Chapter 211 Ambush on the Way
Su Jinze and Yun Shuyue traveled day and night, chasing for three days without closing their eyes, before finally catching up with Su Junyao's carriage.
Yun Shuyue, covered in dust, looked at the carriage ahead with a furrowed brow. She exhaled a couple of breaths of dust she had inhaled and asked in confusion, "How come my uncle and the others are running so fast?"
Her chestnut pony was a rare and fine steed, and Su Jinze's was an exceptional warhorse, one in a hundred. They'd ridden their horses until their tongues were lolling out before they even saw a carriage?
This is so unreasonable!
Su Jinze explained, "That was my father's journey of a thousand miles."
"Qianli?!"
Yun Shuyue was shocked. Qianli was a wild horse that her uncle had tamed in his early years, said to be able to travel a thousand miles a day. During the siege of Fengdu, Qianli traveled a hundred miles a day, delivering military intelligence before the enemy attacked. After the war, the Great Zhou was victorious, and His Majesty bestowed upon it the name Qianli.
"Wasn't Qianli already injured and unable to run anymore?"
Su Jinze smiled wryly; he had thought the same thing before today.
Their family loves and cherishes horses. Qianli was well cared for in the stable, spending its days eating hay and rubbing against the mare, seemingly doing nothing else. Little did they know, once someone moved, their own horse was practically vomiting and still couldn't catch up!
"Given their long journey, we should be able to catch up with them while they rest in Huzhou."
"drive!"
The two dared not delay, fearing that Qianli would disappear again in the blink of an eye. They only hoped to catch up as soon as possible!
The flying dust settled all over Chen He. The carriage sped forward, and before he could even see, wisps of dust rose from his clothes.
He stared intently ahead, his tense nerves daring not to relax for even a moment.
It's not that they want to run that fast, it's just that Chirp might not be able to wait!
He watched as the once energetic Qiuqiu coughed up blood and became extremely weak as soon as she left the capital.
He was feeling drowsy, like the effects of the Soul-Eating Gu.
He loudly reminded Su Junyao in the carriage: "My lord, Huzhou is just ahead. After passing Huzhou, go west for three hundred li and you will reach the southwestern border."
Su Junyao's weary voice came from the carriage: "Let's rest in Huzhou before setting off again."
Chen He hesitated: "But chirp chirp..."
"I used silver needles to seal Qiuqiu's heart meridian, so the Gu worms can't move for the time being. Her life is safe for now."
It's just to keep his life safe for now, not to give him back his lively and energetic Miss Chiu Chiu!
Chen He dared not let his guard down and could only reluctantly try his best again.
"Giddy up! Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up!"
A whip lashed the horse's rump, and its speed increased even further. As if knowing its young master was in imminent danger, it didn't neigh, but simply galloped forward with all its might.
The faster they are, the safer Chiu Chiu will be.
Su Junyao could feel Qianli, who was gradually getting tired, speeding up. His heart was heavy with pain, but seeing Qiuqiu's distressed appearance was more painful than killing him.
They had just left the capital and traveled about thirty miles when Qiuqiu suddenly became burning up and started whimpering in his arms. They hurriedly found a doctor, but the doctor couldn't figure out what was wrong with her and assumed she had a fever.
Before the doctor could finish writing the prescription, Qiuqiu vomited a mouthful of blood.
The doctor who wrote the prescription said, trembling, that Qiuqiu's life was in danger and that they should find someone else.
They dared not delay any longer and intended to return to the capital, but unexpectedly, Qiuqiu fainted. The red line on her neck seemed to have come to life and was moving around her body.
In just three days, Qiuqiu lost a lot of weight. Remembering his aunt's words, Su Junyao knew the Soul-Devouring Gu had taken effect.
The only way to save Qiuqiu's life is to go to the southwest.
Unfortunately, some people didn't want him to reach the southwest smoothly.
"Whoa!"
It surged forward for a moment, then came to a sudden stop. Su Junyao used one hand to protect Qiuqiu and the other to brace himself against the side of the car.
He abruptly pulled back the curtain. "What's wrong?"
Chen He didn't speak, but had already drawn his sword and was facing the group of people opposite him.
Their carriages were adorned with the flags of the Marquis of Wenyang's residence and the Yun family army. In particular, the Yun family army flags bore the dragon pattern bestowed by His Majesty, so even bandits from the Jianghu dared not stop the carriages.
The group of people they're dealing with is so aggressive and audacious; it seems they're after them.
"My lord, please take good care of Miss Qiuqiu. These people are not to be trifled with."
They left in a hurry, traveling thousands of miles at an extremely fast speed. Even the Shadow Guards wouldn't be able to catch up in a short time.
It seems another tough battle is about to begin.
Knowing he was no match for them, Chen He whispered to Su Junyao, "My lord, if I lure them here later, you can cut the ropes and ride away on a thousand-mile chariot. Without the burden of a carriage, a thousand miles will be enough to get you safely to Huzhou."
The garrison commander of Huzhou was a former subordinate of the old marquis; once he arrived in Huzhou, he would be safe.
"The city lord will arrange for someone to escort you and Miss Qiuqiu to the southwest."
Su Junyao disagreed and restrained Chen He, who was about to make a move. The enemy outnumbered them, and Chen He, alone, would only face certain death by leading them there.
He had to save his own daughter, but he couldn't sacrifice his longtime friend!
"Wait!"
Su Junyao coldly stared at the men in black who were preparing to ambush them: "Who are you? Who sent you?"
Their trip to the Southwest was a last-minute decision, and their whereabouts will not be easily revealed, unless the other side already knows they have returned.
That person is very likely the one who cast the curse on Qiuqiu!
Su Junyao asked again, "Who sent you to intercept and kill us?"
The leader of the men in black let out a sneer, twirling his sword and pointing it directly at Su Junyao's head: "Dead men are not worthy to know the name of my master."
"Su Junyao, today you and your blessed daughter will both die here, and from now on you will be lonely ghosts on Wangchen Mountain!"
Su Junyao was furious: "How dare you!"
"Brothers, he's trying to stall for time! Don't waste words with them, kill Su Junyao, and the lord will reward you handsomely!"
"Kill! Kill!"
The murderous aura was deafening, and the cold light reflected a merciless gleam. The reflection of the metal revealed pairs of greedy and bloodthirsty eyes.
Chen He engaged in combat with him, and Qianli also raised his horse's hoof and kicked one of them away.
Because he had to protect Qiuqiu, Su Junyao was unable to move freely and was forced to passively engage the enemy while in the carriage.
The opponents outnumbered them and were skilled in martial arts; after a prolonged fight, the two gradually found themselves at a disadvantage.
Chen He was injured in the shoulder and arm, and his hand holding the sword was trembling.
He swallowed the rising blood, his mouth filled with a metallic taste, and turned to deflect the assassin who was stabbing into the carriage with his sword. His back was exposed, and he was slashed by an assassin from the side. He cried out in pain and knelt on the ground, then turned and killed his opponent.
Panting heavily, he fought his way through a bloody path for Su Junyao, who was struggling to fight his way out: "My lord! Take Miss Qiuqiu with you!"
He cut the ropes, moving freely for miles, knocking away the surrounding assassins. He was also stabbed.
The carriage overturned, and he had no choice but to take Qiuqiu out with him.
"Walk!"
"Qianli! Take the Marquis away!"
A thousand miles away, it understands human nature, and roars in unease.
Su Junyao was caught in a dilemma, attacking while keeping an eye on Chen He's condition: "Chen He, are you alright?"
Chen He spat out a mouthful of blood and wiped his face: "I'm fine, these petty scoundrels are nothing to worry about!"
"Ha! Let's see how long you can keep up your stubbornness!" said the assassin leader. "You won't escape today!"
"kill!"
The two were almost at their wits' end, and now their only option was to cut off their tails to survive. Su Junyao was heartbroken but helpless; continuing would only lead to the deaths of both himself and Qiuqiu.
"My lord! Let's go!"
Chen He blocked the fatal attack, knowing he was about to die here today. "My lord, tell Dong Xiao not to wait for me!"
"Chen He!"
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