bookcurios Chapter 347: Desperate to see through
Chapter 347: Desperate to see through
Meanwhile, in Jiangzhou City!
The twilight, as dark as ink, seeped through the window paper, plunging the study into a profound silence.
Two days have passed, and there has been no news of Mu Qingcheng. The spies sent out brought back only four words: "Nothing was found."
The official documents piled up on the desk, the ink still wet, yet not a single word was readable!
Yun Qing stood alone by the window, her shadow stretched long and solitary in the dim light. He gazed in the direction she had left, his fingertips repeatedly tracing the cool, double-dragon jade pendant at his waist, almost smoothing out the patterns on the jade. Each touch felt like confirming the fading warmth of something else!
"Warm..."
He whispered, his voice filled with an unusual anxiety and exhaustion. He regretted it, regretted letting her leave. He thought he had let her go for her safety, but in reality, he couldn't bear any possible worst-case scenario.
The situation in Jiangzhou was becoming increasingly unfavorable, and Duan Qingzhou's 80,000 iron cavalry were getting closer and closer to Jiangzhou! Yun Qing knew that if he could not find a way to break the deadlock, not only would Jiangzhou be in danger, but he would also endanger countless lives.
Even in such a critical moment, he almost wanted to rush out regardless of everything to find his Nuannuan himself.
"Master, there's news about Master Mu...!" Mo Yu's voice broke the silence of the night; before she even arrived, her voice had already reached the study.
Yun Qing couldn't wait to open the study door and go out to greet them!
"where?"
"The secret guards have found Miss Su. This is a letter left by Master Mu before he disappeared!"
Yun Qing's hands trembled violently. He opened the letter, which contained only a few lines: "I have found Mu Yao's trail. She is in the deep mountains of the southwest. After you return to Jiangzhou, tell Yun Qing not to worry about me!"
Yun Qing gripped the letter and read it over and over again, his handsome brows furrowing, his face turning extremely grim: "This girl is getting bolder and bolder!"
"Quickly send a message to Mo Xue, telling him to head southwest to meet Nuan Nuan!"
"Yes!" Mo Yu wished she could grow wings and fly over to bring Mu Qingcheng back!
Deep in the mountains of southwest China, Mu Qingcheng and her group hid in a small cave.
The cave entrance was narrow, allowing only one person to squeeze in by hugging the rock wall. Layers of vines hung outside, forming a natural barrier. The interior space wasn't large, but it was just right for their group of a dozen or so people. Several cracks provided ventilation, making it truly a blessed place!
Although it was almost June, the cave was still a bit damp and cold after a while, and they dared not light a fire to keep warm.
Mu Qingcheng had the tents laid out on the ground so that it wouldn't be too cold whether lying down or sitting. This was especially important for Mu Yao and Mu Chen, whose clothes were tattered and offered no warmth whatsoever.
The camouflage clothing worn by Mu Qingcheng and her companions played a significant role in the cave, providing both moisture protection and warmth.
This is what she and Su Qingyan gained from their trip to Changling.
Mu Qingcheng designed a marching uniform based on the styles of military uniforms and outdoor jackets from later generations.
They were wearing the sample clothes, and thanks to these clothes, they were like invisible people in the forest!
Liu Liu loved it even more. She said that when she wore this outfit, she once stood in front of her pursuers and they couldn't even see her!
Outside the cave, the pursuers' movements came and went, sometimes near, sometimes far. The sound of boots grinding over gravel, the scraping of scabbards against the rock face, and the hushed conversations all felt like dull knives repeatedly scraping against their taut nerves.
On one occasion, the footsteps almost stopped outside the vines, and the firelight shone through the gaps, casting distorted shadows onto the cave wall.
Mu Yao covered her mouth in fright, trembling all over. Mu Qingcheng could only hold her protectively in his arms. Liu Liu and all the guards had already quietly placed their hands on the swords at their waists, their eyes dark, until the footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
On the third day, as dawn broke, Liu Liu couldn't wait to go out and investigate.
"The search party in the nearby mountains has been withdrawn!" she said in a low voice, with a hint of relief.
"It seems they thought we had all gone down the mountain, and they've probably already retreated out of the mountains to chase after us."
The tension in everyone eased slightly. Mu Qingcheng quickly stood up: "We can't stay any longer. Let's hurry and leave while the fog in the mountains hasn't lifted yet."
After they packed their gear, Liu Liu carried Mu Yao on her back, while a group of guards escorted Mu Qingcheng and Duan Muchen down the mountain.
The group filed down the treacherous path, their feet treading on slippery moss and tangled tree roots, amidst a misty forest.
The mountain path wound its way to a narrow passage flanked by two cliffs. On one side was a steep cliff covered in slippery green moss, and on the other, a deep ravine shrouded in mist. Once they crossed this ravine, they would be out of the mountains!
At that moment, a murderous aura quietly enveloped them!
With a sharp whistling sound, dozens of dark figures suddenly emerged from the cliff above and the dense forest beside them! Blade light tore through the thick fog, like several venomous snakes, surrounding them.
Mu Qingcheng and the others were shocked, and Liu Liu was even more solemn: "Master, these people are not easy to deal with!"
Mu Qingcheng could also tell that these people were different from the pursuers in the mountains; these people were more like highly skilled assassins!
Liu Liu and her group of guards shielded Mu Qingcheng and the Duan siblings in the middle, preparing for a desperate battle!
These assassins took turns attacking, intending to wage a war of attrition. The guards were extremely skilled; within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they had already killed more than a dozen people, leaving a circle of corpses at their feet.
But the number of assassins besieging them didn't decrease; wave after wave surged up, and soon they couldn't keep up. They were covered in blood, some of which were from the enemy, and some from their own!
Mu Qingcheng was anxious, plotting how to break through the encirclement.
She rummaged through her backpack and found two firecrackers. She had secretly made them behind Yun Qing's back, just in case when they were out and about. Unfortunately, she only had two.
She lit one and threw it outside the circle, but the assassin thought it was a hidden weapon and caught it with his bare hands.
With a loud "bang!", the man's entire arm was blown off, and he was thrown to the ground, screaming in agony.
This brief moment gave the guards a chance to catch their breath.
Immediately afterwards, a second firecracker was thrown behind her. This time, the assassins dared not catch it and all retreated.
"Come on!"
Gu Qingcheng seized the opportunity and quickly led her people to retreat!
Liu Liu reacted the fastest; she grabbed Mu Qingcheng and ran out of the valley.
Duan Muchen was also quite skilled in martial arts. After resting for two days, he had recovered somewhat. In this critical moment, he didn't want to implicate others, so he carried his sister on his back and ran after her.
The assassins, enraged, caught up with him, this time all targeting Mu Qingcheng.
Liu Liu was already on alert. She spun around and dodged swiftly, her sword flashing like a silver fish emerging from the water, parrying a slash coming from the side. But who could have imagined that at the same time, a sharp arrow would strike Mu Qingcheng's back! The speed was too fast, the distance too close, and there was no time to stop it!
"Master, be careful...!!!" No matter how fast the voice was, it couldn't stop the sharp arrow!
"clang--!"
Just at the critical moment, an extremely crisp metallic clang, almost capable of shattering the mist, exploded in my ears!
Another sword light struck down from above like lightning, cleaving the deadly arrow in two perfectly!
At the same time, a figure in black landed gracefully, without disturbing a speck of dust, and stood perfectly between Mu Qingcheng and the assassin.
The newcomer held a long sword, was slender but stood tall and straight like a lone pine tree, had clear and sharp eyes, and exuded a sharpness that could cut through metal and iron.
"Don't be afraid, Master Mu, Mo Xue is here."
As soon as he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist, and the longsword hummed, instantly transforming into a fierce light screen that struck the assassin directly!
At the same time, the warhorses behind them kicked up dust, signaling the arrival of reinforcements sent by Yun Qing.
Three hundred black-armored soldiers joined the battle, and the tide of battle quickly turned. Now, Mo Xue was leading her men to hunt down the assassins!
Mu Qingcheng gently and slowly exhaled the breath that had been pressing on her chest for so long.
The battle ended quickly, and the mountain wind swept through the canyon, dispersing the white mist.
Mo Xue, dressed in black and exuding a chilling murderous aura, walked towards them with a smile.
"It was my master who ordered me to come and provide backup." His voice was steady. "Master Mu, are you alright?"
Mu Qingcheng sat exhausted on the ground, panting heavily: "I'm fine, I'm fine!"
Mo Xue looked around at everyone again, her gaze landing on Mu Yao: "Mu Yao... Hello, it's been a long time!"
Mu Yao shyly buried her head in her brother's back, not daring to respond.
Mo Xue blushed deeply, scratched her head sheepishly, and turned to Liu Liu, saying, "Liu Liu, this outfit is so cool! Where did you buy it? Can you get me one too?"
Liu Liu rolled her eyes at him disdainfully and ignored him!
Mu Qingcheng turned her face away and smiled secretly.