Chapter 37 Weapons will never go back with you!
Mingying was startled awake by a voice.
"Mian'er, come to me yourself, and I may spare your life."
Pei Xiaoyun dismounted, ignoring the insignificant people around her, her eyes like those of a hawk, radiating a cold light.
He was determined to have her.
All the way there, he kept thinking that once he caught her, he would definitely kill her to vent his hatred.
But when he actually caught up with her and saw her disheveled appearance, dressed in coarse linen clothes, standing right in front of him, he was somewhat moved.
If she obediently goes back with him and apologizes to him politely, he might be merciful and forgive her.
"You're dreaming! I will never go back with you!" Mingying clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and shattered his fantasy.
Even if he killed her with a single blow, she would never go with him.
"Young lady, step back! The young master has not yet returned. We will protect you!"
The remaining four subordinates deftly drew their knives and surrounded Mingying behind them, displaying an aura of determination to fight to the death.
"You guys?"
Pei Xiaoyun smiled sinisterly, his eyes burning with anger as he rejected Mingying's words. He waved his hand, signaling them to bring the person up.
A guard grabbed Lin Xian by the arms and dragged him over.
Lin Xian was spotted by Pei Xiaoyun's men when she went to fetch water.
He appeared to be injured, with a bright red welt on his face and bloodshot eyes. He shouted, "Ah Ying, run! Don't worry about me!"
It was all due to his carelessness; he must never again become a bargaining chip for Pei Xiaoyun to threaten her.
Out of the corner of his eye was the snow-white, sharp blade in front of him.
If there was no other way, he would end his own life so as not to be a burden to her.
Pei Xiaoyun watched Ming Ying's face gradually turn pale, unable to suppress his smugness. He chuckled to himself, but then a surge of jealousy rose in his eyes, a twisted hatred flickering within them. Suddenly, he pointed his sword at Lin Xian.
"You're saying that if I kill him, you won't run away anymore?"
"Stop!" Mingying's tears streamed down her face. A surge of intense emotion was about to burst forth from the thick dam in her heart. She had had enough of his coercion and threats. She gritted her teeth and said, "Pei Xiaoyun, I hate you!"
She hated him to death.
He wanted to drive her to her death and never gave her a way out.
Pei Xiaoyun chewed over and over the words she uttered, grinding them into powder between her teeth.
He suddenly felt utterly ridiculous.
Who is he, and who is she? Knowing she had run away, he still rushed after her on horseback.
Along the way, his murderous intent was unknowingly worn down into boundless tolerance. He traveled thousands of miles just to hear her say that she hated him.
Why is she so kind to everyone else, but so stingy with him? Why does she have to go to such lengths to scheme against him and risk her life to escape from him?
It's all because of Lin Xian. Once he kills her, he'll cut off her hopes, put her in shackles, and lock her firmly by his side. Let's see how she runs away then.
He gripped the knife hilt tightly, his hatred surging within him.
Suddenly, a sharp arrow flew by and pierced the heart of the guard who had captured Lin Xian. Lin Xian was carried away by a force and rolled into the stream.
This moment of loss of control left Pei Xiaoyun slightly dazed.
He looked ahead and saw Shen Mingshu throw away his bow and arrows, draw his long sword, and stand tall in front of Mingying.
Lin Xian was soaked to the bone and choked on some water. She was rescued by Shen Mingshu's men, which prevented her from being swept away by the river.
"Are you alright?" Mingying helped him up, patted his back, and patted out the water he had swallowed.
Lin Xian smiled and shook her head.
"Gu Yue," Shen Mingshu called to a trusted subordinate, "Quickly, take them and leave first!"
Mingying was pulled onto a horse, her face full of worry, and she called out urgently to those behind her.
"Brother, be careful!"
"Want to leave?" Pei Xiaoyun was not surprised by Shen Mingshu's appearance. Considering their past connection, she smiled magnanimously and said, "This is not a place for you. I'll give you a chance. Go back to your Northwest and don't interfere in my affairs anymore."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingshu's eyes turned cold. Seeing him again was like seeing an enemy. He had been blind before, treating him with courtesy and respect.
Even if I can't kill him today, I'll at least tear a piece of his flesh from him. "You forcibly took my sister, and you dare to speak so arrogantly here. I'm here to settle accounts with you. Prepare to die!"
Just as the two sides were about to clash, a group of masked men in black rode through the bamboo grove, raising dust and instantly stirring up a vast, eerie wind.
Pei Xiaoyun and Shen Mingshu were both stunned for a moment.
Mingying and her companions' horses were shot in the belly by arrows from the men in black, causing them to fall over instantly. Several of the assassins then charged towards them.
Pei Xiaoyun's pupils contracted, and his previous composure vanished. He immediately dismounted and rushed towards her, piercing the chest of the person in front of him with his sword.
"Ah Ying!" Shen Mingshu's heart pounded wildly. He shouted and led his men to surround the man in black, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.
He and Pei Xiaoyun recognized the distinctive markings on the hilts of the swords as belonging to the Hangzhou Governor's Office.
They are pure-hearted people, and their purpose is to silence them.
Mingying was held by Lin Xian. Although she rolled down the slope and her body slammed heavily against a tree trunk, she was not seriously injured. Lin Xian, however, protected her tightly and was stabbed in the back by the villain.
She touched her hands, which were covered in blood, and her breath caught in her throat. Her mind went blank.
The group of men in black seemed to have received a death order, unleashing a barrage of deadly attacks, each strike potentially fatal, determined to wipe them out completely.
With Pei Xiaoyun and Shen Mingshu present, these people were no match for them. The two teams protected Mingying and her group tightly, not giving the other side any chance to take advantage.
Pei Xiaoyun slew several people, his robes soaked in blood, and his face covered in splattered blood.
He glanced back and saw Mingying crying while holding Lin Xian. He felt a surge of annoyance, cursed her for being spineless, and vented his anger on the villain, killing him with a single blow.
As the enemy retreated in defeat, seeing that the situation was hopeless, they not only showed no intention of retreating, but their killing intent intensified. With a wave of their palm, they scattered several poisoned needles.
Those who are pierced by the poisoned needles will have their flesh rot immediately, and they will fall to the ground, rolling around and screaming in agony.
"Is this needle infused with the Gu poison of the Wuhuan people?!" Shen Mingshu was shocked and gasped several times.
He guarded the northwest for several years and dealt with the Wuhuan people all year round, recognizing several kinds of harmful Gu poisons that they were proud of.
Shen Chun not only colluded with the Kongchan Sect, but also had ties with the Wuhuan people.
"Fool." Pei Xiaoyun's curse was laced with ruthlessness. He regretted not shooting an arrow through Shen Chun's head. "I warned you long ago that Shen Chun, that old fox, is no good person."
Shen Mingshu clenched his fist, feeling displeased by his sarcasm. He was about to say something when he heard him lower his voice and say coldly, "I and my men will provide cover. You quietly lead your men around to the rear and kill them."
He knew that with Shen Mingshu's skills, killing them would be more than enough.
Shen Mingshu also knew that this couldn't go on. They would eventually run out of fighting strength, and the enemy, with their poisoned needles, would be fearless. Therefore, they had to be eliminated as soon as possible.
He glanced at Mingying, who was relatively safe, and then felt relieved. He led his men, using the bamboo grove as cover, to circle around to the rear.
The men in black were no match for the attack from both sides and were forced into retreat. They were exhausted and committed suicide by poison.
After sweeping away this group of people, everyone was exhausted.
Because of Shen Chun's intervention, they were forced to cooperate temporarily, but Pei Xiaoyun never forgot why she came here.
He was determined to take Mingying with him no matter what; the lives or deaths of the others were none of his concern.
When he saw that she had torn her dress and was frantically bandaging Lin Xian's wounds with clumsy and anxious movements, he immediately felt an urge to forcibly drag her onto his horse and take her away.
"Come back with me."
He coldly uttered four words and tried to grab her slender forearm.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept in, catching him off guard. He was struck in the right arm by a sword, his brows furrowed, and his bloodshot eyes swept back fiercely.
Shen Mingshu used the poisoned needles to his advantage and attacked him. He had no choice but to defend himself with his sword, retreating repeatedly, his hands covered in blood.
How dare you ambush him!
A fire raged in his chest and shot straight to his eyes; he almost ground his teeth to powder.
Shen Mingshu would not be soft on him, and when he saw that he still dared to try to harm Aying, he even wanted to fight him to the death.
While Pei Xiaoyun was catching his breath and clutching his wound, he signaled his men to cut an opening, pulled Mingying and Lin Xian onto their horses, intending to hold off Pei Xiaoyun so that Gu Yue and the others could protect them and leave first.
Gu Yue, however, used his physical strength to repel the two men and shouted to Shen Mingshu, "Young Master, run!"
Shen Mingshu's chest heaved, his throat bobbed, but he finally concealed the sharp glint in his eyes and rode away.
Yellow sand swirled, and no one could be seen ahead.
Pei Xiaoyun's hands were covered in blood, which snaked across the ground, a gruesome sight.
He snapped the sword in two, his mind consumed by mad rage, and laughed coldly, his voice sending chills down everyone's spine.
"Stop!" he commanded, halting the fighting around him.
So what if they run away? Where can they run to?
He will definitely bring her back with his own hands and demand repayment from her and her good brother for what they owe him today.
—
As dusk fell, the setting sun shone like blood.
Before the city gates were locked, a small group of people finally arrived at Guanzhou and settled in an inn.
In this battle, the casualties were heavy, and none of Shen Mingshu's men were left.
Mingying was covered in soot and had several bloody cuts on his arms. He watched as the doctor treated the wound on Lin Xian's back, who was lying on the couch. The deep red and hideous scar felt like a pain in her heart.
The moment she tumbled off her horse, the group of men attacked with knives. Lin Xian shielded her, but she herself was stabbed.
He was bleeding the whole way, and with each drop, her heart grew colder.
She wrung out a handkerchief and wiped away the sweat that had seeped out from his pain.
“Ah Ying, I’m fine…”
Surviving such a disaster felt like a dream. Lin Xian took her hand, smiled weakly at her, and asked the doctor to examine her injuries first.
It was too dangerous just now. Mingying's whole body was still shaking as if she were on a horse, and her hands were trembling uncontrollably: "I'm fine, it's more important to check your injuries first."
When Pei Xiaoyun found her and threatened her, she thought she would be controlled by him again and taken back by him; when those men in black rushed up, she thought she might die there.
Fortunately, she, Lin Xian, and her brother are still together.
Just then, Shen Mingshu, who had gone into the city to gather information, returned.
He bought some hot food, first inquired about the doctor's and the others' injuries, and only after learning that they were alright did he sit down with peace of mind. His face was not very good, and his voice was hoarse: "Pei Xiaoyun has also entered Guanzhou City."
Mingying's fingers, which were gripping the oil paper bag, suddenly loosened, and the sesame seed cake rolled on the ground, covered in ash, and was no longer edible...
She really wanted to start a new life with her family, but why did he keep haunting her like a ghost?
As he said, she was an ungrateful and lowly person. He could have any woman he wanted, so why did he have to torment her?
“Guanzhou City is so big, he might not be able to find us. Besides, he is injured and must be weak. We’ll leave the city for Xuzhou tomorrow morning.” Shen Mingshu comforted her, then gave her a clean cake and patted her thin shoulder. “Don’t worry, your brother is here.”
Mingying met his gentle and calm gaze, nodded, and took a bite of the sesame seed cake.
She is no longer alone.
She felt at ease with her family around.
I put aside all those complicated matters and had a good night's sleep.
The next morning, the three of them concealed their faces and waited in line to leave the city.
Fearing that Pei Xiaoyun might send people to search, Mingying deliberately used brownish-yellow makeup powder to wrinkle her face, put her hair up in a high bun, and carried a bundle. From behind, she looked like a woman who had been through many hardships.
Shen Mingshu and Lin Xian also used ash powder to make their hair and faces unkempt.
The three walked separately, one in front and one behind, just like ordinary people.
Just as they were about to leave the city, a group of soldiers rode up on horseback, carrying a proclamation from the prefect of Guanzhou, claiming that someone in the city had contracted a plague and sealing off the city gates, driving the people who were about to leave back into the city.
The people had no other choice but to return to the inn.
Mingying and her group were no exception; they were driven back into the city.
On the way back to the inn, Mingying was filled with anxiety.
Although Pei Xiaoyun was a scoundrel who only knew how to bully others, she had never heard of him being mediocre and incompetent or oppressing the people during the time she had been by his side.
To arrest just one person, he sealed off the city gates, causing inconvenience to the entire city's residents. This is not like his usual style.
Why was Guanzhou suddenly locked down?
In another inconspicuous mansion, a servant nervously brought out a basin of bloody water.
Pei Xiaoyun's blade wasn't shallow, but Shen Mingshu's strike was delivered with full force. Over the years, countless people had tried to kill him, and he had dodged hundreds or even thousands of swords and blades, but he had never been so disheveled.
This time, he was careless and was struck by Shen Mingshu's sword.
He considered himself to be a vigilant person, and if it weren't for a woman clouding his judgment, he wouldn't have fallen victim to such a sneak attack.
Thinking this, he wished he could catch those people immediately.
Those who deserve to be killed should be killed, and those who deserve to be held accountable should be held accountable.
"Someone, send a message to Kong Qing, ask him if He Lianqing is dead or not. If he is not dead, bring him to Guanzhou."
He certainly hated those who betrayed him, but the lingering poison in his body hadn't been cured, and the antidote he carried on the road probably wouldn't last much longer.
The reason for leaving Kong Qing in Hangzhou was to bring He Lianqing back.
One person went out to receive the order, and another person came in to report back.
"Master, we have deployed men at several city gates, but we still haven't found them. Perhaps they have disguised themselves."
Pei Xiaoyun's eyes were like deep pools, chillingly cold, and his face was contorted and menacing, whether from pain or something else, it was hard to tell.
Whenever he thinks of her saying she hates him, he wants to drag her back and ask her properly what gives her the right to hate him.
"I have one more thing to ask."
"Speak," he urged calmly.
"This morning, the prefect of Guanzhou temporarily closed the city gates, citing the plague in the city."
"Plague?" Pei Xiaoyun was still shocked, pondering the word for herself, yet finding it quite amusing, her fingertips rhythmically tapping the edge of the table.
When he was governing Hangzhou, all matters, large and small, from various places were sent to his desk for his review. How come he had never heard of the plague outbreak in Guanzhou, and now he even dared to lock down the city without authorization?
"Master, shall we reveal our identities and investigate this matter thoroughly?"
"No need." Pei Xiaoyun raised her hand to stop her, her voice icy.
Wouldn't that alert the enemy?
He wanted to see what this small Guanzhou was really up to.
"Keep searching for him," he ordered.
Now, she'll likely have no chance of escaping.
—
Night had fallen, and the candlelight flickered dimly.
The lone goose circled a few times above Guanzhou City before disappearing into the mountains and forests.
The inn was packed with people from out of town who couldn't leave the city for the time being.
Several people from the inn where Mingying and her group were staying had been taken away by the government under the pretext of screening for infected individuals.
“Officer, I just arrived from Xiangzhou yesterday. There’s no way I could have contracted the disease.” A young man, reluctant to go with the government officials, kept explaining his situation.
The official clearly didn't take it to heart, saying only, "This is the prefect's order. The investigation is for your own good. If you are not infected, we will release you immediately."
"Dad, I'm scared, don't go!" The man was with his four-year-old daughter, who cried as she grabbed her father's clothes.
The man turned around and shouted, "You've taken me away, what will happen to my daughter?!"
The officer urged impatiently, "Alright, stop shouting, we'll let you go back."
The little girl ran over crying, but tripped on the threshold. Mingying helped her up, wrung out a damp cloth to wipe her face, and patiently coaxed her, "Don't cry, your father will be back soon."
The girl stopped crying after being comforted by her father and stared intently at his departing figure.
Since the city was locked down and she was sent back to the city, Mingying has been restless for a moment, and even taking a breath makes her feel uncomfortable.
“Brother.” She looked at the tears welling up in the little girl’s eyes, her heart ached, and a strong sense of unease surged up again. She said to Shen Ming, “They are all merchants from out of town. They have not been in contact with the people of the city. What kind of plague is this that is so severe?”
It had gotten to the point where the government had to take people away one by one for investigation.
"I also feel uneasy; I've never heard of this before." Perhaps it was a tacit understanding between the siblings, or perhaps it was the keen perception of those on the march, but Shen Mingshu also became suspicious.
He saw Lin Xian take hot dishes from the waiter and put them on the table, and instructed him: "Ziming, take good care of Aying. After you finish eating, go back to your room, close the doors and windows, and don't come out. I'll be right back."
He wanted to see what the government was really up to.
The two then repeatedly warned him to be careful.
Due to the city lockdown, the inn was packed with people, and the kitchen couldn't supply enough food. Mingying's table only received half a plate of vegetables and two pieces of roasted pork.
She first picked up a piece of meat for the injured Lin Xian to help her recover, and left the rest for her brother to eat when he came back. Lin Xian initially refused to eat it and kept trying to refuse her, but after she glared at him angrily, he obediently ate it.
Guanzhou is near the northern border, and the north wind at night is sharp and biting, cutting into people's flesh.
As night deepened, only the outlines of the streets remained visible, two candles had burned out, and the food had long since cooled and condensed with oil, yet Shen Mingshu still hadn't returned.
Mingying felt a pang of anxiety, and her lips had lost all color due to excessive worry.
She was unfamiliar with Guanzhou, and neither was her brother. They didn't even know what the situation was like in the city. Moreover, Pei Xiaoyun harbored resentment towards them and was surely still searching for them.
Unable to sit still any longer, she decided to go out and look for someone.
"It's getting dark, I'll go look for it," Lin Xian said.
Mingying knew he was still injured and shook her head decisively: "You're injured, how can I let you go alone?"
After discussing it, the two decided to go and search for it together.
Before leaving, Lin Xian went into the room and took a dagger, which he tucked tightly into his waistband.
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Author's Note: [Laughs out loud]
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