At this thought, Qin Zheng felt a weight settle over his heart.
He slung the Ghost-Head Saber diagonally across his back and headed straight out of the execution ground.
If he could think of such a possibility, there were surely no shortage of clever people in the city who could think of it as well.
Yet the yamen had still handed this bandit over to the execution ground to be beheaded.
Had they truly failed to see through the scheme behind it, or did they simply believe Black Goose City had nothing to fear from a mere band of bandits?
Qin Zheng did not know what the yamen was thinking, nor what Ji Changyin, the garrison captain, was thinking.
He only knew that he possessed the foresight granted by the Great Sun Golden Cicada Skill.
He could sense that there was an extremely high chance this would happen.
Black Goose City would certainly not remain peaceful in the days ahead!
Qin Zheng frowned lightly, beginning to consider what preparations he should make if the bandits attacked the city.
As he walked out of the execution ground, he happened to spot a lean, ragged figure.
Qin Zheng's eyes lit up. He immediately strode forward and said, "Master."
At that moment, Monk Chongming had just finished reciting a passage from the Rebirth Sutra.
Upon seeing Qin Zheng, he smiled faintly, pressed his palms together in greeting, and said, "Master Qin."
Among all the martial artists Qin Zheng had encountered so far, this old monk was the strongest.
Now that he had essentially confirmed that the fierce bandits outside the city would make a move against Black Goose City, he decided to tell the old monk what he knew and see how he would respond.
With that in mind, Qin Zheng stepped forward and told him the news he had heard, along with his own deductions.
Naturally, Qin Zheng omitted the Great Sun Golden Cicada Skill he cultivated.
After hearing this, the old monk's expression became incomparably grave.
He looked at Qin Zheng and said, "What you say makes sense, Benefactor. It seems this poor monk can delay no longer. I must make a trip outside the city as soon as possible."
With that, the two of them turned at once and prepared to head toward Black Goose City.
But just as they were about to leave the military camp, a spirited horse suddenly charged into the camp.
On its back was a yamen constable, his face full of anxiety.
The two exchanged a glance, and each saw gravity in the other's eyes.
Then they both quickened their pace, intending to hurry back into Black Goose City first.
Both possessed considerable martial skill. With only a slight use of their lightness skills, their speed already surpassed that of ordinary people.
By the time they reached the southern side of the city, yamen runners had already begun guarding the gate, seemingly preparing to close it.
At the sight, the two instantly accelerated, crossing several long strides and entering the city.
"May I ask, sir, why is the city gate being closed so early?"
The old monk stepped forward, approached one of the yamen runners, and asked.
The yamen runner was kind-hearted. After glancing at the old monk, he did not show any disdain and quickly said, "Get back into the city and stop wandering around. The bandits from the mountains have come down and slaughtered Tongguan Town clean."
"Those lawless bastards look like they mean business this time!"
The yamen runner's expression was grave. After urging the old monk into the city, he returned to guard the gate with the other runners, his face tense as though awaiting something.
The old monk walked over and looked at Qin Zheng. "Master Qin, it seems I must head out today."
"The children I have taken in at the temple in the eastern part of the city are being looked after by Benefactor Qi Yan, so they should have no trouble with food or drink."
"But with things like this, the city will surely be thrown into panic. If wicked people use the turmoil to cause trouble and harm them, I ask that you look after them for me."
Qin Zheng's expression immediately turned solemn. He said seriously, "Rest assured, Master. As long as I am here, nothing will happen to them."
"But the bandits are dangerous and cunning. Master, you must also take great care when you go out."
The old monk nodded. Then he turned, touched the ground with his foot, and shot away like an arrow.
He was several times faster than when he had traveled alongside Qin Zheng!
This old monk truly was no ordinary man!
Seeing this, Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes and instantly came to a conclusion.
Even if he used his lightness skill at full force, he could not reach such speed.
The old monk's strength was likely even greater than Qin Zheng had imagined.
At that thought, he cut off the train of thought.
Qin Zheng turned and headed toward the eastern part of the city.
If the bandits outside the city intended to invade Black Goose City, someone might well take advantage of the chaos to commit unlawful acts.
Those little ones in the old monk's ruined temple had no ability to protect themselves.
Since Qin Zheng had agreed to the old monk's request, he naturally would not break his word.
After entering the city, Qin Zheng could clearly feel that the atmosphere had become far heavier.
There were already fewer people on the streets than usual.
Pedestrians hurried along, either on their way home or on their way to buy daily necessities.
Qin Zheng first quickly returned home, cut up some beef and pork, packed them together with some rice and grain, locked the door, and headed east.
Before long, upon arriving at the ruined temple in the eastern part of the city, he heard children crying, Qi Yan shouting, and the voices of several men.
The news that the bandits had flattened Tongguan Town had only just spread, yet these city thugs and hooligans could already no longer restrain themselves.
His face darkened. He immediately used his lightness skill and crossed several long strides into the temple.
There, he saw several thugs surrounding Qi Yan, their faces full of greed as they tried to paw at her.
Qin Zheng took one step and instantly arrived before the group of thugs.
He seized one of them with one hand and hurled him forcefully toward the wall.
Bang!
The thug flew backward at once and smashed hard against the temple wall.
"You motherfucker—"
The sudden change made the remaining thugs react. They immediately wanted to attack Qin Zheng.
But how could these skinny wretches, who went hungry after every other meal, possibly threaten Qin Zheng?
Several more figures went flying backward, smashing viciously into the temple walls.
After crashing down onto the ground, they all passed out.
Qin Zheng withdrew his hand and first looked over at the children nearby.
They were all staring at him with wide, hopeful eyes, no longer crying.
After confirming that they had not been hurt and had merely been frightened by what had happened, Qin Zheng finally turned to Qi Yan and asked, "Are you all right?"
There were still traces of tears in Qi Yan's eyes. She had clearly been badly frightened just now.
But upon hearing Qin Zheng's question, she hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and shook her head. "I'm fine. They had only just arrived when Big Brother Qin came."
Qin Zheng nodded. He then handed her the beef, pork, rice, and grain in his hands, saying, "Go deal with these first. We'll eat later."
Then he turned and walked toward the unconscious thugs, picking up several of them in one hand as though they were rag sacks.
He then walked out of the temple.
Inside the temple, the children stared fixedly at the beef and pork in Qi Yan's hands, swallowing again and again.
Meanwhile, Qi Yan stared blankly in the direction Qin Zheng had gone.
For a moment, she was lost in thought.
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