From cute to empress

Chapter 308: Underground Maze Escape

Dust flew, gravel rained down, and I felt dizzy. Zhen Youcai clutched my hand tightly and ran forward with all his might, but the rumbling sound behind me grew louder and louder, like the footsteps of approaching death.

"Mengmeng, be careful!" He suddenly pushed me forward, and I stumbled a few steps, barely avoiding a falling boulder. Before I could stand firm, an even bigger rock fell from the sky, completely separating me from Zhen Youcai.

"You're talented!" I cried heartbreakingly, but all I saw was a cloud of gray dust. The cave continued to collapse, and I had nowhere to escape. I could only cling to the wall, praying for a miracle.

I don't know how long it took before the shaking finally stopped and the cave fell into a dead silence. I struggled to my feet, my body covered in dust and scrapes, my heart still pounding.

"Youcai! Where are you?" I shouted loudly, but my voice echoed in the empty cave, but there was no response. Fear wrapped around my heart like a vine, making it almost impossible for me to breathe.

I groped along the wall, moving forward step by step, hoping to find an exit, or perhaps Zhen Youcai. The cave was pitch black, and I could only rely on my weak intuition to grope forward, my heart filled with anxiety and despair.

Suddenly, my foot stepped on something soft, and I screamed and stepped back in panic. In the dim light, I saw a leather bag lying on the ground, which looked like a hunter's bag for prey.

I mustered up the courage to open the leather bag and found that it contained flint and tinder! This was a blessing in disguise. I quickly took out the flint, struck it a few times with trembling hands, and finally lit the tinder.

The faint light of the fire dispelled some of the darkness, allowing me to see the scene clearly. It was a narrow passage, with strange symbols carved into the stone walls on both sides, exactly the same as those I had seen at the cave entrance.

A thought struck me: could these symbols be some kind of instructions? Holding the torch, I carefully walked along the passage, carefully observing the symbols on the stone walls on both sides, hoping to find a clue to escape.

As I was walking, I suddenly heard a faint sound coming from the front, like someone whispering. I was delighted, thinking, could it be Zhen Youcai?

"Youcai, is that you?" I asked in a low voice, slowing down my pace and tightening the torch in my hand.

However, what I got in response was a cold laugh...

All I got in response was a cold laugh, and my heart sank instantly. This voice was strange and sinister, carrying a strong murderous aura. There was no way it could be Zhen Youcai!

I clenched the torch, but my steps stopped involuntarily. In the darkness, I couldn't see the man's appearance, but I could hear his gentle breathing, which beat like a drum in my heart, becoming more and more rapid and suffocating.

"Who are you?" I tried hard to control my trembling voice and sound calmer.

"The one who takes your life." The other party answered coldly. As soon as he finished speaking, a black shadow pounced towards me.

I instinctively raised my torch to block it, but he dodged it easily. His movements were swift and fierce, clearly a well-trained killer.

I dodged his attacks and shouted for help, hoping to attract Zhen Youcai's attention. However, my shouts echoed in the empty cave, but there was no response.

"Don't waste your energy," Assassin Ding said with a sinister smile, "No one can save you."

I was filled with despair, but I still refused to give up. I waved my torch, desperately trying to force him back. However, my strength was too weak, and I was like an ant in front of him.

Just when I was about to give up, I heard a loud noise behind me. I turned around and saw Zhen Youcai standing there covered in blood, with a pile of collapsed rocks behind him.

"Mengmeng!" When he saw me, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he was filled with worry, "Are you okay?"

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. I had never been so grateful for his presence as I was now, as if I had grabbed a life-saving straw in the midst of an endless abyss.

Seeing the situation was not good, the assassin Ding turned around and tried to escape. Zhen Youcai was not willing to let him go and rushed forward to fight with him.

I took the opportunity to run to Zhen Youcai and asked anxiously, "How are you? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," he gasped, "Get out of here quickly, it's too dangerous."

I shook my head, refusing to leave alone. Suddenly, I spotted an ancient book on the ground, pressed down by a stone. Curious, I walked over, moved the stone aside, and began to read.

The pages were yellowed, the writing blurred, and I could only barely make out some of the content. This was a book about the secret history of the royal family, recording some unknown secrets, including the succession to the throne, court struggles, and...

My eyes fell on the last line of words, and my pupils suddenly contracted. It read: The late emperor's will, passing the throne to...

Just then, I heard footsteps coming from the cave entrance, followed by Prince A's triumphant voice: "Haha, found it! They are here after all!"

I slammed the book shut, my heart aching. The late emperor's will? To whom would he pass the throne? What secrets were contained in this book that had Prince A going to such great lengths?

Before I could even think about it, Prince A and Marquis B had already led their men into the cave. In the flickering firelight, I saw their greedy eyes, and... a hint of fear hidden deep within them.

"Niu Mengmeng, if you know what's good for you, hand over the book!" Prince A said fiercely, "Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"

I hugged the book tightly in my arms and looked at him coldly: "Are you worthy enough?"

"If you don't accept my toast, you'll be punished!" Marquis B drew his sword and stabbed at me.

I dodged sideways, snatched the guard's knife, and parried his attack with a backhand. While I haven't practiced martial arts, years of handling government affairs have honed my agility. Furthermore, I'm now the empress, the ruler of this world. I can't afford to show weakness before these treacherous officials!

"Do you think you can snatch things from me with just this rabble?" I glared at the enemy before me, my gaze sharp as a torch. "Have you ever considered the consequences of betraying me?"

My words were filled with authority, shocking everyone present. They looked at each other, not daring to step forward for a moment.

At this moment, Prince A suddenly burst into laughter. "Niu Mengmeng, stop bluffing here! Do you still think you're the high and mighty empress? Look at yourself now, in such a state of disgrace, isolated and helpless. What else can you possibly do to fight us?"

His words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the last ray of hope in my heart. Yes, I am now alone and helpless, and Zhen Youcai is nowhere to be found. Who else can I rely on?

"Even if I die, I won't let you succeed!" I raised the knife in my hand and pointed it at Prince A. "Come on, if you want the book, step over my dead body!"

"You're looking for death!" Prince A roared, commanding his men to charge towards me...

Suddenly, a deafening roar came from the cave entrance: "Stop!"