Before long, the metallic tang of blood was replaced by the aroma of stir-fried dishes. The clamor of the constables had drowned out the sound of the storm outside. If not for the corpses against the wall, no one would have believed a vicious battle had just taken place here.
Carrying a tray of dishes, Cai bowed and said with a servile smile, “Lord Feng, now that you’ve sent out the signal, should we expect other distinguished guests? I’ll make sure we’re ready to serve them promptly.”
Hearing this, Feng tilted his square face upward with pride and bellowed, “Of course! When he arrives, you must attend to him with utmost care. Old Cai, his rank is far more illustrious than mine, and he’s not as easy to please.”
Cai hastily brought over a pot of steaming wine and poured it carefully, saying, “Lord Feng, may I ask who this honored guest is? Please enlighten me so I may be better prepared.”
Enjoying the flattery, Feng puffed out his chest and declared loudly, “This esteemed guest is none other than the foremost officer under the Xiang Yang Prince himself—‘Bloodless Blade’ Shao Ji Zu, Commander Shao!”
No sooner had the words left Feng’s mouth than the young man in the yellow robe spewed his wine with a loud “pfft,” coughing violently as his face turned bright red.
Feng continued, oblivious to the youth’s reaction, “Commander Shao isn’t just a man of high rank and unparalleled martial skill; he also carries the Emperor’s decree. He’ll soon wed Miss Linglong of Linglong Manor. If it weren’t for the search for the Prince’s wanted criminal, he wouldn’t have graced this area with his presence. When he arrives, you’d better be on your toes and serve him well.”
As Feng bragged, the onlookers listened intently, but the young man in the yellow robe grew paler by the second.
From the moment Feng uttered the name “Shao Ji Zu,” the youth looked as though he had seen a ghost.
The frail boy sitting beside him, still dripping muddy water onto the floor, couldn’t help but stare at the youth with curiosity.
—This young man, even when facing strong enemies, would smile and remain calm. Why did the name ‘Bloodless Blade’ Shao Ji Zu seem to strike such terror into him?
What the boy didn’t know was that the youth was inwardly desperate to flee. However, he also realized that leaving now would draw even more attention. Forcing himself to appear composed, he poured himself another drink, trying to steady his trembling hands.
At that moment, the sound of hooves echoed faintly through the storm.
The sound of hooves unmistakably indicated dozens of riders approaching the inn. The people in the main hall immediately fell silent, the only sound remaining was the howling of the wind and rain.
The hoofbeats grew closer, yet no voices could be heard—clearly, this was a highly disciplined cavalry. Within moments, they had reached the entrance.
Feng Shao let out a sigh of relief and exclaimed loudly, “This must be Commander Shao Ji Zu with his elite riders!” Standing up, he pulled Innkeeper Cai along with the others to go out and greet them.
This was precisely the opportunity the young man in the yellow robe had been waiting for—the chaos caused by everyone coming and going.
He gestured to the boy with a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, and then, taking advantage of the confusion, used his lightfoot martial arts to dash deeper into the inn. Since the exit was blocked, his only option was to hide within the building.
A flash of yellow, swift as a startled swan, and he was gone in an instant.
* * *
Sensing danger, the young man hurried toward the side rooms of the inn. In his haste, he pushed open several doors along the western wing, only to find them all locked.
Outside, the noise was growing—shouts from the constables, the clatter of footsteps, and the clash of weapons suggested that a search had begun.
His urgency mounted. Suddenly, he noticed a small hut in the corner of the courtyard. He darted toward it, pushed the door, and found it unlocked. Without hesitation, he slipped inside and shut the door behind him.
The room was completely empty, offering no hiding spots. A cold sweat broke out over him as the sounds of commotion outside grew louder.
Panicked, he lowered his head and rolled under the bed.
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