Wandering Swordsman |

Shen Mo looked around and quickly made a decision: "There's a haystack ahead. We can hide there for now. Let's treat your foot injury first, and then we'll figure out how to get away." His tone was firm and unwavering, and his eyes revealed a resolute determination.

He Yun and Shen Mo each took one side of Zhao Xue, and the three of them quickly ran forward. In the moonlight, their figures appeared particularly hurried in the night. Finally, they arrived at the haystack, randomly picked a pile, and settled in. Fortunately, the space inside the haystack was large enough; although crowded, it could still accommodate three people.

A faint scent of straw filled the haystack. The three huddled together, trying to remain quiet. He Yun took out a bottle of wound medicine from his pocket and gently applied it to Zhao Xue's ankle, softly comforting her, "Miss Zhao, just bear with it, it will get better soon."

Zhao Xue nodded gratefully, tears welling in her eyes, but she held them back. She silently prayed that this ordeal would be overcome.

Soon, the guards arrived near the haystack. Their footsteps echoed clearly in the night. One guard said疑惑地, "We saw them run this way, but they've disappeared here."

Another guard looked around and said, "They must be hiding in these haystacks. Let's search carefully." The guards began to spread out and carefully search each haystack.

Upon hearing this, the three of them felt a surge of tension that instantly rose to their throats.

After a moment, Zhao Xue's expression changed slightly, as if she had made a decision. She said softly, "Young Master He, Young Master Shen, ever since my grandmother passed away, I've felt like I'm all alone in this world. But ever since the day you saved me from the bandits, you've become the most important people in my heart. I can't let myself drag you down, so please leave quickly."

Seeing that the two remained unmoved, Zhao Xue urged them softly, "Go! Go quickly!" Her voice was choked with sobs, and her eyes were glistening with tears.

Shen Mo, standing to the side, became thoughtful. Urged on by Zhao Xue, he suddenly said, "Miss Zhao, although I don't know if Brother He understands your feelings, I truly understand that feeling of being helpless and alone. So, I've decided—you all go, I'll go out and lure those people away."

As He Yun prepared to retort, Shen Mo stared intently at him with a serious expression and said firmly, "Brother He, don't waste any more time. Take Miss Zhao and leave quickly. She's a good girl. You're also my good brother. I hope that when you reach Changbai Mountain, you'll convey these four words to Senior Situ Dengfeng: 'The Broken Wind'."

He Yun immediately shook his head and said firmly, "Brother Shen, my martial arts are superior to yours! If anyone should be going to lure them away, it should be me!" His voice was filled with unwavering determination, and his eyes revealed a resolute look. He Yun's face was filled with worry and resolve; he was unwilling to let Shen Mo face the danger alone.

Shen Mo gave He Yun a deep look, his heart filled with gratitude. But at this moment, Shen Mo's heart was more concerned about the safety of He Yun and Zhao Xue, and He Yun's martial arts skills were higher than his own, so he would be safer with Zhao Xue than he was.

Thinking of this, Shen Mo said softly, "Brother He, it's precisely because your martial arts are superior to mine that you are safer with Miss Zhao than I am with her. Don't worry, after I distract them, I will find a way to escape."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xue finally couldn't hold back her tears. She tightly grasped He Yun and Shen Mo's hands and choked out, "Young masters, you are both my benefactors. I can't let you risk your lives for me..." Her voice was filled with deep apology and reluctance, and her eyes were full of gratitude and unease.

He Yun also said anxiously, "Brother Shen..." His words were full of worry, unwilling to give up on Shen Mo.

Shen Mo, abandoning his usual calm demeanor, interrupted the two and said in a slightly serious tone, "Now is not the time to play the hero. I have always believed that with your martial arts skills, you will definitely be able to protect Miss Zhao well in the future!!!" His eyes revealed firmness and trust, as if he was encouraging He Yun.

After Shen Mo finished speaking, before He Yun and Zhao Xue could reply, the sounds of the guards searching the haystack were getting closer and closer. At this moment, Shen Mo's tone was even more resolute: "Brother He, Miss Zhao, take care!"

Upon hearing these words, the atmosphere became as tragic as a parting of life and death. Shen Mo's eyes held a resolute look, as if he had already prepared for the worst.

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Mo rushed out of the haystack, exposing his figure to the moonlight.

Just then, a guard who was searching spotted Shen Mo emerging from the haystack. He immediately shouted, "He's here!"

Upon hearing the news, the surrounding guards immediately rushed over. However, Shen Mo had already escaped at top speed, and the guards immediately gave chase. Their figures quickly disappeared into the night, leaving only a series of hurried footsteps fading into the distance.

A moment later, He Yun helped Zhao Xue out of the haystack. The two stared blankly in the direction Shen Mo had left, and finally He Yun whispered, "Take care!" His voice was filled with deep concern and reluctance. Zhao Xue also looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, gazing in the direction Shen Mo had gone, her heart filled with gratitude and worry.

After running aimlessly through the woods for a long time, Shen Mo was exhausted. The guards chasing him didn't slow down; instead, they pressed closer, as if they wouldn't give up until they caught him. Although Shen Mo was very tired, his clothes were soaked with sweat, but he couldn't stop. He could only continue running desperately.

Finally, after running for a long time through the dark forest, Shen Mo suddenly stopped. Not because he gave up, but because there was no path ahead. Before him lay a steep cliff; in the moonlight, the grass and boulders along the edge were visible. Shen Mo lost his footing and nearly fell, but fortunately, he reacted quickly, regained his balance, and steadied himself.

By the faint moonlight, Shen Mo looked down at the cliff before him. It was about a hundred feet deep, pitch black below, with no bottom in sight. Shen Mo knew he didn't possess any light-footed skills; falling would surely mean certain death. He took a deep breath, a wave of despair washing over him, but at the same time, an indomitable fighting spirit ignited within him.

Thinking this, and seeing the pursuing guards closing in, Shen Mo decided to draw the bronze sword from his back, grip it tightly, and take a few down with him even if it meant his death. His usual calm was gone, replaced by a resolute determination. Shen Mo stared expressionlessly in the direction they had come from, as if bracing for the approaching storm; clearly, he was prepared for a desperate fight.