Wang Jiantao and his companions weren't there to assassinate Lu Chen, so they didn't start with a surprise arrow attack on Lu Chen's carriage. Instead, they stepped out in the open and surrounded both the carriage and the guards from the Prince's Mansion.
At that moment, Bai Qingqing said expressionlessly, "Who are you?"
Wang Jiantao and the others were wearing cloaks and their faces were covered with cloth, concealing their full visage. However, Bai Qingqing obviously knew who they were and her question was purely rhetorical.
Having grown up in the training grounds of the Shadow Guards, Bai Qingqing was, after all, a disciple of Wang Jiantao. She was very familiar with the martial aura Wang Jiantao exuded. The moment Wang Jiantao made his appearance, she knew it was him.
Wang Jiantao then said coldly, "Commander Bai has been quite busy lately, so busy that you've forgotten your own duties."
After hearing the commotion outside, Lu Chen lifted the curtain of the carriage and, with a smile, asked Bai Qingqing beside the carriage, "Bai, do you recognize them?"
Without any expression, Bai Qingqing answered, "Your Highness, I do not!"
Upon hearing Bai Qingqing's response, Wang Jiantao scoffed, "Commander Bai is indeed forgetful of old acquaintances, forgetting even your own foster father."
"Since you've chosen to betray the organization, I believe you are already prepared for death."
In the midst of speaking, Wang Jiantao drew the blade from his waist.
Without hesitation, Bai Qingqing also drew her sword and then said to the guards of the Prince's Mansion, "Protect the Prince!"
As her words fell, Bai Qingqing charged towards Wang Jiantao who was not far off.
Besides Wang Jiantao, the other Shadow Guards did not join the fray, continuing to encircle the guards and the carriage without any intention of attacking Lu Chen.
Their presence was solely to eliminate Bai Qingqing, the traitor. Although the North Prince was also a thorn in the Sum Emperor's side, the Emperor hadn't ordered them to act against the North Prince, so they had no choice but to separate him from Bai Qingqing.
Meanwhile, Lu Chen stepped out from the carriage and sat beside the coachman's seat, simply watching the fight between Bai Qingqing and Wang Jiantao unfold.
Having listened to the conversation between Wang Jiantao and Bai Qingqing, Lu Chen realized that this Wang Jiantao was likely the one who trained Bai Qingqing into a Shadow Guard. To cultivate a Shadow Guard devoid of emotions, Bai Qingqing must have endured much suffering as a child. Thus, Lu Chen wanted to give Bai Qingqing a chance to seek her own vengeance.
If Bai Qingqing truly was no match for Wang Jiantao, Lu Chen would intervene. As a Grandmaster, he was acutely aware of every subtle movement in his vicinity. Should Bai Qingqing be in danger, he could save her in an instant.
Just as Bai Qingqing was about to reach Wang Jiantao, he pushed off with his legs with ease, leaping into the air and kicking off a nearby tree, flying straight towards Bai Qingqing with a slash that sent an invisible wave of sword Qi her way.
Mounted on her horse, Bai Qingqing remained unflustered. She leaped off and swung her sword at Wang Jiantao, her Sword Qi colliding with his, slicing the surrounding trees in half as ripples of force passed through them.
From the initial exchange, Wang Jiantao sensed something was amiss; he realized Bai Qingqing's strength might have surpassed his own.
When Bai Qingqing left the Capital city, she had only recently broken through to the Master Realm. Her strength shouldn't exceed his.
From their brief clash, Wang Jiantao could clearly feel that Bai Qingqing's realm had reached the pinnacle of the Master Realm, markedly different from an ordinary Master.
Wang Jiantao landed from the air, then chuckled, "It seems that Commander Bai's strength has improved rapidly during your time in the North Prince Mansion. I wonder what benefits the North Prince gave you to provoke your betrayal."
Bai Qingqing ignored Wang Jiantao's words and turned into a blur as she rushed straight at him. The next moment, a cold glint of her sword aimed directly for Wang Jiantao's neck.
However, Wang Jiantao did not panic; a smirk briefly crossed his lips, and in the blink of an eye, his figure simply vanished from the spot.
Seeing this spectacle, even Lu Chen was momentarily surprised. His gaze had been fixed on Wang Jiantao and Bai Qingqing, and he hadn't expected Wang Jiantao to disappear so swiftly under his watch.
But after all, as a Grandmaster, it wasn't long before Lu Chen sensed Wang Jiantao's presence again; by then, Wang Jiantao had already reappeared behind Bai Qingqing.
A blade of light swept towards Bai Qingqing's waist, and just as she seemed bound to be struck, and Lu Chen was about to intervene, Bai Qingqing reacted, arching her body back to gracefully dodge Wang Jiantao's blade.
Then Bai Qingqing counterattacked with a sword strike, but again, it inflicted no damage as Wang Jiantao's figure disappeared once more.
Wang Jiantao continuously attacked with elusive movements, putting Bai Qingqing on the defensive. Lu Chen recognized that Wang Jiantao's techniques were incredibly tricky, bearing a striking resemblance to Shadow Shifting, allowing him to easily evade enemy strikes.
Even though Bai Qingqing was on the back foot, she was, after all, an Extreme Realm Master and her reaction speed was sufficiently fast. It was not easy for Wang Jiantao to catch her off guard, as she was able to anticipate each attack.
At that moment, Lu Chen, eyeing the Cloaked Shadow Guards who were still surrounding his guards and carriage, said teasingly, "Aren't you all going to join the fight? What are you doing encircling my carriage?"