The hour of the pig.
The night was deep and all was still.
The Scarred Middle-aged Man led the men under his command toward Dongxi Village.
"Old Second, Old Seventh, Old Eighth, take over fifty men to the orchard. Focus on the Green Jade Pears. I doubt that thorny wall can stop you."
"Old Third, Old Ninth, Old Tenth, take over forty men to the Medicinal Field. Don't worry about anything—grab a handful and stuff it into the sacks."
"Old Fourth, Old Eleventh, Old Twelfth, you take forty men to the farmland as well. Seize anything you see."
"The rest will ambush with me a mile from the Xu Residence and wait for the right moment."
Under the Scarred Middle-aged Man's command, they moved in an orderly fashion and immediately split up.
The orchard.
"Who goes there!"
A rustling suddenly sounded in the grass. A patrolling household guard turned around, his torch flame soaring like a crimson dragon. Its light tore through the ink-black night, revealing the trembling weeds.
"Brothers, charge!"
Old Second drew the secondhand saber from his waist and roared as he brought it crashing down at the torch-bearing household guard's head.
Just as the blade wind was about to strike, someone suddenly swept in from the side like the wind. He raised his saber to block, and with a CLANG, metal struck metal. Sparks burst from the crossed blades, painting all three men's hair and brows crimson.
"There really are bandits!"
Xu Mingyuan's heart shook violently. He was stunned by Father's uncanny foresight.
He had no time to think further. Drawing the longsword at his waist, he pointed its icy blade at the bandits.
"Kill them!"
Then he turned to Xu Mingxian beside him. "Yun Nu, don't stray too far from me."
Xu Mingxian seemed not to