Despite everything, Wu Ma Nan Sheng knew he had only heard one side of the story. These men should be interrogated properly before being condemned. He yanked the rags from their mouths and demanded, “What are your names? Why are you here?”
But before either could answer, both men simultaneously coughed up mouthfuls of black blood and collapsed lifelessly on the floor.
Poisoned blood. They had committed suicide by biting down on hidden poison.
Wu Ma Nan Sheng clenched his jaw. He had been too distracted by Qilin’s presence and had let his guard down. He should have anticipated that assassins would have poison hidden in their mouths, prepared to take their own lives at a critical moment.
This is bad.
Whoever was behind this scheme had gone to great lengths to set up this tea shop as a trap. There was no doubt that the target was Lord Xiao Wang and the Silver Armor Battalion. But now that the two assassins were dead, the trail to the mastermind had gone cold.
After a moment’s thought, Wu Ma Nan Sheng decided to report directly to Lord Xiao Wang and let him make the call.
Turning swiftly, he nearly collided with Qilin.
Qilin, completely unaware of the gravity of the situation, was still focused on his own concerns. “Lord Wu Ma, do you or do you not know where Wang—”
Wu Ma Nan Sheng cut him off by grabbing the collar of his robe and lifting him off the ground. At the same time, he pressed the tip of his dapudao against Qilin’s throat.
“Do not move,” he ordered. “You’re coming with me to see Lord Xiao Wang.”
Qilin, startled by the sudden aggression, instinctively prepared to fight back. But as soon as he heard that he was being taken to Wang Cang Hai, his raised hand lowered again.
“Fine,” he said. “Just don’t point that blade at me. I’ll go willingly.”
Just then, a commotion broke out at the rear of the Silver Armor Battalion’s formation.
Three large wooden carts, fully loaded with watermelons, were making their way down the same road. Each cart was escorted by two elderly farmers—one leading the cart and the other following behind.
According to the strict military regulations set by Wang Cang Hai, the Silver Armor Battalion was never to harass civilians, and courtesy was paramount. Since Lord Xiao Wang’s convoy had halted in place, they should yield and allow the watermelon carts to pass first.
The cavalry instinctively moved aside, clearing half the road to let the carts through. However, instead of proceeding in an orderly fashion, the three carts veered chaotically, swerving and ramming straight into the cavalry formation.
The startled horses reared in panic, causing disorder among the ranks. One of the carts tipped over, sending several large watermelons crashing to the ground.
With a loud pop, the smashed watermelons split open—not into red, juicy pulp, but into a seething mass of winged, hard-shelled insects, each the size of a thumb. The creatures spread their black mandibles and flew straight at the Silver Armor soldiers, biting viciously.
As soon as these greenish-brown beetles latched onto human skin and drank blood, their bodies turned a horrifying shade of crimson, their forms growing even more grotesque. They targeted only soft, vulnerable areas—necks, skull bases, temples—completely ignoring the warhorses. Those who were bitten in vital spots died instantly, while the others, writhing in agony, screamed as they struggled to fend off the relentless swarm.
The terrified horses, further spooked by the cries of the dying men, bolted in every direction. The Silver Armor soldiers swung their swords wildly, but their weapons were useless against the tiny, darting creatures.
Seizing the opportunity, the remaining two watermelon carts accelerated toward Wang Cang Hai’s red-canopied carriage. The drivers hurled large watermelons at any soldier who tried to block their way—each melon exploding into a storm of bloodthirsty corpse beetles, forcing the soldiers to retreat.
Finally, the two carts reached the red-canopied carriage. In a single motion, four drivers leapt from their seats, drawing foot-long watermelon knives as they lunged toward the carriage, aiming to hack open its compartment.
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