Chapter 1201: Chapter 1201: Fool, Don’t Come Over!

"Emperor!"

A few Hidden Guards heard the order and moved to Zhao Junyao’s side, intending to take Zhao Junqi away.

However, Zhao Junyao suddenly waved his hand.

"No need!"

"I have changed my mind!"

"I have decided to kill him myself!"

He suddenly felt a twinge of regret.

He should have learned from the Emperor Father to be cold and ruthless!

He should not have spared him just because of their blood ties.

The Royal Family is not a place for familial affection; he shouldn’t have softened.

Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes and slowly raised his arm, pressing his sword against Zhao Junqi’s chest.

His gaze was cold and his voice was deep.

"For the sake of our cousinhood, I will grant you one last favor and leave you a whole corpse!"

With that, he squinted his cold eyes and stabbed forcefully.

At this moment, Zhao Junqi suddenly shouted loudly.

"Wait!"

He arrogantly pointed to the cave halfway up the opposite mountain.

"Imperial Brother!"

"Look over there!"

Zhao Junyao’s pupils contracted.

"No, Qingqing!"

"Hahaha..." Zhao Junqi suddenly burst into laughter.

"Imperial Brother, oh Imperial Brother!"

"You’re only realizing it now; isn’t that a bit too late!"

"I have already set an ambush there."

"Oh right, there’s also Gunpowder to assist."

"Imperial Brother... do you dare go over and die?"

"Zhao Junqi!"

Zhao Junyao’s fury erupted like a volcanic eruption.

He looked at him in disbelief.

"You are so despicable, not even sparing a woman!"

Zhao Junqi disdainfully knocked his sword aside and snorted coldly.

"I am despicable?!"

"No matter how despicable, I can’t compare to you and your father!"

"No matter how despicable, I haven’t crippled anyone’s life!"

"What right do you have to accuse me?!"

Zhao Junyao had no interest in arguing with him, instructing two Hidden Guards.

"Bind him and take him away!"

After speaking, he lightly tapped his toes and hurriedly flew towards the cave on the other side.

...

In the pitch-dark cave.

Xia Ruqing and Zi Su huddled together in a corner.

They could see nothing and dared not leave, only pressing down their anxiety and waiting patiently.

When the loud noise hit, they were both scared stiff.

"What was that sound?" Zi Su was alert.

"I don’t know... it sounds like something collapsed!" Xia Ruqing was a bit bewildered.

"Master, could it be our courtyard that collapsed?"

"It shouldn’t be, right!" Xia Ruqing was startled.

Seeing her master scared, Zi Su dared not speak further.

She moved closer, and the two huddled even tighter.

After a while.

Zhao Junyao suddenly returned, covered in dust.

Upon entering, he said nothing and grabbed her to rush outside.

"Hey! Emperor, what’s wrong?"

"Slow down!"

Xia Ruqing was pulled by her clothing, staggering and almost falling.

"No time to explain, hurry up!"

Zhao Junyao bent down, picked her up, and dashed out!

Zi Su was bewildered, but quickly followed them.

Unfortunately...

The three of them hadn’t even left the cave when thundering sounds erupted outside.

In an instant, the entire cave felt as if the sky was falling, the earth collapsing.

The ground beneath kept shaking, and rocks from above continuously tumbled down.

Half an incense stick’s time passed, then a full stick...

The overwhelming rumbling sounds still hadn’t stopped.

Rocks from above fell one after another, quickly blocking most of the cave’s entrance!

It looked like...

"What’s going on!"

"What should we do?"

"If this continues, we won’t be able to get out!"

Xia Ruqing panicked completely, her voice with a sob.

She couldn’t help but look up at Zhao Junyao.

He appeared calm, his eyes sharp, surveying all around.

Her heart inexplicably settled instantly.

’With him here, what is there to fear?’

Looking around, Xia Ruqing suddenly spotted a passage behind and her eyes lit up.

"This passage might be an escape route, should we try hiding there first?"

Zhao Junyao immediately refused firmly.

"No way!"

The passage contains Zhao Junqi’s men.

If he could find this place, he could find the other side too.

Perhaps that side has even more Gunpowder.

By the time they rush there, this entrance would be sealed.

Trapped from both sides, they’d be stuck here.

So...

"The only option now is to break through from here!"

Zhao Junyao turned to look at the rapidly closing cave entrance ahead.

"Qingqing!"

Zhao Junyao suddenly looked at her with deep emotion.

"Let’s go, I will get you out!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t find anything unusual and nodded immediately.

"Okay! If that’s the case, let’s hurry and go!"

Zhao Junyao nodded and turned to instruct Zi Su.

"Protect your master well!"

Zi Su’s eyes were determined.

"Don’t worry, Emperor, I will do anything for my master!"

Zhao Junyao nodded satisfactorily.

He looked forward, exhaling a long breath.

Switching arms to hold Xia Ruqing, shielding her head with the other.

Zi Su protected her master with one hand, holding up her own head with the other.

The three dashed out amidst the shower of falling rocks!

Rumble...

Rumble rumble...

Several thunder-like explosions echoed from above.

More stones fell down.

Their combined size made it nearly impossible to dodge.

Fortunately, the exit was within reach.

Xia Ruqing was excited.

"Keep going, Emperor, we’re almost out!"

Zhao Junyao quickened his pace.

Zi Su continued to protect her master as they approached the cave entrance.

"Finally safe!"

Xia Ruqing breathed a long sigh of relief.

"But the entrance is too small, only one at a time can pass!"

Before she finished speaking.

Zhao Junyao lifted her up and pushed her towards the exit.

"Qingqing, crawl out with all your strength!" Zhao Junyao’s voice was urgent.

Xia Ruqing was a little regretful.

"You are the Emperor, you should be the first to go out!"

"Stop wasting time!"

Zhao Junyao’s voice was low and cold, as if angry.

Xia Ruqing was startled.

She rarely saw Zhao Junyao so angry.

She dared not argue anymore, using her hands and feet to crawl out with all her might!

Zhao Junyao lifted her, ensuring she wouldn’t fall.

Zi Su cautiously observed their surroundings for falling rocks.

Both were united in helping Xia Ruqing escape.

Luckily, Xia Ruqing was slim, her strength decent, quickly emerging her upper body and left leg.

Just a bit more, pulling out her right leg would free her.

Xia Ruqing mustered all her strength to continue.

But just then...

She watched as a basketball-sized rock plummeted, about to hit her leg.

Her pupils dilated in fear.

If it hit, she’d be crippled for life.

In this critical moment.

Zi Su suddenly rushed over.

"Master, watch out!"

Xia Ruqing hastily stopped her.

"Don’t come over, you’ll die!"

It’s fine to lose a leg, but if it hit Zi Su’s head, she’d...

Tears streamed down Xia Ruqing’s face, and she screamed with all her might.

"Fool, stay back!"

"No!"

"Don’t!"

But it was too late. Zi Su used her body to knock the rock aside.

She cried out and fell to the ground.

The rock landed squarely on her chest.

"Puff!"