Chapter 65

Chapter 63: A Dream in the Garden (Part 1)

I approached as if driven by some unseen force, taking a quick look around. The generous and enthusiastic Han Liangchen was clearly not among the bodies, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I then picked up a black-sheathed saber from the corpses, using it for self-defense, so I wouldn't be completely unarmed.

The rustling wind carried faint voices from the other end of the tree-lined path. Driven by a strong impulse, I walked over and saw a group of armored soldiers.

Under the cold moonlight, the battered Han Liangchen was tied and forced to kneel on the ground. His tattered robes and bruised face clearly showed that he had put up a fierce struggle before being captured.

"Prince, why do you insist on this futile struggle?"

One of the surrounding men said.

"Spineless scoundrel, I only regret not taking more of you down with me."

"Lord Ming has treated you well,"

Han Liangchen turned to another soldier, clearly the leader, whose helmet was adorned with a prominent white feather.

"He lifted us from humble origins, entrusted us with important tasks, and treated us like his own children. Is this how you repay him?"

"You're right,"

The man with the white feather said solemnly, his response surprising Han Liangchen.

"Lord Ming has indeed treated me well, but he values the descendants of the guest army more."

"What good does it do for locals to toil and accumulate merit, when a single word from their fathers and brothers can surpass all our efforts?"

The man with the white feather grew agitated, his voice trembling in the wind.

"You only know that I come from the Young Training Camp, but you don't know that I am actually a local."

"They sent me into the army, planning for this day."

"All this is just to fight for justice and a future for the local soldiers and officials, who have always been subordinate to the descendants of the guest army."

"Moreover, the Governor loves empty fame, preferring to spend large sums on those who only talk and flatter, hosting endless banquets and spending thousands of gold. He even has you recruit and welcome scholars, promoting arts and literature that offer no practical benefit, and lavishly praising them to spread his name."

"The soldiers have suffered for a long time, and their discontent has been simmering for years. Now, he even wants to appoint a mere poet as a guest minister."

I felt a bit targeted and quickly chanted "Lin Shenhe" three times in my mind.

"I must thank you,"

The other man, clearly a man of deep calculation, said calmly.

"Without your strategy to use the flower boat festival as a cover to secretly attack Xuan Town, we wouldn't have acted so easily."

"Today, the various units of Tian De and Heng Jiang are attacking Xuan Town, the six urban units and the five camps outside the city are stationed elsewhere, leaving the city empty and the night curfew lifted. There may never be such a good opportunity again."

"The militia from the three counties, the water camp from Pukou, and the defense forces from Beijiang have all entered the city smoothly."

"Even with all his talents, Governor cannot turn the tide with just a few inexperienced guest army soldiers. Let alone with his current situation."

"There's no point in talking more. Let's act."

Another high-ranking officer, impatient, interrupted.

"Your past friendship is useless. We'll have to send him on his way first."

"Yi Sheng..."

"Here..."

"You do it..."

"Agreed..."

Han Liangchen saw a man with bloodstains on his clothes step out of the crowd, and his face showed shock and disbelief.

"Have they bought you off too?"

"Rest assured, Sir,"

The young officer named Yi Sheng said softly.

"I will go to your direct unit to ensure they can avenge you."

"Traitor."

Han Liangchen suddenly burst into action, using his shoulder to knock over the nearest soldier and kneeing another in the chin. In a flurry of movement, the heavily wounded Han Liangchen broke free and took one of the soldiers hostage, choking him until his eyes rolled back.

"Sorry, but the matter is important,"

Amid the confusion, the man with the white feather stabbed the hostage without hesitation, and then several more times, ensuring he was dead.

Then, the others rushed forward and pinned Han Liangchen to the ground again.

"Given our deep friendship, at least leave him a whole body."

This was the last thing I heard. The scene I stumbled upon was shocking enough, and I turned and fled. This was not something I, a powerless and weaponless person, could get involved in. Even if I wanted to report it, I needed enough influence to be taken seriously.

At that moment, another group of torches approached from the direction I had come. Panicked, I hid in the shadows of the roadside trees, watching the flickering light reflect off armor and weapons, casting a faint, bloody glow.

They spoke to the earlier group and then split off, heading towards where I was hiding. I retreated further and found myself at the water's edge.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, I cursed my luck. This was an open, bare area by the water, but wait, it's by the water?

A moment later, I clung to the cracks in the stone shore, holding my breath under the shallow water, trying not to let bubbles escape from my nose. Through the distorted water, I could see several figures.

A dull thud, followed by splashing water and bursting bubbles. Han Liangchen, bound to a large stone, was dragged past me, his eyes wide with rage. He was then slowly submerged into the dark riverbed.

The torches and sounds gradually faded, and the moonlight returned to the water. I eagerly surfaced, greedily breathing in the fresh air, then dived back down.

This was the second time I had helped a drowning person. Last time, I saved a soft girl. What benefit would I get this time? I grumbled to myself as I used a folding knife to cut the ropes binding Han Liangchen to the stone.

"Your great kindness, I will never forget."

We were both drenched, like two drowned chickens, as we climbed ashore. Han Liangchen, panting, said to me,

"Let's talk about the kindness later. What should we do next?"

"Back to Banmei Garden..."

He said,

"Find some reliable people first."

The way back to Banmei Garden was not far, but to avoid encountering the rebels, we had to go through the forest, which took more effort. We arrived at the side gate.

Under the flickering wind lamps, everything seemed normal, but a closer look revealed that the guards at the gate were unfamiliar faces.

"What should we do now?"

I felt a sinking feeling in my heart.

"Just make some noise..."

Before I could finish, I saw him move along the wall, blending into the shadows.

"Fine, act first, explain later..."

I grumbled, cleared my throat, and pretended to be drunk, staggering over and loudly complaining,

"Is anyone there?"

"Come and help me..."

They exchanged glances and two of them approached, one holding a lantern, the other with his hand on his sword.

I saw a shadow along the wall move behind them, choke one of them, and then a silver flash cut the other's neck, leaving only a choking sound.

The two in front of me turned around, startled.

Taking advantage of their distraction, I lunged forward, feigning a stumble, and thrust my knife into one of them, pushing him to the ground. The other, holding the lantern, was still in shock.

A moment later, the fifth body fell to the ground, but the news we received was not good.

After a quick search of the front courtyard and a change of dry clothes, we parted ways.

Han Liangchen, worried about Lord Ming's safety, took the gray panda I had left in the gatehouse and rode off, determined to try to resolve the crisis.

He advised me to leave the city before the rebels fully mobilized and the city fell into chaos, promising to repay me when we met again.

But I was more concerned about Bao Tou Dun, who was still in the guesthouse, so I put his advice aside.

The front courtyard of Banmei Garden, where the daily guests and disciples lived, was in disarray. Many rooms were open, with things scattered and overturned, as if they had been violently kicked open and then hastily searched and dragged out.

I saw my room door slightly ajar. Stepping over the threshold, I saw a large pool of blood and a dried drag mark, which made my heart race with panic.

I rushed in, and a moment later, I breathed a sigh of relief. The blood trail ended not at the outcome I feared, but at a pair of unfamiliar men's boots, clearly not Bao Tou Dun's size.

But my worry didn't disappear. When I turned the body over, I saw a short arrow embedded in his eye socket. I took a deep breath and said solemnly,

"People are born of human mothers, demons are born of demon mothers."

This was a code to avoid being coerced and leading her into a trap.

But there was no response, and my heart sank. I repeated it several times, and then, as if my sincerity had touched some unseen presence, I heard a slight noise from the inner room. A bundle of something rolled out from a cabinet, and a small head appeared, Bao Tou Dun, pale and tearful, hugging me and crying with relief.

The joy of finding her again was overwhelming, and I held her tightly, not wanting to let go.

"We can't stay here long."

After a moment, I pulled myself together. Although the gray panda was gone, I remembered there was a stable inside Banmei Garden.

We quickly gathered some portable items and found the stable, but it was empty, with only rats scurrying in the hay. Clearly, the rebels were not careless.

Disappointed, we retraced our steps and left Banmei Garden. Seeing the bodies by the gate again, Bao Tou Dun covered her mouth and gasped, reminding me that they likely didn't come on foot.

We found a boat by the water nearby.

After a few moments, I was rowing the small boat through the dark river. Initially, I was a bit clumsy, but thanks to the memories of handling boats in the southern sea, I managed to get it moving, steering it away from the dangerous shore towards the agreed water gate.

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