The six fighters moved like water.
No wasted motion. No hesitation. They spread instantly into a formation Xin recognized from Longwei's inherited memories — a Wolf Encirclement, designed specifically to isolate and overwhelm a single target.
Him.
Princess Mei's sword was out before the first fighter landed. She cut across two of them, forcing them to redirect. Bought him three seconds.
"Behind you," she snapped.
Xin spun. A fighter came in low, blade aimed at his knees. He pushed qi into his legs and jumped — higher than intended, landing behind the attacker, driving an elbow into the back of his neck on instinct.
The fighter dropped.
"One," Xin said.
No time to feel good about it. Two more came from opposite sides simultaneously. Classic pincer. Xin had no room to dodge both.
He
