Chapter 152: Life or Death Unknown
Grandpa Ling and Lu Ming didn’t notice that a group of black-clothed people had already approached the Earth God Temple.
The youth, who had been sleeping by the veranda, wrapped tightly in his animal hide coat and leaning against a haystack, was the first to wake up. He looked at the dozen or so black-clothed people approaching with swords, quite puzzled.
Who is it?
But soon he let go of his confusion. No matter who it was, if they wanted to harm Daoist Ji, they would be killed.
The youth misjudged the black-clothed people’s skills. Although he killed several of them alone, the door of the Earth God Temple was still kicked open.
…
Jin Sui woke up at the first crow of the rooster. The dormitory was packed with men, women, old, and young. The smell of sweat, foot odor, and the sour smell from the dried food and pickled vegetables they brought mixed together, making the small room feel like a biological warfare laboratory.
If she hadn’t been afraid of attracting attention, she would have definitely paid a high price for a private room.
Before leaving, she entered her space, washed up, had a hearty meal, and added two warm padded jackets inside her old cotton coat. Wrapped from head to toe, she then walked out of the post station.
The entire post station was silent, with only the lantern at the entrance casting a dim light. The sounds of roosters and horses came from the backyard. The air was cold, and a thin layer of frost had formed on the ground, crunching underfoot.
The poplar trees in the courtyard were covered in frost, like trees full of crystal clear ice flowers, emitting a lustrous glow in the morning light.
It’s so cold!
Jin Sui took a deep breath, the cold air piercing straight into her lungs, making her shiver while also clearing her mind.
She walked slowly along the official road, estimating the time. By the time she reached the Earth God Temple, it should be broad daylight, and that coachman youth would have already led away the people in hiding.
The people in the border city only knew that the Fake Li King was a young Taoist, but no one knew that the young Taoist was a woman.
Her current attire would absolutely not arouse suspicion. Once she reached the town, she would buy a new carriage and quietly move Grandpa and Jin An over, and then she would be completely free from those people.
What she needed to do now was to pass by the Earth God Temple by chance, watch the coachman youth rush out, and if she could see the people secretly following them, that would be even better. If not, it wouldn’t matter.
As she walked, the morning light was faint. Diligent villagers had already started collecting manure on the road. There used to be few carriages on this official road, but since the border city became lively, there were more merchants and travelers, and naturally more donkeys and horses.
Some meticulous coachmen would bring their own manure bags, while others disliked the smell and, carrying their disgust all the way, let their donkeys and carts defecate on the road. This then became something that villagers competed for during the autumn and winter farming off-season.
Collecting one more basket of manure a day would fertilize the land in spring, and in autumn, they could harvest one more dou of grain.
The morning official road, which was originally filled only with the sounds of roosters and birds, suddenly echoed with shouts. Villagers collecting manure by the roadside and those digging field embankments in the fields hurried in one direction.
They could faintly hear their discussions: “So scary! Was it a wolf?”
“Didn’t you see those were swords! Did the bandits and horse bandits have an internal conflict?”
“Did you report it to the officials? Hurry and report it!”
“The times are not peaceful! So close to the town, and bandits dare to kill people.”
…
For no reason, Jin Sui’s heart began to race. Her sixth sense told her that this matter must be related to her.
Grandpa, Jin An!
She sprinted. Before she even reached the Earth God Temple, she smelled blood. When she pushed through the crowd of onlookers.
Seeing the scene inside the Earth God Temple, she felt her soul scatter and her hands and feet tremble. Five black-clothed corpses with swords lay in the courtyard, blood flowing everywhere, frozen into blood-colored ice flowers.
The big yellow horse was gone, but the carriage was overturned in the courtyard, its contents scattered everywhere.
Looking further inside the Earth God Temple, a person lay in a pool of blood.
Jin Sui no longer cared if she would be recognized and rushed in. Passersby quickly pulled her back: “Little girl, don’t go in by yourself! Wait for the constables to arrive.”
Jin Sui refused to listen. Rushing into the temple, she finally saw clearly the person lying on the ground. He had been stabbed in the abdomen and had already breathed his last.
It was that coachman youth.
His eyes were wide open, unclosed in death.
He never expected that such a simple errand would lead to his death halfway.
Jin Sui stepped forward and closed his eyes, silently saying, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
She had been too careless, too selfish, too self-righteous.
She knew clearly that the southward road would be perilous, and she knew that someone, friend or foe, was tracking them from behind, yet she let an ordinary person impersonate you.
Now that he has died for you, how will you repay this debt?
With no time for sorrow, Jin Sui quickly surveyed the room. The grass curtain on the broken window was nailed by Grandpa. The animal hide blanket on the ground had a hole burned in it and was stained with blood, which should have been what Jin An was covered with.
Looking at the coachman youth’s corpse, Jin Sui’s heart pounded. Grandpa and Jin An, please be alright!
Were they captured? Or did they escape?
Jin Sui looked again at the black-clothed corpses. They all had sword wounds, and two of them were killed with a single sword thrust. The youth inside the room had knife wounds from the black-clothed people’s weapons.
Who killed the black-clothed people? Which of these two groups was tracking them?
Gu Changxiao’s face flashed in her mind, but she quickly suppressed it.
Calm down. Whether Gu Changxiao wants to silence you or his people saved Grandpa and Jin An, you cannot act emotionally now.
You must find them as soon as possible!
Jin Sui rushed out of the Earth God Temple. Several villagers blocked her way: “Did you take anything inside? The constables will be here soon.”
Jin Sui looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly: “Move aside!”
The villagers felt a chill run down their spines from those angry eyes. How could such a young girl be so fierce?
They unconsciously stepped aside, and Jin Sui rushed out of the courtyard, searching the frosted ground with all her might.
She actually found a clue. On the thorns in the small forest hung a few strands of cloth, and the grass on the ground clearly showed signs of being trampled in a hurry.
She followed the trail into the woods and found two more black-clothed corpses. With no one watching, she rummaged through the black-clothed people.
She only found a token. It looked familiar. After recalling carefully, she realized that Huo Zi’an had the same token!
She couldn’t help but think that Gu Changxiao’s attitude towards her changed drastically after Huo Zi’an returned and talked with him.
Was Huo Zi’an playing a double agent? Did he actually lead Prince Yu’s people here…
If you have this ability, why are you chasing me, the retired Fake Li King?
Gu Changxiao, you’re too stupid! You believe whatever anyone says! You actually believe Huo Zi’an and won’t even discuss it with me.
Jin Sui brainstormed while continuing to track.
When she finally reached a dead end with only a river ahead, she completely panicked.
In this weather, jumping into the river would surely freeze her to death!
She ran along the downstream river channel, shouting, “Grandpa, Jin An!”
There was no response. The area was so desolate, with only barren slopes and forests, not even good farmland.
She didn’t know how long she ran. She didn’t feel tired or hungry, only that her feet were heavy. Looking down, she realized her shoes and lower legs were covered in mud.
She took off her shoes and wiped them with dry grass. Casually looking upstream, she had an idea.
If Grandpa and Jin An jumped into the river to escape, they would naturally go downstream.
But if they didn’t jump into the river and instead tried to confuse the enemy, they would definitely run upstream.
She had already walked for so long without finding any clues. Perhaps she had chosen the wrong direction from the start.
She decisively turned back and spent another half a day returning to where she started. By then, it was almost dusk. She had walked in the wilderness for a whole day like this.
Although she didn’t feel hungry, she forced herself to eat two energy bars and drink a large cup of glucose water. She had to replenish her energy, as she didn’t know what she would face next.
Searching along the upstream river, she found a clue before dark: Jin An’s handkerchief, also stained with a lot of blood. It was likely used to cover a wound and dropped halfway.
Was Grandpa injured or Jin An? With so much blood, they would die if they spent a night in the wilderness after dark!
Just as she was about to shout Grandpa and Jin An’s names, two black-clothed men suddenly emerged from the forest.
Actually, they weren’t wearing night-vision clothes, but ordinary black martial arts attire. Their faces were not covered, and they carried swords, clearly also looking for something.
Jin Sui’s heart suddenly pounded with fear. She was no match for these two, and she didn’t know how many more of their people were hidden.
Just as she was preparing to hide, the two black-clothed men spotted her. The more nervous she became, the calmer she grew.
With a flick of her wrist, an anesthetic needle landed in her palm.
She struck first, shouting to the two men: “Big brothers, have you seen our calf?”
The two men were initially puzzled. Why would a little girl appear in such a wilderness? Coupled with the special nature of their mission, they couldn’t help but suspect that this little girl was related to the Fake Li King’s party.
Hearing her question, the two men retorted: “What is a little girl like you doing in this wilderness?”
As they spoke, they drew their swords. Jin Sui feigned weakness, knelt on the ground, and cried: “I was out herding cattle and lost my calf. If I can’t find it, my father will beat me to death.”
“Please spare my life, big brothers. I’ll leave once I find my cow.”
One of them said coldly: “Scram!”
The other man’s sword was fully drawn: “Having seen us, how can we let you go!”
Saying that, he charged at Jin Sui with his sword. Jin Sui covered her head and screamed, but peeked through her fingers at the approaching person.
She was betting that the other party would underestimate her as a simple village girl and let down their guard.
She won her bet. This person treated her like a lamb to be slaughtered, without any caution, as if with a swing of his sword, he could leave the girl dead in the wilderness.
But when his gaze met hers through her fingers, he saw a pair of eyes as cold as ice, shooting out two beams of light sharper than his blade.
When they were only a sword’s length apart, a glint flashed in the girl’s hand. She lunged forward, and something pierced his calf.
His hand loosened its grip on the sword, and with a thud, the long saber fell to the ground. The man collapsed softly onto the ground.
He wanted to signal his companion for help, but heard the girl shout first: “He was bitten by a five-step viper!”
While shouting, she picked up his sword and hacked randomly at the surrounding grass, looking truly terrified by the snake.
In his last breath before closing his eyes, the man saw his companion rushing over with concern, but he did not draw his sword.
And the girl, who had been hacking at the grass, suddenly turned, leaped up, and plunged her sword into the companion’s chest.
Unfortunately, this thrust did not kill the black-clothed man. It only lightly grazed his arm, and he was kicked flying backward by the black-clothed man who had reacted.
Her martial arts were not good enough to kill with a sneak attack, but she had practiced one thing extremely well: the hand crossbow.
The black-clothed man drew his sword, regretting his carelessness and being deceived by the appearance of this little village girl.
Then, with the posture of a lion preying on a rabbit, he rushed towards Jin Sui. However, he saw the little village girl twist her body, and when she faced him again, a hand crossbow appeared in her hand.
The crossbow was not loaded with an arrow, but with a strange syringe.
Instantly, the needle pierced his arm. He pulled it out as quickly as possible, but after a few breaths, his legs felt weak, his hand couldn’t hold the sword, and his vision went black.
He saw the little village girl pick up his companion’s dropped sword again and drag it on the ground, walking step by step towards the first black-clothed man.
She thrust the sword into his chest and, to prevent any accidents, delivered another blow, severing his neck.
“If you want to interrogate, one person is enough.”
Jin Sui looked at the second black-clothed man. He had already fainted.
She dragged the man to a relatively hidden spot in the woods, took out zip ties and rope from her space, bound him doubly, and then gave him a dose of stimulant.
“I ask, you answer. Do you understand?”
The black-clothed man, who had just regained consciousness, was clearly not in the right state. Upon seeing her, he angrily said, “How dare you! Do you know who we are?”
Jin Sui calmly took off his boots, cut the sock ties with the tip of her knife, and picked off the socks.
She placed the tip of the knife on his big toe and asked again, “I ask, you answer. Do you understand?”
The black-clothed man sweated profusely but continued to be stubborn: “I am an Imperial Guard from the Commander’s Office! You dare to kill a court official, and your entire clan will be exterminated!”
Jin Sui directly sliced off his toe. The black-clothed man let out a tragic wail. Jin Sui, while placing the toe on the tip of her knife, stuffed a towel into his mouth.
“Quiet down, or wolves might be attracted.”
“Now, just nod.”
With a touch of malice, she brought the severed toe in front of the black-clothed man: “If you still don’t understand, I’ll cut off your finger, then your ear, your tongue, and keep cutting until you understand human speech.”
“Do you understand?”
This man no longer had any arrogance, because he now suspected that the little village girl standing before him was not human at all! She was a wilderness sprite, and not even a female ghost.
Female ghosts charm men, and although she was beautiful upon closer inspection, her actions were completely wicked. She was definitely not human!
If Jin Sui knew that the black-clothed man considered her a sprite, she would have burst into laughter. If Prince Yu kept sending such trash to Yandi, he would never be able to break into the border city.
“It’s good that you understand. Now I’ll take off the towel. Don’t scream. If you dare to scream, I’ll immediately cut off this foot of yours.”
The black-clothed man nodded in pain. Jin Sui pulled off the towel and threw it onto his knees with disgust, as she would need it to block his mouth again later.
“What is your name?”
“Fang Ze.”
“What a fine name! It sounds like a gentleman, yet you engage in such dirty deeds.”
Fang Ze remained silent. As a mere Imperial Guard, he only followed his master’s orders and had no choice.
“What were you doing in the wilderness?”
“Chasing someone.”
“Chasing someone? Not killing someone? Who were you chasing?”
“The Fake Li King. We are to capture him alive and bring him to Chang’an.”
Jin Sui raised an eyebrow and praised: “Very good, that’s the way. Say more, don’t make this young lady ask too much. Asking too much annoys me, and when I’m annoyed, I feel like cutting something.”
“Why are you capturing the Fake Li King and bringing him to Chang’an?”
“I don’t know. The higher-ups ordered us to capture him alive… Don’t wave your knife, I really don’t know! I only found out that the Li King was fake after I arrived in Yandi.”
Jin Sui flicked the blade of her knife, producing a crisp sound. But to Fang Ze, it sounded like the death knell from the King of Hell.
“Is the Fake Li King in the wilderness?”
“No, but his family is. The Fake Li King is too cunning and actually used a body double. We killed the body double last night and chased his family into this wilderness.”
Jin Sui’s heart stirred: “Has anyone among you seen this Fake Li King?”
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have immediately recognized the coachman youth as fake.
“Yes, some of us secretly went to the border city and confirmed that the Li King was an imposter.”
Jin Sui abruptly changed the subject: “What is Huo Zi’an’s mission?”
