Chapter 97

"Father, are you afraid of pain?"

"What do you mean?"

Yang Chenglie looked at Yang Shouwen with confusion, but before he could react, he saw Yang Shouwen pinch his leg, grip the arrow shaft with one hand, and then suddenly exert force, pulling the arrow out with a *plop*. A jet of blood sprayed onto his face, and Yang Chenglie let out a loud cry before fainting. Yang Shouwen didn't dare to delay, quickly cleaning the wound and then sprinkling hemostatic powder on it. He then bandaged the wound with white gauze before standing up and taking a deep breath.

"Mother, Father's wound has been treated. When the doctor arrives, have him check it again."

He instructed Song Shi and then slowly walked out of the room.

At this moment, a doctor, led by Guan Hu, walked through the gate of the Yang residence. Yang Shouwen hurriedly went to meet him and led the doctor into the side room.

"Xizi, is the county magistrate alright?"

Guan Hu looked tense, his eyes filled with concern.

Although Yang Shouwen was somewhat wary of Guan Hu, he could see that Guan Hu's concern didn't seem fake.

Perhaps, he has his own reasons?

Yang Shouwen and Yang Chenglie were both somewhat alert about the secret exchange between Guan Hu and Chen Ziaon that day.

However, from the current situation, it seemed that there was no further communication between Guan Hu and Chen Ziaon, as if it was just a coincidence. This made Yang Shouwen somewhat doubtful, wondering if he was overthinking it. But his intuition told him that there was definitely a connection between Guan Hu and Chen Ziaon, though he couldn't quite figure out what kind of connection it was.

"Uncle Guan, have the assassins been caught?"

Guan Hu looked ashamed and shook his head. "The assassins seem to be very familiar with the terrain of Changping, and they had reinforcements. When my men chased them to the Guandi Temple, they encountered an ambush and lost three militiamen. I will go and investigate personally. If I don't catch these damned assassins, how can I face the county magistrate again?"

He gritted his teeth, clearly very angry.

"These assassins are not simple."

Yang Shouwen frowned slightly and said softly, "Uncle Guan, when you investigate further, be extra careful. They have experts among them! Abusi Jida's skills are on par with mine, but he couldn't stop the archer. Moreover, they knew my father's itinerary so well, indicating that they had planned this in advance. They are definitely not ordinary bandits."

Guan Hu was taken aback and then calmed down.

"If it weren't for Xizi's reminder, I might have overlooked it."

He thought for a moment and then called over two Wu Hou, whispering a few words in their ears. The Wu Hou then hurriedly left.

Yang Shouwen sat down on the porch, fiddling with the arrow in his hand.

This arrow was the one he had removed from Yang Chenglie. However, Yang Shouwen noticed that it was a hawk-feathered duck-tongue arrow, identical to the one used by the assassin who killed Jue Ming at the Little Maitreya Temple.

The assassins, have they appeared again?

Yang Shouwen suddenly stood up and shouted, "Jida!"

Abusi Jida appeared beside him like a ghost. Yang Shouwen whispered a few words in his ear, and Jida nodded before turning and leaving.

After the doctor examined Yang Chenglie's wound and confirmed that he was not seriously injured, he walked out of the side room.

He praised, "I didn't expect that young master also knows the art of medicine. I saw how you treated the county magistrate's wound, and it was very well done. Even if I had done it myself, I might not have done better. The county magistrate will be fine, so you don't need to worry. I've left a prescription, and when he wakes up, have him take it."

"Thank you, sir."

Yang Shouwen didn't pay much attention to the doctor's praise but still respectfully escorted him out of the Yang residence.

"Brother, will Father be alright?"

As soon as Yang Shouwen returned, he saw Yang Qingnu standing at the door of the side room, her face streaked with tears, looking at him pitifully.

"Qingnu, don't be afraid. Father will be fine after a good sleep."

He comforted Yang Qingnu for a while and then had You Niang accompany her back to her room.

Gently rubbing his cheeks, Yang Shouwen's expression became increasingly grim.

At this moment, Gai Jiayun, accompanied by Abusi Jida, walked in from the gate.

As soon as he entered, he quickly walked to Yang Shouwen and said, "Big Brother, Father heard about the county magistrate being attacked and sent me to visit. Father said that due to his special status, he couldn't come in person, so please don't blame him."

"Big Brother's visit is a good thing."

Gai Jiayun added, "Father also instructed me that if Big Brother needs help, just let us know, and the Old Army Inn will do everything in its power to assist."

Yang Shouwen's face was dark as he paced back and forth in the courtyard.

After a long time, he stopped in front of Gai Jiayun and said softly, "The assassins who ambushed my father this time are likely the same group that attacked me at the Little Maitreya Temple and the ones who raided the county office at night. They had been lying low, and I couldn't find them. But this time... they are very familiar with Changping and even set up an ambush at the Guandi Temple, indicating that they have a very powerful force protecting them."

Gai Jiayun didn't interrupt but listened quietly.

Yang Shouwen gritted his teeth and said, "I need the Old Army to mobilize all the forces in Changping to help me find these bandits."

Gai Jiayun nodded. "A few days ago, my father was worried about Lu Yongcheng causing trouble, so he recalled all his men. Now that the Jixian garrison has left, there's no need to worry anymore. I'll go back and tell my father to find those murderers. As soon as I have any news, I'll come and inform you, Big Brother. Please don't worry."

Yang Shouwen closed his eyes and stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

If it weren't for his sudden urge to go out and meet Yang Chenglie with Abusi Jida today, Yang Chenglie might have really been in danger. Who wants to kill Yang Chenglie? Who has the power to do so?

The answer was clear, almost without any need for thought.

Yang Shouwen suddenly opened his eyes, and the answer was clear in his mind: Lu Yongcheng! Now, it seems that no one else could be responsible.

If the assassins who attacked Yang Chenglie today are the same group that raided the county office that night, then Lu Yongcheng is definitely involved. Although Yang Shouwen doesn't know why Lu Yongcheng is doing this, he is already filled with a desire for revenge.

If you can do it, so can I!

Yang Shouwen narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.

"There's one more thing."

"Please instruct, Big Brother."

"I need you to find out Lu Yongcheng's movements and the situation at his home. Can you do that?"

Gai Jiayun shivered and looked at Yang Shouwen in shock.

From Yang Shouwen's words, he could sense the implications.

Is Yang Shouwen planning to confront Lu Yongcheng head-on? He could foresee that once Yang Shouwen made his move, Changping County would be thrown into chaos. But with the rebels still eyeing Juyong Pass, what would be the consequences of his actions? Gai Jiayun hesitated, unsure whether to agree.