"Ah?"
The maid's face turned pale with fright as she stammered, "I...I don't know, I didn't see anyone entering the courtyard."
Seeing her genuinely panicked and not lying, Helian Rong released her and swiftly moved to the side of a middle-aged woman who was exhibiting fluctuations of True Yuan within her.
As the woman saw someone attacking, she drew a soft sword from her waist. As the sword was unsheathed, it sounded like a dragon's roar and a streak of silver light surged towards Helian Rong.
Helian Rong's pupils contracted slightly, and with a flash, she dodged the other's sword. At the same time, she waved her right hand and a cloud of poison mist sprayed forth.
The middle-aged woman's face showed surprise, seemingly startled by Helian Rong's swift dodging technique. Seeing Helian Rong wave her sleeve, the woman alertly struck out with her palm. The force of her palm whipped up a fierce wind that scattered the poison Helian Rong had released.
