Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 88 Snow Covered Zhangye
Someone carefully planned this killing, but failed.

Realizing their target had vanished, the remaining assassins received the news. Those who could escape quickly withdrew, while those who couldn't immediately bite the poison pill under their tongues, daring not to live. Only the one Shentu Zhuo had captured was able to remove the poison pill just as he was about to commit suicide. He then tied his hands behind his back, awaiting his execution at the county magistrate's office for torture.

Under the guidance of the palace soldiers, the people were evacuated without incident, leaving only a few who were lost or had lost important belongings, to be searched for later. Many people were injured in the chaotic stampede, ranging from sprains and bruises to severe fractures and fractures, and the city's medical clinics and pharmacies were also busy.

The warm room was in a mess inside and out.

The Magistrate of Chi County brought back the government soldiers, and while they were guarding the warm room, they were also sending people out to look for people.

Aisha and Badan broke through the encirclement head-on and thought they had escaped, but they encountered a similar situation as Zhou Wencong and were blocked by several assassins in the streets.

While protecting the young master, Badan was severely wounded, while Aisha fled during the chaos and is now missing. Before Badan passed out, he was concerned that the young master was also injured. The palace guards followed the trail of blood dripping down the alley, but eventually stopped at a ditch. It's unclear whether he had escaped far enough or fallen into the hands of an assassin.

Zhou Wencong and Shentu Zhuo changed their clothes, which did confuse many assassins. However, when Shentu Zhuo turned back to support and entangled with the assassins at the back door, he could only watch the masked man drive the carriage away. He didn't know where it went. It was already dusk, and no news was sent back.

So although the assassin did not succeed completely, he caught them off guard.

The loss of two royal children, crucial figures in the marriage between the two countries, had left Chi County Magistrate with a hair turning white with worry. He dared not rest for a moment and quickly summoned the doctors from Rusheng Clinic to the warm room to treat the injured.

When Shen Tu Zhuo dug out the poison pill, the assassin's bite had left him bleeding profusely. He also had several sword wounds, which, while not life-threatening, still required careful treatment. He hadn't felt much pain during the life-or-death struggle, but now, the doctor's medicine was applied, and he grimaced in pain, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He wished he could gouge out that piece of flesh.

This was the first time he had suffered such pain. Even for some minor flesh wounds, it was so painful. He couldn't imagine how painful the wounds his brother had suffered while killing enemies on the battlefield must have been.

After treating his wounds, he caught his breath and hurriedly asked Magistrate Chi, "Why haven't my sister-in-law and the Third Prince been found yet? They left in a carriage. We can just follow the ruts."

Knowing that he had a close relationship with the Third Prince, County Magistrate Chi said with a bitter face, "Don't worry, Master Zhuo. We're still searching, but the city is in chaos, and the wheel tracks are covered with fresh snow. I'm afraid it will take some time."

Shentu Zhuo couldn't help but frown.

If only Tan Huaike and Zhou Wencong had driven away, he wouldn't have been too worried. As long as they weren't pursued by assassins, they would definitely return once everything was safe. But there was a masked man in the carriage, which made it hard to say. Although Tan Huaike said that man saved them, who he was and why he suddenly appeared here was still too strange.

Afterwards, Shen Tu Zhuo asked the prefect Chi if he had secretly arranged for a hidden expert to assist. The prefect Chi was confused and said that all the guards were from the Zhenxi Army and the palace soldiers, so there would be no other experts. Shen Tu Zhuo then asked if there were any knights in the county who often wore evil ghost masks. The prefect Chi replied that he had never heard of it.

So, the Masked Man simply appeared out of nowhere? What exactly is his intention?
The palace soldiers kept bringing back news from outside.

It is really unlucky that the year-end sacrifice has turned into such a mess, and it has caused a lot of rumors.

Some said that the year was unlucky and that famine might befall the four counties in Hexi; some said that the border was in turmoil and that there might be another war; there were even rumors that there had been a conflict between Prince Daxuan in the warm room and the envoy of Mo He, and that the marriage alliance between the two countries was broken and that they were about to turn against each other. Even if Mo He did not come to seek justice, the Zhenxi Army would still razed the Naxi River Valley.

Shen Tu Zhuo was covered in blood and his strength was severely depleted. His arms were completely weakened. He sat on the mat, propped up by his sword, and said, "Hmph, the news of the Third Prince and the Mo He envoy's arrival at the border hadn't been announced yet. It wasn't long after the incident, but it was already spreading with all sorts of details. Who would believe someone who wasn't behind this and spreading rumors?"

The Magistrate of Chi County agreed. "It seems they're out to completely ruin the marriage alliance between our two countries. I wonder where they came from. We won't have peace until we find out." "Let's see what we can get out of the assassins alive." Shentu Zhuo looked around and asked, "Where's Lady White? Is she awake?"

"The scent of intoxication is the strongest in White Lady, and she has been in a deep sleep," said Chi Jun Shou. "She is a young lady after all, and there are many people here. After the doctor examined her, I sent someone to send her back to the mansion to recuperate. Is there anything wrong, Master Zhuo?"

"Well, no." Shen Tu Zhuo hesitated for a moment, "Let's talk about it after she wakes up."

After a busy night, most people spent it in the warm room.

At dawn, the palace guards brought news that the assassin had been tortured so severely that his skin was almost peeled off, but he only confessed that they were privately raised assassins in Andu and had never seen the master. This assassination was just a follow-up order.

The clue ended there.

After waking up, Xu Guanbai hurried back to the warm room. Meeting Shentu Zhuo's inquiring gaze, he said straight to the point, "I know you doubt me. Allow me to explain a few words to the county governor before making a final decision."
-
Tan Huaike first smelled the scent of cooking smoke, and then woke up from a dark dream.

She found herself in an unfamiliar house, which looked like a thatched hut inhabited by herdsmen. It was very simple, but the bed was covered with a soft mattress and there was a charcoal brazier burning at the foot of the bed. The charcoal was not of the best quality, but it was enough to warm the room.

The small window on the side of the house was open a crack, and the smell of cooking smoke wafted in from there. There were also the sounds of children playing outside.

Tan Huaike was very confused.

Where is this? Why am I here?

Yesterday's memories gradually returned to her mind. She remembered the assassination in the warm room, the rescue by the masked guest, Shen Tu Zhuo's resistance, and...

Wait, where is the Third Prince?
There was no one else in the room except her. She hurriedly got out of bed, put on her shoes and ran outside, then she was stunned.

The carriage was parked outside the house, and the horses were kicking up the snow, with some uneaten hay in front of them.

Not far away stood a lake, its water frozen solid. The reeds by the lake were bent by yesterday's snow, and a few gazelles wandered about, nibbling on the grass stems beneath the snow.

"Are you awake, ma'am?" A woman came towards her and asked kindly, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"I slept very well. Did you take me in?" Tan Huaike had so many questions to ask. "Madam, do you know where the young man who rode in the carriage with me is?"

"Don't worry, he's injured, and my husband is at home taking care of him." The woman said with a smile, "Isn't he your husband?"

"No, no..." Tan Huaike asked again, "Has the lady ever seen a knight wearing a devil mask?"
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　Next chapter: How many days will we be herdsmen?

　　(End of this chapter)