Shen Yun and the others heard the news, their faces turning serious.
Seeing that he had frightened them, the ferocious man let out a cold snort and, with his men, grabbed the fleeing civilians and bound them with long ropes, stringing them together like gourds.
"Wait, what crime did these people commit that you are arresting them?" Wang Enze demanded sternly.
He was handsome, and when he smiled, there was a unique charm about him.
But when he got angry, he was extremely terrifying.
His eyes were wide and bloodshot, his lips thin and tightly pursed, and he breathed heavily through his nostrils.
The civilians who had been fleeing now looked like fish out of water, devoid of life.
They looked as if they were waiting to die, not even having the will to resist.
This bizarre situation made even the stoic Shen Yun unable to watch.
He said, "Aren't they going to be taken to Lujia Village ahead and burned together?"
As soon as he said this, the ferocious man glared at him fiercely.
The captured civilians, who had previously looked desolate and numb, seemed to regain some vitality upon hearing his words and took the opportunity to cry out.
"Our family members were infected with the plague. They said they couldn't be cured and wanted to burn them. Now they won't even let us go, those of us who are not infected. They say we have already been infected and must be dealt with immediately, otherwise we will spread it to others if we run out..."
What kind of logic was this?
Su Xiaoqi was furious, her delicate and charming face turning pale with anger. "If you get sick, you get treated. Why burn them? And those who are not infected, you want to burn them too... Are you even officials of the court?"
Su Xiaoqi, unable to contain her anger, had a delicate and charming face that turned pale.
Wang Enze signaled Mo Wen beside him to show his official seal, stating his position.
A flicker of surprise flashed across the ferocious man's face. He rolled his eyes and looked at their group.
They had traveled light, with few people.
There were no more than twenty people in total.
They, on the other hand, had more than thirty people, each holding a blade.
His Highness the Crown Prince had given instructions that this matter must not be spread.
These uninfected civilians were to be burned along with the infected because they knew what they were doing.
That's why they were being pursued to be silenced.
It was just that they had not expected to encounter people of official status.
Let them go?
This matter would inevitably be leaked, not only causing trouble for him but also for His Highness the Crown Prince.
But if they didn't let them go and took them back together, would it cause even bigger trouble?
The ferocious Cao Manzi was considering this, while Shen Yun and Wang Enze on this side exchanged a look and had already seen through his thoughts.
The two also sized up the soldiers behind Cao Manzi at the same time.
More than thirty of them.
If they were to fight, although they were at a disadvantage in numbers, they had nothing to fear.
After deciding on a plan, Wang Enze quietly signaled Lu Mingyang.
Shen Yun held Su Xiaoqi's hand.
In the current situation, anyone who wasn't stupid could see what was happening.
Su Xiaoqi naturally understood as well.
These people probably intended to kill them all.
If they didn't resist, they would likely be killed.
At that moment, she gritted her teeth and clasped his hand.
Before they were ready, Cao Manzi had already given the order to attack.
Silence them, otherwise, if this matter gets out, the Crown Prince's reputation will be ruined.
War was about to break out.
Soon, all fifty-odd people were entangled in a fierce battle.
Shen Yun, with his extraordinary skills, naturally took the lead.
But to Su Xiaoqi's surprise, Wang Enze, who looked beautiful and delicate, was also a master swordsman.
He wielded a soft sword, its blade moving lightly with a humming sound. The blade was extremely sharp, and wherever it swung, limbs were severed.
The brothers Mo Wen and Mo Da beside him were also formidable characters. They flipped and dodged, their attacks swift and merciless.
As for Zhang Lei, Zhang Yu, and Zhang Feng, their combat effectiveness was even more impressive.
However, the three had received instructions from Shen Yun not to kill, but only to incapacitate their opponents.
Wang Enze, seeing this, immediately understood Shen Yun's intention.
No matter what evil deeds these people were involved in, they were still the Crown Prince's men.
If they took it upon themselves to kill them, it would be difficult to explain to the Crown Prince.
He immediately cautioned his subordinates to hold back.
Focus on injuring, not killing.
The thirty-odd guards, though seemingly formidable, were all taken down in less than fifteen minutes under the combined assault of Shen Yun and Wang Enze, the two hidden trump cards.
Su Xiaoqi seized the opportunity and cut the ropes binding the civilians, urging them to flee quickly.
But those people were unwilling to leave.
Curious, Su Xiaoqi asked why, only to learn that they were afraid they wouldn't be able to escape.
The surroundings were filled with guards who were apprehending people, and this was just a small group.
Therefore, they wanted to follow them, as it would give them a sense of security.
Otherwise, they would only escape temporarily, as they had just done.
Soon, they would be captured again and thrown back into the roaring inferno.
"This is outrageous. He is still the Crown Prince of a nation, yet he commits such evil deeds, disregarding the lives of the people."
"We, we are just insignificant lives. Ever since that lord arrived here, he has already... has already killed... killed quite a few people."
"Yes, they said that by killing those infected, they could save medicinal herbs and food, and the plague could be stopped."
Upon inquiry, they learned that the people here were originally from three villages.
And because these villages had a significant number of people infected with the plague, they initially approached them under the guise of treating them. One by one, they voluntarily went, but never returned after seeking treatment; they were simply locked up.
They weren't even given a bite to eat.
When they were starved to near death, they were taken to a house and set ablaze.
All this talk of treating illnesses and saving people was a lie.
Su Xiaoqi listened, stunned, that such a thing could happen in this world.
Even if they were sick, they were still living human beings.
Liang Xinran was only focused on completing his mission, with no regard for the lives of the people in his heart.
So cold-blooded and heartless, it was no wonder he would later commit such outrageous acts after becoming emperor.
Lu Mingyang was also furious. He immediately wanted to go and reason with the Crown Prince.
But he was stopped by both Wang Enze and Shen Yun.
Going to confront them at this moment would be no different from courting death.
Seeing that they had mobilized so many soldiers, their purpose was to prevent any leaks.
Now that they had encountered them midway, it was unknown how he would deal with them once he received the news.
Wang Enze said, "At this critical juncture, it is best to leave here and head for the capital."
Su Xiaoqi disagreed, "If we leave, they will be captured again..."
They had done nothing wrong, yet they were to be unjustly killed like this. It was truly unfair.
Lu Mingyang also disagreed, insisting on staying to reason with His Highness the Crown Prince and to tell him that they could cure the disease, it would just take some effort and time.
Thus, the three looked at Shen Yun, who had remained silent.
Su Xiaoqi, worried that Shen Yun's refined self-interest might kick in, tugged at his sleeve, looking at him with pleading eyes.