Chapter 963 The Real Bandits
Xiao Shang's eyes darted around. "The horses and carriages have been stolen by bandits. Xiao Yu has led his men to chase after them. You should pack up and leave with me. There are many bandits. If they know that there are a lot of women in the temple, they will definitely have bad intentions."
Jiang Fenghua knew that Xiao Yu couldn't possibly leave without leaving someone behind for her.
She and Aoxue exchanged a glance. "Wait outside for a bit, we'll come out as soon as we're ready."
Xiao Shang had already pulled off one during the day; it wasn't impossible for him to devise another scheme to lure the tiger away from the mountain at night.
Jiang Fenghua was really curious about how Xiao Shang managed to breach the gates of the Great Zhou Dynasty back then; it was so naive.
Xiao Shang was still unwilling to give up and wanted her to go with him to find the Kingdom of Yinchuan as soon as possible. He always felt that their rebirth must be related to the Kingdom of Yinchuan in some way, otherwise why would such a strange thing happen to them?
He waited anxiously outside the door, knowing that Jiang Fenghua was very cautious and not easily deceived.
Jiang Fenghua told Gongsun Lan about her suspicions. After listening, Gongsun Lan glanced at the crack in the broken door and said, "He's the one who spread the rumor that you're a jinx, and he's also the one who caused the bandits. What exactly is he trying to do?"
“He wants to return to his glorious past, to become himself again. He doesn’t like the identity of Xiao Chuanyun, but fate made him into Xiao Chuanyun. He should deeply hate becoming the Xiao Chuanyun he is now,” Jiang Fenghua said calmly.
Gongsun Lan said, "Heaven is fair. The greatest punishment for him is that he has become the very thing he hates most."
Jiang Fenghua paused for a moment, then said, "That seems to make some sense."
Qin Yunyan leaned closer and asked, "Are you talking about Prince Xiao? What does it mean that he is Xiao Chuanyun?"
Jiang Fenghua didn't know why she brought Qin Yunyan along. If Qin Yunyan stayed in the palace, she would definitely try to get into Xie Shang's bed. She had no confidence in Xie Shang, but Qin Yunyan was indeed a special case.
Jiang Fenghua said to them, "There are bandits. Let's pack up and leave!" She wanted to see how Xiao Shang was going to deceive them.
Zhang Yumo was timid, so she stayed close to Jiang Fenghua, knowing that the guards would protect Jiang Fenghua immediately.
Jiang Fenghua said a few words to Grandma Hu and Aunt Jinhua, telling them to rest assured that someone would come to help them soon.
The door opened, and a hint of anxiety flashed in Xiao Shang's eyes. He said in a deep voice, "Let's leave here first."
Jiang Fenghua glanced outside the door and saw that Xiao Yu and the guards were all gone. Although Xiao Shang's martial arts had been controlled, he still knew some tricks to bewitch people's minds. However, she had not heard the sound of the flute just now, and Xiao Shang had not played the flute.
She said, "What will happen to the people in the temple if we leave? The bandits will definitely not let them go."
Xiao Shang said, "They have nothing, so the bandits can't take them. On the contrary, you are in danger if the bandits see you."
“With Prince Xiao’s martial arts skills, how could we be kidnapped by bandits? They’re just a bunch of mountain thugs. Even the mighty Prince Beishang can’t handle them.” Jiang Fenghua deliberately provoked him.
Xiao Shang was stunned. "Wasn't my martial arts under your control? I probably can't beat them all by myself. Besides, bandits are ruthless; they're capable of anything."
Zhang Yumo said urgently, "Then why don't we hurry up and leave? Are we just waiting for the bandits to kidnap us?" She had long wanted to leave, and it was impossible for them to save the entire village.
Several pairs of eyes turned to Zhang Yumo, whose face instantly turned red. Was she wrong?
Their luck wasn't so good. As soon as they left the earth god temple, fires lit up in the distance, and the neighing of horses echoed in response.
Soon, Jiang Fenghua and the others were surrounded. He glanced at Xiao Shang, the person he had arranged.
Suddenly, Xiao Shang stood in front of the group of women and said in a deep voice, "Don't be afraid. With me here, I will not let you be kidnapped. Follow my orders from now on."
The opposing group rode on horseback, their faces covered with black cloths, wearing cloaks and bamboo hats, holding large knives, their eyes fierce and menacing. The leader said coldly, "You've all come out and waited, you're smart to leave! Save me the trouble of making a move."
Jiang Fenghua glanced at Xiao Shang again, as if to say: "You think you can handle this? These are all your people, aren't they?"
Xiao Shang said, "If you want to take them away, you'll have to see if I agree." What's wrong with the people from the Earthly Fiend Sect? I just told them to take the guards away, and I'd handle the rest. Why did they send people here again?
The leader of the men in black laughed loudly upon hearing this. "This king? Where are you from? State your name and let us see if my Black Wind Stronghold will accept your title of king."
He held an extremely sharp broadsword in his hand, completely disregarding Xiao Shang. He could tell from the look of Xiao Shang that he was as thin as a chicken, and he could send him flying with a single punch.
Xiao Shang paused and said coldly, "Northern Owl Kingdom."
"Hahaha." The surrounding bandits also laughed out loud. "What kind of bullshit Northern Owl Kingdom is this? I've never even heard of such a country in this world!"
Then the bandit leader said coldly, "So it's just a group of pretty young women. Perfect, let's take them back to Black Wind Stronghold to satisfy our cravings. Brothers, let's go!"
Upon hearing this, Ao Xue's sword twitched slightly; she intended to cut off the man's tongue to apologize to the Empress. Jiang Fenghua, seeing this, quickly pressed her hand down and whispered, "Calm down." It seemed the other party wasn't Xiao Shang's man; could they be real bandits?
These people looked like fearless, reckless individuals who lived by the sword. Judging from the leader's tone, they must have received word that someone was passing through Plum Village, which is why they came looking for them.
Xiao Yu has now led his men off somewhere to chase after the horses. There's still a group of common people in the local temple. If these people are truly ruthless bandits, they won't let the people inside go.
The leader looked at Jiang Fenghua and Qin Yunyan with lewd eyes. Although they were dressed simply and their faces were covered in mud, it was not hard to see that they were more beautiful than the others.
Xiao Shang tried his best to signal them, but it was no use. He was certain that they were not from the Earthly Fiend Sect, but real bandits.
His gaze turned cold as he touched the bamboo flute at his waist. These people were here to die, but unfortunately, their martial arts were sealed, preventing him from using his full strength. Otherwise, he could have dealt with them effortlessly.
Gongsun Lan held his sword and said to Aoxue, "My good disciple, it's up to you now."
Ao Xue cupped her hands and said, "Master, rest assured, Ao Xue will definitely protect you and Master."
Jiang Fenghua didn't need to lift a finger; she wouldn't act unless absolutely necessary. She simply watched as the scene before her instantly descended into chaos.
She said to Ao Xue, "Don't kill them yet. Leave them alive. Watch out for the bamboo flute in Xiao Shang's hand. Shut down your five senses." Right now, the Great Zhou is in dire need of manpower. No matter how heinous they are, keeping them alive will be useful.
Xiao Shang played his bamboo flute, and his melodious tune was so enchanting that Qin Yunyan and Zhang Yumo were also drawn into a fog by his music.
Jiang Fenghua was unaffected by his flute music. Looking at the scene before her, she recalled the time when Xiao Shang controlled the officials at the banquet. She saw that the bandits' knives were starting to go out of control, and some even mistook their own people for enemies. When the swords pierced their bodies, Jiang Fenghua stopped them repeatedly, "Xiao Shang, stop."
Xiao Shang blew with increasing enthusiasm, his eyes filled with murderous intent; these people were not worth the death of.
However, these people went berserk, and their swords were also pointed at Jiang Fenghua and her companions. Zhang Yumo and Qin Yunyan did not know martial arts, and they were also trapped in a dreamlike state. The bandits' knives suddenly stabbed towards them...
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