Drunken Lotus: Fated With The Rogue Hidden Dragon.

Attacks and Explosions (2nd)

As for the imperial family, they were all very well-protected and even though Jin Fa Chung had a slight injury in his arm, he was still a pretty skilled warrior as one would expect from an emperor who ruled a country who specializes in fighting and weapons.

Bai Nian Zu was also keeping close to the imperial family as he fought alongside the imperial guards to fend off most of the attackers and seeing that they could handle themselves, Fan Hui Zhong paid them no more heed.

Instead, he focused on taking down his opponents one by one while trying to keep an eye on Wu Jun Qiao's situation but due to the lingering smoke, it made it harder for Fan Hui Zhong to track them since they moved from place to place as Wu Jun Qiao evaded the attacks and focused on finding a safe place because of the injured Fan Zhu Xia.

Seeing that they looked like they were in trouble, Fan Hui Zhong turned his eyes and saw his eldest nephew fighting near him.

"Li Jie! Go and help out Jun Qiao, he's got your cousin!"

Fan Li Jie who's attention was called, reacted quickly and with a nod, he dashed towards their direction while Fan Hui Zhong intercepted the attack of one of his opponents.

As he ran, he noticed that those that were being fiercely attacked were mainly people who had military backgrounds and though some nobility were also fighting like the head of the Fu family; Fu Qing Jue and his son; Fu Qing Tian, they didn't have as many attackers and thus suffered less injuries.

Although he found it strange, Fan Li Jie pushed it to the back of his mind and rushed forward to parry an attack that was supposed to hit Wu Jun Qiao's back since he focused on defending the attack coming from the front which was directed to Fan Zhu Xia's direction.

Noticing his presence, Wu Jun Qiao shot him an appreciative nod before focusing on defending once more.

Pretty soon, with their combined efforts, they managed to turn the tide of the fight and control the tempo of their enemies.

It was surprisingly easy for them to coordinate their movements, as if the two of them had fought alongside each other before and each of their movements, from releasing an attack to putting up a defense was done smoothly as they covered for each other's blind spots and weaknesses.

Couple this with their impeccable talent in fighting and surprisingly high cultivation since both had reached the Heavenly Sky Realm, Fan Li Jie who was at the Practitioner Stage while Wu Jun Qiao was at the Intermediate Stage. Both found the pressure on them to be lighter.

Just as they were about to take the opportunity to finish them, the attackers suddenly threw something out and as both simultaneously jumped back and out of the way, when the object hit the ground, it released a massive explosion that knocked the two of them back as other similar explosions sounded out and rocked the entire great hall.

To their relief, this time, the attackers took the advantage of them being discombobulated and made their escape.

Of course, those who were capable immediately turned around to give chase while the others quickly pinned those attackers who were injured and got left behind.

At this time, Fan Li Jie who was sent flying through the air managed to land on his feet since he was able to condense a small shield at his side as he used the long sword made from Emeranite which Fan Zhu Xia had gifted him beforehand.

Clutching it tightly, Fan Li Jie immediately scanned his surroundings and looked for Wu Jun Qiao since before the explosion threw them back, he saw Wu Jun Qiao abandon protecting himself and turned his back to shield Fan Zhu Xia instead.

Pretty soon, he saw the familiar deep purple robes that Wu Jun Qiao wore lying in a heap on the floor near a collapsed pillar.

Panicked and worried at their state, Fan Li Jie hurriedly ran towards them and as the smoke and dust settled, he was able to see them more clearly and what he saw made his blood chill.

He saw the back of Wu Jun Qiao look frighteningly torn apart with his purple robes ripped at some places as his back was soaked with blood.

Wu Zhang He was already by their side when he got to them and he saw that despite being knocked out, Wu Jun Qiao still managed to successfully shield Fan Zhu Xia from most of the danger and that she was just unconscious from a head wound that she probably got when they hit the floor.

"General Wu, how are they?" Fan Li Jie asked as he crouched beside them.

Hearing his voice, Wu Zhang He turned to him and said, "I'm not sure yet. Quickly help me lift Jun Qiao up first, that way you can also check your cousin."

"Of course."

With their combined efforts, Wu Jun Qiao was gently moved off from Fan Zhu Xia and they saw that she looked mostly unscathed.

It was at this time that Fan Hui Zhong arrived beside them with a couple of imperial guards in tow as well as an imperial physician.

Seeing the situation, Fan Hui Zhong quickly had the guards fetch a stretcher while the imperial physician quickly examined the two.

After a short while, the imperial physician turned to them and said, "Lei Wangye, the princess has suffered serious internal injuries due to a backlash of her technique as well as a head injury which caused her to faint when her head hit the floor bu as for Young Master Wu, his injuries are much more serious and needs immediate medical attention especially since it would seem as though that Young Master Wu is also suffering from another illness and due to his injuries this time, his situation is uncertain to say the least. As soon as the guards bring the stretcher, we will have to carefully move him to a safer place and provide treatment."

"I see. Once the imperial guards arrive, have him brought to the palace's infirmary. I'll inform the emperor." Fan Hui Zhong immediately replied before his eyes met Wu Zhang He's.

"I'm sorry..." he gruffly murmured, his voice filled with guilt.

"No need to apologize. This boy would still have done the same thing even if I told him not to." Wu Zhang He replied helplessly as he turned to look at Wu Jun Qiao's unconscious form.

After a short while, the imperial guards came bringing two stretchers and both Wu Jun Qiao and Fan Zhu Xia were each loaded onto them before being carried away.

Fan Li Jie who was still in surprisingly good condition despite being tired and having a couple of minor scratches and injuries was sent to follow them to keep watch.

I'm the meantime, Wu Zhang He who was also injured chose to be treated on the spot as both he and Fan Hui Zhong discussed what Fan Li Jie said about his observations earlier.

If Fan Li Jie's speculation was correct, then is it true that those with military power were being targeted? And if so, then why?