Chapter 348: Disguise and Assassination

Okay.

Three big bowls of tea!

The middle-aged man directly took three large bowls, then took a huge teapot, and poured tea for them.

How come the small town is so bustling today? Is there something good happening? Jiang Yunchu asked with a faint smile, as if casually.

Looks like you're an outsider, sir. Today is a big festival, the Prayer for Rain Festival. Every year at this time, there's little rain, the crops lack water, and the harvest is poor.

Later the villagers set this day as the Prayer for Rain Festival; every year at this time, everyone prays for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest.

The middle-aged man laughed heartily, then introduced loudly.

Thank you.

Zi Su nodded, placing a few copper coins on the table.

When Jiang Yunchu lifted her gaze, she saw the man's hand, that hand...

At the tiger's mouth, there was a thick callus; only long-term use of that tool could produce such a hand.

His hand bones, his body.

Not like the hand of someone who uses farm tools, but more like...

Let's go after we finish drinking. Jiang Yunchu smiled and gave Zi Su a meaningful look.

Zi Su immediately understood and helped Zhuang Miao up.

But just then, a scalding teapot was flung over, and then from the tea‑boiling rack two large knives were drawn, attacking immediately.

You want to leave? Not that easy.

The middle‑aged man who had just been laughing suddenly started causing trouble.

Du Er noticed the situation here right away and rushed over to help, but at that moment two people came out from his side and engaged Du Er in fight.

For a moment, the previous harmony seemed like an illusion.

Jiang Yunchu directly drew the soft sword at her waist; as Crimson Sky appeared, the man stared slightly but without hesitation launched his attack.

Meanwhile, the sugar‑painting stall and the fire‑breathing performer alike grabbed weapons and attacked.

Jiang Yunchu protected the two behind her, not daring to let them leave her side; it was three against one, yet she had to take on two, and for a moment her two fists could not fend off four hands.

Master!

Bai Zhi's eyes turned red, but the street was crowded with people coming and going, an endless stream—some crying, some begging for help, some running, utter chaos.

She wanted to come over, but it was too difficult; someone nearby was brandishing a weapon, and she couldn't even maneuver her lightness skill.

Who are you?

Jiang Yunchu's voice was low as she sized up the opposite people and their weapons.

These people were well‑trained, their disguise thorough; they must have been trained by someone. Their weapons were knives—long, slender blades with a slight curve.

People who want your life!!

The three attackers' assault grew fiercer; Jiang Yunchu's soft sword kept shifting angles, and to avoid hurting the two behind her she could not retreat.

One can only kill a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred oneself.

Fighting with injuries to trade for lives, using a desperate style, the children noticed the change here, but this time it was a major battle with a hundred or more people.

Nobody wore masks, and they certainly hadn't planned to leave alive.

……

Dean!

At that moment, Jiang Yunchu, despite her injury, thrust her sword straight through the tea‑stall man's throat.

That man, fighting desperately, also slashed her shoulder; though he missed a vital spot, blood had already soaked her clothes—originally light‑purple dress now turned brown and black.

You want my life? You……

Not enough!

Jiang Yunchu gave a light laugh; her wounds seemed not her own, she moved her shoulder—really painful!

Yun chu, you're hurt.

Master.

The two had not dared to speak earlier, fearing to distract Jiang Yunchu; the three fallen corpses lay there, and Zi Su quickly tore a clean strip of cloth, preparing to bandage the wound.

Arrows rained from all directions, but at that moment Feng San Niang arrived, saying, 'Master, I'm late.'

He and Zhang Dali were entangled by someone, delaying their steps.

Just in time.

Jiang Yunchu pulled the two non‑martial‑arts people into a corner, then swung her sword to block the incoming arrows.

Several figures leapt into the air.

But……

The dark guards still did not move.

Master!

Bai Zhi arrived, her face as cold as frost; it was her own fault for being playful, her own doing!

If she hadn't been playful, if she hadn't left the master's side, the master wouldn't have been injured.

At that moment, the children came back one by one; people in various clothes had fled or run, but those who were caught broke the poison packets in their mouths.

Princess Consort, no survivors. Du Er checked and his face grew grave.

It was clearly a long‑laid plot, likely waiting for days; the identities included the old sugar‑painting man, the middle‑aged tea‑stall operator, the dancing woman, the stilt‑walker, the opera singer……

Each person had their own identity.

Go to the magistrate's office.

Jiang Yunchu's voice was a little cold, her head also a bit dizzy; although she avoided a vital spot, that blade also struck her.

"Yes!" Du Er left.

Zi Su looked worriedly at the Princess Consort, "Princess Consort, your wound needs to be treated promptly."

The blood on that clothing is shocking.

Zhuang Miao wiped her tears, looked at her wound, brow furrowed tightly, "Yun chu, first treat the wound, let the government handle this."

She looked around, "Are any of you injured?"

Each child, eyes filled with tears, "Dean, we're fine, how about you?"

Kang Ziwei stood up, supported Jiang Yunchu, found a stool that could still be sat on, and sat down.

"It's all my fault; if I hadn't been playful and called everyone to leave, we wouldn't have been separated."

"Blame me, I didn't expect that."

Each child feels guilty.

Zhang Cunwen remained silent; Jia Chuan helped him stand to one side.

Du Er brought the government officials, and they have already arrived.

"Greetings, Princess Consort; I am late in rescuing, I am guilty." That person was drenched in sweat, his face turned pale with fear.

How come it had to be this small town?

Assassinating the Princess Consort here is trying to take his life!

"First find a clean place, the Princess Consort's wound needs bandaging, find the best doctor." Zi Su's tone was urgent; the Princess Consort's wound cannot be delayed.

"Investigate for this Princess Consort; if you can't find out, this Princess Consort will take your head!" Jiang Yunchu, who had just been squinting, suddenly opened his eyes.

Full of killing intent, not concealed at all.

If it weren't for the government's inaction, how could these people have prepared so thoroughly without being discovered?

Or perhaps…

Are they birds of a feather?

No matter what, this person deserves to die.