The Pursuit of Princess May

"Enemies!" Gregory Gu Jr. exclaimed inwardly, realizing things had taken a turn for the worse. He grabbed Princess May and ran.

Seven or eight men sprang out from the woods, chasing after them. Princess May was so terrified she nearly lost her wits. She thought, Alexander Hayes's men found me this quickly? Am I really going to die here today!?

Princess May had barely taken a few steps when suddenly a familiar voice called out behind her: "Your Highness, I apologize for arriving late to protect you. Please forgive us!"

Princess May stopped in her tracks and looked back—her own guards had arrived!

Back in the Kingdom of Jin, these guards had disguised themselves as Princess May in batches, agreeing to regroup within Chu territory and escort her back to the royal palace.

Princess May had assumed all her guards must have been intercepted and killed by Alexander Hayes's men back in Jin, but she never expected some had actually managed to escape and were waiting for her at the border of Chu!

Overjoyed, Princess May said to Gregory Gu Jr., "Imperial Grand Tutor, this is wonderful! My guards are here—they'll protect us all the way to the royal palace in Chu!"

A smile of relief appeared on Gregory Gu Jr.'s face as well. Though he and Princess May had been moving covertly, neither of them was skilled in combat, so if danger struck, they'd be helpless. Now that they were reunited with the highly trained Chu guards, their safety was much more assured.

But before Gregory Gu Jr. could fully rejoice, a mocking, sneering voice suddenly rang out: "Oh really... I think you're celebrating a bit too soon."

Gregory Gu Jr. and Princess May turned at the same time and saw that, at some point, ten men dressed in black had silently appeared among the trees. Nine wore masks, but the leader's face was completely exposed.

"It's him—the Deputy White from Hanjiang Pier!" Princess May instantly recognized the leader among the black-clad men. Terrified, she shrank behind Imperial Grand Tutor Gu, trembling as she stammered to Sophie White, "You... you stay back! This is Chu territory. If you dare make trouble here, aren't you afraid of starting a war between our nations?!"

Sophie White gave a cold laugh, her gaze full of disdain as she looked at Princess May. "Out here in these wild woods, if I kill you all, the dead can't talk. Who would ever know?"

Princess May's lips went pale from fear, but she forced herself to bluster. "My guards are the finest warriors of Chu! If you dare touch us, I'll have them slaughter you all!"

As she spoke, Princess May retreated, barking orders at her guards: "Quick, protect me and Imperial Grand Tutor Gu!"

The guards, long aware of the Hayes Regiment's fearsome reputation, knew these black-clad men were not to be trifled with. Still, they could only grit their teeth and charge forward.

Sophie White gave a cold snort and ordered her men, "Kill them!"

"Yes, Deputy White!" the soldiers responded in unison, voices crisp and disciplined.

Led by Sophie White, the elite Hayes Regiment surged forward, colliding fiercely with Princess May's Chu guards.

The Chu guards, no match for the battle-hardened Hayes Regiment, were quickly overwhelmed and unable to fight back.

Princess May, though no fighter herself, could see her guards were hopelessly outmatched. Soon they'd be wiped out, and then it would be her turn.

"Imperial Grand Tutor Gu, do something! I don't want to die!" Princess May clung desperately to Imperial Grand Tutor Gu's clothes, her face ashen. "Aren't you supposed to be clever and resourceful? Hurry, think of a way to save me! I don't want to die! I poisoned Su Li, poisoned her unborn child. If they catch me, they'll torture me to death! Imperial Grand Tutor, help me!"