Setting aside Lord Qiu’s machinations, Zhan Feiyu’s current focus was on the chests on the high platform that everyone was vying for. The three locks had already been severed by weapons, and the real free-for-all was about to begin.
“Miss?” He Sheng asked in a deep voice, his hand tightening around his long sword, his gaze calmly assessing their surroundings.
“Leave two people to escort me out later, and the rest are to stop others.” Zhan Feiyu glanced back towards the main hall’s exit.
Although she couldn’t see outside, she could imagine that Lord Qiu had already set up an inescapable net. He would undoubtedly spare no effort to eliminate the elite death warriors of various factions.
He Sheng responded, “We’ll escort the Miss out first!”
Once outside, there would be reinforcements from the Forbidden Dragon Guards. Moreover, there were already seventy to eighty people in the hall, all masters carefully cultivated by their respective families. Even a chaotic battle wouldn’t yield results in a short time.
“Charge!”
“Attack!”
Someone, it was unclear who, suddenly shouted, and instantly, dozens of figures lunged towards the high platform. Anyone who dared to obstruct them, no matter who they were, would be killed without mercy!
He Sheng, He Nuan, and a few others also protected Zhan Feiyu as they retreated towards the exit. At this moment, everyone was after the tokens, and coupled with the bloodthirsty killing intent emanating from He Sheng and his companions, those they encountered actively avoided them.
A moment later.
Outside the Hesheng Pavilion, it was brightly lit. Campfires had been lit nearby, and combined with the lanterns hanging from the eaves and trees, the exterior of the Hesheng Pavilion was illuminated as if it were daytime.
“Those who approach, disarm! Those who disobey will be executed!” Three zhang away from the main gate of the Hesheng Pavilion, a group of soldiers in armor pointed their weapons at Zhan Feiyu and her companions.
Zhan Feiyu recognized them. It was Xu Heng, the Qianhu of the Qianzhong Guard.
Previously, Cai Zhiyuan had ordered the Qianzhong Guard to arrest Zhan Feiyu and her companions, intending to kill them discreetly. However, they were instead counter-killed by the Forbidden Dragon Guards. Now, Cai Zhiyuan and his personal guards were all imprisoned in the prefectural yamen.
“Qianhu Xu.” Zhan Feiyu spoke, then produced a Forbidden Dragon Guard token and tossed it over. “I request Qianhu Xu to clear the way.”
“My lord, I wish I could forge this token. Tsk tsk, it will be unimpeded throughout the Great Qing Dynasty in the future.” Cao, the Deputy Qianhu, also clad in armor, glanced over, his ox-like eyes filled with excitement and eagerness. This was a Forbidden Dragon Guard token. Let alone their Qianzhong Guard, even Commander She would have to show them some respect.
Qianhu Xu shot a warning glance at the garrulous Cao Deyi. Were such words that could cost one their head to be spoken so casually?
“Miss Zhan.” Since they were acquaintances, and Miss Zhan had already presented her token, Qianhu Xu clasped his hands in a salute. This was not a show of respect for Zhan Feiyu, but for Scholar Gu and the Forbidden Dragon Guards. He was merely a minor fifth-rank official and could not afford to offend these powerful figures. “I request Miss Zhan to wait a moment. This general needs to seek instructions from Lord Qiu first.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Zhan Feiyu smiled faintly, glanced around, and then walked towards the right, clearing the entrance to prevent herself from blocking the exit if someone were to rush out.
Qianhu Xu took the token and quickly departed. The street, now under strict martial law, was devoid of its usual liveliness. In the center, three tables were arranged in a straight line, and the three most influential officials of the Qianzhong Circuit were seated there.
As for Prefect Jiao and other officials, they stood respectfully to the sides. Not far away were constables holding torches and soldiers from the Commander’s Office. The rest were Lord Qiu’s personal guards.
“Your subordinate pays his respects to the three lords!” Qianhu Xu knelt on one knee and saluted, holding the token high. “Reporting to the lords, Miss Zhan, holding a Forbidden Dragon Guard token, requested this subordinate to let her pass. I await your instructions.”
Commander She sneered, “Is she treating the Forbidden Dragon Guard token as a royal sword?”
Lord Qiu smiled without speaking. If Commander She were to submit a memorial impeaching the Forbidden Dragon Guards, Lord Qiu would genuinely praise him as a true hero. Unfortunately, despite Commander She’s domineering demeanor, he could only offer such sarcastic remarks here.
As for Lord Ge, seated on the far right, this third-rank official of the Provincial Surveillance Department was the most adept at navigating complex situations. At first glance, he appeared to be a good-natured, placid person who avoided conflict. However, as the person in charge of criminal justice and law in the Qianzhong Circuit, he was hardly incompetent.
Lord Ge smiled as he looked at the distant firelight, seemingly not having heard Commander She’s words, nor making any decision.
This was a battle of gods, and mortals suffered! Xu Heng, still kneeling on one knee, could only continue to hold up the token. At this moment, Xu Heng truly admired Zhan Feiyu’s courage. The young lady, despite her age, dared to get involved in the power struggles of the Qianzhong Circuit. Truly, a hero emerged from the young.
“Qianhu Xu, escort them to the side and have them guarded. Everything will be discussed tomorrow,” Lord Qiu instructed Xu Heng.
No one could afford to offend the Forbidden Dragon Guards. However, the government could not simply open the gates because of a Forbidden Dragon Guard token when dealing with a major incident. If this were to spread, the civil officials in court would likely mock Lord Qiu for lacking integrity and fawning over the Forbidden Dragon Guards.
It was better to temporarily detain Zhan Feiyu. Of course, she was to be treated as an honored guest, not a prisoner. After the dust settled, she would be released, thus saving face for both sides.
“Your subordinate obeys!” Qianhu Xu received the order and departed.
A moment later, Zhan Feiyu’s carriage was brought over by constables. Deputy Qianhu Cao personally inspected the carriage inside and out, while soldiers from the Commander’s Office stood by and watched. After confirming that there was nothing unusual in the carriage, Zhan Feiyu was respectfully escorted into the carriage and placed under guard, but He Nuan and the two Forbidden Dragon Guards still carried their weapons.
“There are matters ahead, thank you for your hard work,” Deputy Qianhu Cao said to the four individuals guarding the carriage, then led the Qianzhong Guard away. Their mission tonight was to apprehend everyone who came out of the Hesheng Pavilion. Anyone who resisted would be killed without mercy!
On the other side, in the hall of the Hesheng Pavilion, where shouts of killing and battle cries had been deafening, the firelight had been extinguished. In the darkness, the sound of clashing swords accompanied sporadic screams. The thick smell of blood stimulated the senses, making the bloodstained weapons even more frenzied in their reaping of lives.
After managing to snatch one or two items and fighting their way out of the Hesheng Pavilion, they were met with a barrage of arrows. The overwhelming volley was like a net of arrows. Even the strongest martial artists dared not break through the encirclement.
“Damn these lackeys of the government!” The burly man, who had been hit by an arrow in his right arm, retreated back into the Hesheng Pavilion, his eyes fixed grimly on the outside.
One hundred archers of the Qianzhong Guard were divided into four teams, twenty on each side wall, thirty at the main gate, and behind the archer formation were fifty infantry soldiers led by Deputy Qianhu Cao. If anyone managed to break through, they would face the fierce assault of Deputy Qianhu Cao and his men.
Qianhu Xu and his men guarded the outermost perimeter, eliminating any stragglers.
In addition to the three hundred soldiers deployed by the Qianzhong Guard, Commander She also brought two hundred elites from the Commander’s Office. Coupled with the constables and yamen runners from the Qianzhong Prefectural Yamen, over five hundred people tightly surrounded the street where the Hesheng Pavilion was located. Not a single fly could escape that night.
As the battle intensified, the bloodthirsty death warriors in the hall knew that even if they obtained the items, they could not break through the inescapable net laid by the government. At the very least, solo efforts would have no chance of success.
Suddenly, a command arrow shot through the air, followed by dozens of arrows. Accompanied by the firelight at the arrowheads, white powder diffused into the air.
“Enemy attack!” Xu Heng shouted sternly, quickly tearing off a sleeve to cover his mouth and nose.
In the darkness, dozens more figures in tight-fitting black attire darted in from all directions. Taking advantage of the smoke screen, they quickly rushed towards the campfires. Almost simultaneously, the lanterns hanging from the eaves and trees were also shot down by arrows.
In the blink of an eye! In less than half an hour, the area outside the Hesheng Pavilion was plunged into complete darkness. It had rained during the day, and by nightfall, clouds had accumulated, making it impossible to see. No one dared to move.
“Form ranks!” Xu Heng’s voice rang out again. The well-trained soldiers immediately tied strips of cloth around their left arms. In the darkness, the cloth emitted a faint greenish glow.
The soldiers of the Qianzhong Guard immediately formed ranks in groups of three to five, standing back to back, without any fear of being ambushed by the enemy.
“Charge!” The elite death warriors holding their ground inside the Hesheng Pavilion finally saw hope and once again charged towards the outside.
The Qianzhong Guard, who had formed ranks to preserve their strength, naturally could not block the enemy as they had before. They could only watch as one skilled death warrior after another leaped away and disappeared into the night.