……….
Su Ziluo was sitting in the carriage with Li’er at his side. Under Ji Li’s watchful eyes, the Qujiang soldiers packed up and departed from the capital. Afraid of any revolt, the Emperor had long dispatched a group of imperial guards to “escort” Su Ziluo back to Qujiang. In fact, it was to keep an eye on the Qujiang army.
After they had left the capital, half a day had already passed as they travelled on the main road.
Inside the carriage.
Li’er took a water pouch and handed it to Su Ziluo which he refused with a shake of his head.
“No need. You drink it.”
Li’er pointed at his lord’s mouth. “Ah… Ah… Ah…”
Su Ziluo touched his dried lips and gave a dejected smile. He took the water pouch and drank it. The sweet taste flowed into his throat. His expression eased a bit. He sealed the water pouch and lifted the curtain of the carriage window.
Outside, the sun was brimming, brightening the surroundings of endless sandy soil and mountain road. It was quite a scenic landscape.
“It seems we have already reached Lang Province,” he stated. Then, he turned to Li’er. “Once we return to Qujiang, there is no coming back.”
Li’er nodded.
At that time, the carriage suddenly rocked, and the horses’ neighings could be heard, followed by the thunderous sounds of hooves approaching.
Su Ziluo was almost ejected out of the carriage from the violent rocking, but fortunately, Li’er pulled him back in time.
“What is going on outside?”
Just when he reached for the window curtain to take a look, a sword ripped through the light blue fabric, thrusting forward. It reached as far as a finger’s distance from his head before Li’er caught it with his bare hands.
“Die!” A masked man shouted.
Li’er applied more strength to his grip and successfully wrestled the sword out of the assassin’s hands. He then flipped the sword and aimed for his opponent’s heart. Without hesitation, he plunged it into the other person’s body, killing the masked man on the spot.
Li’er immediately leapt out of the carriage afterward.
Outside, blood had dyed the earth. Countless masked men surrounded the carriage; each of them showed no mercy, claiming lives as if they were cutting grass.
Su Ziluo’s subordinates and the Emperor’s dispatched guards were decimated. The situation had greatly startled the horses, which caused them to pull the carriage along in their frenzy escape. Suddenly, one of the wheels hit a larger stone. Su Ziluo was immediately flung out of the carriage from the sudden overturn. With his legs unable to support him and without his wheelchair, he was no different from a lamb brought to a slaughter house. He was an easy target!
Li’er, who was in a heated fight with the masked men, quickly dashed back to his lord. He crouched and wanted to support Su Ziluo.
“Ah-Ah!”
“I’m fine!” said Su Ziluo while gasping.
At that very moment, the last of their escort died. The yellow sandy soil had now turned crimson, a dazzling color under the red sun! The masked men encircled the last two survivors – Su Ziluo and Li’er. Countless swords were pointed at them, but none of them took action.
The leader came forward. “Teacher Su, I’m afraid that you won’t be able to return to Qujiang alive.”
Su Ziluo did not show any fear. He was only in pain from being thrown off the carriage. “On whose orders are you here?” he asked.
The assassin gripped his sword tighter and ferociously spat, “Prince Rong said that you are a sinner. You have no right to stay in this world. His Highness has ordered us to get rid of evil!”
Jing Rong? Get rid of evil?