Chapter 262: Nighttime Turmoil

Dongjia Village, night.

Goose-feather-like fine snow fell silently, blanketing the tranquil village in a layer of pure white. Several black shadows, however, went against the wind and snow, silently sneaking up to not far from Dong Yong's low thatched hut.

Moonlight occasionally pierced the clouds, illuminating the leader's face—it was none other than the County Magistrate Advisor, Wang Yuan.

His gaze was sinister; he quietly instructed the few men beside him:

"You go block the rear window, you guard the side. Zhang Si, you're the most skilled—come with me."

The men silently acknowledged the orders, quickly dispersing like ghosts melting into the snowy night.

Only Zhang Si, tall and thin with a chilling short blade at his waist, closely followed Wang Yuan as they approached the thin wooden door.

Bang bang bang!

The sudden knocking violently tore through the winter night's tranquility, also startling the sleeping Dong Yong and Seventh Fairy Maiden awake.

The two almost simultaneously sat up from the bed, warily looking toward the door in the darkness.

Without a word, they quickly rose and exchanged a glance at the door.

Dong Yong signaled with his eyes for Seventh Fairy Maiden to retreat to her own room and hide, while he would handle the situation.

A flicker of worry passed through Seventh Fairy Maiden's eyes, yet she obeyed and stepped back.

Dong Yong steadied himself, took a deep breath, stepped toward the door, and asked in a low voice:

"Who's there?"

From outside the door came a deliberately slowed voice, tinged with a hint of surprise and fatigue:

"We are night‑time traveling merchants who unfortunately lost our way; in this freezing weather we truly feared freezing to death on the road, so we dared to disturb you!"

"Please, young sir, do us a favor—open the door and let us stay the night to escape the snowstorm! We'll leave at dawn tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Dong Yong furrowed his brows.

He was indeed kind‑hearted and simple, but he was not foolish.

Traveling in such a snowstorm night? And just happening to lose his way to this remote village? Something must be amiss!

He immediately heightened his vigilance and refused through the door:

"Sorry! My house is tiny, truly no room to lodge you all! Please try elsewhere!"

The moment those words of refusal left his mouth, the feigned gentle voice outside shifted instantly, like ice forming.

"If you won't drink the toast, you'll drink the penalty—hmph!"

Bang——!

With a tremendous crash, the already flimsy wooden door was kicked open by a great force!

Shards of wood flew everywhere, the bone‑chilling cold wind blew snowflakes inward, and along with it came the kicker—Wang Yuan's icy gaze devoid of any warmth!

Dong Yong was startled by this sudden violence and stepped back half a pace; he felt that gaze like an ice needle, as if he'd fallen into an ice cellar, his heart crying out that something was wrong.

He suppressed his fear, showing no cowardice, merely gritting his teeth and glaring at the intruder:

"What do you want?!"

He tried to settle it with money: "If you want money, I… I can give you some!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuan curled the corner of his mouth into a mocking cold smile:

"Money? You impoverished ruined household—how much could you possibly have?"

His eyes were sharp as a blade, piercing Dong Yong: "Don't play dumb with me."

He snorted coldly, giving Zhang Si a glance: "Get lost."

Zhang Si understood, stepped forward, and ruthlessly shoved the blocking Dong Yong aside with no hesitation.

His gaze swept across the room like a hawk, instantly locking onto the tightly shut door of Seventh Fairy Maiden's chamber, then he turned to Wang Yuan and said:

"Sir, there's someone inside."

Wang Yuan nodded, his tone leaving no room for doubt:

"Seize her and bring her back."

Shoved into the corner, Dong Yong instantly understood—their target was Seventh Sister! It was for her divinely skilled weaving technique!

Seeing Zhang Si and Wang Yuan about to rush toward Seventh Fairy Maiden's room, a surge of hot blood rushed up Dong Yong's head!

He caught sight of the wood‑chopping axe leaning against the wall, and almost instinctively he grabbed the heavy axe, lunged forward in a single stride, wrapped his sturdy arm around Wang Yuan's neck from behind, pressed the sharpened blade hard against his Adam's apple, and shouted hoarsely at Zhang Si:

"Get out! Otherwise I'll kill him right now!"

Zhang Si hadn't expected this seemingly honest villager to have such mettle; his motion stalled, he immediately stepped back two feet, raised his hands slightly in a placating gesture.

"Brother, don't act rashly! Absolutely don't act rashly! If this official comes to any harm, not only you, but the entire Dongjia Village won't be able to escape!"

While he spoke soft words, his eyes subtly flicked toward the outside, where his scattered companions were silently converging on the doorway.

Dong Yong ignored his threat, his back pressed hard against the cold earth wall, he turned his head and shouted with all his might toward Seventh Fairy Maiden's room:

"Seventh Sister! Hurry! Go out the back window! Head to Jingyun County to find Young Master Yu—he'll surely have a way!"

"Hurry up!"

Hiding inside the room, Seventh Fairy Maiden saw everything clearly through the crack in the door and heard it plainly.

She was anxious as fire, her teeth biting tightly into her lower lip.

If it were before, with her immortal power she could annihilate such ordinary mortals in a snap of the fingers! But now… her magic is gone, leaving her no different from an ordinary weak woman!

She frantically prayed in her heart, imploring the Jade Emperor to notice, begging the immortals to lend a hand… yet, like a stone sunk in the sea, no being answered her plea!

An unprecedented sense of helplessness, mixed with extreme worry for Dong Yong's safety, instantly seized her heart.

"What should we do?"

Seventh Fairy Maiden didn't know what to do.

Dong Yong, however, grew increasingly anxious.

Because his hearing was sharp, he caught every faint sound outside with perfect clarity!

Outside, it's obvious there's still someone!

"Qimei, don't hesitate, you go first, I'll catch up later!"