The group entered Jueshui City and found an inn to stay. After settling in, everyone gathered in the lobby on the first floor to enjoy a meal. This was the most lavish and comfortable meal they had eaten in two days. After days of traveling by boat, everyone was exhausted. After dinner, they all returned to their rooms to rest.
The next day, after taking only a few steps, they could hear people discussing the Qin family. "This Qin family is truly devoid of conscience! They've harmed too many people in the past two or three years."
"Indeed, at first, they said it was a water monster, but now we know it was murder for money!" "Who knows how many people they harmed. Alas, some families were completely wiped out." "I know this. I just came from the yamen. The yamen just posted a public notice saying that the Qin family harmed nearly three to four hundred people in total. Tell me, is this Qin family even human?"
"Hey, old brother, then tell me, did the public notice say how the Qin family would be dealt with?"
"That's not clear yet. The government raided the Qin family last night. I think the Qin family won't escape this time. That's three to four hundred living lives!" "I wonder who found this out. This is truly eliminating harm for the people!"
At this moment, someone lowered their voice and said mysteriously, "I guess it's His Royal Highness Prince Jing and Princess Changning. My cousin just came from Bishui City and arrived at my house yesterday.
He said he saw His Royal Highness Prince Jing and his party in Bishui City." "So that's how it is. I said no one had found out about the Qin family for so many years. Prince Jing and the Princess indeed have skill."
Outside the inn, Mo Feng said, "Young Master, should we leave first or wait for Mo Yang to return before departing?"
Jun Mo said, "We've been too high-profile these past few days, and our itinerary has been exposed. Let's get on the road as soon as possible. Mo Yang will catch up once he's dealt with things." Jun Mo looked at Su Li and said, "Li'er, the road ahead is a bit difficult; we'll need to ride horses. If you're tired, I'll carry you."
Su Li smiled, "Finally, I can ride a horse! It's been so long since I've ridden one."
At this moment, Mo Yu and Mo Yun led horses over and said, "Young Madam, the horses at the post station aren't too short. This one is already the shortest." Su Li glanced at the horse and said, "I've already learned to ride a horse. Height doesn't matter."
Jun Mo helped Su Li onto the horse. "Li'er, try it out first."
"It's fine, let's go." Jun Mo nodded, also flipped onto his horse, and the group quickly left the city.
After riding for more than an hour, Jun Mo pulled her onto his own horse. After two days of hurried travel, they were finally nearing the Xichen border. Upon reaching here, the temperature noticeably dropped rapidly, and everyone added more layers of clothing.
Mo Yang caught up that same night. "Master, we're about to reach Xichen."
Jun Mo ordered, "Hurry to Xichen and enter under the cover of night."
"Yes!"
The group spurred their horses, and as the sun set, they finally saw the Xichen border marker. Mo Wei, who had gone ahead, returned and said, "Your Highness, the border city of Xichen is a li ahead. The city guards change shifts daily at xū (7-9 PM) and chén (7-9 AM)."
Su Li said, "It's almost xū hour. Do we have enough time?"
"We must seize this opportunity to enter. This is the best time," Jun Mo said coldly. "Speed up."
The group quickly advanced.
In the forest outside the city wall, everyone stopped and hid, observing the city wall opposite.
"Not many people. If we really fight, we still have a chance of winning," Mo Yu whispered.
"Xichen indeed doesn't have many people, but their poisons are formidable," Mo Yang said.
"More formidable than the Princess's poisons?"
Su Li took out detoxifying pills and handed them to everyone. Each person took one. "This detoxifying pill can only detoxify ordinary poisons; it's just for precaution. If you encounter a powerful poison and are accidentally hit, immediately protect your heart meridian, understand?" Su Li instructed. Everyone nodded.
Jun Mo looked at the sky and said, "Huang Yang, Mo Yang, take a few Mo Guards and swim under this moat. That side is a blind spot. Get onto the city tower first, find the right moment, and blend into the city guard."
"Yes!"
Under the cover of night and vegetation, several dark figures quickly entered the moat. Fortunately, the river water wasn't turbulent, only bone-chillingly cold. Su Li clasped her hands, her palms sweating from nervousness. This was the first difficult hurdle to Xichen. She looked at the calm river surface, waited for a long time, and then frowned. "Why haven't they emerged yet?"
"Don't worry, it's not that fast."
Indeed, after another fifteen minutes, a head emerged from the opposite side, followed by several figures. If one didn't look closely, they wouldn't be seen at all. Su Li exhaled. Several dark figures quickly removed their soaked clothes to avoid leaving water marks on the city wall. Then, following the city wall, they swiftly climbed up as if walking on flat ground.
Mo Yang threw a stone, hitting a stone pillar on the opposite city wall, producing a crisp sound.
"Who's there!"
While the city guards went to investigate, the few figures leaped up like ghosts, hiding behind the pillars.
"Strange, I clearly heard a sound." "You're just too nervous. Look at the river in front, and then this city wall. This city wall is also cast with poison. Anyone who comes will die." "You're right."
Mo Yang looked at his hand and found no traces of poisoning. He presumed it was the efficacy of the detoxifying pills given by the Princess. He quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he gestured to the few people hiding in the dark, and they silently descended from the city tower. Just then, a patrol of twelve soldiers approached, about to ascend the city tower. Dealing with them was utterly effortless.
The few quickly stripped the opponents of their clothes. Huang Yang took out something and worked on their faces. In an instant, the Mo Guards transformed. They moved the dozen unconscious Xichen soldiers to the side and brazenly ascended the city tower.
"Zhang Xu, why are there only a few of you today? Where are the others?" A soldier on the city tower asked.
Huang Yang waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it. I don't know what they ate wrong, but those brats are squatting in the latrine!" "What's wrong with your voice? Why does it sound strange?"
"It's just too cold, caught a chill. It's fine, it'll be better in a few days. You can go back now." "Alright, then we'll come early tomorrow. You've worked hard."
"Hey, take care."
After the others left, Huang Yang complained, "They're just a few small fries. Why didn't we just deal with them directly?"
Mo Yang glanced at him and replied, "There are mechanisms on Xichen's city tower. Once triggered, countless poisonous arrows will be fired. Otherwise, do you think only a few people guard the city tower?"
"Oh, I see." He had wondered why this was the city tower with the fewest guards he had ever seen.
After another fifteen minutes, Mo Yang ordered, "That's enough. We can lower the drawbridge and open the city gate now."
Jun Mo and Su Li watched the two groups talking on the city wall from afar. Seeing the original people leave, they knew the plan had succeeded. When the drawbridge was lowered, Jun Mo stood up and said, "Let's go!" The group quickly crossed the bridge and entered Xichen.
The hidden guards, dressed in Xichen soldier uniforms, took out their clean clothes and changed, then put the Xichen soldiers' uniforms back on them. The group then hurried away, traveling through the night.
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