Old Yan had stayed on guard the whole way. When their horse had suddenly taken fright on the way there, he'd caught a whiff of something unusual.
So he was extra cautious on the way back, and they didn't move very fast.
They left River Worker Alley, crossed the stone-paved street, then turned halfway down into an alley. At the end, they emerged onto the county town's South Long Street.
South Long Street ran straight north to the County Office.
Old Yan was most vigilant in the narrow alley. If Master Chen's men were really going to make a move, this was the likeliest place.
Once they reached South Long Street, they should be safe.
It was one of the county's largest streets, with a broad road and shops lining both sides. It was bustling with people. There were too many witnesses to make a move here, and it would be hard to escape.
After they'd walked several dozen zhang along South Long Street, Old Yan quietly let out a breath. Good. Nothing had happened.
At his age, he didn't like anything unexpected happening.
Song Lu had kept one hand on her sword hilt the entire time. She relaxed her grip once they reached South Long Street, too.
Only Fu Jingyu remained as stiff and dutiful as ever, guarding Xu Yuan with tireless diligence. Even when a donkey passed beside them, he gave it a serious once-over to check whether anything was amiss.
The street was filled with noise. Vendors shouted their wares, shop assistants warmly called to passersby from doorways, and a caravan was just passing by, its donkeys and horses occasionally braying.
Then, without warning, all the clamor abruptly vanished!
The entire street suddenly plunged into darkness.
Old Yan was taken aback. Of the four of them, he