Nian Li sat by, watching her father so worried, her heart aching. She gently held her father's hand, her voice soft and comforting, "Dad, don't worry too much. Xiao Huang has been incredibly clever and quirky since she was young. She thinks faster than anyone else. She'll be fine. You have to believe in her."
Jiang Yan sighed slightly, his remorse evident in his words: "That being said, they were being hunted after all... It's all my fault. Back then, I was so focused on getting the children to study hard and learn to read, and pass the imperial examinations, that I neglected to teach Xiao Huang martial arts. If she had some self-defense skills, she wouldn't have been so passive when she encountered danger, and wouldn't have fallen into such a dangerous situation."
Young Marquis Su, brandishing his broadsword, nonchalantly interrupted, "Brother-in-law, forget about your scholar's fists. They're so weak and useless. Look to me! I'll swing my broadsword with such force that those people will be terrified and flee!" He swung his broadsword vigorously, drawing sharp arcs through the air and sending gusts of wind whistling. In a moment of carelessness, the broadsword nearly punctured the roof of the car, sending wood chips raining down.
Nian Li rolled her eyes at him and scolded him, "Alright, when we get to Jiangnan, don't mess around. Behave yourself. Don't let this happen and not only fail to help, but also cause more trouble, putting Xiao Huang and the others in even greater danger. Can't you be more steady?"
After a tireless journey and enduring countless hardships, they finally arrived in Jiangnan. They arrived directly at the Baotianxia steamed bun shop, only to be met with a scene that sank their hearts. The shop's doors were closed, and the air was deserted and silent. The signboard swayed helplessly in the wind, making a creaking sound, like the helpless sigh of an elderly man, telling of the place's former bustling prosperity and its current desolation.
Nian Li went forward and asked a nearby neighbor about the situation. The neighbor shook his head helplessly and sighed, "Miss Jiang and Master Mo left a long time ago. I heard they were being hunted by a group of vicious people. Those people are really cruel. They are asking around for their whereabouts and it seems they won't stop until they find them."
Nian Li frowned, lost in thought. After a moment, she analyzed, "It seems they went west. The west is a mountainous area with complex and dangerous terrain, high mountains and dense forests, making it easy to hide. They're likely heading that direction in search of a chance of survival."
Jiang Yan nodded in agreement, his eyes firm, "There's no time to lose, let's catch up. We must not let Xiao Huang and Mo Chen be in any more danger."
The group sped along the road to the west. The mountain road was rugged and winding, like a sleeping dragon lying on the earth, majestic but also fraught with danger. It had just rained, and the road was muddy. The shoes sank deeply into the mud as soon as they stepped on it, and every step required great effort. Jiang Yan was old after all, and his body functions were not as good as before. It was quite difficult for him to walk, and his steps were a little staggering. Nian Li supported him tightly, her eyes full of concern and worry: "Dad, go slowly, don't worry. Xiao Huang and the others are lucky, and they will be fine. If you are tired, let's take a break."
Jiang Yan was panting heavily, beads of sweat covering his forehead, trickling down his cheeks and onto the muddy ground. But his eyes remained resolute, "I'm fine. The most urgent task is to find them quickly. We can't let them stay in danger any longer. No matter how difficult it is, I will get to them as soon as possible."
Su Qingyao carefully watched over Su Jinli, holding her tightly as they walked steadily forward. Though Su Jinli leaned on a cane, her eyes revealed a determination and composure that belied her age. Her steps were steady and powerful, as if to declare to the world that no difficulty could stop her from protecting her family.
As they struggled forward, the sounds of fierce fighting suddenly erupted from the front. The sharp, piercing clash of swords resembled the groaning of metal in pain; the deafening cries of shouting mingled, shattering the tranquility and peace of the forest. Everyone's heart tightened, as if gripped by an invisible hand. They all quickened their pace, running towards the sound, each step tinged with anxiety and worry.
Rounding a ridge, a breathtaking scene unfolded before their eyes. Jiang Xiaohuang and Mo Chen were surrounded by a group of masked men, like lambs trapped among wolves. Mo Chen, a nimble figure worthy of a master with profound skills, fought fiercely through the throng. His figure moved like a ghost, his punches and kicks swift, each strike imbued with fierce momentum. However, the enemy was overwhelming, overwhelming him like a tide, and he was ultimately outnumbered. He was wounded in many places, his clothes stained with blood, a dazzling sight in the sunlight. Jiang Xiaohuang fought with all her might, but facing such a ferocious and vicious enemy, a woman was ultimately powerless. Her hair was disheveled, her face was stained with sweat and fear, but her eyes still revealed a hint of stubbornness and indomitable will; the situation was extremely critical.
"Stop!" Jiang Yan, seeing this, was extremely anxious. He roared loudly, trying to put on the majestic aura of a hero and intimidate the criminals. However, the muddy ground under his feet was too slippery. His shout caused his body to slide forward uncontrollably, and he stumbled a few steps and almost fell to the ground.
Bao Banxian was slightly startled when he saw the newcomer, then recognized it as Jiang Yan. A mocking smile appeared on his face, like a venomous snake spitting out its tongue: "I was wondering who it was, it turns out to be the famous number one scholar. Why, number one scholar, instead of enjoying a peaceful life in the capital, has run off to this desolate mountain forest? Is he trying to plead for mercy for this traitor? Haha, how ridiculous!"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
