Chapter 414: First Volume, Chapter 414: Roadblock

First Volume, Chapter 414: Roadblock

Three hours earlier, Qin Feng and Jing Qianying rested at the Yizhan, where they happened to meet an old man driving a cart who flatly refused to ride a horse again.

Riding a tall, powerful horse may look imposing, but after a while, it's practically torture.

Unable to resist Qin Feng's desperate pleading—and even… rolling on the ground—Jing Qianying reluctantly sold her mount for fifty taels per horse and climbed onto the ox cart with Qin Feng.

The old man wasn't heading anywhere near Qin Feng; he only agreed to take him to Fuyun County after being handed two hundred copper coins.

"Young Master, we're almost at Fuyun County," the old man shouted as he urged the ox forward.

Hearing this, Qin Feng let out a wail, turning to Jing Qianying: "Fourth Sister, it's still two or three hours from Fuyun County to Jingdu—why don't we just take this ox cart all the way to the capital? This thing's so comfortable I don't want to get up."

Jing Qianying had no answer for his laziness, so she asked the old man: "Sir, would you mind taking us a bit further?"

As she spoke, she handed him a piece of Sui Yin.

It was only a small piece of silver, less than one tael.

But the old man, though he'd lived for decades, had never seen so much money before—he was stunned, yet after glancing toward Fuyun County, he hesitated.

"Girl, this isn't about money."

"You two clearly are kind people; if you were going elsewhere, I'd give you a free ride. But past Fuyun County is Jingdu's territory—if the Military Patrol catches you, you'll be beaten senseless."

Qin Feng understood the old man's concern: civilians were strictly forbidden from moving between regions, especially entering Jingdu, where one must pay fifty copper coins at the County Yamen for a travel permit. If caught by the Patrol without one, you'd be accused of "malicious intent"—lightly, you'd be driven off; heavily, beaten brutally, or even thrown into Bandit Imprisonment.

But thinking of how his buttocks were nearly calloused from the Saddle, Qin Feng groaned aloud.

He rolled around on the Dry Grass pile, refusing to get off the cart.

"Let me ride a horse—or I won't move at all. I'll lie here until someone hires a sedan chair to take me to Jingdu."

Watching Qin Feng throw a tantrum, Jing Qianying was both angry and amused.

Had she not seen it with her own eyes, who could believe this spoiled brat was the same man who had crushed rebellions across the Northern Border as Special Envoy?

Jing Qianying had no choice but to tell the old man: "Just keep going. No one will dare stop you."

At this, the old man's heart twisted in dread.

He cursed himself for being kind—he'd agreed to carry these two, and now he was stuck with them.

Along the way, from their conversation, he'd learned they came from the Northern Border. Though their clothes were decent, they were clearly just minor gentry from some remote region—how dare they flaunt themselves in Jingdu? This was suicide.

"Ah!"

The old man sighed. With no other option, he drove the ox cart onward, cursing his bad luck.

And as if fate mocked him, not far ahead, several Yamen Runners leapt from the Cao Cong beside the road.

"What's your business?"

"Where are you from?"

"Do you have a travel permit?"

The Yamen Runners glared at the old man, seething with anger—how dare this old fool show up now?

Last night, the Jingzhao Governor had already dispatched orders to the Three Sixty Counties: Young Master Qin was returning to Jingdu—clear all non-officials from the route.

All morning, the Official Road had been empty except for officials and patrols.

By now, Young Master Qin should be arriving any moment—and this old man had the nerve to appear? Annoying!

Faced with their shouts, the old man panicked, tumbling off the cart and begging: "Please, Your Excellencies, have mercy—I left in a hurry and forgot my travel permit…"

Before he could finish, the lead Yamen Runner roared: "You old fool! Without a permit, you dare enter Jingdu? You're begging for death! Are you a BeidiSpies sent to spy on the capital? Seize him!"

The old man turned ashen, mouth open to protest—but no sound came out.

At that moment, an impatient voice rang out.

"This old man's over sixty—if he wanted to be a spy, he couldn't even crawl anymore. Guys, aren't you being a bit too harsh?"

The Yamen Runners turned—and saw a head peeking over the Dry Grass pile, wearing a half-smile.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Hmph! If he's not a spy, then you must be one!"

"Get down now—or we'll drag you out!"

The Yamen Runners paid no mind to Qin Feng—this brat couldn't possibly be anyone important. The city-wide lockdown had been widely known; who in Jingdu would dare cause trouble at this deadline?

They assumed this brat was just some wastrel from the backwaters.

Seeing Qin Feng's rickety ox cart, their contempt deepened.

The old man, terrified by Qin Feng's words, begged: "Young Master, please, say less!"

"You're not from here—you don't know how strict Jingdu's Readiness is. If you anger these officers, you'll be in deep trouble."

Instead of calming down, Qin Feng climbed up from the Dry Grass pile, grinning: "I've just returned from the Northern Border—this is how the Emperor greets his loyal subject? Afraid of dampening his ministers' hearts?"

The moment he spoke, the Yamen Runners' expressions changed.

They thought: this guy must be begging for death.

In the heart of Jingdu, daring to speak so disrespectfully? How brazen!

The lead Yamen Runner drew his sword, pointing it at Qin Feng: "You insolent scoundrel! Today you're ruined! Qin Special Envoy returns today—the entire route is sealed. Three Ministers personally await him. You not only blocked his path—you insulted the Emperor! No need for Bandit Imprisonment. Kill him on the spot!"

"And the old man with him—dispose of him too!"

Before the words ended, one Yamen Runner swung his blade at the old man.

The old man turned pale as death, collapsing to the ground—why had he left home today? He'd attracted a demon.

Just as the blade neared his neck, a flash of cold light cut through the air.

The next instant, the Yamen Runner's sword flew from his grip.

Before the men could react, Jing Qianying struck with multiple swift sword swings—each Yamen Runner's wrist was struck, their weapons clattering to the ground.

Under the stunned gaze of all, Jing Qianying, her Bao Jian still sheathed, swept her eyes across them, calm as mist: "Get lost."