The elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The county magistrate? That cowardly, stupid, and greedy good-for-nothing?"
The scout disciple nodded: "It's him."
...
While Bai Mangge was making wild guesses, Mu Yang, with his wooden head, finally realized something was wrong. Although he couldn't be considered a strong person, under Yu Wushuang's careful guidance, he could barely squeeze into the ranks of those with decent martial arts skills.
He quickly realized that someone was following him, and immediately ordered his constables to stop and wait in place.
"Young Master Mu, is there something you need?" the magistrate asked cautiously.
To be honest, it would be great to be able to rest here for a while. Ever since he became rich, he has always traveled by carriage and sedan chair, accompanied by beautiful women. He has never walked such a long mountain road before. His feet are blistered. When he gets back, he will definitely ask his concubine to massage them for him.
Mu Yang said in a deep voice, "We are being followed, and not just by one person. According to my initial estimate, they are probably people from the martial arts world."
"What? People from the martial arts world? They must be that pretty boy's henchmen!" The magistrate was shocked.
First, he could rule out the possibility that the pretty boy wasn't a member of the imperial court. Otherwise, how could he not receive messages from above? Since he wasn't an official, it could only mean that those three ungrateful people were江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) people!
No wonder he's so arrogant!
Mu Yang thought so too, but he had one more reason than the county magistrate: the Anbo Marquis's family had been heroes and generals for generations, protecting their homes and country, with countless military achievements. They held a high position in the Great Yan and were deeply loved by the people.
If the pretty boy were a government official, he wouldn't refuse to give Shen Qingye any face.
As for whether the pretty boy is from another royal family, that's even less of a concern. The first thing the new emperor did upon ascending the throne was to wipe out all those surnamed Ji. In the current royal family, apart from Ji Yan, there was no one else. He showed no mercy whatsoever. This was also the first infamous event that propelled him to become a tyrant.
Everyone present had their own thoughts, but none of them associated the pretty boy with the tyrant. After all, even a small county magistrate needs to put on a show when he goes out, let alone the emperor?
When a monarch goes out, he is always accompanied by a royal sedan chair and horse-drawn carriage, close ministers, and imperial guards. His presence can be heard from a hundred miles away.
The magistrate asked anxiously, "So what do we do now, Young Master Mu?"
He was in a real bind, wiping away cold sweat again and again. As the magistrate of Rongcheng, he could handle the trivial matters of stealing chickens, money, and wives on a normal day, but when it came to matters of life and death, the magistrate was like a headless fly, running around aimlessly.
Moreover, the people in this martial arts world are all skilled fighters and killers; they are not ordinary, cowardly people who can be manipulated at will.
Mu Yang glanced disdainfully at the loud and boisterous magistrate, wishing she could crack his skull open. She really couldn't understand how someone like him could become a magistrate.
But now, he has more important things to do.
Mu Yang said coldly, "Since that's the case, then... let's catch them off guard."
...
Meanwhile, on the opposite side.
The disciples of the White Python Pavilion formed two circles, imagining the wonderful blueprint described by the elder. Their fighting spirit was high, and their mouths were wide open. In addition, the elder kept brainwashing them and giving them pep talks, and their previous concerns were also greatly diminished.
The disciples, who were already fearless, were now even more daring, their height approaching two meters and eight inches, as they all spoke at once, expressing their thoughts.
"Elder, in my opinion, this magistrate was definitely ordered to protect that pretty boy."
"To be honest, I think so too. Judging from the number of soldiers, the county government is probably already overwhelmed. That pretty boy must have some skills."
"Elder, they're just a bunch of good-for-nothing bums who eat and drink. We're already venting our anger, why should we be afraid of this trash?"
"That's right, that's right! We can tolerate anything, but we must regain the face our young master has lost!"
The disciples echoed in agreement, their fighting spirit soaring.
Anyway, the emperor is far away in Langya Pass, busy fighting all day and not doing anything. By the time they realize something is wrong in Rongcheng, they will have already come up with countless excuses to cover it up. There is nothing to fear at all.
The elder of the White Python Pavilion thought so, and immediately said, "As expected of my good son, let's fight!"
Swish—
No sooner had he finished speaking than a hidden weapon suddenly shot out from the bushes. The White Python Pavilion disciple standing on the outermost edge was still immersed in the boiling blood of excitement. He was caught off guard and was shot in the neck. Blood gushed out and he fell down, dying on the spot.
"Someone's attacking! Quick, protect the elder!" a disciple of the White Python Pavilion exclaimed.
At the same time, the other disciples immediately drew their swords in unison to meet the elder, protecting him in the middle.
A flash of fire appeared in the bushes, followed by rustling sounds and a series of swift, deadly projectiles. These were all deflected by the sword's whirling motion, reflecting off the surrounding tree trunks and grass, or striking the constables in the chest with a soft thud.
Immediately afterwards, Mu Yang, furious, led a few brave soldiers out of the bushes, brandishing their swords and shouting, "Attack!"
"How dare you kill my disciples! You're courting death!" The disciples of the White Python Pavilion were also enraged and charged forward with their swords drawn.
The two groups immediately became entangled in a fierce battle. Amidst the flashing swords and the clanging of the spears, one torch after another was extinguished with the resounding cries of battle. Under the leadership of the dog-headed magistrate, the yamen runners, who had been idle all day, eating and drinking without any training, were soon utterly defeated by the White Python Pavilion's forces, who were crying out for mercy.
The magistrate had long since disappeared, and Mu Yang, seeing that the situation was not good, planned to retreat first under the cover of the yamen runners.
Unexpectedly, like master, like dog. Just as he was about to leave, the remaining constables had already vanished without a trace, their speed astonishing.
In the end, Mu Yang was left alone, bewildered in the wind.
Could it be that Heaven intends to destroy him?
But he couldn't die! He still had to avenge Yu'er. Thinking of the frail and helpless Shen Yu, his sense of conviction suddenly reached its peak.
Mu Yang stared intently at the elder who stood motionless, planning to capture the leader first. He exerted all his strength to attack with his sword, determined to kill him with one blow, but the old man easily slapped him to the ground, causing him to vomit blood.
In this situation, Mu Yang's chances were slim, yet he remained stubbornly defiant, "Heh, even if you... can kill my men, you... can't kill my heart. In the next life, I'll kill you all! If the next life doesn't work... then the life after that... and if the life after that doesn't work, there's the life after that..."
The disciples of White Python Pavilion: "..."
After Mu Yang finished speaking her last words, she realized that her message hadn't been cut off, so she quickly took the time to pour out her heart to herself, "I'm sorry, in the end... I broke my promise."
Fearing that thieves might overhear Chen Yu's name, he deliberately didn't reveal it, enjoying the sweetness in solitude.
Breaking your promise? Is it because you couldn't protect your gigolo?
The elder of the White Python Pavilion paid no heed to Mu Yang's sweet talk, picked up the half-dead Mu Yang and tossed him to a nearby disciple.
"Take him with you to the palace."
Mu Yang was severely injured and struggling to breathe. After uttering her cool line, she no longer had the strength to speak. Hearing the old man's words, she thought to herself, "He really is in cahoots with that pretty boy! Heaven is really going to kill me!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com