“Deputy General Li, why did we enlist? Isn't it to protect the common people?”
“Gu Shaoan, what's the use of saying that now? Since you are still stubborn, I can only send you on your way…”
As he spoke, Deputy General Li produced a dagger from somewhere and approached Gu Shaoan.
Gu Shaoan showed no surprise, as if he had long anticipated this situation. He looked at Deputy General Li and said slowly, “Deputy General Li, you will not succeed.”
Deputy General Li chuckled, “You won't see whether we succeed or fail.”
Gu Shaoan smiled, “Even if I die, the places I have walked, the places I have guarded will tell you, Deputy General Li, that heaven's will is in the hearts of the people.” Da Feng Novel Network
“By then, you will be nothing but dust. Gu Shaoan, a dead person knows nothing,” he said. With a flick of his hand, Deputy General Li moved, and a silver gleam flashed towards Gu Shaoan.
Just as the tip of the dagger was about to pierce Gu Shaoan’s chest, Deputy General Li felt a sharp pain in his neck. Before he lost consciousness, he saw a pair of cloud boots, which he assumed belonged to a woman.
Xue Zining emerged, stepped forward, took the dagger from Deputy General Li’s hand, tested its weight, and then approached Gu Shaoan, suddenly striking at him.
Gu Shaoan did not move. The dagger sliced through the chains that bound him. “A truly good dagger.”
After speaking, Xue Zining swiftly cut through all the chains on Gu Shaoan.
“Can you stand?” Xue Zining asked.
Gu Shaoan nodded, “Yes.”
As he rose, he lost his balance due to sitting for a long time and was about to fall to the ground. Xue Zining put an arm around his waist.
Gu Shaoan was taken aback. He could feel the hand, soft yet strong, holding him firmly upright.
Gu Shaoan, who had never had any physical contact with a woman, blushed.
The tent was dark, and Gu Shaoan breathed a sigh of relief. Otherwise, would she have thought him a scoundrel?
To blush from just a touch of support?
“Can you walk?” Xue Zining asked.
Gu Shaoan nodded, uttering a single word, “Yes.”
“I’ll go outside and check,” Xue Zining said and walked out of the tent.
Gu Shaoan breathed a sigh of relief for no reason. Watching the slender figure disappear into the night, he narrowed his eyes.
Xue Zining soon returned, “Deputy General Li sent everyone away when he came here. It’s much easier for us now.”
Stepping out of the tent, Gu Shaoan breathed the outside air for the first time after several days and nights.
Xue Zining led Gu Shaoan back to the inn where Xue Yan was staying. After settling Gu Shaoan, she went to see Xue Yan. Upon seeing her, Xue Yan became excited and stepped forward, whispering, “Your Majesty, has the action begun?”
“Not yet,” Xue Zining replied.
Xue Yan gritted her teeth, “Your Majesty, this servant has been waiting until my entire body aches.”
“Don’t rush, it’s not time yet,” Xue Zining said.
Xue Yan continued, “Your Majesty, is there anything else? You can instruct this servant.”
“Don’t rush, I am still waiting for someone,” Xue Zining said slowly. Xue Yan was startled, “Waiting for someone? For whom?”
She saw her Majesty smile mysteriously at her, “For someone you are also looking forward to meeting.”
This statement made her somewhat confused. Someone she was looking forward to meeting?
“You will know when you meet them,” Xue Zining patted Xue Yan’s shoulder.
“Your Majesty, you cannot say?” Xue Yan’s curiosity was piqued.
“No,” Xue Zining refused directly.
After instructing Xue Yan with a few words, Xue Zining bid farewell to Gu Shaoan and returned to Fengling Village.
Entering her room, she sensed something unusual. The candlelight in the room had not been extinguished when she left, but now it was dark.
She placed the candle at the doorway; if someone pushed the door open, the candle would be extinguished.
Someone had entered her room.
Looking around, she sensed a presence there.
Xue Zining stepped forward, pushed open the door, and suddenly a dart flew out from inside. The silver gleam momentarily blinded her. She watched helplessly as the dart grazed her cheek, and a few strands of her hair fell to the ground.
It had narrowly missed cutting her cheek.
“Third Sister, you didn’t dodge,” Xu Yangshuo’s voice came from inside.
Xue Zining said calmly, “I don’t believe the Great Chieftain genuinely wants to kill me, so why should I dodge?”
“Haha…” Xu Yangshuo walked out from inside. “I like Third Sister’s resilient nature, even more so than a man’s.”
“Thank you for your praise, Great Chieftain. However, in the dead of night, why has the Great Chieftain come to my room? Is there something important?”
Xu Yangshuo was slightly stunned, then put on a full smile, “There is something I need to discuss with Third Sister.”
“The Great Chieftain could have sent someone to find me; there was no need to come personally.”
Hearing this, Xu Yangshuo’s smile gradually faded. “If I don’t come, how will I know if Third Sister perhaps isn’t in her room every night?”
“What the Great Chieftain says is a bit excessive. Although this is a mountain stronghold, there are still those with wicked intentions. It would be best to go out less in the future.”
“Yes, I shall heed the Great Chieftain’s teachings,” Xue Zining replied.
Xu Yangshuo flicked his sleeve and left.
Xue Zining breathed a sigh of relief.
“Is Gu Shaoan alright?” The Second Chieftain suddenly appeared behind her.
Xue Zining turned to look at the Second Chieftain and asked in confusion, “Second Chieftain, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
The Second Chieftain stepped forward and whispered, “Are you still hiding something from me?”
“Second Chieftain, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I’m tired now and need to rest.” Xue Zining gave the Second Chieftain no opportunity to speak, returned to her room, and closed the door.
Sensing that the Second Chieftain, who had been standing outside her door, had left, Xue Zining breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Xu Yangshuo’s visit to her room tonight was certainly not a coincidence. Had he discovered something in advance?
Sitting on the chair, she took out the sachet from her waist. Inside was a piece of paper, on which were written a few weak characters.
There were only a few words: Mother, Father is bringing people to rescue you.
She smiled. These were Xing Yue’s handwriting. It seemed she had met her father.
And when she met him, what would she say?
It was a pity she didn't know where Xing Chen was, but she knew her children would all be safe.
May you all be safe and sound.