Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 86: Sacrifice Changes
The assassin really came.

The snow fell harder and harder, and the wind grew more bitter. At the county governor's command, the surrounding soldiers and the Zhenxi Army immediately went on alert. The warm room was originally a top priority for defense, but for some reason, the assassin still took advantage of the opportunity to enter.

Hearing the shouts of "There is an assassin", "Murder", and "Run", the people were terrified and fled in all directions. In an instant, there was chaos under the altar. Some people were knocked down, some were trampled, and there were panic shouting everywhere. There were also children standing alone, crying in fear.

Even though Shentu Zhuo wanted to go support the warm room, he couldn't get away in time. He said to the Chi County Magistrate, "Sir, you must first appease the people and then send the government soldiers to evacuate the crowd. Otherwise, it will cause a disaster!"

Fortunately, County Magistrate Chi remained calm in the face of danger. From his perch on the high platform, he shouted, "Everyone, don't panic! There's no danger here. Don't rush around! Madam, your child is ten steps to the southwest! I repeat, don't rush around! Help those who fall! Guards, listen to my orders! Separate the warm room from the altar and evacuate the people to the northwest!"

The situation has improved, but there are too many people watching the ceremony and the roads are slippery due to the snow, so many separate accidents still occur.

Shentu Zhuo didn't care about much else. He took out the black iron sword he had prepared in advance from under the altar and went to the warm room where the fierce fighting was in full swing to provide assistance. There was no news from the other side, so the situation must be not optimistic.

"Uncle, wait!"

Tan Huaike called him over, tore off his sleeve, stuffed it into a bucket of water to wet it, stood on tiptoe, wrapped it around his face, and hurriedly tied a knot behind his head. He said, "That incense might be strange. If you smell it for a long time, you may become dizzy or weak. Be careful! Once you enter the house, extinguish all the incense burners and open all the doors. Remember!"

"Okay! I understand!" Shen Tu Zhuo touched the cold, damp sleeve on his face and warned her, "We discussed the defense measures for the year-end sacrifice with the county magistrate, and you were there. Even if we encounter a situation like this, we have a backup plan, so don't worry. Find a place to hide and wait for me to pick you up."

Tan Huaike shuttled through the chaotic crowd, looking for a hiding place while thinking about the assassination.

The other party's target is very clear, that is the distinguished guest in the warm room.

They all knew about the attack on the marriage party, and after hearing Tan Huaike's detailed account, they were naturally extremely cautious. Therefore, when the defense measures were discussed, she was also present and participated in some of the discussions.

The incense balls in the warm room had been checked by her and Xu Guanbai in advance, so there should be no problem when they were first used. Did someone tamper with the incense burner after the sacrifice began?
So when did it start?
She was taking care of the dancer's clothes and accessories behind the altar, and was quite far away. Later, her mind was drawn to the sacrifice and she did not notice the changes in the warm room... Wait, County Magistrate Chi came out of the warm room to the stage when the "Thousand Gold Channel" was announced. Judging from his complexion, there seemed to be nothing unusual. In this case, someone must have made a move quietly after that.

The assassin was able to calculate the timing and replace the incense pills in the warm room. It seems that his plan was very detailed.

Most of the palace soldiers had gone to evacuate the civilians, and the elite Zhenxi Army was all near the warm room. So what backup plan did they leave behind... After thinking about it, Tan Huaike still felt uneasy. The last step seemed simple, but there couldn't be the slightest mistake. Now that there was such a commotion outside, she still had to see it with her own eyes to feel at ease.

Thinking of this, Tan Huaike changed direction and ran towards a back alley in the southeast.

The people near the warm room were even more panicked as they fled. There were traces of blood on the ground, as well as objects that people had dropped. A vague sense of unease grew stronger and stronger. Tan Huaike walked deeper into the warm room, against the flow of people, keeping a close eye on the movements of the warm room.

A masked assassin fell down, and soldiers of the Zhenxi Army wailed...

Were these assassins targeting the Third Prince? Or were they targeting Prince Mo He? Despite such defenses, they still haven't rescued anyone. I'm afraid many in the Zhenxi Army have also been caught.

However, we have the advantage in numbers. The longer we delay, the less likely the assassin will gain the upper hand. The most urgent task is to transfer these important people out first. Logically, the contact should be here, so why can't we see it?
Tan Huaike quickened his pace and came to the back alley where two Zhenxi Army soldiers were supposed to be stationed, with horses and carriages ready, but he found that there were only two soldiers' bodies left here, and the horses and carriages were nowhere to be seen.

Was he actually discovered by the assassin?

I don't know whether the soldiers heard that something happened in the warm room and were discovered by the assassin when they came out to investigate, or someone leaked the secret from the beginning, making all their arrangements invalid.

The man is dead, the horse is frightened, and this link is out of place. So, I will fill it up myself.

Tan Huaike made up his mind and followed the hoof prints and wheel tracks. The galloping horse had already run far away, but fortunately the two horses harnessed to the carriage did not go far and stopped at the end of the street.

She jumped onto the carriage and rode towards the warm room.
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In the warm room, Shentu Zhuo fought hard and led the Zhenxi Army soldiers guarding the periphery to fill the gap. When he rushed into the room, he saw Zhou Wencong and Aisha lying on the couch, still conscious, but Xu Guanbai was unconscious.

As expected by Tan Huaike, the incense had been replaced.

Regardless of the strong wind and cold snow, Shentu Zhuo opened the doors and windows, overturned all the incense burners with his sword, and poured tea on them to extinguish them all.

Then, according to the original plan, he and Zhou Wencong exchanged clothes, intending to use the method of stealth to get the third prince out of danger first. At the same time, he called Badan, who was guarding the door, and asked him and Aisha to do the same.

However, Aisha waved his hand, propped himself up and said, "Badan and I won't look alike even if we change hair color and figure. There's no need to waste time. It will be better once the smell is gone. We can charge out on our own."

"Aren't you coming with me?" Zhou Wencong changed his clothes and staggered to his feet.

"If they're coming for the two of us, I'll follow you, and your changing clothes will be in vain," Aisha said. "It's safest to go our separate ways. We can't let the assassins catch us all in one fell swoop."

"What should I do if I see White Snake?"

"It's probably not coming for her. I asked Lei Zhe to protect her well."

With that settled, they each grabbed their weapons and charged forward, intent on escaping the warm room together. Calculating the time, the carriages and horses that would pick them up should be arriving soon...

Call——

Tan Huaike stopped her horse and waited at the small door on the west side of the warm room. She looked up and saw that the window of the warm room was wide open. She guessed that Shen Tuzhuo had already rescued them and was just waiting to be put in the carriage and taken away.

There was a burst of messy footsteps.

Tan Huaike nervously held the reins in one hand and the short blade in the other, staring intently at the small gate.

coming!

The small door opened and Zhou Wencong, dressed in white music clothes, escaped. His steps were unsteady and his hair was messy, but he looked unharmed.

Tan Huaike was relieved but also puzzled: "Here! Huh? Where are the others?"

Zhou Wencong was stunned: "Why is it you?"

At this moment, two assassins rushed out from the dark alley and headed straight for them.
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　Next chapter: What a jerk you are!

　　(End of this chapter)