Chapter 393: The Pursuit

A patch of land outside the city of Qingxi County.

Lin Ziyang led the way, beginning to move forward step by step according to the original plan, but was startled by the bursts of hoofbeats coming from not far behind.

"Not good, I fear someone has caught up."

There was no lack of clever people in the Lin Family; thinking of the current situation, they also knew that the matter had likely been exposed.

With no time to ponder the reason, over a dozen youths were inconspicuously tossed into the woods by the roadside by the loyal old servants beside them,

while the servants themselves whipped their horses to gallop, drawing the pursuers behind them.

Seeing the carriage ahead picking up speed, the government runners behind also anxiously brandished their horse whips.

"Target spotted, hurry, don't let them get away!"

County Lieutenant Li remained calm on the surface, but his heart was full of regret.

The Lin Family's reputation was actually quite good.

It was just a pity that such a thing had to happen at such a critical juncture.

But military orders are like mountains.

Having come from a military background, he could only execute the order.

On the forest path in the outskirts of Qingxi County, leaves swayed gently in the breeze, seemingly feeling uneasy about the coming storm as well.

Lin Ziyang lay on the ground, peering through the gaps in the lush foliage, nervously watching the official road in the distance, which had been dyed golden by the setting sun.

His heartbeat was like the beating of a drum, each throb accompanied by the sound of hoofbeats drawing ever closer behind him.

"Everyone, keep your breathing as low as possible, don't get discovered," Lin Ziyang instructed the youths beside him in a low voice.

Although he tried his best to maintain composure, the anxiety within his voice was hard to conceal.

These youths were all of the younger generation of the Lin Family, living in luxury in their daily lives; how could they have ever experienced such a perilous moment?

At this moment, in their eyes, beyond fear, there was even more dread of an unknown fate.

The sound of hoofbeats echoed like thunder through the woods on the outskirts of Qingxi County, accompanied by bursts of urgent conversation.

The pursuers had already discovered the tracks of the old Lin Family servants and were in full pursuit.

Lin Ziyang lay on the ground, his heart in his throat; he could clearly hear his own heartbeat, each throb acting as a reminder that danger was closing in.

"Surround them, don't let a single one escape!" a rough voice rang out in the distance.

It was the voice of County Lieutenant Li, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

The old servants clearly realized the severity of the situation as well.

They began to scatter, attempting to break out from different directions to draw the pursuers' attention,

buying more time for Lin Ziyang and the youths.

However, the pursuers were numerous and well-trained, quickly forming a perimeter and surrounding the old servants completely.

"We must not fail the task the master entrusted to us!" one old servant shouted, his voice filled with determination and tragic heroism.

He brandished the horse whip in his hand and charged his horse toward the pursuers, attempting to break the encirclement.

Unfortunately, being only in the Strength Refining Realm, his efforts were in vain, and he was quickly subdued by the pursuers.

"Reporting to the official, no Lin Family descendants were found in the carriage."

County Lieutenant Li held his long spear and said with interest, "Interesting, it seems the County Magistrate was also deceived by a smoke screen."

A subordinate asked, "Sir, what about these servants?"

County Lieutenant Li waved his hand nonchalantly: "Forget it, just kill them."

The subordinates immediately raised their blades and struck, and the servants driving the Lin Family carriage fell one after another into pools of blood.

The wind was filled with the scent of blood.

"Go, search it and see if there is anything valuable on the carriage."

The subordinates looked at the abandoned carriage with pleasant surprise in their eyes.

These horses and vehicles could also be sold for a good price.

When the superiors eat meat, the subordinates get some soup to drink.

They scrambled forward to examine it.

On the other side.

"Everyone, follow me!" Lin Ziyang whispered to the youths beside him.

Although his voice was low, his eyes revealed determination and courage.

Regardless of what happened to the Lin Family descendants now,

Lin Ziyang had to lead them to survive.

Holding onto this belief,

Lin Ziyang led the youths to quietly flee toward a hidden path.

Lin Ziyang prayed silently in his heart, hoping that the old servants could successfully draw away the pursuers and buy them enough time to escape.

Just then, a gust of wind blew, bringing a trace of the scent of blood from afar.

Lin Ziyang's heart tightened; that must have been left behind when the old servants clashed with the pursuers.

It was even possible that it was the blood of the old servants.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the surging waves within his heart,

but that heaviness pressed upon his heart like a giant boulder, making it difficult for him to breathe.

"We must leave here as soon as possible," Lin Ziyang said again, his voice carrying unquestionable resolve.

He carefully climbed to his feet and led the youths along the forest path, heading toward the more hidden depths.

Every step was cautious and careful, for fear of making any sound that would attract the attention of the pursuers.

The small path in the forest was rugged and bumpy, covered in thorns and vines.

Although the youths were agile, their speed was greatly reduced in such an environment.

Lin Ziyang cleared the path while occasionally looking back to ensure no one fell behind.

His heart was filled with anxiety, but he knew deeply that he must become the pillar for these people at this moment and lead them out of their predicament.

It was unknown how much time had passed, but when the last trace of the setting sun was swallowed by the night, they finally arrived in a relatively hidden valley.

Surrounded by high mountains on all sides, there was only one narrow path connecting it to the outside world; Lin Ziyang felt slightly at ease, knowing this was a temporary safe haven.

"Everyone rest here first; I will go nearby to find some food and water," Lin Ziyang instructed, his voice weary but his tone extremely firm.

The road ahead was still long, and they had to conserve their energy to cope with any dangers that might arise.

The youths nodded one after another, found a relatively dry place to sit down, and began to tidy their clothes and tend to their wounds.

Although they were still young, after experiencing this series of events, a sense of fortitude and maturity had been added to everyone's eyes.

The night grew heavy, and the valley was silent; only the occasional cry of a beast from afar broke the tranquility.

Lin Ziyang traveled through the darkness alone, and relying on his familiarity with this mountain forest, he soon found a small stream and some wild fruit.

He returned to the valley cautiously and distributed the food and water to everyone.

"Let's spend the night here; we will figure out a way to leave tomorrow," Lin Ziyang said.

The others nodded one after another, following Lin Ziyang's lead in everything.