Chapter 6: The hero stayed and the sword flashed across the snow
Their eyes met for only a moment before quickly passing each other, and the woman's back disappeared at the end of the road.
Lou Wanqiao retracted his gaze and wiped the corner of his mouth: "It tastes good~"
"The hustle and bustle of life is the most ordinary thing. I love to try the food and wine of different places. The wines in this area are sweet and mellow. At first, I just think it's delicate and delicious, with a profound flavor, but before I know it, I'm intoxicated."
"Oh? It seems Brother Wen knows a lot about wine!"
"Haha, I just drank too much and came up with some superficial opinions." Wen Xuechi took two sips of wine, packed up, and stood up. "Let's go, we have some tasks today."
A caravan returned to Yange City during the day. According to Cen Luye's intelligence, there were people from Xuanle Sect mixed in with them, so there was a high probability that something bad would happen.
Lou Wanqiao didn't quite understand: "If something happens, you should leave halfway. We're almost back to the city now. Isn't that safe?"
"I'm going to take action now that I'm back." Wen Xuechi whispered as he walked towards the city gate. "I wonder if Brother Liu knows anything about the sects in the martial arts world. The Baixuan Sect has always claimed to be a reputable and upright sect, but in reality, they often do things behind the scenes that bully the good and oppress the good. This incident is inextricably linked to them, but it's definitely not something they could have done alone. I'm afraid there's someone behind the scenes manipulating this, and they have connections to those in high positions..."
She listened carefully and nodded in agreement.
Wen Xuechi's analysis made sense, but it was also a perspective she hadn't considered carefully before. Now, it seemed like the infighting wasn't just in the court; even the far-flung Jianghu was implicated.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"We don't need to do anything, just try to get as much information as possible. Your wounds haven't healed yet, so leave the rest to Brother Zeng."
"Oh...ok then, I'm good at this."
After leaving the city gate, the snow gradually stopped. They arrived early according to the location marked on the map, and waited on a small hill in the suburbs. It was already noon, so they were still a little early.
The soles of her boots sank into the snow, feeling soft as she stepped on it. She exhaled, and a white mist spread out and dissipated in the air.
Wen Xuechi picked up a dead branch and squatted on the snow to draw a turtle. She squatted down as well and watched him slowly draw the turtle.
It had to be said that her daily life had changed drastically since she moved from the capital to Yan'ge. She had never been so relaxed before, but now she could sleep until she woke up naturally and eat out at everything from famous restaurants to street vendors.
Lou Wanqiao was secretly laughing at herself when the man who was drawing a turtle beside her interrupted her thoughts: "Brother Liu, you seem a little worried today. What's wrong?"
"Hmm? I didn't..."
He sighed, stood up and brushed off the snow on the edge of his robe: "I think I know what you are worried about..."
oh?
Lou Wanqiao's mind fluttered. Could it be this person...
"Well, I'll tell Brother Zeng later that we've done him a big favor and told him to stop chasing you for the money." Wen Xuechi patted her on the back, his face full of "I understand you". "Brother Liu is a generous man. Money is only a thing outside of our body. If it really doesn't work out, I'll give you a helping hand! After all, Brother Zeng won't give you face."
The corners of Lou Wanqiao's mouth twitched and he lowered his head in silence.
Wen Xuechi thought he had hit the nail on the head and brought up his brother's sad past. He immediately put his hand on his shoulder and patted him comfortingly, whispering, "Brother Liu, don't be too sad. Although I don't have much silver, we are people of the martial arts world, right? We value loyalty, right? We can turn enemies into friends...Brother Liu? What's wrong?"
Lou Wanqiao lowered his head and shook his shoulders: "I...I thought of something sad."
"Oh, I understand, you're talking about this, right..."
Before he could finish his words, his head was pushed down. Lou Wanqiao softly said "Shush": "Someone is coming."
The two held their breath, their gazes simultaneously drawn towards the end of the path. The hillside was rarely traveled, and the path was overgrown with weeds. At this time of year, a layer of snow weighed down the withered grass, leaving even the vegetation devoid of life. If it weren't for the occasional passing caravan or escort vehicle, the path would have been deserted long ago.
They crouched low, using the snow to conceal their presence. They could already hear the sound of horses' hooves crunching through the snow and wheels rolling over the dry branches on the road. Soon, they saw several carriages approaching from the front.
There doesn't seem to be anything unusual.
They were on a high place with a wider view. Just as the caravan was about to leave, something strange happened.
The noise was mixed with the neighing of startled horses. Lou Wanqiao and Wen Xuechi looked at each other and quietly approached the caravan.
Now I can see clearly.
There were a few people mixed in the team, holding short knives and with ferocious faces.
Wen Xuechi exclaimed: "Something really happened. Brother Liu, what do you think about us...Brother Liu?"
Lou Wanqiao said nothing, and his face showed no expression. He just looked down at the scene below, his eyes fixed on a certain spot.
Seeing that she didn't respond, Wen Xuechi followed her gaze with some confusion, but didn't find anything special.
Could it be that I met someone I knew?
He guessed right.
Lou Wanqiao's hand, hanging by his side, silently placed it on the hilt of the knife.
If I'm not mistaken, one of the men holding a knife below is Prince Duan's hidden man.
Normally, this was a very secret matter, but she had been tracking Prince Duan for so long that she knew his recent whereabouts almost perfectly. Firstly, she wanted to ensure she could eliminate her enemy without fail, and secondly, she wanted to gather intelligence to pave the way for her next plan.
It is not too difficult for her to grasp a hidden line after growing to this level.
"Brother Wen, can I intervene?" Lou Wanqiao asked in a low voice.
"Hmm?" Wen Xuechi hesitated for a moment, and just as he nodded, he saw the young man next to him flying out like an arrow.
The knife flashed across the snow.
The sharp sound of weapons colliding was extremely harsh. Wen Xuechi still stood there without moving, looking up at the young man who was rushing out.
The figure, dressed in a long, light-colored robe, had a ghostly presence, almost blending into the snowy landscape. The embroidered spring sword in his hand seemed alive, slicing through the falling snow like a slithering dragon.
No one around had expected such a change and was thrown into disarray.
She acted decisively but left room for maneuver, obviously intending to leave some people alive. Her goal was clear: to help the caravan deal with the rioters.
Some people realized that with Lou Wanqiao's joining, the situation immediately reversed and became one-sided.
The battle was over soon.
Lou Wanqiao stood with her sword drawn, the veil on her bamboo hat blew up in the wind, blurring her features. She picked up the remaining survivor and, turning around, discovered that Wen Xuechi had joined her earlier and was now kindly helping to lift the man from the ground.
They worked in perfect harmony, not saying a word. Just as they were about to leave, someone in the caravan spoke up, "Sir, please stay!"
She paused and turned to look.
The person who was speaking was dressed differently from the people around him, looking a bit noble. It seemed that he was the person in charge of this batch of goods.
He bowed politely and said in a clear voice, "Thank you for your help, my dear fellow. I am deeply grateful. I hope you will leave your names. I will come to thank you in the future."
Lou Wanqiao waved his hand and walked away lightly. Wen Xuechi had already covered half of his face. He politely said, "It's not worth mentioning when seeing injustice on the road," and then carried the person and followed Lou Wanqiao.
Only when they reached a remote place did Lou Wanqiao stop, and Wen Xuechi followed closely behind him, putting the man down from his shoulders.
He didn't say anything, and Lou Wanqiao simply found him pleasing to the eye. He was efficient, but he was also very causal, and she liked his personality.
But she still had to think of a way to say something politely. She had been wrong to intervene and disrupt the original plan.
"This man is my enemy's subordinate. I have seen him before." She said half-truthfully.
"Enemy?" Wen Xuechi was stunned. "I wonder if Brother Liu would be willing to elaborate. This information was hard to come by..."
Lou Wanqiao thought for a few seconds and decided that it wouldn't matter if she told them. After all, she and Wen Xuechi were on the same side now, so the more intelligence they had, the better.
"He does have connections with people in the capital." She considered for a moment, "I've investigated and found that he has had contact with Prince Duan's staff."
"Prince Duan?" Wen Xuechi raised his eyebrows. "It seems this is a serious matter. However, you are the one who detained this person, so it is only right that you deal with him. Now that we have gathered the information, we will not have failed Brother Zeng in his trust. As for this matter... I will pretend that I didn't see it."
After saying that, he slowly walked to a tree in the distance, turned his back, and reached for the wine jug at his waist.
He is so tactful and would be a good partner.
Lou Wanqiao nodded in satisfaction, his gaze returned to the man on the ground, his expression turning cold.
She pulled the poison out of the man's mouth and woke him up. The man's eyes were blank for a moment, then quickly turned vicious as he stared at Lou Wanqiao.
She squatted down, and with the help of half-covering herself, she took out the token of Prince Duan from her sleeve.
…
Wen Xuechi drank half a pot of wine, squinted his eyes and looked at the snow-covered mountain in front of him. When he heard footsteps behind him, he knew that Brother Liu was done.
He turned his head and Lou Wanqiao just walked to his side. She nodded and said, "Let's go."
Wen Xuechi generously handed over the wine bag in his hand: "Thank you for your hard work."
Lou Wanqiao took a sip of the drink and walked back with him: "It's getting late. Should we talk to Brother Zeng about the situation first?"
"No need. There's a messenger in the east of the city. We just need to talk to him."
"You have quite a lot of connections..."
Wen Xuechi glanced at her and asked curiously, "Brother Liu, you seem to have little experience with these things?"
Lou Wanqiao remained noncommittal. "To be honest, apart from the occasional case I take out of town, I spend most of my time in the capital, so I don't have much chance to encounter these things. Brother Wen, you know, the capital is full of dignitaries, and I didn't know much about them before..."
Wen Xuechi nodded to show his understanding.
The two returned to the city, finished their business, and began to wait for night to fall.
Things were no different inside the prefect's mansion than usual. Later that evening, Cen Luye's men would make some noise to attract the palace guards' attention.
Their task was not difficult. They just had to search for clues in two rooms. If anyone found them, they could use their martial arts to escape.
When the agreed time came, there was a noise outside, followed by the slightly chaotic footsteps of the palace soldiers.
Lou Wanqiao waited for a while before setting off. She and Wen Xuechi split up, she going into the study to investigate while Wen Xuechi went to the governor's room.
The surroundings were very quiet, and she easily avoided the few guards left on the road.
The boots landed lightly in the study without making any sound.
After his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Lou Wanqiao began to take in the surrounding layout.
There were a few scrolls and books on the table, a very ordinary arrangement. There was a vase in the corner, and the bookshelf was also quite ordinary.
It's not a very big room.
She looked thoughtful and reached out to touch the bookshelf.
The author has something to say:
----------------------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
