Qin Yining was squeezed by the crowded throng until her cloak twisted around to her front, and her hood hung half-fallen over the cloud-like hair bun at the back of her head.
Shopkeeper Zhong and the others were pushed so hard they nearly fell, only managing to stay upright by clutching and supporting each other to avoid being trampled underfoot.
She struggled to turn and look toward the direction where the sound of hoofbeats and ground tremors came from, her heart suddenly filled with hope.
Because such uniform and synchronized hoofbeats, such intense ground vibrations, could only be caused by a well-trained army.
Qin Yining didn’t know if Pang Xiao would come.
The situation in the military camp was not optimistic—how could Pang Xiao privately mobilize the army? Wouldn’t this give his political enemies ammunition against him?
Yet deep in Qin Yining’s heart, she hoped Pang Xiao would come.
They hadn’t seen each other for a long time. She missed him, worried about him. Although she was strong and capable of handling everything independently, she still hoped that when encountering trouble and difficulties, there would be a shoulder for her to lean on.
The troops were gradually approaching, and the hoofbeats became increasingly thunderous and stirring.
When the cavalry approached the surging crowd, they immediately split like a rapid river encountering rocks, quickly dividing into two columns that galloped left and right in a flanking maneuver, completely surrounding the refugees.
The refugees’ originally high-running anger was now suppressed by the suddenly descending cavalry.
Even if the Pingnan Army were incompetent, even if their commander were incapable, after these days of Pang Xiao’s merciless drilling, he had trained these former slackers to possess an intimidating presence that could crush people’s spirits. Especially now, when they weren’t facing enemies in battle but confronting these powerless, hunger-blackened, emaciated refugees.
The refugees who had shown some courage when facing Magistrate Gao were now completely cowed by the army’s intimidating presence. The shouting and cursing died down, and everyone stood rigidly in place, looking around anxiously, with fear filling every person’s eyes.
Just then, a magnificent black Ferghana horse emerged from the ranks that parted like the Red Sea.
Pang Xiao, clad in azure battle armor and wearing a scarlet cloak, rode forward with imposing majesty. The flowing cloak spread behind him, covering the horse’s hindquarters.
The refugees had never seen such a mighty general before and all stood frozen in place.
Qin Yining’s almond eyes suddenly seemed to contain all the stars in the sky, and she looked back at Pang Xiao with overwhelming joy.
Pang Xiao sat upright on his horse, also searching through the crowd for a familiar figure. After a moment, his gaze finally fell upon Qin Yining, who looked quite disheveled from being squeezed.
Their eyes met, and Qin Yining’s lips unconsciously curved upward, smiling like an innocent child.
Pang Xiao, however, kept his face stern as he slowly guided his horse closer.
The common people blocking the way hurriedly scrambled aside in fear, terrified of being trampled to death by this magnificent black horse.
Among the thousand-plus refugees surrounded by the Pingnan Army, all looked up in unison at the young general who sat atop his tall horse and slowly rode into their midst.
“Whoa!” Pang Xiao reined in his horse and extended his hand toward Qin Yining, who was only a step away. “Why don’t you come over?”
Qin Yining looked up at Pang Xiao’s tense, handsome face. To outsiders, he appeared fierce, but he was actually suppressing his smile. Yet his eyes and brows were clearly filled with joy. Qin Yining was certain that if Pang Xiao dared to show his true expression to those present, he would probably lose all his dignity.
Qin Yining walked toward Pang Xiao and placed her snow-white hand in his large palm.
Pang Xiao bent down, pulled her hand upward, wrapped his other arm around her waist, and seated her sidesaddle in front of him. He then pulled his cloak over her, wrapping her completely, and held her tightly in his arms.
Leaning against Pang Xiao’s solid arms, Qin Yining felt infinite security and couldn’t help but affectionately nuzzle against the cold armor on his chest.
Pang Xiao said in a low voice, “From now on, come to me to resolve whatever problems you have. Don’t tire yourself, and don’t worry about me.”
Qin Yining’s heart warmed upon hearing this, and she smiled gently. “How can I not worry about you? After all, the current situation is unstable, and you haven’t yet established a firm foothold in the army.”
Pang Xiao also chuckled softly, his laughter carrying unprecedented confidence that made Qin Yining’s heart skip a beat.
Could it be that Pang Xiao had already resolved the military affairs?
Pang Xiao knew she cared for him, but he was also angry at her for acting on her own, exhausting her mind and body, and putting herself in danger.
Heaven knows how panicked he felt just now when he rode over and saw her delicate body being squeezed by the crowd. What if she got hurt or fell and was trampled? What would he do then?
While Pang Xiao was lost in worried thoughts, Qin Yining noticed that the situation was temporarily under control and quickly looked down at Liao Zhibing below.
Liao Zhibing immediately understood and shouted loudly in the crowd: “So what if the army comes! Is the army Magistrate Gao’s accomplice? We must rescue the great benefactor!”
The refugees who had been intimidated by the army were indeed somewhat afraid. But people are like this—a difficult task that one person might fear to undertake becomes possible when a group does it together, each bolstering the others’ courage, and they can burst forth with incredible bravery.
The curses against Magistrate Gao rose up again, and many people joined in saying: “The officials won’t give us common people a way to live! We’re just a bunch of starving wretches—how could we possibly match an army? Starving to death is death, fighting to death is death. I’m not living anymore today—I’d rather bash my head and die here than not rescue Master Lu and the others!”
“Right! If Heaven won’t give us a way to live, I’d rather die than not kill Magistrate Gao!”
…
With their fury having no outlet and being suddenly suppressed by the arriving army, that surging anger was like floodwater meeting a dam—either it would be completely blocked or it would burst through the embankment.
Clearly, at this moment, the army could not be considered a solid dam, and passion once again rushed to the refugees’ heads.
At the same time, Pang Xiao sat on his horse and also looked toward Huzi and several elite Tiger Guards disguised as refugees in the crowd.
Huzi and the others immediately slithered through the crowd like eels, and before long they had squeezed to the front of the yamen and led the refugees in an assault on the government office.
Magistrate Gao was frightened pale, his whole body nearly collapsing.
Although these people weren’t storming his home, that was the yamen! Governor Yang had just warned him, and before he could think of a solution to the problem, these refugees had stormed the yamen. What face would he have to see Governor Yang in the future? His entire career might be completely ruined!
Magistrate Gao led his few subordinates and rushed anxiously toward the yamen, trying to stop these refugees.
But what kind of people were Huzi and the elite Tiger Guards? Although they were covered in filth and wore thin, tattered clothes, their martial skills were real and hard-earned. With the cooperation of Liao Zhibing, Jingzhe, and others, they easily tore down the side gate of the yamen!
Several people rushed in, drew away the guards and gatekeepers who were blocking the door, and refugees entered to lift the door bar. The main gate of the yamen immediately swung wide open, welcoming everyone’s entry.
The refugees roared and poured in.
Magistrate Gao shouted in panic: “Stop! Come back! All of you, halt!”
Seeing that the people had actually broken in, yet the Pingnan Army remained mounted and seated in place as if their only task was to strike a pose, Magistrate Gao couldn’t help but scream in fury: “What are you soldiers good for! Why aren’t you arresting those stinking beggars!”
Pang Xiao snorted coldly, rode over, and lashed out with his whip, the tip striking Magistrate Gao across the face: “What gives trash like you the courage to point fingers and give orders in front of this prince!”
“Ah!” Magistrate Gao immediately covered his face and wailed, his hands stained with blood.
Some of the people who hadn’t yet rushed in saw this scene and actually stopped where they were, cheering loudly. Some shouted: “Beat him to death! Beat him to death!” and picked up stones and horse dung from the ground to throw at Magistrate Gao.
There were also those clueless hotbeds who looked admiringly at the young general on horseback, whose beautiful face was concealed by his cloak, and stood there stunned. Some whispered to each other: “This general is a good person! Who is he?”
Those in the know trembled with fear and said shakily: “That’s Prince Zhongshun, the one who led the Huben Army when they attacked our Great Yan—Pang Zhixi!”
What?
This handsome, mighty, and righteously wrathful young general was actually the Pang Zhixi they had feared to death, who could stop children’s crying at night?
Pang Xiao had never cared about others’ opinions of him. He didn’t mind the various gazes and discussions, and sat upright on his horse, coldly watching Magistrate Gao.
Just then, from the corner of his eye, Pang Xiao spotted a familiar figure in blue robes with a tall, slender build standing at the yamen entrance.
“Mutou?”
Pang Xiao’s murmur fell into Qin Yining’s ear. She looked up at Pang Xiao, immediately parted the cloak, and followed his gaze to see Mu Jinghu smile slightly and nod at them before leaping over the wall like a ghost and heading into the yamen.
Qin Yining was extremely surprised.
Her first reaction was that Tianji Zi had also come.
Because Mu Jinghu and Tianji Zi were always inseparable—Mu Jinghu’s task was to protect Tianji Zi from any harm. If Mu Jinghu left Tianji Zi, wouldn’t Tianji Zi be in great danger?
“Young Master Mu coming here is probably not good news,” Qin Yining said worriedly.
Pang Xiao smiled confidently: “It’s fine. Mutou is trustworthy.”
“I naturally trust his character—he’s saved my life more than once. I’m just worried about his master…”
“Strength can overcome all techniques. Even if Tianji Zi comes, I can prevent her from making any waves.”
While the two were talking, Magistrate Gao was already dodging left and right in a sorry state.
The people had gotten addicted to throwing things and were grabbing whatever they could find to hit Magistrate Gao.
After all, the yamen had limited space and couldn’t accommodate so many refugees rushing in, so most people remained outside, almost ready to punch and kick Magistrate Gao.
The main gate of the Gao residence was tightly closed, but many of the Gao family’s servants were climbing ladders to peer over the wall. Seeing their master being beaten so miserably, they all shouted to inform Lady Gao.
In the prison, Mu Jinghu, Liao Zhibing, Huzi, and Jingzhe had successfully found the cell door where Mother Zheng was imprisoned.
Seeing the wooden cage placed in the cell, everyone’s eyes blazed with fury.
Huzi cursed loudly: “Damn his grandmother! Gao Wenyao is seeking death!”
“Is this how you treat a human being! Alliance Leader, you’ve suffered!” Liao Zhibing nearly shed tears.
Without a word, Mu Jinghu drew his sword, channeled his internal energy, and struck forcefully. The chains on the prison door fell to the ground with a clatter.
This move stunned both Jingzhe and Huzi, who looked at Mu Jinghu in unison before rushing into the cell together.