Chapter 465: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 465: Critical Condition (Part 1)
Alongside a small river three hundred li north of the capital, several dozen figures dressed in black rested in a dispersed circle, their sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. Not far from them, a dozen or so spirited horses grazed along the riverbank, their bellies severely sunken from prolonged hunger. Wet patches on their bodies, necks, and throats were stained with an unknown dark red, and most of their limbs bore wounds, with dried blood marking their struggles. Clearly, their owners had engaged in a brutal slaughter not long ago.
According to Da Chu's military regulations, regardless of victory or defeat in a major battle, the commanding general must not lead the army back to the capital. Instead, they must return half a month ahead of the army's departure to prevent the general from harboring ambitions and threatening Da Chu's stability.
Last year, Xiao Ruiyuan led the army to fight against the Ba Ren tribe and achieved a complete victory. Shortly thereafter, the imperial decree summoning him back to the capital arrived at Shanhai City. Knowing the journey would be perilous, Xiao Ruiyuan had made preparations in advance. After receiving the decree, he led over a hundred guards and sixty shadow guards to return to the capital from Shanhai City.
Throughout the journey, waves of assassinations had not ceased. Every day, they faced at least two life-and-death struggles, with these killers trained for many years and skilled in combat. If not for Xiao Ruiyuan's powerful shadow guards risking their lives to protect him, he would not have smoothly arrived here. This journey had been paved with blood and lives!
After dozens of life-and-death battles, all of Xiao Ruiyuan's hundred-plus guards had perished, leaving only seventeen shadow guards to protect him. Now within the jurisdiction of the capital's influence, they dared not be any less vigilant.
At this moment, Xiao Ruiyuan leaned against a large rock on the riverbank, closing his eyes to rest. Deep shadows beneath his eyes spoke of his exhaustion. His silver light armor, washed in blood, had turned a dark red, a testament to the perilous journey he had endured!
Perhaps startled by something, on the opposite bank of the river, a water bird fishing suddenly screamed, flapping its wings and taking flight. Its disturbance caused ripples on the calm water surface, and nearby water birds scattered in all directions as if in agreement.
Xiao Ruiyuan swiftly opened his eyes, a cold gleam flashing through them. His shadow guards around him stood up, hands gripping tightly onto their sword hilts, sharp eyes fixed firmly on the water surface.
The atmosphere was quiet yet eerie. The grazing horses, sensing something unusual, stopped eating and nervously approached their master.
Suddenly, there was movement on the water surface. Circular arcs slowly spread out from a central point. The keen-eyed shadow guard closest to the river surface discovered the culprit causing the disturbance and said somewhat relievedly, "It's nothing, just a snake."
It turned out to be a false alarm!
The tense shadow guards relaxed, loosening their grip on their swords, and sat back down to rest and regain their strength.
Frowning, Xiao Ruiyuan kept his eyes fixed on the water surface. The snake swam far away for quite some time without any further disturbance. Only then did he withdraw his gaze and look up at the vast sky, lost in thought.
"Master, here you go!" Xiao Jiu walked over with a freshly roasted wild rabbit, interrupting Xiao Ruiyuan's contemplation.
Xiao Ruiyuan withdrew his gaze indifferently. Just as he was about to reach out, he noticed dirt on his hand, probably from somewhere he brushed against. He stood up to wash his hands before eating.
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