Chapter 18: You Won’t Get Away That Easily
“My young lady has poor health and was frightened.”
The Hunter Youth looked at Wei Jiao, his eyes showing some fear but no panic.
“Indeed, she has been taking medicine all along.”
The shop assistants also spoke up one after another. “Officer, see clearly. Our shop prepares herbs and brews Calming Soup for the customers.”
Many of the other customers also sniffed themselves, with low voices rising. “I drank it too.” “I smell it on me too.” “I shouldn’t have drunk it.”
Some soldiers who had finished searching the inn came out and whispered to Wei Jiao, “There are indeed quite a few herbs in the inn, as well as brewed medicinal soup.”
As that soldier approached, Wei Jiao could smell the medicinal scent on him too.
At this time, Magistrate Huang also came over after finishing searching a house. Seeing the strange scene, he hurriedly asked, “Captain Wei, is something wrong?”
Wei Jiao hummed. “Something feels wrong.”
Something feels wrong—exactly what was wrong? Magistrate Huang was stunned for a moment. He didn’t dare ask Wei Jiao and looked toward the officers, as well as Mo Zheng and Yang Luo.
“What’s going on? Who are these people?” he shouted.
An officer hurriedly stepped forward and repeated what Yang Luo had just said.
“From Lu County?” Magistrate Huang frowned. “From where in Lu County?”
Yang Luo slightly leaned out from behind Mo Zheng and said softly, “From Willow Tree Alley. My home is next to Yichun Hall.”
Because Lu County was nearby, Magistrate Huang was familiar with it and knew there was a Willow Tree Alley, and Yichun Hall was somewhat well-known.
The accent and place name were both fine.
So what exactly did this Wei Jiao feel was wrong? It was just a young girl and a young servant…
The young girl already had tears welling up and a pale face. The young guard was still holding his neck stiffly, but his legs were also trembling slightly.
They couldn’t just slay them on the spot just because something felt wrong, could they?
Magistrate Huang couldn’t help turning back to look at Wei Jiao, only to see Wei Jiao smiling brightly as if expecting him to do something.
This madman. Magistrate Huang cursed inwardly. No matter what, he could never do something as brutal as killing on the spot just because something felt wrong. Gritting his teeth, he looked at the young girl. “Since you’re from Lu County, men, take her back to Lu County…”
Hearing this, Yang Luo’s figure stiffened. Just as she was about to speak, Mo Zheng bumped her arm.
The two now had a tacit understanding. Yang Luo instantly swallowed the words she was about to say.
She absolutely could not return to Lu County to be inquired about.
However, this Magistrate Huang was sending people to take her back, but she might not actually be escorted back.
She had her guard A Sheng.
As long as they left Zhao County, A Sheng would definitely find a way to help her escape.
How many people could Magistrate Huang send to escort her? He wouldn’t use the entire garrison, would he?
Her biggest problem now was being trapped in Zhao County town under Wei Jiao’s watchful eyes. As long as they got out, as long as they left Wei Jiao…
Yang Luo bowed to Magistrate Huang and said choked up, “Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir.”
With that, she stepped forward, looking as if she was ready to go immediately. Her expression was no longer panicked like before but could not hide her joy.
“Thank you for escorting me back, sir. My parents will be endlessly grateful.”
Since the words were already spoken and Wei Jiao behind her still hadn’t said anything, Magistrate Huang pointed at four or five officers. “You few, escort her to Lu County and inquire clearly.”
The several officers acknowledged and gestured to Yang Luo and Mo Zheng. “Let’s go.”
Yang Luo stepped forward without hesitation. Mo Zheng followed behind with downcast eyes. The officers cleared the way. The soldiers withdrew their gaze. The two walked out of the crowd and reached the Embroidered Uniform Guards…
Wei Jiao, who had been smiling brightly without speaking, raised his chin slightly. “Take them down.”
So sudden that the people around the officers didn’t react. The Embroidered Uniform Guards moved instantly, but someone was faster.
With a clang, Yang Luo only saw a flash of cold light in front of her eyes. She was blocked behind by the Hunter Youth. “Don’t touch my young lady!”
Yang Luo let out a scream.
Mo Zheng drew the long sword hidden behind her and pointed it at the surrounding Embroidered Uniform Guards.
The two sides were already very close. Suddenly seeing the other draw swords, the Embroidered Uniform Guards also reacted instantly.
With a clang, knife and sword clashed, sparks flying.
Figures crossed, followed by flashing saber light and sword shadows.
“Take him down!”
“Murder—”
“Don’t run around—”
The civilians on the street screamed and tried to flee. The officers retreated in panic. The soldiers clashed their knives and swords to stop the fleeing crowd. The hunting dogs barked madly.
Magistrate Huang was already stunned. What was going on? Why did they suddenly start fighting?
“Sir, step back.”
Knives and swords had no eyes. He was protected by an officer and retreated to the side. Magistrate Huang’s gaze turned to the master and servant pair.
There really was a problem?
That young lady had fallen to the ground. Her guard’s figure tumbled, his long sword forcing back the surrounding Embroidered Uniform Guards.
The young guard’s skills were not bad.
But the Embroidered Uniform Guards’ skills were also not bad, and there were more of them.
In the dazzling chaos, a saber pressed down the young guard’s long sword. The young guard kicked away the saber attacking from behind, but a slanting saber light flashed. With a muffled grunt, the young guard’s figure sank, kneeling on one knee. Blood seeped from his left arm.
He rolled on the ground, ignoring his arm wound, and kicked over the Embroidered Uniform Guard who had slashed him.
Countless saber lights came from above, suppressing him so he couldn’t stand. Even so, the youth didn’t drop his long sword. Lying on the ground, he successively repelled the Embroidered Uniform Guards, firmly protecting Yang Luo behind him.
Yang Luo’s hand tightly covered her mouth to avoid her scream affecting the youth’s focus, but she would inevitably affect him after all. He was doing his utmost to protect her, not letting the Embroidered Uniform Guards catch her—
As expected, leaving wouldn’t be that easy.
Wei Jiao wouldn’t let her go at all.
Amid her chaotic thoughts, the youth repelled another wave of saber lights, but when trying to stand, his injured arm caused his figure to stagger slightly, exposing a flaw. Instantly, a saber slashed toward his back.
Yang Luo’s scream burst from between her hands. She watched the young guard fall and crawl in front of her, watched his clothes torn open, blood instantly staining her gaze red.
“A Sheng—”
She pounced over.
“Stop—”
“Wei Jiao, are you going to murder?”
Wei Jiao, who had been quietly watching the entangle and fight, slightly raised his hand. The Embroidered Uniform Guards’ sabers stopped above the young girl’s head.
“Right.” Wei Jiao looked at Yang Luo and said with a smile, “What’s wrong with slaying people who hide their identity and act suspiciously?”
Yang Luo gritted her teeth and looked at him. “I didn’t…”
“Still lying?” Wei Jiao interrupted her, his smile fading. “Living people are troublesome.”
His expression turned cold as he looked toward Magistrate Huang.
“Who said to take living people? Can’t you identify them with dead ones?”
Magistrate Huang stood by with his mouth agape.
Wei Jiao didn’t look at him anymore and waved his hand.
“Slay them.”
With his words, the Embroidered Uniform Guards’ sabers that had paused slashed toward Yang Luo without hesitation.
Yang Luo instinctively screamed and crouched on the ground. The young guard, who seemed to have fainted from wounds to his shoulder, back, and arm, suddenly leaped up.
With a clang, the long saber and long sword struck it flying. Due to excessive force or lack of strength, the long sword in Mo Zheng’s hand also fell. More knives and swords hacked over from all around.
Mo Zheng turned and blocked in front of Yang Luo.
The young guard without a weapon prepared to use his own flesh and blood as a shield and sword for the final protection.
Yang Luo grabbed him but didn’t hide in his arms. Instead, she stood up.
“Wei Jiao, I am from Duke Ding’an’s Mansion.” She shouted shrilly.
With a clang.
Wei Jiao on horseback flicked his hand, and a sleeve sword flew out, knocking askew the saber about to fall on the master and servant.
The saber grazed the guard’s arm as it fell.
Yang Luo panted rapidly, her face deathly pale.
Mo Zheng seemed unable to hold on anymore and knelt on one knee with a thud.
