Chapter 671: Returning to the Village

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

In the pavilion, they lingered for a while before the conversation turned to Chu Qingzhi’s impending departure.

Tang Jinghong expressed his concern, “You’re leaving tomorrow, and I suspect Lu Lizhang might make a move. I want to send someone to escort you.”

Chu Qingzhi pondered. They would be traveling with Yuan Hongjun’s medical volunteer team, which included many who were not skilled in martial arts. To err on the side of caution, she agreed, “Okay, but let’s keep it discreet to avoid drawing attention.”

Tang Jinghong agreed, “We’ll do as you say.”

After making arrangements, Tang Jinghong escorted Chu Qingzhi home before returning to his mansion to organize her escort for the next day.

Early the next morning, the volunteer team gathered at the gate of the Chu Residence. Chu Qingyue also arrived to see her siblings off, escorting them to the city gate as before.

After halting the carriage, Chu Qingzhi and her siblings said their farewells to Chu Qingyue.

Chu Qingyue hugged her sisters and then said, “Take good care of our parents and grandparents when you get back, and write to me if you need anything.”

Chu Xujin nodded, “Okay.” He then turned to Ning Yuting, “Brother-in-law, please take good care of my second sister.”

Ning Yuting replied solemnly, “I will take good care of Qingyue. You can head back without worries.”

Chu Xujin said, “Second sister, we’re leaving now.”

“Take care on your way.”

As the group walked further away under the watchful eyes of Chu Qingyue and Ning Yuting…

Ning Yuting remarked, “Qingyue, they’re out of sight now. Let’s go.”

“Okay.” Unable to hold back her tears, Chu Qingyue burst into tears as soon as she boarded the carriage, leaning on Ning Yuting for comfort.

Ning Yuting soothed her patiently…

On the official road, a lone figure on horseback stood by.

Chu Xujin halted the carriage and greeted cheerfully, “Brother Jinghong.”

Chu Qingzhi stepped out of the carriage, “I thought you weren’t coming.”

“I’ve been waiting here for a long time.” Tang Jinghong took down two large bundles from his horse and handed them to Chu Qingzhi, “Take these for the road.”

Chu Qingzhi, embracing the heavy bundles, questioned, “Did you come just to bring me food?”

Tang Jinghong leaned in and whispered, “I wanted to see you again.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “We’ll see each other again in a few days. Let’s not delay any longer, we should go.”

“Be careful on the way.”

“Ok.”

The convoy set off again, gradually disappearing from Tang Jinghong’s view as he mounted his horse and headed back to the city.

As the convoy entered a densely forested section of the road, an eerie silence hung over the area, unusual for a place that should have been filled with the chatter of birds. The unusual quiet put everyone on high alert.

Chu Xujin turned back to the carriage, “Hold on tight!” Then he spurred the carriage forward at an increased pace.

Chu Qingzhi moved to the front of the carriage, extending her divine senses to survey the surroundings…

Soon, she spotted black-clad figures lying in ambush around them, with more ahead, directly in their path to the encirclement.

“Third brother, stop!”

Chu Xujin immediately halted the carriage, “What’s wrong, fifth sister?”

“We’re walking into an ambush. Take care of the rear,” Chu Qingzhi instructed before flying to the front, shouting, “Come out!”

Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang quickly joined her at the forefront, standing behind Chu Qingzhi with guarded expressions.

The covert protectors dispatched by Tang Jinghong braced themselves as the situation unfolded.

Initially, the woods were silent, but after a moment, two groups of black-clad figures emerged from either side, semi-encircling Chu Qingzhi and her companions.

The leader, a man wearing a half-mask, chuckled, “As expected of Chu Qingzhi, who becomes the center of attention wherever she goes. You detected us from such a distance.”

Chu Qingzhi looked at the man in black opposite her calmly. “Who sent you?”

The masked man seemed confident, replying, “I don’t know his identity. I only know he paid us a hefty sum to kill you.”

It seemed the attackers were unaware of their employer’s identity, typical for mercenaries concerned only with payment.

Chu Qingzhi inquired further, “Do you carry the money on you?”

Everyone was astonished.

The masked man hesitated, then lied, “The money is at my home.”

“And where is that?” Chu Qingzhi pressed on.

“In the South Lane of the capital, at the Zheng family,” the masked man revealed.

Chu Qingzhi nodded in acknowledgment, “Very well.”

She then extracted a bell from her pouch, infused it with spiritual energy, and gave it a shake. The clear yet haunting bell sound spread, quickly seizing the will of all the black-clad figures, rendering them stupefied, like soulless mannequins.

Chu Qingzhi addressed the surrounding area, “Handle this, please. Inform Jinghong about the money these people mentioned; let him retrieve it. Also, investigate the person behind this assassination attempt.”

There would definitely be a lot of money to hire people to kill her. It would be a waste not to take it.

As for the identity of the mastermind, employing killers from the capital suggested a local culprit. Currently unable to investigate herself, she delegated the task to Jinghong.

A voice filled with admiration responded through the air, “As you wish, Miss Chu.”

Chu Qingzhi returned to the carriage, “Let’s continue.”

As the convoy moved forward, the onlookers were bewildered, regarding the black-clad figures as if they had merely come to perform and donate money.

Normally, encountering so many assassins would inevitably lead to bloodshed, yet they passed through unscathed!

At that moment, everyone grasped an important lesson: the significance of whose company one keeps.

The remainder of the journey was peaceful, and they arrived in Shuiyun County by mid-afternoon.

Yuan Hongjun said, “Master, we’ll head to Tongzi County first and come find you after settling in.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Okay.”

The groups parted ways, with Chu Qingzhi and her family speeding towards

Chu Village in their single carriage.

In the Chu Village.

Chu Qingzhi’s return stirred excitement, especially among the children. Every time she returned from a trip, she brought sweets for the kids, so upon seeing her carriage, the village children swarmed around.

“Sister Qingzhi, you’re back?”

“Sister Qingzhi, we’ve missed you!”

Chu Qingzhi hopped down from the carriage, greeted by the excited faces of the children. Not wanting to disappoint them, she retrieved a large box of snacks from the carriage, “Junbao, distribute these to everyone.”

Chu Junbao, beaming with joy, took the box, “Thank you, Sister Qingzhi.”

“Thankyou, Sister Qingzhi.”

The children’s chorus of thanks filled the air, spreading happiness throughout the village.

The carriage continued on its way.

The cobblestone road led smoothly to the doorstep of Chu Qingzhi’s home.

Li Qingyu and others, who had been preparing the soil for winter wheat, returned home upon hearing the news.

Chu Xuhua, Shen Ruyue, and others were busy and couldn’t break away just yet.

After catching up briefly, Li Qingyu suggested they rest and continue their conversations later, understanding the weariness of a long journey.

Exhausted from the day’s travel, everyone retired to rest.

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