Playing Along

Chen Guan didn't hurry to Xiangcheng.

Instead, he ordered his men to take the young servant to a clinic.

Though he hadn't spent much time with Qin Yanran,

he could tell she was an extremely cautious person.

If she went to seek refuge with someone else, she would surely investigate everything before returning.

So Chen Guan didn't believe she was being held under house arrest.

Especially since Sun Yuan had tricked him before. This time, he was even more certain it was a scheme.

After thinking it over, he headed straight to the herbal tea stall beside the County Office.

It was a resting place for many travelers, which also made it the easiest place to gather information.

Chen Guan ordered a bowl of herbal tea and a flatbread, then sat down to eat and drink.

At the same time, he pricked up his ears and began listening to the conversations around him.

"Have you heard? Lord Sun brought more than two thousand soldiers to Qingshi County this time!"

The man to his right spoke cautiously, and his words caught Chen Guan's attention.

Another man asked curiously, "That many? The Demon Suppressing Division already dealt with the demons in Tushan. Why bring so many people?"

Normally, a thousand soldiers were already considered a large force for defending a county town under the Imperial Court.

So the sheer number of soldiers Sun Yuan had brought this time was truly puzzling.

"That's hard to say. Last night, I went out of the city to make a trade and saw hundreds of soldiers leave. No idea where they were headed, but they must be up to something!"

The man spoke smugly.

The information might not be true, but it could still serve as a reference.

"Brother, is what you're saying true? Which way did those soldiers go?"

Carrying his herbal tea, Chen Guan quietly walked over to their table and sat down.

Then he discreetly slipped the man a banknote.

The man immediately understood what he meant.

"Brother, I won't lie to you. I saw it with my own eyes. They headed toward Xiangcheng. I figure demons must have appeared that way too!"

After secretly accepting the banknote, the man was certainly willing to tell him everything he knew.

Chen Guan suddenly understood.

The claim that Qin Yanran was being held under house arrest was also false.

Sun Yuan had used the false information supplied by this man to lure him into an ambush.

And the Prince Commandery Prince had surely ordered him to do it.

That meant the Prince Commandery Prince was undoubtedly involved with those demons.

"Thanks, brother!"

Chen Guan clasped his hands in salute and left.

Now that he knew Sun Yuan's plan, he intended to turn it against him!

Night fell.

Chen Guan left Qingshi County alone and headed toward Xiangcheng.

Xiangcheng was about three hundred li from Qingshi County. After looking at a map, Chen Guan knew where Sun Yuan planned to ambush him.

Near the main road was a narrow, winding path.

Mountains rose on both sides, leaving only a single-file passage.

Even a merchant caravan would have to stretch out into a long line to pass through.

It was the perfect place for an ambush.

Two hours later, he arrived.

The night was dark and windy, and he didn't see anyone hiding there.

But the thick killing intent coming from all around was unmistakable.

He hid in the darkness and surveyed the area.

He spotted signs of movement in the weeds not far away.

Using Exquisite Leg, he swiftly reached the edge of the weeds.

"Why hasn't he come yet? It's already the third watch. If we wait any longer, it'll be dawn!"

Chen Guan had only just entered the weeds when he heard someone speak.

Another man slowly replied, "Don't worry. The lord said he'd come at night, so there won't be a problem. We just need to wait!"

Looking at the bailiffs lying in ambush around him,

Chen Guan walked over with a cold smile. "Are you waiting for me?"

The bailiffs all turned their attention toward him.

"It's Chen Guan! Kill him!"

The lead bailiff roared in fury.

The other bailiffs reacted immediately, raising their weapons and charging at him.

But Chen Guan had already prepared himself.

How could he give them such an opportunity?

"Blood Forging Sword!"

Chen Guan summoned the Blood Forging Sword and gripped it in his hand.

This was the perfect chance to test how powerful his Blazing Flame Sword was.

Red flames covered the blade, and their scorching heat made the air around it ripple.

The bailiffs were numerous,

but he had already discovered where they were hiding.

If they started fighting now, he'd catch them completely off guard.

"Kill!"

The lead bailiff bellowed.

But Chen Guan's Blood Forging Sword was already at his throat.

The scorching flames instantly burned his body to ash.

"Just as I thought. Its power is formidable!"

Chen Guan grew excited as he looked at the man before him.

Then, sword in hand, he charged into the crowd and cut a swath through them.

These bailiffs were no more than ordinary men who knew a few fist and foot techniques.

The strongest among them had only reached the Blood Forging Realm Second Layer.

How could they compare to Chen Guan?

In just a quarter of an hour, he had slaughtered everyone there.

But the men Sun Yuan had arranged were far more numerous. The real experts were only now charging in from every direction.

"Chen Guan, you really think you're invincible? Today is the day you die!"

The man leading them had reached the fifth layer of the Blood Forging Realm.

The experts behind him had all been handpicked by Sun Yuan.

Though hundreds surrounded him, Chen Guan remained calm.

"Sun Yuan sent you here to die!"

Chen Guan's low voice rang in everyone's ears.

Though he had come here alone, he had already prepared to kill them all.

And if he could kill one or two of them and return with the evidence,

he could prove Sun Yuan had plotted to assassinate an official of the Imperial Court. Then he wouldn't let Sun Yuan escape either.

"Big words! Kill!"

The leader sneered and charged forward with his men.

Chen Guan stared straight at him.

Against this rabble,

all he had to do was kill the leader, and the rest would scatter like birds and beasts.

He used Exquisite Leg to appear right in front of the man.

The speed took his opponent by surprise. He raised his long saber, ready to block Chen Guan's attack.

But there was no way he could withstand the Blood Forging Sword's power.

The flame-wreathed sword came crashing down. Its tremendous force sent the man flying.

Chen Guan was about to chase after him and deliver the killing blow.

Then he suddenly heard a rush of wind behind him.

He instinctively tilted his head to the right.

An arrow whistled past his ear and struck the lead bailiff straight through the heart.

The man died instantly.

"Well, it's certainly lively here. Why don't we join in?"

A rough voice rang out.

Thousands of men charged from all around and surrounded them.