gave me some time, I could deal with it. But Nalan Hongbo and Wulan Haochuan clearly aren’t going to give me that chance. Nalan Hongbo even sent Wulan Haochuan away to prevent me from killing the Jin Meng Empire’s Prince. He’s guarding against me making a final, desperate stand.’

Princess Lan Yue sighed to herself, but she had not given up.

The Long Sword in her hand twitched, and then her figure blurred, charging straight for Nalan Hongbo. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Her form was as graceful as a startled swan, and with a rapid shift, she appeared before Nalan Hongbo.

This was an Advanced Light Body Technique. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be sustained for long, otherwise she might have tried to escape.

In a flicker of movement, her Sharp Sword descended toward Nalan Hongbo’s head, aimed for a killing blow.

"CLANG!"

Nalan Hongbo drew the Curved Saber from his waist and, with a slight lift, blocked Princess Lan Yue’s killing strike.

With a flick of his wrist, the Curved Saber seemed to come alive, slashing straight for Princess Lan Yue’s wrist. He intended to sever her tendons and cripple her.

Seeing this, Princess Lan Yue’s brow furrowed, and she shot backward in a hasty retreat.

’This man’s combat experience is immense, far greater than my own,’ she thought. ’He must have been through numerous life-and-death battles.’

Although Princess Lan Yue had tested her sword skills against masters, she had never been in a true life-or-death battle, which was now a great disadvantage.

She had heard that the Slaughter Techniques of those who had experienced true life-and-death combat were terrifyingly effective. After exchanging just one blow with Nalan Hongbo, she could already see the vast difference between them.

Unlike the masters she had sparred with, who were afraid of hurting her, this man struck without mercy.

Faced with this reality, Princess Lan Yue felt her chances shrink even further, yet she refused to give up.

"Long Moon Sword Song, Sword-Drawing Form!"

Princess Lan Yue unleashed a powerful move from her Sword Formulas. ’If my raw combat skills aren’t enough, then I’ll just have to win with a superior Sword Technique!’

The Sword-Drawing Form was the strongest Sword Technique she had cultivated. This was no time to hold anything back; only by going all out did she stand a chance of winning.

Simultaneously, she infused the attack with her Martial Seal—the image of a bright moon—making her Sword Technique even more formidable and its killing aura even more intense.

To use one’s Martial Seal was to commit to a battle of life and death, with no way back.

While the Martial Seal of an External Iron Bone Refining cultivator was not as powerful as an Inner Master’s, it was still strong enough to demolish a courtyard. Such immense Combat Power was not to be underestimated.

"Thunder Prison Saber—Slash!"

Seeing this, Nalan Hongbo also took a deep breath. A Martial Seal in the shape of a curved saber flew from his body, merging into the real Curved Saber in his hand as he executed his Saber Technique.

As the two fused, a ferocious aura erupted. This was the Thunder Prison Saber, a technique focused on pure slaughter. He couldn’t afford to hold back now. He had to meet her powerful technique with his own and fight for his life. If he hesitated, he would be the one to die.

Nalan Hongbo was also taken aback by Princess Lan Yue’s absolute resolve. She gave no quarter and offered him no opening at all.

This made Nalan Hongbo silently curse the forebears of the Jin Meng Empire. Their empire’s reputation was in tatters; otherwise, why would Princess Lan Yue be so utterly uncompromising?

’If there were any room for negotiation, he wouldn’t be in this position now. She had severed all paths of retreat.’

But since things had come to this, Nalan Hongbo wouldn’t hold back. He had to strike ruthlessly, and just hope Princess Lan Yue would somehow survive. Only then would she still be of some use.