The ground was already littered with corpses, all of them dressed in black.
There were no deaths on the side of the Forbidden Dragon Guards. The three most seriously injured were only gravely wounded, but with the secret formula and the best medicinal ingredients prepared by the imperial physicians, they would recover within months.
He Sheng walked over quickly. Although the recent battle had been fierce, there wasn't a single bloodstain within a two-zhang radius of the carriage. The enemies had all been blocked outside.
"Miss, these people were likely just the vanguard," He Sheng replied quickly, taking a few sips of water from the kettle handed to him by He Nuan. He looked at the corpses strewn about in the distance. "These people's skills are about the same as Hu Da Dao and his men from the Night Talk Inn."
Hu Da Dao and his group could only be called desperadoes, living by the sword. Thus, their skills were slightly superior to ordinary martial artists, but they were far inferior to the elite assassins secretly trained by major families.
Zhan Feiyu was sitting on a small stool, the carriage behind her providing shade. If not for the smell of blood in the air, one might have thought she was out for a pleasure trip.
Following He Sheng's gaze into the distance, the dense forests on both sides of the official road were quiet, yet they exuded a sense of impending danger, like the calm before a storm.
... Sir
Magistrate Wei had long known this would be the outcome, but an inexplicable chill ran down his spine.
Standing under the corridor, looking at the dazzling sun, Magistrate Wei recalled a famous quote he had read during his enlightenment: "To establish heart for Heaven and Earth, to secure life for the people, to continue the lost teachings of the past sages, and to bring peace to all generations."
However, after years of navigating the treacherous currents of officialdom, and now in his forties, Magistrate Wei realized he was but a speck of dust in the vast ocean, destined to be a minor official in the county yamen, concerned only with the salary he brought home each month. The idea of championing the people had long since become an empty phrase.
Stepping out of the house a moment later, Captain Cheng, in a cheerful mood, strode over. Seeing the dazed Magistrate Wei, he couldn't help but laugh, "Lord Wei, are you worried about the safety of that young girl, Zhan Feiyu? If so, you could send someone to deliver a message. Even if it can't save her, at least it would be a warning to Zhan Feiyu."
Captain Cheng's words were filled with feigned sincerity, but his gaze towards Magistrate Wei held undisguised mockery and disdain. He thought all scholars were hypocritical and high-minded. Would he dare to send a warning?
Having worked together for many years, Magistrate Wei was no longer the passionate scholar he once was. Facing Captain Cheng's blatant mockery, Magistrate Wei calmly replied, "He who does much injustice will surely perish. Let us wait and see."
After a moment of silence, laughter erupted. Captain Cheng clicked his tongue twice and shook his head, "Then I shall wait and see what retribution befalls me."
...
The next day, as dawn broke, He Sheng slowly led the carriage out of the inn, taking advantage of the cool morning air to make good time.
"Wait a moment." Suddenly, a figure darted out from an alley. It was a young servant in gray clothing. He glanced around warily and then spoke to Zhan Feiyu in the carriage, "My master sent me to inform Miss that the roads are unsafe. If you must leave Liuxian County, be sure to bring enough men."
Before Zhan Feiyu could reply, the servant turned and ran off as if ghosts were chasing him.
He Nuan looked at the departing servant through the carriage window. "Miss, that's the young man from Zhao's pastry shop."
"I didn't expect it to be Master Zhao who would inform us," Zhan Feiyu smiled, looking at the peaceful street scene outside the carriage window. "A Sheng, let's get going."
Magistrate Zhu had not sent anyone with a message. Neither had Magistrate Wei, Constable Miao, nor Constable Cao. Even Young Master Jiao, who had shown favor before, had quietly left Liuxian County the previous night to return to Qianzhong Prefecture.
In the end, no one was willing to offend the elusive Old Master. Even though Magistrate Zhu, as the parent official of Liuxian County, knew Zhan Feiyu was in mortal danger, he would not risk offending the Old Master by sending a warning.
It was only the first watch of the寅 hour. Thinking of the potential fierce battle ahead, He Nuan brought out the breakfast from the food box and placed it on the low table. "Isn't Master Zhao afraid?"
The Old Master wielded immense influence in Qianzhong Circuit. If Master Zhao sent a servant so early in the morning, the news would surely not remain a secret.
Picking up a piece of soft, fragrant egg pancake, Zhan Feiyu said without looking up, "Fortune favors the bold! If they lose the gamble, the Zhao family will likely be in an even worse state. If they win, Zhao's pastry shop can make a comeback."
He Nuan shook her head helplessly. They were truly merchants. Even Magistrate Zhu and the others lacked the courage to take such a gamble.
...
On the other side, the servant who had delivered the message had returned to the Zhao residence. Most of the Zhao family's servants had been dismissed, and the remaining ones, along with the family members, had returned to their ancestral home in the countryside.
The once prosperous Zhao residence appeared desolate and fallen within a few days. The emptied mansion exuded an air of decay everywhere.
"Second Uncle, aren't you afraid?" Zhao Ling couldn't help but ask. His uncle's actions were too risky. If the Old Master retaliated afterward, the Zhao family would be utterly ruined.
Master Zhao stood by the window, looking at the deserted courtyard. After a long while, he slowly said, "Master Qiu had previously said that the Zhao family didn't have many promising scholars. If they were diligent and hardworking, they might be able to pass the xiucai examination, and if they were lucky, perhaps even become a juren."
But what was the use of being a juren? It didn't grant official status. It would take at least twenty years for the Zhao family to recover through the scholarly pursuits of their descendants. But after twenty years, what use would a juren be? Looking no further, in twenty years, Young Master Jiao might already be a prefect.
Thinking of Master Qiu's words, Zhao Ling's expression also became more somber. "If all else fails, we can sponsor several poor scholars."
But even as he said it, Zhao Ling lacked confidence. "Righteousness often comes from the humble, while betrayal often comes from scholars." Who would dare to bet the future of the Zhao family on an unknown scholar?
If they were grateful, it would be fine. But if they encountered an ungrateful wretch, they might covet the Zhao family's assets and turn against them. Therefore, in the end, they had to rely on their own family.
Master Zhao patted Zhao Ling's shoulder reassuringly. "Years ago, I deposited ten thousand taels of silver in the bank under Huzi's name..."
Although it wasn't a deathbed confession, it was close. Master Zhao knew the Old Master's ruthlessness. If this gamble failed, this sum of money would at least ensure the Zhao family did not starve.
Furthermore, Master Zhao had handled this money himself, and it had been twenty years ago. Even if the Old Master had many informants, he likely wouldn't be able to find it.
"But..." Zhao Ling's voice choked as if his throat were blocked by cotton. His chest also felt sore and heavy.
"Miss Zhan clearly knows that the Old Master will retaliate, yet she dares to leave Liuxian County so openly. This is either foolishness or confidence. As long as we bet correctly, all of the Zhao family's difficulties will disappear." A light flashed in Master Zhao's bloodshot eyes. Success or failure hinged on this single move.
...
After the two carriages exited the city gates, He Sheng noticed people following them. Moreover, figures could be seen moving in the mountains on both sides of the official road. It was likely that knowing Zhan Feiyu was leaving, they had sent people to guard the area the previous night to gather the latest information.
Although the carriage was stuffy, the ice bucket made it bearable. After reciting her lessons, Zhan Feiyu lifted the curtain and looked outside. The trees were lush green, and the mountains surrounded them. "One could set up an ambush by closing their eyes and picking any spot."
As soon as Zhan Feiyu finished speaking, He Sheng, who was driving the carriage, subtly changed his expression. He looked at a wisp of smoke rising in the distance. "Miss, there's an ambush ahead."
Zhan Feiyu glanced at He Nuan, who had drawn her soft sword, her face unable to conceal her envy. Who didn't have a dream of being a chivalrous heroine?
A quarter of an hour later, as the carriage stopped, the sound of trees being felled could be heard at the intersection. Two thick trees fell, their dense branches blocking the path ahead and behind. Whether people could pass was uncertain, but at least the carriages could not.
"Miss, why aren't you staying in the carriage?" He Nuan helped He Sheng quickly unload the carriage body.
The interior of the carriage was lined with solid copper plates that even swords could not penetrate. Although heavy, with the special mechanism of the Forbidden Dragon Guards, unloading the carriage body was not difficult.
Once the carriage body was locked from the inside, it became an impenetrable fortress. Zhan Feiyu was absolutely safe inside, and the ventilation holes were also well-hidden. The enemy would not be able to find her for a short period.