133

Since the bandits had not yet reached the city, brothels, taverns and other places of leisure would naturally remain open. However, the night curfew caused the number of guests staying overnight to drop sharply, and most of them chose to leave before nightfall.

However, for the eldest son of the Ye family, this kind of situation is not very reassuring.

After leaving the largest restaurant in Tingzhou City and getting on the carriage, Ye Huaiyan whispered to the people around him, "Mr. Ning, we've been out and about for several days. We seem to have reached an agreement, so why hasn't the thief shown up yet?"

It's no wonder that he lost his temper. He was personally responsible for the negotiations with the Lu family these days, and he had to attend banquets frequently. If it were just him, Ye Huaiyan would not be worried, but he had Ning Fu, the "bait", following him.

This ghost scholar had said before that there were enemies hiding in the dark who would attack him, so he went in and out of banquets, hoping to lure people into the trap.

Wouldn't it be the same if I stayed with him? Even though he knew there were guards around him and someone was following him in the dark, Ye Huaiyan couldn't relax at all. As a result, he was worried for several days and didn't even see a ghost!

Could it be that this Ning guy was bluffing again, trying to trick him and his father into forming an alliance with the Lu family as soon as possible?

Facing Ye Huaiyan's suspicious gaze, Ning Fuhun didn't care. He just leaned against the window and yawned leisurely: "It's already this late, wouldn't it be less troublesome if we could reach an agreement sooner?"

"Mr. Ning!" Ye Huaiyan's voice became a little louder.

Ning Fu's voice remained unhurried, "Young Master Ye, rest assured. It's precisely because the two families have reached an agreement that the time has come for us to start our business. If we miss this opportunity, wouldn't it be a waste of our trip?"

Ye Huaiyan's heart trembled: "Sir, are you saying that the enemy will take action today?"

"If they are well-informed, today is the deadline." Ning Fu swept his eyes across the street and smiled.

Ye Huaiyan suddenly panicked: "I'll go and tell the servants!"

Unexpectedly, before he could move, a folding fan blocked his way. Ning Fu said with a half-smile, "Who says the enemy will definitely target us?"

Ye Huaiyan was startled: "It's not what you said, Mr. Ning..."

Ning Fu retracted the paper fan and tapped it on his palm. "Since the deal is done, it would be better to kill you or the young master of the Lu family instead of me. It would be more fun if the young masters of both families died."

Ye Huaiyan's face turned green. Didn't this idiot scholar say he'd be the bait? How come in the end, he ended up being the prey?!

However, he couldn't turn his face at this moment. After holding it in for a long time, Ye Huaiyan said, "Then Mr. Ning should inform Mr. Lu."

The person who negotiated on behalf of the Lu family this time was Lord Lu’s nephew, who was also a key figure in the Tingzhou Lu family.

If this was really an assassination, no matter who did it, it would definitely cause a disaster. What if people knew that the Ye family had been prepared for it but didn't say anything, they might turn against them.

Ning Fu chuckled softly, "If he knew about this, how could the two families reach an agreement? Don't worry, Master. I will make the arrangements."

There was some interest in those narrow eyes, which made Ye Huaiyan react.

Yes, this man is the second-in-command of the Changjing Gang, a ghost scholar who can stop children from crying at night. Would he come to Tingzhou without a team? I'm afraid the previous posturing was just a trick to deceive him and his father. Who knows how many real backup plans he has arranged...

When he thought of this, Ye Huaiyan broke out in a cold sweat. Had his father already thought of this and was therefore so respectful to this man? Fortunately, he had acted cautiously and had not been rude.

Leaning back on the chair somewhat exhausted, Ye Huaiyan swallowed his saliva: "Mr. Ning is really calculating..."

Before he finished speaking, a deafening thunder suddenly sounded in his ears.

The horse driving the carriage in front was startled, causing the carriage to roll and jolt, sway, and finally fall to the ground with a loud bang!

"Young Master!" "Mr. Ning!" "Enemy attack! Help!"

Dizzy and with a buzzing in his ears, Ye Huaiyan frantically grabbed the chair and struggled to get up.

What's going on? Were they attacked? How far away from the restaurant are they? Why are there gunshots...

A hand grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the carriage. With the help of the guards, he staggered to his feet, and only then could Ye Huaiyan see the scene outside clearly.

There was an enemy attack... No, it was an assassin!

A group of people wearing various clothes and with their faces covered by cloth rushed over, each holding a blade and with a fierce look in their eyes.

They're coming for him! Ye Huaiyan's teeth chattered and he screamed, "Quick! Stop them!"

"Cough cough cough..." Ning Fu climbed out of the carriage with some difficulty, coughing and brushing the dust off his clothes.

Although he had expected everything, the thunder and fire that startled the horse was really beyond his expectations.

It was worthy of being the enemy he had been waiting for for so long.

He raised his hand and gently wiped his forehead. Looking at the bright red on his fingertips, Ning Fu smiled.

Neither panicked nor at a loss, he moved his feet lightly and put some distance between himself and Young Master Ye who was in a mess and screaming.

What he said to Ye Huaiyan before was not a lie. After the two sides reached an agreement, he was no longer useful as a lobbyist. Even if there was to be an assassination, it would be more cost-effective to kill the son of the Ye family.

As long as Ye's guards can delay a little, the Changjing Gang members who are lying in ambush nearby will be able to arrive and block them easily.

It's just that the place this group of people chose was too unexpected. They hadn't even left the alley yet, and there were roads in front and behind. It was clear enough, but there was no suitable place to hide.

Where had they been hiding before? Were they just pretending to be passersby, waiting by the roadside? They weren't discovered, which shows how capable they are.

But choosing this place, escaping is difficult. Could it be that they are determined to die, wanting to perish with them? Unfortunately, although they are capable, they are too few in number and cannot break through the Ye family's defenses...

Ning Fu suddenly felt a chill on his body and looked up abruptly. He saw three figures changing direction in the chaotic battle and rushing towards him!

wrong!

Ning Fu shouted loudly: "Someone come!"

While shouting, he quickly retreated towards the crowded area.

Something is wrong. That group of people is not going to kill Ye Huaiyan, they are coming for him!

Although a large group of people were delayed, Ning Fu was still a distinguished guest of the Ye family and the mastermind of the entire plan. There were still some people looking after him. When they heard the shouting, four or five people immediately surrounded him and wanted to stop the three assassins.

Unexpectedly, two of them were chopped to the ground in just one encounter. Fortunately, Ning Fu retreated quickly enough, and with this momentary delay, reinforcements arrived.

Blocked? Looking at the wall of people in front of him, Ning Fu felt relieved, but the next moment, a figure darted out like a swimming fish.

Oh no!

Ning Fu retreated again without hesitation, trying to keep some distance, but unfortunately he was already close to the carriage and the ground was covered with broken wood. He staggered a few steps, tripped, and fell straight to the ground.

Without caring about his manners, Ning Fu rolled on the ground. With a "thump", he found that a crossbow arrow was stuck where he had just been lying. They also brought hand crossbows!

Before he could think about it, the thin and short figure rushed to him, and the bright knife flashed.

Ning Fu had experienced battles before, so he managed to raise his arm at the moment the blade fell.

There was a crisp "click" sound, and the folding fan that blocked the blade was chopped off and flew away. The blade was tilted and left a long streak along the jaw, and blood splattered everywhere!

Without even a grunt, Ning Fu raised his left hand and scattered a handful of dust.

Of course, this despicable trick could not stop this vicious man. Ning Fu just wanted this moment of time.

The man dodged backwards, avoiding the dust. The guards behind him shouted loudly and surrounded him again.

Ning Fu took the opportunity to turn over and stand up, regardless of the blood on his face, and dodged behind the crowd in a panic.

Will he catch up?

Hot air was coming out of his nose, still tinged with the smell of blood, but Ning Fu's eyes were wide open, staring at the figure trapped in the encirclement like a possessed person.

That man still has the strength to fight, he will definitely be able to break out of the encirclement and attack again.

But this is exactly what he wants. If he can delay it a little longer, he can keep these people!

Unexpectedly, the man did not fight, but broke out of the encirclement in a flash and blew a sharp whistle.

Like startled birds, all the assassins began to retreat. A round bamboo tube flew through the air and fell among the guards, and thick smoke billowed out.

Ning Fu raised his hand and covered his mouth and nose with his long sleeves, his eyes still fixed on the figure.

The cloth covered the man's face, and he could only see his eyes. There was no madness in those black eyes, nor were they stained with bloodlust. They were like a cold spring, bottomless, icy and clear.

Through the layers of people, separated by the white smoke and thick fog, the two people's eyes met for a moment.

The next moment, the short assassin turned around and left with all his men, disappearing just as he had come.

"Boom boom" "Boom boom", Ning Fu heard annoying noises in his ears. No, this was his heartbeat!

It was not until this moment that Ning Fu realized that his heart was beating alarmingly fast. Even his arms were trembling slightly, and the half-broken folding fan he was holding tightly in his hand was hurting his palm.

Looking down, Ning Fu discovered that his white shirt was also stained with blood and a lot of dust. His face couldn't help but darken.

No matter how dangerous the battlefield was, no matter how terrifying the enemy was, his white clothes had never lost their color. This was the first time in his life.

If the assassin charged again, it might cost him his life... No! Ning Fu was shocked. The group retreated too quickly!

"Second Master!" "Military Advisor!" "How did you get hurt?"

A familiar voice sounded behind him. Ning Fu turned around and saw a group of his men running towards him with red and pale faces.

Of course, these were nearby reinforcements, but with such a commotion, the troops guarding the Lu family should have turned back, right? What if someone attempted to assassinate Master Lu?

Ning Fu immediately shouted to Ye Huaiyan, "Master Ye, the assassins are not coming for us!"

Ye Huaiyan was gripping his sword tightly, his entire body trembling. He angrily shouted, "Why not?! They're already charging right in front of us!"

"This group of people haven't given their all. Their target is Master Lu!" Ning Fu said firmly, "Master Ye, please send some people to support the Lu family!"

However, looking at Ning Fu's bloodstained, somewhat ferocious face, Ye Huaiyan shook his head frantically: "What if this is a trick to lure the tiger away from the mountain? No! Lift up the carriage and form a defensive formation!"

The whole circle was filled with Ye family soldiers. How could they listen to Ning Fu's words? Some people moved vehicles, some went to find reinforcements, and more people surrounded Ye Huaiyan to protect this young master.

What an idiot! Ning Fu sneered and turned to the people around him, "Go after those assassins, and make sure to leave a few behind!"

"Second in command, it's not safe here..." someone advised.

"Go quickly!" Ning Fu shouted angrily.

Few people could bear the anger of their own military advisor, and immediately a dozen strong men from the Long Whale Gang chased after them with weapons in hand.

It might be too late to rescue Lu now. It would be better to follow the assassins and see if we can catch a few of them.

If that kid was caught by him... Ning Fu felt a sharp pain on his cheek. He raised his hand to cover the wound, his eyes flashing with ferocity. He must not let them escape!