8mi Chapter 78 Hidden Dart
Chapter 78 Hidden Dart
Chapter 78 Hidden Dart
Inside and outside the city gates, a large number of people who had heard the news had already gathered, craning their necks to look, pointing at the prison carts, and casting envious and expectant glances at the young people who were about to embark on their journey. They whispered among themselves, creating a rather spectacular scene.
Chen Wenyuan and Zheng Chaoyang were also among the people seeing them off.
When Chen Wenyuan saw Zhang Yuan looking over, a gentle smile appeared on his face. He nodded slightly, his eyes filled with the same expectation as always.
Zheng Chaoyang simply crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on his disciple. A rare hint of satisfaction appeared on his stern face. He said nothing more, everything was understood without words.
Just then, Wang Wei, dressed in casual clothes, appeared silently at the edge of the crowd.
He walked through the crowd, went straight to Zhang Yuanma, took out a small gray cloth package from his pocket, and handed it to him.
"Young Master Qingyang," Wang Wei's voice remained calm, "please take this item to the Moyunzhai in the West Market of the prefectural city."
"Give it to Manager Lin."
His gaze was meaningful: "Consider this a covert operation; the payment will be settled when you return."
A hidden dart?
Zhang Yuan reached out and took the cloth bag; he could feel that it was a book.
A thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately understood Shen Mei's secret.
This must be a message that Wang Wei passed on to the secret guards of the town's military garrison.
As for why he was allowed to take it, it was probably a test.
He nodded and whispered, "Don't worry, Chief Escort, it will be delivered safely."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wei said no more and turned his gaze to the black-armored captain in front of the prison cart.
The captain seemed to sense something and turned to look at them. The two exchanged a glance, and the captain nodded almost imperceptibly. His gaze seemed to linger on Zhang Yuan for a moment before moving away.
"The time has come, let's go!"
With a deep yet penetrating command from the escorting captain, the heavy prison cart, guarded by guards and black-armored knights, slowly started moving, its wheels rolling over the stone pavement with a dull thud.
Zhang Yuan, Chen Zijing, Fang Jingsong, and others also mounted their horses, while Zhang Jiumei boarded the accompanying carriage.
This mixed force, consisting of a grim escort of serious criminals and promising young talents, left the city gates and embarked on the official road leading to the prefectural city under the complex gazes of the people of Fengming County.
The official road was slightly dusty, and the procession had traveled for about ten miles, but at a slow pace.
A rapid but orderly sound of horses' hooves and wheels rolling came from behind.
A sizable caravan caught up with us from the side road, with flags bearing the name "Guzhu" flying in the ranks.
Ahead of the caravan, a familiar figure rode a sturdy horse, a broad smile on his face, waving vigorously and shouting in a loud voice, "Qingyang! Wait for us!"
It was Wang Ziteng.
The afternoon sun slanted across the official road, raising a fine layer of golden dust.
The convoy arrived at the first major town on its journey.
Qinghe Town.
The entrance to the town was already crowded with people.
The news spread like wildfire; the capture of the giant demon in Fengming County and the passing of the heroes on the Qingyun List caused a sensation throughout Qinghe Town.
The people crowded on both sides of the road, craning their necks and scanning back and forth between the huge black prison van and the boys riding horses behind it, a murmur of discussion filling the air.
"Look! Is that the evil spirit that wreaked havoc in the Sunken Sand River? Goodness, such a huge prison cart, covered in black cloth, how ferocious it must be!"
"I heard it was taken down by the county magistrate and Master Zheng working together; they're quite formidable!"
"Those behind must be the talented young men going to the prefectural city to compete for the Qingyun Ranking, right? Tsk tsk, they're all exceptional individuals!"
"Look at the youngest one, how old is he? Eight years old? My God, is this the Zhang Qingyang that Fengming County is talking about?"
He looks like a pretty, delicate-looking kid, could he really be that ruthless?
"Shh! Keep your voice down! That day at the dock, the one in the burlap sack carrying a severed head was him! Even the second young master of the Wang family was paralyzed with fear! Don't judge a book by its cover, he's a little devil!"
"She looks quite demure—but those eyes, tsk, they look a bit chilly—"
The town mayor, accompanied by several local gentry, greeted them with beaming smiles. He directed his men to bring steaming hot steamed buns, several jars of local wine, and a large pot of well-stewed meat to the front of the procession, repeatedly saying, "Gentlemen and gentlemen, you've had a long journey! Here's some rustic food and a little wine; please rest a bit!"
The Black Scale Army captain at the head of the group did not dismount, but merely nodded slightly in greeting. His right hand remained on the hilt of his sword at his waist, and his hawk-like eyes sharply scanned the cheering crowd, as well as the surrounding houses and alleyways. An invisible aura of killing intent permeated the air, causing the noise to unconsciously decrease.
The Black Scale Knights behind him also stood upright, their eyes alert, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Zhang Yuan, mounted on his horse, keenly sensed the captain's vigilance.
He subconsciously glanced back at the huge prison cart, which was tightly wrapped in black cloth and exuded a faint fishy smell and a sense of oppression.
Occasionally, the black cloth would lift a corner as the machine swayed, revealing a steel fence as thick as a child's arm, shimmering with dark runes.
Just as he turned his gaze away and habitually scanned the surrounding streets and alleys, he caught a glimpse of a dark shadow seemingly flashing by behind the top window of a three-story restaurant next to the street, so fast that it seemed like an illusion.
Zhang Yuan felt a slight chill in his heart, but remained outwardly calm.
The group did not linger in the town. After replenishing their water supply and declining further hospitality, they continued their journey, watched by the town mayor and others.
About seven or eight miles outside Qinghe Town, there was a flat, shady area beside the official road. The captain raised his hand to signal the troops to stop and rest.
Everyone dismounted and stretched their muscles.
Zhang Jiumei silently took out an oil paper package from the accompanying carriage, inside which were white steamed buns carefully prepared by Zhang Gu.
She silently handed it to Zhang Yuan.
Just then, Chen Zijing, who was spreading out a food box nearby, greeted him with a smile, "Brother Qingyang, come over here! We brought some braised meat and snacks, would you like some?"
Fang Jingsong and several other scholars and martial artists who were with him also looked over.
Most of them had witnessed Zhang Yuan's brutal and ruthless actions at the docks along the river.
Looking at him now, quietly accepting the steamed bun, his face even appearing somewhat childlike, the contrast is so great that it's hard to reconcile him with the figure who was carrying the head.
Zhang Yuan bowed slightly, politely but distantly declining, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Chen and Brother Fang. I have some dry rations here, so I won't bother you any further."
His voice was calm, a stark contrast to the cold and stern tone he had displayed at the dock that day.
He had just taken a bite of his steamed bun when he saw two men dressed in the uniforms of the Fengming County Armed Police quickly walking over.
The leader was a familiar-looking squad leader named Zeng Bo, whom he had met before when he accompanied Zheng Chaoyang to exterminate the fish demon on the river.
Zeng Bo was holding a large, rough porcelain bowl filled with freshly cut, glistening braised pork.
"Young Master Qingyang!" The head constable, Zeng Bo, greeted him with a hearty smile and a booming voice, "Here you go! It was just delivered by the townspeople, still warm!"
"The instructor specifically instructed that since Young Master Qingyang is traveling with us, our Martial Guard must keep an eye on him and ensure he has adequate food and lodging along the way! Please try this meat; it tastes quite good!"