Chapter 450: Lure the Enemy Away
The mountain road was rugged and difficult to walk on. The sound of horse hooves stepping on the gravel made a crisp sound, echoing in the silent mountain forest.
Gu Junze held the reins in one hand and held Chu Ruohan and Xiao Qingchen in the other, scanning the surrounding environment vigilantly.
"There's a fork in the road ahead." Ying Yi rode his horse forward and pointed to the forked path ahead.
Gu Junze reined in his horse and observed for a moment: "Take the left one. The road on the right looks like it has been trampled. There might be an ambush."
The group turned their horses around and walked along the path on the left.
This road is even narrower, and the branches and leaves of the trees on both sides almost cover the entire road, forming a green tunnel.
"Daddy, I'm thirsty." Xuan Ge'er said in a low voice. He was riding on Song Ruyan's horse, and his little face looked a little tired because of the long bumpy ride.
Upon hearing this, Gu Junze signaled everyone to stop and rest.
The group dismounted at a relatively flat place, and the shadow guards quickly set up patrols all around to ensure safety.
Song Ruyan took out a water bag from her bag and handed it to Xuan Ge'er: "Come, have some water."
Xuan Ge'er took the water bag, drank a few sips carefully, and then returned it to Song Ruyan obediently.
Chu Ruohan found a clean stone to sit on, gently patting Xiao Qingchen's back to coax her to sleep.
Gu Junze walked over to Chu Ruohan and whispered, "In another half day's journey, we'll reach the next county. My people will meet us there and arrange everything."
Chu Ruohan nodded: "The children can't stand the long bumpy ride. Can they rest for one more day after arriving in the county?"
"Yes," Gu Junze said gently, "I have arranged a safe place for you and the children to rest."
After a short rest, the group remounted and continued on their journey.
"General, there seems to be someone ahead." Ying Er suddenly reminded in a low voice.
Gu Junze's eyes flashed, and he signaled everyone to stop. He then quietly dismounted and walked forward to check.
After a moment, he returned, his expression slightly relaxed. "They were a father and son, woodcutters. They didn't look unusual."
Chu Ruohan breathed a sigh of relief: "Then can we continue moving forward?"
Gu Junze nodded, but remained vigilant: "Although it seems to be fine, we still have to be careful. Shadow guards, spread out and guard the front and back."
The shadow guards received the order and hid in the woods on both sides, secretly protecting the team.
The group continued on their journey and soon met the woodcutter and his son.
The old woodcutter looked to be in his sixties, with wrinkles all over his face. He was carrying a bundle of firewood on his back. The little boy next to him was about ten years old and was also carrying a small bundle of firewood on his back.
The old woodcutter seemed a little surprised to see Gu Junze and his group, but still respectfully made way.
"Where are you going, gentlemen?" the old woodcutter asked curiously. "This mountain road is not easy to walk on, especially for a lady with a child."
Gu Junze's expression remained unchanged: "Let's go to the county town ahead. We have relatives there."
The old woodcutter nodded and said, "Those people should be careful. Some unidentified people came to the mountains a few days ago. Their whereabouts are mysterious. Our villagers dare not go deep into the mountains anymore."
A trace of alert flashed in Gu Junze's eyes: "Oh? Who is it?"
"I don't know," the old woodcutter shook his head. "They're dressed in black, so they don't look like good people. I heard they were looking for something and were asking passersby about it."
Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan exchanged glances, and became alert in their hearts.
He took out a few silver coins from his pocket and handed them to the old woodcutter: "Thank you for telling me, these coins will give you and your son some food."
The old woodcutter was flattered and thanked him repeatedly.
Gu Junze asked more about the situation on the road ahead. The old woodcutter told him everything he knew and explained in detail the situation of the mountain road and the possible dangers.
After bidding farewell to the old woodcutter and his son, Gu Junze whispered to everyone, "It seems those people have set up an ambush ahead. We need to be more careful."
Song Ruyan gripped the hilt of her sword tightly: "Do you want to take another route?"
Gu Junze thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "Changing the route will only make us lose our way. Since we know there is danger ahead, we can actually prepare for it."
Chu Ruohan hugged Xiao Qingchen tightly in her arms: "What about the children?"
"I have an idea," Gu Junze pondered, "We can deliberately create a disturbance and have the Shadow Guards take a few empty horses from another road to divert the enemy's attention, while we quietly pass through this small road."
Everyone thought this plan was feasible and started preparing immediately.
The shadow guards led a few empty horses, deliberately made noises, and left from the fork in the road on the right.
Gu Junze took Chu Ruohan, the children, Song Ruyan and Doctor Qian and continued to walk along the path on the left, trying not to make any noise.
Sure enough, not long after, shouts and the sound of horse hooves came from the forest on the right. It was obvious that the shadow guards had lured away the ambushing enemies.
Gu Junze and his group took the opportunity to speed up and rush towards the county town ahead.
As the sky darkened, fog gradually rose in the mountains, and visibility became lower and lower.
Gu Junze had to slow down to avoid accidents on this dangerous mountain road.
"Hold on a little longer," Gu Junze whispered to comfort him, "There's a cave not far ahead where we can spend the night."
Chu Ruohan nodded, patted Xiao Qingchen's back, and whispered to comfort the already agitated child.
Xuan Ge'er sat in front of Song Ruyan, his little face full of fatigue, but he did not cry, but just silently endured the hardships of the journey.
Finally, the group arrived at the cave that Gu Junze mentioned.
This is a natural cave of moderate size, large enough for them to rest.
The shadow guards quickly returned to reunite with them, bringing good news: the enemy had been lured away and there was no sign of them catching up for the time being.
"We can rest here for one night," Gu Junze said, "and continue our journey early tomorrow morning, striving to reach the county town before noon."
Everyone settled down in the cave, and the shadow guards took turns to keep watch to ensure safety.
Chu Ruohan found a relatively dry corner, spread out a blanket, and let the two children lie down to rest.
Gu Junze looked at the sleeping children, feeling both love and guilt.
He didn't want to involve his wife and children in this turmoil, but the situation forced him to take the risk with them.
"Are they asleep?" Chu Ruohan walked over and asked softly.
Gu Junze nodded: "Yeah, it's time to sleep. You've been tired all day, it's time to rest."
Chu Ruohan shook her head: "I'll keep watch with you."
Gu Junze glanced at her and did not refuse, but just gently held her hand.
The two sat side by side at the entrance of the cave, looking at the gradually darkening night and the twinkling stars outside.
"Do you think there's something wrong with that woodcutter and his son?" Chu Ruohan suddenly asked.
Gu Junze pondered for a moment: "It's hard to say. They do look like ordinary woodcutters, but in this situation, we can't be careless."
"I have some doubts too," Chu Ruohan whispered, "The little boy's eyes are too sharp. He doesn't look like an ordinary child."
A glint of admiration flashed in Gu Junze's eyes: "You observed very carefully. Indeed, the child's eyes are a little strange, but I can't see any malicious intent in them for the time being."
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