Outside the door, a small escort team was already waiting. The head officer took the document from the Court of Justice, glanced at Li Ru, and looked at him with admiration in his eyes.

Just as Li Ru was about to be pushed onto the prison cart, a familiar figure appeared in the shadows beside the gate of the Court of Justice. It was the Imperial Guard general who had escorted him to the capital!

Their eyes met in an instant!

The Imperial Guard general's lips moved extremely slightly, without uttering a sound, but Li Ru clearly "read" that silent lip-reading:

"Take care on your journey, Your Majesty... is waiting for you..."

A warm current instantly surged into Li Ru's heart, and all the sorrow and grievances were completely expelled from his body.

Li Ru lowered his head, concealing his eyes that were instantly reddening.

Your Majesty's kindness and care are known to me. Even if I am thousands of miles away and in dire straits, I will not fail Your Majesty's high expectations.

Without further hesitation, Li Ru straightened his shackled back and walked with firm steps toward the makeshift prison van.

The wheels rolled again, carrying Li Ru away from Luoyang, the capital city where he had once been honored, and then rolled over the desolate official road, heading north towards the bitterly cold and bleak land of Youzhou.

The north wind grew stronger, swirling up countless withered yellow leaves.

The mountains on both sides of the official road revealed their rugged outlines in the chill of late autumn. The escorting team moved forward in silence, with only the sounds of horses' hooves, cart tracks, and the cold dragging of shackles echoing across the empty plains.

Li Ru leaned against the rough wooden railing of the prison cart, closing his eyes to rest. The shackles were heavy, and the cold was biting, but his heart was unusually calm.

Now that the Feng family has been eliminated and His Majesty is unharmed, although I am imprisoned, I have cleared an obstacle for His Majesty and attracted the hatred of powerful clans, making it easier for His Majesty to carry out his next actions!

But would those behind the Feng family, or those powerful clans who are wary of the Feng family after its destruction, let him go?

really!

On the seventh day of their journey, the group had penetrated deep into the territory of Ji Province, still hundreds of miles away from You Province.

At dusk that day, the escort team arrived at a dangerous place called "Black Wind Valley".

On both sides are steep cliffs, jagged rocks, and ancient trees reaching for the sky. The official road becomes narrow and winding here, and the light quickly dims due to the obstruction of the mountains.

"Be alert! This place is not safe!"

The head constable, Old Zhao, was an experienced old official. He warily surveyed the gloomy surroundings and loudly reminded his subordinates. Several constables also nervously gripped the swords at their waists.

Li Ru also opened his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over the steep cliffs and dense jungle on both sides, and he couldn't help but frown.

It's too quiet.

Even the birdsong disappeared, and an invisible killing intent filled the air!

Just as the group reached the narrowest part of the canyon, something unexpected happened!

"Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

The ear-piercing sound of something cutting through the air suddenly shattered the silence of dusk. Dozens of crossbow bolts, gleaming with a cold, eerie blue light, rained down from behind the dense forests and boulders on both sides of the cliff like a swarm of poisonous bees!

The target was none other than Li Ru, who was in the prison van!

"Enemy attack! Protect the prisoners!"

Officer Zhao reacted swiftly, roaring and drawing his sword to parry the arrows aimed at the prison cart!

Puff! Puff puff!

Screams erupted instantly as several unsuspecting constables were riddled with crossbow bolts! The escorting team was thrown into chaos!

"Form ranks! Form ranks now!"

Old Zhao's eyes were bloodshot as he brandished his sword, attempting to organize an effective defense.

However, the attackers were clearly prepared and well-trained!

As soon as the first wave of arrows fell, dozens of dark figures leaped down from the cliffs on both sides.

These men were agile and swift, all dressed in black and masked, their steel knives gleaming deadly in the dim light, as they headed straight for the prison cart!

They showed no mercy to the constables who blocked their way; where the blade flashed, blood and flesh flew everywhere!

"Kill him! Leave no survivors!" a hoarse voice shouted in the chaos.

Although the constables fought back fiercely, they were outnumbered and outgunned, and suffered heavy casualties in an instant.

Li Ru, inside the prison van, stared with rage.

These constables all died protecting him!

"Magistrate Li, watch out!!"

A sudden shout reached my ears.

Li Ru looked up and saw Old Zhao lying face down outside the prison cart bars, a knife tip protruding from his chest, blood dripping down.

"Run...run!"

Old Zhao looked at Li Ru, and tremblingly reached his hand into the prison van, where a bunch of keys slipped from his hand.

"No!"

Li Ru roared and reached out to help Old Zhao up, but a steel knife stabbed from behind the prison cart, aimed directly at Li Ru's back.

"Sizzle!"

At this critical moment of life and death, a sharp, tearing sound, like tearing silk, suddenly rang out above the canyon.

"Ugh..."

"Splash! Splash!"

Immediately afterwards, several short and shrill screams rang out.

The black-clad assassins who had just leaped down and were pouncing on the prison cart instantly fell to the ground, seven or eight of them with a small bloody hole in their throats, from which blood was gushing out.

This sudden turn of events stunned all the attackers and surviving officers, and the offensive came to a halt!

"Who are you?! How dare you ruin my plans!"

The attackers' leader was both shocked and furious. He shouted angrily and looked around warily.

His response was another, more intense and eerie hissing sound.

This time, the sounds seemed to come from all directions!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!