Soon after, a group of masked martial arts experts burst into the inn like specters emerging from the Nine Nether Hell, their figures flickering as they moved.

They were dressed in black outfits, their black attire like an endless abyss wrapping tightly around them, revealing only pairs of cold and fierce eyes that glinted with a bloodthirsty glow, like hungry wolves in the cold night. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Their blades flashed with a chilling cold light in the dim glow, foretelling the imminent slaughter.

Gugela, Xie Wen, and the others instantly became alert, their muscles tensed, ready for battle.

Shi Feiyang’s eyes blazed like torches, an unwavering determination evident in his gaze as he shouted, "Who dares to be so impudent as to intrude upon our resting place under the bright heavens? Do you truly think that I, Shi Feiyang, am a pushover to be toyed with?"

With that, he activated the Bright Jade Technique, and a faint halo suddenly emanated from his body, like morning mist in spring, gentle yet exuding a mysterious power. His aura instantly elevated, akin to a towering mountain rising from the ground, commanding awe and respect.

At the same time, he gently moved Gugela behind him with a deft yet tender motion, reminiscent of the warm sun in spring, filling Gugela’s heart with deep gratitude, with a warm feeling quietly flowing within.

Gugela subtly shifted sideways, her eyes quickly scanning the skilled martial artist maids, nodding slightly to signal them to remain calm and composed.

She pondered silently, using this opportunity to test Shi Feiyang’s protective instincts towards women and the legendary supreme martial arts skills he possessed.

"Shi Feiyang, don’t be a cowardly turtle hiding in your shell. If you’ve got courage, come out and fight. Hiding like this is not the way of a hero!" The leader of the masked men spoke coldly, his voice squeezing through clenched teeth, carrying a hint of mockery and provocation, echoing in the silent inn, adding an extra chilling ambiance.

Shi Feiyang remained calm, turning to Xie Wen saying, "Xie Wen, we’ve been brothers for many years, and I know your martial arts skills are strong and your mind meticulous. The responsibility of protecting Shan Zhi and Shi Xiong is now yours. I will go out to meet these Jianghu ruffians and show them that people of the Heroic Sakura Association are not to be trifled with. This Jianghu, where the strong prey on the weak, will not see the flames of justice extinguished by these scoundrels."

With that, his figure flickered like a beam of light as he pushed open the window, leaping through with ease, landing steadily in the courtyard.

Seeing this, Gugela and a group of maids quickly followed suit. Their graceful figures, like nimble swallows, also leapt into the courtyard, landing silently.

Upon landing, they all drew the scimitars from their slender waists, the blades flashing with a cold gleam in the moonlight, reflecting their determined faces.

Fortunately, Xie Wen remained clear-headed, knowing full well the situation was critical, as if hanging by a thread.

He swiftly flung the Celestial Silkworm Silk Net from his chest, the net light yet extremely tough, blooming like a white flower in the dark, radiating an unusual brilliance. In an instant, the Celestial Silkworm Silk Net unfolded like a giant canopy, securely enclosing Shi Xiong and Shan Zhi within it.

Immediately after, he executed the Feixu Qingyan Technique, his body becoming light and ethereal, like a catkin lifted by the breeze gently drifting in the air, or like a wisp of light smoke carried away by the wind, elusive and impossible to trace.

With this Supreme Lightness Technique, he suspended Shi Xiong and Shan Zhi above, keeping them safe from the fierce battle about to erupt below.

On the rooftop, more than thirty masked men were each armed with Sun and Moon Wheels, Serrated Sabers, Wolf Fang Clubs, sickle spears, Mountain-Opening Axes, and various other weapons, their blades glinting with cold metallic light in the moonlight.

They descended like a flock of hungry vultures, swooping towards Gugela and the maids, attacking with ruthless precision, each move and strike determined to take the lives of Gugela and the maids.

Perhaps this was done on purpose, intended to lure Shi Feiyang into their carefully laid trap.

But Shi Feiyang, seasoned in countless battles and with rich Jianghu experience, was not one to be easily deceived.

He stood calmly to the side, eyes sharp as torches, quietly observing how Gugela and the maids would handle the confrontation.

Gugela shouted sternly, "What wretched scoundrels are you? My troops are here, how dare you dogs be so arrogant and disrespectful? Today, you will pay the price for your recklessness!" With that, she wielded her scimitar, performing the magical "White Family Saber Technique."

It seems her father had employed Master Gao Wu from a young age to meticulously teach Gugela both in literature and martial arts.

Gugela’s scimitar danced vigorously in her hand, paired with strange yet exquisite techniques, her strikes were swift as lightning, the blade light flashing like a shooting star across the night sky. She executed the move "White Cloud Emerges," swift as a cloud transforming into a blade, swiftly wounding a masked man’s shoulder. He screamed in pain, blood gushing like a fountain, appearing especially striking in the night.

Gugela then performed "The Five Rotations," her moves blooming like a myriad of blossom, her body spinning as she clashed with eight charging masked men.

In an instant, the sound of clashing blades and swords filled the air, the battle cries deafening.

A few of the maids, wielding scimitars, also exhibited the "White Family Saber Technique," their moves agile and ever-changing, like butterflies dancing, engaging fiercely with several masked men.