Chapter 53 The County Magistrate Arrives with Men to Relieve the Situation
Although the Shadow Assassins are ruthless, they are also afraid of offending their employers. Therefore, anyone who can afford to hire the Shadow Assassins to kill you is definitely not simple; they might even have connections to powerful figures in the capital.
As expected of the Su family from Jiangnan, their keen insight is truly admirable.
Qin Zhining secretly gave a thumbs up.
She recalled what Su Jin had mentioned about the "Imperial Seal of the State." Could it be that the employer wanted to take on this person who was trying to steal the seal just because of that so-called imperial seal?
But the original owner's mother was just an ordinary peasant girl, so how could she have a jade seal related to the Imperial Seal of the State? The secrets involved are probably more complicated than she thought.
After walking for about half an hour, a dilapidated Taoist temple appeared ahead.
The gate of the Taoist temple had long been rotten, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and there was a large hole in the roof of the main hall, through which sunlight shone and fell on the dusty statues.
"This is it." Qin Zhining led the way inside, checked around, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that no one was inside. "Everyone, please rest here for a while. Guard Su, let me treat your wound."
Su Zhong nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you, young lady."
Qin Zhining took out wound medicine from her package (actually her spatial storage) – this was prepared for Qin Xiaoxiao, who liked to beat people up and fight, and she never expected it to come in handy now.
She carefully washed Su Zhong's wound with clean water (spiritual spring water), then applied wound medicine and bandaged it with a strip of cloth.
Su Jin watched from the side, her eyes full of admiration.
This girl was not only calm and decisive, but also incredibly meticulous, completely different from the "country girl" he had in mind.
“Oh, right, Miss Qin,” Su Jin suddenly remembered something, “you said before that Zhang Laoqi died in the mass grave in the west of the city.”
I just had Su Zhong send people to investigate; we should have news soon. I also had my family investigate the Shadow Assassins' employers. Although the Shadow Assassins are mysterious, we should be able to find clues by following their transaction records.”
"Thank you for your help," Qin Zhining said gratefully.
Without Su Jin's help, it would have been very troublesome and a waste of energy and time for her to investigate so many things on her own.
Just then, Qin Chengxuan walked over, holding a few pieces of dry firewood in his hand—which he had just picked up from the yard.
"I'll start a fire so everyone can warm up and roast some dry rations." He glanced at Qin Zhining, hesitated, but ultimately said nothing and turned to go to the stove.
Qin Zhining noticed his expression and felt puzzled.
Since encountering the man in black, Qin Chengxuan has been acting strangely. He had prepared a fake jade seal in advance, but now he always seems to want to say something but doesn't. Does he know something?
Just as she was about to go and ask, she heard footsteps coming from the courtyard—very light, but very dense, as if someone was sneaking closer.
"Someone's coming." Su Jin instantly became alert, gripping her folding fan tighter. Su Zhong also immediately stood up, leaning against the wall, and looked warily towards the door.
Qin Zhining quickly told Chen Xiaomei and Chen Erlang to hide behind the statue, and then said to Li Mo, Wang Song, and Zhao Shu, "Take your machetes and stand guard under that window. Don't let them in."
The footsteps grew closer.
Soon, several men in black appeared at the door—the same people who had just gone after the fake jade seal.
The leader of the men in black held a fake jade seal in his hand, his face ashen, clearly having discovered that the jade seal was fake.
"You Qin Zhining, how dare you deceive us with a fake jade seal!" The man in black gritted his teeth. "Today I will tear you to pieces to vent my hatred."
With that, he waved to his men: "Charge in, leave no one alive."
Several men in black immediately rushed into the Taoist temple and pounced on Qin Zhining and the others.
Su Jin and Su Zhong went to meet them and began to fight.
Qin Chengxuan, carrying a machete, also rushed forward—his skills were better than Qin Zhining had imagined. Although his moves weren't very professional, he was quite agile and ruthless.
He dodged the attacks of the men in black several times and even managed to slash one of them on the arm, showing that he hadn't really fought back when Qin Zhining beat him up after returning home.
Qin Zhining gripped the short blade and stood guard beside the statue to prevent the men in black from harming Chen Xiaomei and Chen Erlang.
She saw a man in black bypass Su Jin and rush towards the back of the statue. Without hesitation, she charged forward and plunged her short blade into the man's back.
The man in black was caught off guard by Qin Zhining's sudden attack. By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late—the short blade, though small, was exceptionally sharp, instantly tearing through his clothes and piercing deep into his anus.
The man in black cried out in pain, turned around and swung his knife at Qin Zhining. Qin Zhining dodged quickly and kicked the man away at the same time.
"Ah Ning!" Chen Xiaomei screamed when she saw that she was in danger and tried to rush over, but Qin Xiaoxiao held her back.
Qin Zhining turned and smiled at her, then raised her short blade and headed for her next target.
This fierce battle is a fight to the death; whoever shows mercy or isn't ruthless enough will perish here.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside, very hurried, as if many people were riding over.
The man in black's face changed upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves. "Damn it, it's government officials! Retreat!"
They didn't care whether they could kill Qin Zhining or not, and turned around and ran out of the Taoist temple.
But as soon as he reached the door, he was surrounded by a group of people dressed in official robes.
The one in the lead was the magistrate of Lincheng County.
Holding a long sword, he shouted, "You audacious thief, committing murder in broad daylight! Surrender now!"
It turns out that this county magistrate actually knows martial arts.
Seeing this, the man in black knew that he had encountered government troops and that he couldn't escape his fate, so he had no choice but to fight back.
However, there were many officials and archers from Zhang Ge Lao's mansion, who were waiting with their bows drawn and arrows ready. Before long, several men in black were subdued, leaving only the leader still struggling.
The magistrate walked into the Taoist temple and saw Qin Zhining. He quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Miss Qin, I am late and I apologize for startling you."
Qin Zhining nodded calmly and bowed in greeting, "Thank you for arriving in time to save us, sir. I am deeply grateful."
No need for further words.
The magistrate then turned to Su Jin, "Young Master Su, I apologize for the fright you suffered in Lincheng County."
Su Jin nodded, her tone calm, "The magistrate has arrived at the right time. These people are assassins from the Shadow Assassins Hall."
They just tried to ambush Miss Qin and injured my guards. Please interrogate them thoroughly, sir, and find out who their employer is.
"Your humble servant understands!" The magistrate quickly replied, then inquired whether Qin Zhining was injured, "Miss Qin, are you alright?"
Earlier, Young Master Su sent someone to the county government to inform them that you were in danger. I immediately brought men over, and thankfully we arrived in time.
Qin Zhining was stunned for a moment before she realized that Su Jin had secretly sent her men to the county government to report the news while everyone was on their way.
A warmth filled her heart. She looked at Su Jin and said softly, "Thank you, Mr. Su. I'm so sorry to have caused you any trouble."
Su Jin smiled but didn't say anything. She simply asked Su Zhong to help her men treat the wounds.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
