After speaking, she turned away, ignoring those three lackeys. But as soon as she turned her back, she felt a tingling at the nape of her neck. Her years of martial training sent a warning through her instincts, making her instinctively lunge forward to dodge the malice attacking from behind.

However, the attack from behind came too quickly. The moment the girl leaned forward, someone lightly tapped her shoulder. Then, a dull yet irresistible force spread from her shoulder throughout her body, paralyzing her completely, leaving her unable to move.

"Miss, forgive us."

John Thompson's voice sounded especially grating and hateful from behind.

"Before Brother Peter went for his run... oh no, before he got busy with his endless affairs, he told us that Miss is gentle on the outside but strong-willed within, and might even defy the family to stand her ground. To avoid trouble during our work, we must bring Miss back to the family estate first. Unfortunately, though the three of us are strong, we wouldn't dare lay hands on Miss, so we asked Brother Peter for a paralyzing puppet talisman. In a moment, please come with us to stay at home for a couple of days. Once the work here is done, we will definitely arrange a new residence for you."

Emily Thompson felt her insides burning with rage, wishing she could cut these three wretches into a thousand pieces. At the same time, she was filled with fear, terrified that if she left now, she might never see this familiar little courtyard again.

John Thompson, Matthew Thompson, and David Thompson, these three servants, each possessed excellent martial skills—enough to be top experts in the martial world—but they still weren't worth Emily Thompson's notice. By the time she graduated from the inner sect's body training class at age ten, she was already a top-tier martial artist.

However, the paralyzing puppet talisman was an immortal's talisman. Even though it was just the most basic white talisman, it could easily immobilize Emily Thompson. Without the ability to control qi and ride the wind, she couldn't resist the talisman's power.

Anxious, furious, even ashamed and regretful, a flood of emotions surged up, making the girl's eyes sting and her vision blur. Just then, Henry Martinez's voice sounded again.

"Ah, I meant to remind you earlier—someone wanted to use a puppet talisman on you."

"...And then?"

"Then you said you were busy. Don't you remember what you said yourself?"

"Of course I remember! Are you here to mock me now?!"

"No, I just thought you might be free now, so I'm reminding you."

"Don't you think it's a bit late for that!"

"Is it already too late? Oh well, I was going to help you break free, but if it's too late..."

"Wait, you can help me break free!?"

"Of course I can, it's just a white talisman, what's so hard about that?"

"Then what are you waiting for!?"

"Waiting for when you're free..."

If Henry Martinez's voice didn't sound so sincere, Emily Thompson would have wanted to change the number one enemy in her little notebook to his name right now!

"Help me break free now! Also, I might have to fight those three idiots in a bit. They're not that strong individually, but together they're a real pain. You have to coordinate with my moves."

Henry Martinez said, "A fight? Sure!"

With that, he sent a gentle breeze from the sword world into Emily Thompson's body. Instantly, the power of the paralyzing talisman was blown away like smog by the wind. Emily Thompson felt her whole body relax, the crushing pressure vanishing without a trace!

Joy lit up the girl's face: Good! Who would've thought this plain, blunt sword could actually break an immortal's talisman! Just for this, my nine taels of silver were totally worth it! If I put this talisman-breaking sword up for auction, people would fight over it for hundreds of taels... No, if it can break a white talisman instantly, I could trade it for wind crystals and never have to eat plain soup and water again—oh hell, what am I even thinking about right now!

Next, she needed to take advantage of the three's carelessness to subdue one of them first, then face the other two one-on-two. With her current strength, that should be manageable... But the three of them were always together and worked in perfect sync. She'd only have a split second, but if she used the opening move of the Wind-Chasing Sword against David Thompson, she had an eighty to ninety percent chance of success.

But before Emily Thompson could finish her plan, her arm suddenly moved on its own, grabbing the sword at her waist. Then, as if pulled by invisible strings, she stumbled forward—straight toward the tallest and strongest of them all, Matthew Thompson!

The girl screamed inwardly: Henry Martinez, what are you doing!? Are you trying to get me killed?!

Sure enough, though Matthew Thompson was slow-witted, his body was unbelievably agile. The moment Emily Thompson lunged at his back, he felt a tingle and instinctively twisted around. His right arm instantly swelled, blue veins bulging like snakes, and his arm swept down like an iron rod, blocking Emily Thompson's sword path.

The sword's starting move was too slow; it couldn't get past Matthew Thompson's iron arm. The plain, blunt sword couldn't possibly harm Matthew Thompson's seventh-level Qilin Arm technique. When it struck his arm, it only made a loud clang, and the sword's path was knocked downward.

Then, to Emily Thompson's astonishment, the plain, blunt sword merely grazed Matthew Thompson's waist muscle, and Matthew Thompson's eyes widened. Without a sound, he clutched his waist and collapsed, retching uncontrollably.