Chapter 155: What's Going On?

Having witnessed the Jiedai captain's brazen display, the nearby soldiers and Jiedai all wore looks of eager anticipation for a show.

The Jiedai captain waved at the men guarding the perimeter and called out loudly.

"Alright, stop standing around watching. How is Lord Zhou supposed to pick up scraps off the ground like a beggar?"

"Hahahaha…"

Hearing this, the men around burst into continuous laughter.

"Stop gawking here, hurry up and go eat!"

"Yes, sir!"

The crowd scattered at once, running toward the pot set up over the fire.

Inside the prison cart, Zhou Shizhao kept his head lowered, his fists clenched so tightly his whole body trembled slightly with rage.

Seeing this, the Jiedai captain shot him a venomous glance, a hint of triumph in his eyes.

Can't take it anymore?

If you can't take it, then hurry up and do yourself in.

Anyway, going back to the Capital won't let you escape death either. If you die here, considering you helped me to my wealth and glory, I might even burn a bit more paper money for you.

Thinking this, he snorted and sauntered off toward the crowd.

Inside the prison cart, hearing the Jiedai's earlier words, Zhou Shizhao's mind echoed once more with the angry curses and denunciations of those disaster victims…

"It's not true, I didn't do it, I never did those things…"

He clutched his head, muttering nonstop with a somewhat dazed expression.

His chained hands slowly gripped the iron bars of the cart; Zhou Shizhao's face was full of despair.

He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, tilted his head back, and was about to slam it forward with all his might.

Suddenly he heard a voice.

"Lord Zhou, please do nothing foolish."

Immediately after, a thud sounded.

The Jiedai captain, who had just been envisioning wealth and glory, a beautiful wife and concubines beckoning to him, felt a sharp pain in his neck, then his eyes rolled back and he collapsed onto the ground, completely unconscious.

Standing before him were three masked figures dressed in Night Clothes.

Inside the prison cart, Zhou Shizhao looked utterly bewildered and asked in a low voice.

"Who are you people?"

Cheng Chengxuan gave a look, and Cheng Sen and the others began picking the lock.

"Lord Zhou, rest assured—we've come to rescue you."

"Rescue me?"

While the two were speaking, Cheng Sen and the others had already opened the prison cart and were about to help him pick the shackles on his hands and feet.

"No, no, you can't."

Zhou Shizhao shrank back, shaking his head with some resistance.

"I am a condemned man. Rescuing a death-row prisoner is a crime punishable by beheading—I cannot drag you down with me."

Cheng Chengxuan sighed and tried to persuade him.

"Those treacherous ministers are still at large, and the corrupt officials who truly left the disaster victims starving and in rags are still lost in wine and wealth, drunk on pleasure—does Lord Zhou truly have the heart to bear a false name and go to your death?!"

"Besides, even if Lord Zhou doesn't care about your own reputation after death, what about Zhou Old General? Your wife and children?"

Hearing this, Zhou Shizhao lowered his head.

That's right—his father had spent his whole life loyal to the realm and protecting the nation; he couldn't let his father bear disgrace and a tainted name because of him.

"But… my wife and children are still in the Capital…"

"Lord Zhou may rest easy on that account—someone has already gone to rescue them."

Cheng Chengxuan lowered his voice and called out to Cheng Yao and the others.

"Quick! Hurry up!"

Then he took out an Inventory.

"Lord Zhou, these are clean clothes—please change into them quickly."

Having said that, he walked over to the knocked-out Jiedai and was about to seal the man's mute acupoint when someone beside him stopped him.

"Wait a moment."

The person who stopped him pulled a small pill from his clothes.

"Sealing the mute acupoint wears off on its own within a single two-hour period at most—this one is different."

"This is a Silence Pill specially made by our Dark Pavilion's poison master. One pill, and he'll never be able to speak again."

After stuffing the pill into the Jiedai's mouth, that person took out a human-skin mask and put it on him.

They dressed him in the ragged clothes Zhou Shizhao had taken off, and finally tossed him into the prison cart and locked it.

After all this was done, the men supported Zhou Shizhao and quietly left.

Meanwhile, the well-fed and watered Jiedai and soldiers gradually fell asleep, none of them paying any attention to the prison cart.

On the other side of the woods, after bringing him to a safe place, Cheng Chengxuan and the others stopped.

Zhou Shizhao bowed deeply to the men.

"Many thanks to you young heroes for saving my life."

Cheng Chengxuan stepped forward and helped him up.

"Lord Zhou, there's no need for such formality."

Hearing this, Zhou Shizhao was slightly taken aback.

He hadn't noticed before, but listening now, this person's voice seemed somewhat familiar?

"May I ask where you gentlemen are taking me?"

Cheng Chengxuan cautiously glanced around.

"To a safe place. Lord Zhou, rest assured—Lady Zhou and Young Master Zhou will also go there to meet with you."

Saying so, he gestured to the men.

"Now is not the time to discuss this. Let's get to a safe place first."

The group continued north, and after leaving the bounds of An Cheng, they arrived outside a dilapidated temple serving as a temporary resting spot.

Just as they were about to enter, Cheng Chengxuan's expression suddenly sharpened. He signaled everyone to stop, held his breath and listened carefully, then gave Cheng Yao a look.

The two slowly drew their swords, lightened their steps, and gently pushed open the broken door.

The instant the door was opened, beneath the moonlight, a cold flash of light struck their eyes. Cheng Chengxuan raised his Long Sword to shield himself.

A 'Clang!' was heard as a flying dart collided with the Long Sword and fell to the ground.

"Who's there?!"

In the silent ruined temple, a faint sound of slow clapping suddenly rang out, followed by a clear, bright male voice that reached their ears.

"Not bad—your reflexes are still that sharp."

Hearing this voice, Cheng Chengxuan's taut body relaxed slightly. He reached out and pressed down the swords of the guards beside him.

His tone carried a hint of helplessness, but more than that, pleasant surprise.

"Senior Brother."

At his call, a figure wearing a black cloak stepped out.

Cheng Chengxuan looked toward Cheng Yao and the others.

"Take Lord Zhou inside first."

Then the two came to a secluded corner.

Cheng Chengxuan asked, his face full of pleasant surprise.

"How come Senior Brother is here?"

"After receiving your letter, I hurried over this way."

At this point, Yuan Qingchen's tone grew urgent.

"Let's put that aside for now. Tell me quickly—how is the Old Madam? And Master's Wife and Yu'an? Since you're all right, then Master and the others…"

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. Grandmother and the others are all fine."

Cheng Chengxuan's spirits sank, his voice heavy with grief.

"As for Uncle and Father—Big Brother took them and jumped off Xuan Ya."

Hearing this, a trace of viciousness flashed through Yuan Qingchen's blood-red eyes.

He patted Cheng Chengxuan on the shoulder.

"We will definitely avenge Master and the others!"

Cheng Chengxuan's gaze was firm, and he nodded heavily.

"I will personally avenge the Cheng Family with my own hands."

Seeing that expression, Yuan Qingchen felt a pang of heartache.

Personally taking revenge—the Old Madam would likely not agree.

After all, Cheng Chengxuan's identity…

Yuan Qingchen shook his head inwardly.

Sigh!

What on earth is all this?

"Senior Brother? Senior Brother?"

"Hm? What is it?"

Cheng Chengxuan put away the puzzled look in his eyes.

"Senior Brother came here—is there something you need to do?"

Yuan Qingchen nodded.

"The Xiyue Crown Prince asked me to find Prince Kang."

Cheng Chengxuan suddenly recalled the intelligence Chu Yuan had sent earlier.

"I've also received word on my end—the National Preceptor Qin Shou is secretly contacting Prince Kang as well."

"Moreover, Qin Shou and the Empress are spies from Dongxun."

Hearing this, Yuan Qingchen frowned in thought.

"If that's the case, the Prince Kang route is a dead end."

"I'll think of another way. That's enough—the guards at the Xiyue Crown Prince's Residence are still waiting. I can't linger too long. I'll take my leave first."

With that, he employed his Lightness Skill, and with a few leaps vanished into the night.

After watching him leave, Cheng Chengxuan leaned against the large tree behind him and rubbed his throbbing temples.

Over the past three days, they had slept only six hours. Now that the people had been rescued, their taut bodies relaxed, and exhaustion set in.

He gazed into the distance toward the Capital.

Now it all depends on Chu Yuan's side.

He glanced at the time displayed on the light screen—it wasn't too late yet.

Realizing he hadn't had time to send a message to An Luo these past few days, Cheng Chengxuan turned, placed his hand on the tree, and pretended to scribble on the bark as he sent An Luo a message.

: I've been busy these past few days and haven't sent word. Please don't take offense, Miss An.

An Luo, who had just finished washing up, received the message and instinctively wanted to ask him how things had gone, whether he'd encountered any danger, whether he'd been hurt.

But the moment she was about to tap send, her finger paused.

After a moment's thought, she deleted that entire line of text.

On the other side, watching the light screen display for a long time:

The other party is typing…

Cheng Chengxuan's lips slowly curved up, his face showing anticipation.

What would she say?

Yet the next moment, his brow furrowed slightly, because after a ding, only two words appeared.

An Luo: No.

A sudden, inexplicable unease rose in Cheng Chengxuan's heart.

: Is it because work has been too tiring lately?

This time, the reply came very quickly.

An Luo: Mm, I'm going to sleep first.

Now, Cheng Chengxuan found it even stranger.

Just a few days ago she had been perfectly fine, sharing with him every day what delicious food she'd eaten, what interesting things she'd seen.

Why had her tone become so stiff in just a few short days?

What on earth was going on?