The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1503: Fighting to the Death to Cover the Retreat

As the spectators watched below, a multitude of assassins clad in black commenced their ascent, their clear intention to end Ye Shikai's life. Ye Shikai, accompanied solely by Xue San and a handful of guards, found the bulk of his forces positioned outside the inn.

"Quick, unleash the arrows!" Xue San bellowed, his crossbow raised alongside the guards as they unleashed a volley at the approaching figures below. Several assassins met their end immediately, but their sheer numbers and the confined space of the inn proved challenging for the defenders attempting to repel their rapid upward movement.

"Sir, be cautious!" Xue San shoved Ye Shikai behind him just as an assassin launched himself into the air, attempting to grip a wooden beam to pull himself up. With a powerful kick, Xue San sent the assailant plummeting back down.

'Sir, the situation outside is perilous; you must escort the lady to the room immediately,' Xue San urged.

"Outrageous, take care of yourselves," Ye Shikai, while desiring to fight alongside his men, recognized that He Linghan's safety was paramount.

"Don't flee, villain!" Suddenly, two more assassins appeared from an alternate direction. Ye Shikai instantly positioned himself in front of He Linghan, drawing his sword to meet their assault.

"Astonishing." Ye Shikai's swordsmanship was truly exceptional. His prowess had been lauded previously by Bai Qi himself within Bai Qi's relics, and Meng Tian also held his skills in high regard. Facing the pincer attack of two assailants, Ye Shikai brilliantly deflected their lunges while simultaneously safeguarding He Linghan. He skillfully blocked a thrust and, with a fluid motion of his reverse-handed sword, swiftly dispatched one attacker. Seizing the momentum, Ye Shikai pressed his advantage, his longer sword proving superior to their shorter blades as he effortlessly cut them down.

'Sir, their numbers are overwhelming. You must get inside quickly,' Xue San shouted, his voice laced with anxiety. The assassins had now fully surged upwards, engaging the guards in close-quarters combat. However, the well-drilled guards maintained a firm hold on the narrow corridor, their formation unwavering.

"Ling'er, we must retreat now." With no other recourse, Ye Shikai grasped He Linghan's hand and pulled her back into the room.

"Xue San, fall back slowly and hold them until reinforcements arrive." The guards fought defensively as they withdrew. Despite the assassins' overwhelming numbers, the constricted passageway prevented them from fully exploiting their advantage. Ye Shikai seized a crossbow and took aim.

"Everyone, get down!" At his command, all the guards instantly crouched. Ye Shikai repeatedly fired the crossbow, unleashing a barrage of bolts. The assassins at the forefront, caught completely off guard and struggling to evade in the dim light, were struck down, several falling victim to the attack.

"Withdraw!" Seeing the assassins momentarily stunned, Ye Shikai swiftly ordered the guards to retreat into the room. Xue San remained at the rear, quickly shutting the door behind them. They then proceeded to move heavy furniture to barricade the entrance.

"Barricade the door and prevent them from entering!"

"Sir, you and the lady must descend via the window. This barricade will not hold for long," Xue San implored urgently. With over twenty assassins outside, a direct confrontation would likely result in them being overwhelmed. The most critical factor was He Linghan's presence, unarmed and vulnerable, making her a certain target should they encounter the attackers.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Just as Xue San finished speaking, a hail of crossbow bolts pierced the room. Ye Shikai quickly grabbed a wooden board, shielding He Linghan. Fortunately, a large dresser within the room provided a temporary barrier against the incoming projectiles.

"Hurry, Sir!"

"You... stay safe." Ye Shikai secured one end of a blanket to the window frame, letting it hang down, before turning to face a visibly terrified He Linghan.

"Ling'er, hold onto me tightly once we begin; don't let go, understand?" Ye Shikai instructed her. He Linghan nodded, her fear evident, and wrapped her arms firmly around his waist.

"If you feel scared, just close your eyes. Don't open them." With one arm supporting her slender waist, Ye Shikai leaped out, maintaining a firm grip on the blanket with his other hand. They descended slowly. While the blanket did not reach the ground, Ye Shikai released his hold, landing them both safely.

"Alright, Ling'er, you can open your eyes now." Ye Shikai's voice was gentle as he reassured her. Below their position was the inn's chicken coop, and as he recalled, his guards were stationed nearby.

"Are we... safe now?" He Linghan trembled uncontrollably as she slowly opened her eyelids, her fear palpable. Ye Shikai felt a pang of guilt and embraced her tightly, conveying a sense of security.

"Rest assured." After running for several hundred miles, the faint sound of approaching hoofbeats reached them. He focused his senses and spotted over a dozen soldiers on horseback.

"General, what has transpired?" The Centurion leading the detachment dismounted and inquired. The sounds of intense fighting from the inn had clearly alerted the guards.

"This inn is a trap; more than twenty assassins are inside. Dispatch forces to provide support," Ye Shikai commanded.

"General Man has already proceeded with the main contingent, Sir. Please do not worry."

Ye Shikai, concerned for Xue San’s safety, felt reassured upon learning Man Cang had taken soldiers to engage the enemy. He then instructed the remaining squad to ensure He Linghan’s protection before returning to their inn.

Upon his arrival back at the inn, Ye Shikai observed the guards posted outside, noting two hundred soldiers had completely encircled the premises. Inside, the absence of further commotion indicated that… the battle had concluded.

"Greetings, General."

"Greetings, General."

"Very well, you may rise," Ye Shikai said, motioning for them to stand. "What is the situation within?"

"General Man personally led thirty men inside, and we were ordered to stand guard, ensuring no one could flee," a Hundred Generals informed him.

"Excellent, follow me inside," Ye Shikai commanded, proceeding into the inn. He discovered a grim scene of assassins’ bodies scattered throughout, alongside several fallen soldiers. Man Cang was holding one severely wounded assassin, while Xue San, battered and bloody, sat on the floor, breathing heavily.

"Man Cang, Xue San, are you both alright?" Ye Shikai asked urgently, his primary concern resting on Xue San, who had been fighting within the inn and faced immense peril.

"Relax, I’m fine; no injuries, just thoroughly exhausted," Xue San replied with a sudden smile, exuding the relief of having survived a grave danger. Despite not being particularly skilled in combat, he had surprisingly held his own against numerous assassins for an extended period.

"Wonderful, that you are unharmed," Ye Shikai said with a laugh, clapping him firmly on the shoulder.

"Sir, there were thirty-two assassins in total. Only one remains alive; the rest have been eliminated," Man Cang stated, before tossing the surviving assassin onto the floor. Several soldiers brought the man forward before Ye Shikai; he was injured and clearly had endured a brutal confrontation.

"Among the fallen assassins were the inn’s waiters, errand boys, and cooks. Besides them, from where did the others originate?" Ye Shikai inquired, his tone sharp and cold.