Chapter 18: It Won't Be That Easy to Leave

"My young lady is in poor health; she has been frightened."

The young hunter looked at Wei Jiao. Although his eyes held a hint of fear, he did not panic.

"She has indeed been taking medicine continuously."

The shop assistants also spoke up one after another. "Please, Your Excellency, rest assured. Our shop keeps medicinal herbs on hand to brew calming soups for our guests."

Many other guests also sniffed themselves, and low murmurs rose among them: "I've been drinking it too," "I smell of it as well," "If I had known, I wouldn't have drunk it."

A soldier, having finished searching the inn, walked out and whispered to Wei Jiao, "There are indeed many medicinal herbs and brewed decoctions in the inn."

As the soldier approached, Wei Jiao could smell the scent of medicine clinging to him as well.

Magistrate Huang, having finished searching a residence, approached the scene. Seeing the strange atmosphere, he hurriedly asked, "Commander Wei, is something wrong?"

Wei Jiao gave a grunt. "Something feels off."

What exactly felt off? Magistrate Huang froze, not daring to ask Wei Jiao. He turned his gaze toward the constables, as well as Mo Zheng and Yang Luo.

"What is going on? Who are these people?" he demanded.

A constable stepped forward and reported what Yang Luo had just said.

"From Lu County?" Magistrate Huang frowned. "Where in Lu County?"

Yang Luo leaned out slightly from behind Mo Zheng and whispered, "Willow Alley. My house is next to Yichun Hall."

Because Lu County was nearby, Magistrate Huang was familiar with it; he knew of Willow Alley, and Yichun Hall was somewhat well-known.

The accent and the place name were both correct.

Just what did this Wei Jiao feel was wrong? It was merely a young girl and a small servant...

The girl's eyes were already brimming with tears and her face was pale, while the young guard held his neck stiffly, though his legs were trembling slightly.

Surely he couldn't just execute them on the spot simply because something "felt off"?

Magistrate Huang couldn't help but look back at Wei Jiao, only to see Wei Jiao watching him with a smile, as if expecting him to do something.

*This madman,* Magistrate Huang cursed inwardly. He could not bring himself to commit such a brutal act as killing people on a mere hunch. Gritting his teeth, he looked at the young girl. "Since you are from Lu County, men, take her back to Lu County..."

Hearing this, Yang Luo's body stiffened. Just as she was about to speak, Mo Zheng's arm nudged her.

The two of them were now quite in sync; Yang Luo instantly swallowed the words she was about to say.

She absolutely could not return to Lu County to be interrogated.

However, just because this Magistrate Huang ordered her to be taken back didn't mean she would actually be escorted there.

She had her guard, A-Sheng.

As long as they left Zhao County, A-Sheng would surely find a way to help her escape.

How many men could Magistrate Huang send to follow her? Surely not the entire garrison.

Her biggest problem right now was being trapped in Zhao County, under Wei Jiao's watchful eye. As long as she could get out, as long as she could leave Wei Jiao...

Yang Luo bowed to Magistrate Huang and said with a sob, "Thank you, Excellency. Thank you, Excellency."

With that, she took a step forward, looking as if she were ready to leave immediately. Her expression no longer showed the previous panic, but rather an irrepressible joy.

"I am grateful to the Excellency for sending me back. My parents will be eternally indebted to you."

Since the words had left her mouth, and Wei Jiao behind her remained silent, Magistrate Huang pointed to four or five constables. "You few, escort her to Lu County and investigate thoroughly."

The constables complied and signaled to Yang Luo and Mo Zheng. "Let's go."

Yang Luo stepped forward without hesitation. Mo Zheng followed behind with lowered eyes. The constables made way, and the soldiers averted their gazes. The two walked through the crowd and approached the Embroidered Uniform Guard...

Wei Jiao, who had been smiling and silent the entire time, tilted his chin slightly. "Take them down."

The sudden command left the people around the constables without time to react. The Embroidered Uniform Guards moved instantly, but someone was a step faster than them.

With a *clang*, Yang Luo saw a flash of cold light before her eyes. The hunter boy blocked her behind him. "Don't touch my young lady!"

Yang Luo let out a scream.

Mo Zheng drew the long sword hidden behind his back and pointed it at the surrounding guards.

The two sides were already very close. Seeing the sudden draw of blades, the guards reacted instantly.

With a sharp *clang*, blades collided, sending sparks flying.

Figures blurred as blades and swords clashed in a flurry of light.

"Capture him!"

"Murder! There's a murder!"

"Don't run wildly!"

The citizens on the street screamed and tried to flee. The constables retreated in panic, while the soldiers used their weapons to stop the stampeding crowd. The hounds began to bark furiously.

Magistrate Huang was stunned. What was happening? Why had it suddenly turned into a fight?

"Excellency, step back."

Blades have no eyes. Protected by the constables, he retreated to the side. Magistrate Huang's gaze fell upon the master and servant.

Was there really a problem?

The young lady had fallen to the ground. Her guard's figure was a blur of motion, his long sword forcing back the surrounding guards.

The young guard's skills were impressive.

But the guards were also skilled, and they had the advantage of numbers.

Amidst the dizzying chaos, a blade pressed down against the young guard's sword. The boy kicked away a blade attacking from behind, but a flash of light struck from the side. With a muffled groan, the young guard's body slumped, and he dropped to one knee, blood seeping from his left arm.

He rolled on the ground, ignoring the wound in his arm, and kicked away the guard who had slashed him.

Countless blades descended from above, pinning him down so he could not rise. Despite this, the youth did not drop his sword. Lying on the ground, he repeatedly repelled the guards, firmly protecting Yang Luo behind him.

Yang Luo pressed her hands tightly over her mouth to prevent her screams from distracting the boy, but she still affected him; he was exerting every ounce of strength to protect her and keep her from being captured—

As expected, leaving would not be that easy.

Wei Jiao had no intention of letting her go.

Amidst her chaotic thoughts, the boy repelled another wave of blades, but as he tried to rise, his injured arm caused him to stumble. A momentary opening appeared, and a blade instantly slashed toward his back.

Yang Luo's scream burst through the gaps in her fingers. She watched the young guard collapse in front of her, watched his clothes be torn, and watched blood instantly stain her vision.

"A-Sheng—!"

She lunged toward him.

"Stop—!"

"Wei Jiao, do you intend to kill someone?!"

Wei Jiao, who had been watching the struggle in silence, raised his hand slightly. The guards' blades froze just above the girl's head.

"Indeed." Wei Jiao looked at Yang Luo and said with a smile, "What is wrong with killing someone who hides their identity and acts suspiciously?"

Yang Luo glared at him through gritted teeth. "I didn't..."

"Still lying?" Wei Jiao interrupted her, his smile vanishing. "Living people are such a nuisance."

His expression turned cold as he looked at Magistrate Huang.

"Who said I told you to take a living person? Can a dead person not be identified?"

Magistrate Huang stood there, speechless.

Wei Jiao ignored him and waved his hand.

"Kill them."

At his command, the guards' blades, which had momentarily stopped, swung toward Yang Luo without hesitation.

As Yang Luo instinctively screamed, the young guard, who lay on the ground with his shoulders, back, and arms wounded and seemingly unconscious, lunged upward with a sudden burst of strength.

With a loud *clang*, the long blade and long sword collided. Perhaps due to excessive force or sheer exhaustion, the sword in Mo Zheng's hand fell to the ground as more blades swung toward them from all sides.

Mo Zheng turned to stand in front of Yang Luo.

The unarmed young guard prepared to use his own flesh and blood as a shield, to offer one final defense.

Yang Luo reached for him, but instead of hiding in his arms, she stood up.

"Wei Jiao, I am from the House of Duke Ding'an!" she screamed.

A sharp *clang* rang out.

From atop his horse, Wei Jiao flicked his wrist, and a sleeve sword flew out, deflecting the blade that was about to strike the master and servant.

The blade fell, grazing the guard's arm.

Yang Luo gasped for air, her face deathly pale.

Mo Zheng also seemed unable to hold on any longer, falling heavily to one knee.

(End of Chapter)