Chapter Twelve: Ambush in the Crimson Butterfly Woods

"First, make sure you stay alive," Deathbringer said, comfortably stretching out and addressing Cold Sky, "You can go now. I'm going to sleep." Cold Sky drained the last of the wine from the jug, and with a thought, a large bed appeared beneath Deathbringer. "If you need anything, just ask—here, your brother can do anything!" Deathbringer rolled over, found a comfortable position, his breathing settled, and soon he was fast asleep.

"You just keep up the act," Cold Sky muttered, returning to reality. "Brother Tian, we've entered Skylark territory now." Zhi Xuan noticed Cold Sky had awakened and pointed out the window, indicating the tall and densely packed red-leaf forests lining the road. He told Cold Sky they were now in Skylark.

The dense red leaves, illuminated by the sunlight, cast a crimson glow across everyone’s vision. These trees were called Red Butterflies, named for their leaves’ resemblance to butterflies and their vibrant scarlet hue. The Red Butterfly trees were unique to the Skylark Kingdom, thriving only here and nowhere else. The three girls from Fire Dance lifted the carriage curtains to admire the fiery butterflies clinging to every branch.

The Red Butterfly forest was so dense that hardly a ray of sunlight penetrated through the leaves, giving the impression that the dazzling beauty outside was like flames worthy of awe, while the interior of the woods felt dark and lifeless. The convoy advanced along the path through this forest, the wheels grinding against the earth, accompanied by the rhythmic clatter of hooves, injecting vitality into the silent woodland.

Cold Sky and his companions quietly appreciated the scenery. "Big brother, after this mission is done, where should we go next?" Zhi Xuan gazed out at the Red Butterfly woods and asked Cold Sky what plans he had for their next journey.

"Last night, at the inn, we discussed some matters. What are your thoughts?" Cold Sky did not answer directly, instead asking the three for their opinions on last night’s conversation.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Xiao Han spoke up, "Brother, do you mean we’re going to witness the duel between Du Qingfeng and Yan Nanfei?"

The other two’s eyes lit up as well. Cold Sky nodded. "That’s exactly what I had in mind. Watching the battles between masters will benefit us all. So once the escort mission ends, I plan to head to the Skylark Royal Capital to witness their contest." The three nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

Suddenly, a scream rang out. Cold Sky and his companions were stunned as several more cries of agony followed, snapping them to alertness. "We’re under attack!" Cold Sky shot out of the carriage.

Sharp, densely packed bolts fired from the shadowy woods, catching many off guard. The bolts pierced bodies, sending people crashing to the ground in agony. Cold Sky, clad in white, radiated golden martial energy that shattered every incoming bolt with its repulsive force. Those who recovered in time brandished their weapons to deflect the arrows.

The three from Flame Dragon leapt out of their carriage, each forming a transparent martial energy shield to temporarily block the barrage. Ye Xiang directed the others to hide and dodge the deadly bolts, shouting, "Captain Cold, I entrust my daughter to you!"

Cold Sky shot Ye Xiang a reassuring look and headed straight for the carriage where Ye Die’er and her companions were. "Second Master, it looks like the Blood Devouring League. What should we do?" Mad Dragon, surrounded by a faint aura, batted away the bolts while conferring urgently with Ye Xiang.

The bolts were powerful enough to easily pierce the layered iron armor worn by the Azure Guards. A mercenary from the Mad Dragon Mercenary Corps, unable to dodge in time, was shot through the thigh, blood gushing forth.

Many were injured; only a handful of Heaven-ranked experts, including Cold Sky’s six, managed to fend off the attack effortlessly. Dozens were wounded or killed outright.

Cries of agony and the frantic whinnying of horses merged into chaos. Cold Sky quickly reached Ye Die’er’s carriage, slipped inside, and released his martial energy to shield Ye Fan and the other three.

Fire Dance let out a sigh of relief and withdrew her energy wall. Though the bolts posed no threat to her, the unexpected ambush unsettled her. Cold Sky’s arrival calmed her nerves completely.

The whistling of bolts lasted for about the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, then silence returned, broken only by the moans of wounded men and beasts, echoing eerily through the oppressive atmosphere. Cold Sky extended his spiritual senses to scan the surroundings. "It appears we’re in for serious trouble this time."

"What is it, brother?" Fire Dance asked, peeking outside through the curtain. Her pupils froze. In the dim woods, assassins from the Blood Devouring League kept pouring out. In just a few breaths, over a hundred armed with strange weapons were charging at the convoy.

The convoy was in ruins—half the horses were dead, the rest wounded and writhing on the ground. Most of the dead were Ye family Azure Guards, along with many Mad Dragon mercenaries. Only a few had died, but most were wounded, sharply reducing their fighting strength.

"Prepare for battle!" Ye Xiang, eyes bloodshot, shouted. The survivors gripped their weapons, bracing for the coming slaughter.

The three from Flame Dragon took up arms and guarded Cold Sky’s carriage. "Protect the siblings inside; don’t get caught up in the fight. There are more than ten Heaven-ranked foes—looks like the enemy is determined!"

"Brother, what should we do?" Ye Die’er and her brother looked pale. Ten Heaven-ranked assassins meant trouble—Ye family’s own experts numbered only five or six. The sudden appearance of so many was terrifying.

"Hahaha… Ye Xiang, you sure are lucky. Deathbringer failed, but that doesn’t mean you get to live. Today, you and your people will all die here!" More than ten formidable Blood Devouring League assassins emerged from the woods, stopping not far from Ye Xiang and Mad Dragon. The speaker’s tone made it clear he was the same assassin called Blood Drinker from the previous night.

Ye Xiang’s pupils narrowed—Heaven-ranked! All these intimidating assassins were Heaven-ranked experts. Mad Dragon’s face twitched, sweat pooling in his palm, revealing just how dire he felt the situation was.

Martial Arts Pinnacle 12—Chapter Twelve: Ambush in the Red Butterfly Woods, complete.