A sudden change in the deserted village during the night rain
Chapter Quote: Having just left the dragon's den, he entered the tiger's lair. The alliance of trust collapsed in an instant.
---
With the iron plate given by Xu Ning and his stealthy skills, Yan Qing managed to escape the heavily guarded Nanxun Gate without any danger. He didn't dare to take the official road, but chose secluded paths, heading southeast.
As the sky darkened, dark clouds gathered, thunder rumbled, and a heavy rain seemed to be approaching. Yan Qing was anxious. If he was blocked on the road by the heavy rain, his tracks would be difficult to hide, and the pursuers might catch up at any time.
Finally, as the rain began to fall, he saw the faint lights in the valley ahead. It was a large farm, backed by mountains, easy to defend and difficult to attack. It was exactly the place Xu Ning had described.
He quickened his pace and arrived at the village gate. It was closed, and a plaque reading "Xu's Second Estate" hung on the gatehouse. Yan Qing knocked on the doorknob. After a long moment, an old man holding a lantern appeared, peering warily through the crack in the door.
"Who is knocking on the door so late at night?"
"I am here to visit the owner of the manor on behalf of Teacher Xu Ning." Yan Qing showed the iron plate.
The old man carefully examined the iron plate, his expression softened slightly, and he opened the door to the manor: "So it's you, the distinguished guest. Please come in. The owner of the manor is waiting in the hall."
Yan Qing thanked him and followed the old man into the manor. He saw that the houses were well-maintained and the roads were clean. Even in the rain, there were still several teams of armed patrolmen, and the security was tight. It was obvious that the owner of the manor was no ordinary farmer.
Arriving at the main hall, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe and with a ruddy complexion sat at the head of the table. Upon seeing Yan Qing, he stood up to greet him with a warm smile, "I'm sorry for not welcoming you, my distinguished guest! My name is Xu Fang, and I'm Teacher Xu's cousin. I've been ordered to manage this farm. Since you're my brother's messenger, you're one of us. Please take a seat!"
Yan Qing returned the greeting with a bow, but he wasn't completely at ease. He had been in the martial arts world for many years and knew that people's hearts were unpredictable. Xu Fang's enthusiasm was a bit excessive, and there was always a subtle scrutiny in his flickering eyes.
"Master Xu, you are too polite. I am Yan Qing. I was framed by villains in Beijing and had to come here to bother you. I hope you will do me a favor and let me stay away for a few days." Yan Qing went straight to the point and carefully observed Xu Fang's reaction.
Xu Fang kept smiling and waved his hands: "Brother Yanqing, what are you talking about! My brother's token is here. Even if it is a big deal, I, Xu, will take responsibility for it! Brother, just stay here with peace of mind. This farm is remote and not easy to find!" As he said that, he ordered the servants to prepare wine, food and room, which was very thoughtful.
Yan Qing's doubts subsided slightly. Perhaps he was just being overly suspicious. He had been traveling all the way and had experienced a series of misfortunes, so he was truly exhausted both physically and mentally. Seeing the hot tea and food, he couldn't help but relax a little.
During the feast, Xu Fang frequently urged him to drink, his words expressing his deep concern for the situation in the capital and the movements of Liangshan, constantly hinting at them. Yan Qing only addressed them with irrelevant information, glossing over his own wanted status and his connection to Zhang Qing and Elder Zhiqing.
After three rounds of drinks, a torrential downpour and rumbling thunder began outside the window. Xu Fang suddenly sighed and said, "Brother Yanqing, to be honest, some unfamiliar faces came to the manor today, seemingly asking about something. Did you offend any powerful figures in the capital?"
Yan Qing was startled, but his expression remained unchanged: "Oh? Do you know who they are?"
"He doesn't look like someone from the government, but more like someone from the underworld." Xu Fang lowered his voice, "Brother, if you trust me, tell me the truth so I can prepare for it early."
Yan Qing pondered for a moment, feeling that he could not conceal this matter, so he said simply: "To be honest with you, Master, I was indeed framed by a villain because of the Liangshan incident."
"Liangshan?!" Xu Fang's face changed slightly, a strange look flashed in his eyes, and then he returned to normal. He said angrily, "So it's these killers! Don't worry, brother. In my village, even if the Liangshan bandits come, they will return in defeat!"
Despite this, Yan Qing keenly sensed his momentary abnormality. He remained calm, feigning drunkenness, and stood up, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality, Master. I'm quite drunk and would like to return to my room to rest."
Xu Fang hurriedly said, "It should be so! I have asked someone to prepare hot water, so have a good rest, brother!" Then he called a maid and led Yan Qing to the guest room.
The guest room was comfortably furnished. Yan Qing dismissed the maid and bolted the door. The drunken look on his face instantly vanished. He extinguished the light, lay down on the couch in his clothes, and listened to the pounding rain outside the window. The uneasiness in his heart grew stronger and stronger.
Xu Fang's reaction was unnatural. His surprise at hearing the word "Liangshan" didn't seem like pure resentment, but rather... expected. And then there was the "unknown face" that appeared outside the village...
He sat up abruptly! This was a trap! Xu Ning might be trustworthy, but Xu Fang had probably already defected to Liangshan, or perhaps been bribed by Liangshan! That iron plate wasn't a talisman, but a death warrant! Liangshan had used Xu Ning's connections to set a trap, waiting for him to fall into it!
After realizing this, Yan Qing broke out in a cold sweat! He was so careless! He had trusted a stranger so easily!
Must leave immediately!
He quietly got out of bed and leaned close to the crack in the door to listen. Outside, there was silence except for the sound of rain. But he knew that beneath this silence, there must be murderous intent hidden.
He gently pushed open the back window, which revealed the backyard. The rain was pouring down, and he couldn't see clearly what was going on. He took a deep breath and was about to jump out when he heard a flurry of footsteps and the sound of unsheathed weapons coming from the front yard.
"Surround them! Don't let Yan Qing, the Liangshan spy, escape!" A rough voice was particularly clear in the rainy night. It was the voice of the commander-in-chief of the palace! They were actually colluding with Liangshan and directly mobilizing the officers and soldiers!
Then came Xu Fang's flattering voice: "General, don't worry, the thief has been drunk and is in the guest room!"
As expected! A cold light flashed in Yan Qing's eyes! Without hesitation, he flipped out of the back window like a civet cat and landed in the muddy ground in the yard.
Almost as soon as he landed, torches suddenly lit up, illuminating the backyard like daylight! Dozens of farmhands and soldiers armed with swords and spears poured out from all directions, surrounding him! Leading the charge were the envoy and a smug-looking Xu Fang!
"Yan Qing! Why don't you surrender?" the officer grinned.
Xu Fang also sneered: "Brother Yanqing, this is not my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for offending someone you shouldn't have offended!"
Yan Qing's cold eyes swept across the crowd, finally landing on Xu Fang's face: "Xu Ning, do you know that you are doing this?"
Xu Fang's expression changed, and he snorted, "A man who knows the current situation is a hero! The heroes of Liangshan are so righteous and loyal, how can you compare?"
"What a righteous man!" Yan Qing sneered, but his heart was chilled. Tonight, I'm afraid it won't end peacefully.
He slowly drew the dagger from his waist. The rain instantly soaked his clothes, but it couldn't extinguish the fighting spirit in his eyes. Since there was no way to retreat, he would fight his way out!
"Kill!" The commander gave the order, and countless swords and spears came towards Yan Qing!
Yan Qing suddenly leaped up like a ghost in the rain, his short knife slicing through the rain, leaving a trail of blood! He showed no mercy, his moves were deadly, and in an instant, several farmhands fell to the ground!
However, the enemy was too numerous and clearly well-prepared, with a tight formation that trapped him firmly in the center. The commander was also a skilled warrior, wielding his broadsword with great vigor. Together with Xu Fang and several other skilled fighters, they forced Yan Qing into a dangerous situation.
Yan Qing was struggling, with several wounds on his body, blood mixed with rainwater flowing. He knew that if he fought for a long time, he would die, so he had to break through!
He suddenly parried the officer's sword, then retreated sharply, crashing into the arms of two farmhands, his elbow slamming back fiercely! With two screams, the two farmhands' sternums shattered and fell to the ground. A gap appeared in the encirclement!
"Where are you going!" Seeing this, Xu Fang thrust his sword straight into Yan Qing's back!
Yan Qing seemed to have eyes on his back. He moved sideways to avoid the sword and swung his sword with his backhand. As fast as lightning, he went straight for Xu Fang's throat!
Xu Fang didn't expect Yan Qing to be able to counterattack so quickly under such siege. He was so scared that he leaned back in panic. The tip of the knife grazed his chin, leaving a bloody mark!
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yan Qing exerted force on his feet and rushed towards the village wall!
"Shoot!" the officer roared!
The bowstring sounded, and arrows shot out like locusts!
Yan Qing danced the short knife tightly and flicked the eagle feather, while moving without stopping, and was about to rush to the wall!
At this moment, dozens of archers suddenly appeared from the top of the wall, bows drawn and arrows drawn, blocking all his escape routes! Attacked from both sides, it was a desperate situation!
Yan Qing sighed in his heart, is he really going to die here today?
At this critical moment, a deafening cry of killing suddenly came from outside the village! Then, flames shot up into the sky from the direction of the village gate, and chaos broke out!
"What's going on?!" The officer and Xu Fang were horrified.
The village gate was suddenly thrown open, and a group of masked men in black rushed into the village like a tiger among sheep! These men were agile and ruthless with their swords, and they killed anyone they saw, especially the soldiers and villagers, showing no mercy!
"It's people from Liangshan!" someone shouted in horror.
Liangshan? Yan Qing was stunned. Why were they here? Were they here to kill him, or...
In the chaos, those masked men in black seemed to intentionally or unintentionally charge towards the officers and soldiers and Xu Fang's troops, which actually relieved most of the pressure for Yan Qing!
The commander was shocked and angry, and ordered his men to resist, but the situation was completely out of control!
Yan Qing didn't understand why, but he knew this was his only chance! He didn't hesitate any longer. He saw an opening and leaped onto the manor wall. He glanced back at the manor engulfed in chaos and the mysterious men in black. He gritted his teeth, flipped over, and slid down the wall, plunging into the endless darkness and torrential rain outside.
Behind him, the shouts, the clashing of weapons, and the screams still echoed in the rainy night, gradually fading away.
Yan Qing ran wildly in the mud, one step deep and one step shallow. He didn't know how far he ran until he was exhausted and leaned against a big tree to gasp for breath.
The rain washed away the blood and mud on his body, and the cold bit him. He looked towards the capital with a complicated look.
Xu Fang's betrayal, the encirclement and suppression by officers and soldiers, the mysterious man in black... What kind of truth is hidden behind this thick fog?
And what should I do now?
He felt around in his arms, and the sachet given by Elder Zhiqing was still there. Perhaps it was time to open it.
---
Chapter 17 End
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
