Chapter 181: Midnight at the Dilapidated Temple

Thinking this, Mao Xiang finally nodded and agreed.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu did not say a word; he stood up immediately and called over the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

He did not want to delay even for a moment now.

Seeing this, Mao Xiang could not even bother to eat his meal; he hurriedly followed behind Zhu Gaoxu and gave orders to the group.

"Ensure His Highness's safety with all your strength, check the equipment on your persons..."

Mao Xiang followed behind Zhu Gaoxu like a nagging mother, giving orders to those Embroidered Uniform Guards who were to set out with Zhu Gaoxu.

Meanwhile, Zhu Gaoxu paid them no mind and proceeded to count the men.

After counting the men, Zhu Gaoxu vaulted onto his horse, flicked his whip, and led the group as they galloped out.

More than a hundred riders followed closely behind him.

Once they had broken away from the main force, their speed was swift.

In a single afternoon, Zhu Gaoxu had already run far beyond the borders of Yingtian.

Seeing nightfall approaching, Zhu Gaoxu finally pulled on the reins and came to a stop.

Looking around, Zhu Gaoxu discovered that there were mountains on all sides.

Looking at the sun that was about to set completely, Zhu Gaoxu asked Ada, "Where have we arrived? We need to find a place to spend the night."

Along the way, Zhu Gaoxu had indeed encountered several stopovers and county towns.

But Zhu Gaoxu had been thinking about covering more ground.

He had not expected to suddenly end up deep in the mountains.

It could only be said that his experience was insufficient, and since the group of Embroidered Uniform Guards looked to Zhu Gaoxu for leadership, no one had spoken up to stop him.

After hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Ada opened the map.

After looking at it for a while, Ada then spoke, "We have already reached Zhenjiang Prefecture; another two hundred kilometers or so ahead and we will reach the Yangtze River."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then are there any farmhouses or similar places nearby where we can rest?"

Ada lowered his head and looked at the map again.

After a moment, he looked up and replied, "Your Highness, the nearest town is still fifty or sixty kilometers away. We can only spend the night on this mountain tonight. The map says there is a dilapidated temple halfway up the mountain; let's go there and make do."

Hearing Ada's words, Zhu Gaoxu felt a sense of familiarity, but in the end, he nodded and waved his hand, signaling Ada to lead the way.

Halfway up the mountain, it was certainly not convenient to ride the horses up.

But fortunately, it was only halfway up; although the road was uneven, it was not too steep, and the horses could barely be led up.

Just like that, after turning this way and that, Zhu Gaoxu and his group finally arrived at the dilapidated temple in the mountains.

Arriving before the dilapidated temple, Zhu Gaoxu looked up.

The plaque was covered in dust and hung precariously, swaying on the wall.

Zhu Gaoxu could not be bothered to see what kind of temple it was and gave Ada a look.

Ada nodded, kicked the temple gate open, and was the first to lead a few men inside.

After wandering around inside and seeing that there were no issues, the group tied their horses in the courtyard and then followed behind Zhu Gaoxu as he walked in.

Once inside, Zhu Gaoxu saw a stone Buddha statue standing in the Great Hall, only the head of the great Buddha was already gone.

On both sides were a few side rooms, and a few willow trees were planted in the courtyard, casting flickering shadows under the moonlight that were somewhat chilling.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu finally realized why it felt so familiar.

Midnight, middle of nowhere, a dilapidated temple, and asking for lodging—it would be strange if nothing happened with all these factors put together.

However, Zhu Gaoxu was bold because of his high level of skill, and after glancing at the hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards around him, he figured that if anyone were to have bad luck, it would certainly be someone else.

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu immediately ordered people to start tidying up.

There was nothing more to say; the group, having walked for a whole day, was already exhausted.

A few men specifically found a side room and wanted Zhu Gaoxu to sleep alone, but how could Zhu Gaoxu sleep in a room by himself under these conditions?

He immediately stated that as their leader, he had to carry forward the spirit of enduring hardship, and that he would just make do and sleep in the Great Hall with everyone else.

Just like that, Zhu Gaoxu made a floor bed beneath the stone Buddha, while the other Embroidered Uniform Guards took turns resting and lit a fire in the center of the Great Hall.

Just as Zhu Gaoxu lay down, he heard a commotion outside.

Zhu Gaoxu sighed to himself, "As expected."

He knew that with so many factors put together, it was impossible for nothing to happen.

Although he was exhausted, Zhu Gaoxu still beckoned, and soon Ada ran over to his side.

Zhu Gaoxu asked Ada, "What is happening outside? It is so noisy."

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Ada replied, "A few merchants have arrived outside; they want to borrow lodging in this dilapidated temple in the middle of the night. I am currently ordering men to drive them away."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu raised an eyebrow.

"No need. It is not appropriate for us to be too overbearing in our conduct. Let them in; it is just a matter of making do for one night anyway."

The Embroidered Uniform Guards around Zhu Gaoxu were not wearing their distinct Flying Fish Robes.

After all, Zhu Gaoxu's main purpose was to go to the prefectures in the North to inspect the lives of the people and the officials.

If they traveled the whole way so arrogantly and obviously, they certainly would not be able to keep it a secret.

Therefore, they claimed to be a security firm to the outside world.

By saying they were guards protecting a shipment, although there were many of them, it could be perfectly explained by telling outsiders that their patron was wealthy and the goods being escorted were valuable.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu say this, Ada nodded and then went to give orders outside.

Before long, the sound of scattered footsteps could be heard, and Zhu Gaoxu sat up and took a look.

There were more than a dozen people in total, but one action by one of them made Zhu Gaoxu narrow his eyes.