The Mysterious Assassin

The alley was deathly silent, with weak moonlight casting a hazy glow on the ground.

Luo Yu held his short dagger Dawn, muscles tense, eyes locked on the dark alley. Xiao Shaoyou gripped his sword hilt, ready to draw his long sword.

"Captain Luo has quick reflexes, they say you're skilled, and it's true, hehe."

Amidst mocking laughter, several figures emerged from both ends of the alley, two dozen people blocking both exits.

The mysterious assassins were all in black robes with their faces covered, revealing only their cruel eyes.

Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou's hearts sank, their expressions grave. Just from their positioning and coordination, they knew these weren't amateurs. With two dozen killers against two of them, they were in grave danger.

"Do you know us?"

Luo Yu remained calm, eyebrow raised: "Who sent you?"

"That's a secret."

The leader chuckled:

"We just want to ask about what Captain Luo found on the Xiqiang centurion Walig in Black Gorge Fort."

"Walig? What could he have? What are you talking about?"

Luo Yu feigned confusion, already understanding everything. It seemed the traitor behind them was targeting him.

"Don't know? Don't know or pretending? Such a small trick won't fool me."

Luo Yu sneered:

"Really don't know, or you tell me what it is, and I'll see if I can remember."

"Smart mouth."

The black-robed man's face twisted as he raised his curved sword:

"Whether you know or not, you're dead. Dead men are the most reliable."

"This is Yunyang Pass! You can't act recklessly!"

Xiao Shaoyou shouted coldly: "Attacking two captains in broad daylight? Too arrogant! If I find out who's behind this, you won't even have a whole body!"

"Hehe, don't bother with meaningless threats."

The black-robed man chuckled:

"Captain Xiao, right? This has nothing to do with you. I advise you not to meddle. Leave now, and we'll spare your life."

These people were clearly well-prepared, knowing their identities perfectly.

"Go."

Luo Yu said calmly:

"This has nothing to do with you."

Luo Yu understood these people were after him, specifically for the secret letter.

They couldn't handle two dozen skilled fighters, why let Xiao Shaoyou die needlessly? He might have a better chance alone.

"Bullshit! Your problem is my problem. If I leave now, I'll be a spineless coward!"

Xiao Shaoyou's face was mocking as he drew his sword and pointed forward:

"Let me see what tricks you scum have!"

Luo Yu felt a warm feeling inside. For Xiao Shaoyou to stay in such a situation meant he was ready to face death together.

"Insolent! Looking for death!"

The black-robed man shouted:

"All of them!"

"Attack!"

At the leader's command, dozens of black shadows pounced like demons, their gleaming blades instantly lighting up the dark alley.

These people weren't fools. While attacking, they still kept people blocking the alley, trapping the two men inside.

Luo Yu's eyes narrowed. Dawn spun in his palm as he moved like a swift bird, leading the charge against the front attackers.

"Front attackers are mine, be careful!"

"Careful?"

Xiao Shaoyou sneered:

"You're good with knives, I'm not bad either! Let's see who kills more!"

"Clang!"

A sharp sound rang out as Luo Yu's dagger clashed with an assassin's curved sword. Sparks flew, numbing the enemy's arm. Luo Yu used the momentum to spin, his dagger sliding up the blade and precisely cutting the enemy's throat.

The black-robed man grunted, clutching his neck as he fell, blood gushing out in terror.

The saying "an inch longer is an inch stronger" didn't apply to Luo Yu.

"Such fast knife!"

The surrounding black-robed men's faces changed. Before they could react, Luo Yu was already closing in, switching to a stolen curved sword.

"This kid is different. Attack together, kill him!"

"Clang clang clang!"

Luo Yu relied on his agile body, weaving through the crowd. His sword danced, countless blades slicing past his chest and back in a terrifying display.

Two attackers who lunged from left and right didn't even see his knife before they died.

Xiao Shaoyou was no less impressive, his long sword cutting through black-robed men's chests, blood splattering. He was also a top fighter in the army.

The two sometimes fought separately, sometimes back-to-back, showing perfect coordination despite never having practiced together.

But there were simply too many enemies, and the alley was too narrow, leaving them no room to maneuver. They had no chance of escape and were gradually falling behind.

The killers clearly targeted Luo Yu, only sending a few to distract Xiao Shaoyou while the rest surrounded Luo Yu.

Figures clashed, the battle raged on. In the shadows, someone furtively raised a crossbow, aiming at Luo Yu's back.

"Whoosh!"

An arrow shot out, carrying a deadly intent through the darkness.

"Watch out!"

Luo Yu didn't notice the arrow coming from behind, but Xiao Shaoyou spotted it first and lunged forward:

"Get out of the way!"

"Thud!"

Xiao Shaoyou blocked it with his body, the arrowhead embedding in his left shoulder, blood gushing out, making him gasp in pain.

"Damn!"

Luo Yu shouted angrily, killing the approaching black-robed man with a reverse slash, supporting Xiao Shaoyou: "You okay?"

"Fine, won't die."

Xiao Shaoyou cursed indignantly:

"Actually blocking an arrow for you, what a loss!"

"I owe you one!"

"Let's fight our way out!"

Luo Yu's face was ice-cold, no time for talk, holding his sword in front of Xiao Shaoyou, charging forward straight at the leader.

His sword swung horizontally, momentum like a rainbow. Even with two cuts on his shoulder, he showed no fear, killing several men in succession.

The leader parried three of Luo Yu's strikes, forced to retreat, finally being kicked to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Luo Yu grabbed him like a chicken, using him as a hostage. A dozen black-robed men surrounded them with their swords, hesitating to advance.

"Let go of the head!"

"Damn!"

Luo Yu ignored them, slowly cutting the leader's throat in front of everyone, letting the blood splatter his robe.

He didn't even blink at such a bloody scene.

One man with one sword stood in front of Xiao Shaoyou, eyes cold, scanning the scene:

"Want to kill me? Come on!"

His fierce shout stunned the assassins. For a moment, no one dared to advance. Luo Yu radiated a killing aura, facing a dozen men without fear, even surprising Xiao Shaoyou with his killing intent.

"Boss, I'm here!"

"Damn, who dares touch Brother Yu, I'll tear you apart!"

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, Meng Hu's furious shouts came from the alley entrance, torches and noise indicating many people were coming.

"Damn, someone's coming!"

"Damn lucky! Brothers, let's withdraw!"

The black-robed men were practical. Realizing they couldn't win, they immediately retreated. The remaining dozen men vanished in an instant.

Luo Yu's momentum drained away, collapsing on the ground in exhaustion:

"Damn, any later and I'd really be done."