41: Chapter 41 Another Encounter

Xuzhou is a large city. Even in these chaotic times, there is no curfew, and the city gates remain open at night.

From this, one can tell that City Lord Guan Lin is very confident in his control over Xuzhou.

However, the inspections at the city gates are much stricter today.

Su Jiuchuan and his companion put on loose, thick clothing, lowered their heads to cover their faces, and changed into the attire of commoners. Before leaving, Zheng Xinyue even used some feminine makeup to slightly alter her appearance.

If one didn't look closely, it would likely be difficult to recognize them.

The two disguised themselves as a farming couple and headed for the North Gate.

"Halt!"

The guarding soldier yawned, blocked their path, and said, "What are you doing, leaving the city so late?"

"My lord, we are from Duzhuang and work as servants for the Yuexian Restaurant. During the day, a message came from the village saying that my brother is seriously ill, so we are rushing back through the night."

Su Jiuchuan handed over a few copper coins from his sleeve.

The guard looked at the two of them carefully. Finding nothing unusual, he reached out to take the copper coins and waved his hand, saying, "Duzhuang, eh? The wine brewed by Old Man Li in that village is truly excellent. Bring me a jug next time you come into the city."

"Certainly, certainly!"

"Then go ahead!"

Su Jiuchuan felt a surge of joy. In the simulation, he had to force his way through; it seemed his luck was better this time.

Just as the two passed through the city gate and were walking out of the city, someone suddenly shouted from behind, "Wait!"

The two turned around to see a young officer who had just finished his shift at the gate tower. He had clearly witnessed the act of slipping the money earlier.

"Do you two have travel permits?"

Su Jiuchuan was stunned. He naturally knew what a travel permit was. In ancient times, population management was relatively backward, and the movement of people relied largely on these permits to confirm identities.

However, they were in a rush this time and hadn't prepared one. Even if they wanted to, the government office likely wouldn't issue them a permit.

The two exchanged a glance, knowing things were bad. Su Jiuchuan suddenly grabbed Zheng Xinyue and bolted toward the outside of the city.

"Halt!"

Seeing that something was wrong, the officer immediately brought men to give chase.

However, in the pitch-black wilderness, they disappeared from sight in a moment.

The officer chased for a while, but with no other options, he could only send men to report it while he slowly returned.

Su Jiuchuan and his companion ran a bit further, and seeing that there was no movement behind them, they relaxed and found a place to rest.

"Brother Su, where are we going next?"

Under the moonlight, Zheng Xinyue's face was filled with a happy smile, and her watery eyes were fixed on him. Su Jiuchuan felt a bit overwhelmed and quickly lowered his head to avoid her gaze.

"I still have some matters to attend to nearby..." Su Jiuchuan had intended to say that he had things to do and they should part ways here, but suddenly, he sensed something and quickly turned to look in the direction they had come from.

In the distance came the sound of hoofbeats and noisy shouting. A troop of cavalry was emerging from Xuzhou and galloping toward them.

Su Jiuchuan had remarkable eyesight. Through the faint light of the torches in the distance, he could clearly see that the person leading them was none other than City Lord Guan Lin.

"Scouts, hear my order! Search the nearby mountains and forests immediately. You must capture the two who just escaped."

"Yes!"

The sound of the conversation drifted over from the road outside the city gate.

Immediately, a dozen riders broke out from the cavalry troop and galloped off in different directions.

Su Jiuchuan was terrified. It seemed that City Lord Guan Lin would not be satisfied today until he caught him. He grabbed Zheng Xinyue and sprinted away.

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a scout suddenly shouted from the darkness, "They are over here!"

Immediately, the cavalry pursued in the direction they were fleeing.

Su Jiuchuan was also very frustrated. He had no experience in anti-tracking, so he was immediately discovered by those scouts; there was nothing he could do about it.

Both were Martial Artists. Although Zheng Xinyue was only a 7th Grade Martial Artist, with Su Jiuchuan pulling her along, their speed was extremely fast.

The problem, however, was that people are not horses. After a half-hour sprint, even Su Jiuchuan, a Second-grade Martial Artist, was struggling, and the pursuers behind seemed to be getting closer and closer.

"It seems there is no other way. I can only lead them to that location and see if there is a sliver of a chance!"

Su Jiuchuan had wanted to shake off the pursuers first and then find the canyon where Guo Fan and the others were searching for the Treasure Trove. But now he couldn't worry about that; he had to lead them there first.

Thinking and acting immediately, the two changed direction and ran toward the hillside on the side.

The two specifically sought out steep terrain to climb, instantly rendering the pursuers' horses useless.

"Abandon the horses!" City Lord Guan Lin's dignified voice rang out. "Pursue immediately."

Seeing that Zheng Xinyue was already gasping for air, Su Jiuchuan couldn't worry about anything else. He grabbed her, hoisted her onto his back, and continued to sprint wildly.

Relying on the memories from his life simulation, Su Jiuchuan maneuvered through the wilderness and quickly found the canyon.

At this moment, the canyon was filled with flickering lights. A large group of people holding torches were searching all around. Su Jiuchuan put Zheng Xinyue down, made a gesture for silence, and then pulled her into the crowd of people holding torches.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, noisy footsteps could be heard outside the canyon.

"Who are you people?"

"And who are you people?"

Clearly, the pursuers had run into the people in the canyon.

"I am from the Xuzhou Hubiao Battalion!"

"Ah! The government soldiers are here to make arrests!"

These people were originally mountain bandits. Now that they heard it was government soldiers, they assumed they were here to suppress them and immediately scattered in terror.

"Shut up! Nobody move, or I will kill anyone who tries to flee for the crime of desertion!"

A stern shout rang out from the depths of the canyon, and then a few people holding torches ran toward the canyon entrance.

Guo Fan was truly furious at this moment. Three months ago, he had found a map to a Treasure Trove from the residence of a corrupt official in Yuzhou. Based on the markings on it, he knew this was the Treasure Trove of an Innate Martial Artist—and not just any ordinary Innate Martial Artist, but one belonging to the Blade Saint from two hundred years ago.

This Blade Saint was a Martial Artist in the Destiny Realm, a master at the third stage of the Innate realm, who had dominated his entire era.

Consequently, he persuaded his father, King Yu, to bring men to Xuzhou and recruited mountain bandits. With so many people searching the vicinity for several full months, they had finally managed to locate the Treasure Trove in this canyon.

Yet unexpectedly, at this critical moment, government soldiers had arrived. This was truly infuriating.

"I wondered who it was. So it is the third son of the Guo family!"

City Lord Guan Lin's voice rang out, echoing through the empty canyon.

Upon hearing this, Guo Fan's heart sank. He knew he was in big trouble. The person who had arrived was none other than City Lord Guan Lin of Xuzhou. Could this old fox have discovered his operation?

"So it is City Lord Guan!" He cupped his hands in a show of feigned courtesy.

"How is it that you have brought so many people to the vicinity of my Xuzhou? Are you planning an ambush against me?" City Lord Guan Lin was also full of suspicion.

Guo Fan was somewhat frustrated. After all, Yuzhou had not yet officially gone to war with Xuzhou. Moreover, this guy was a veteran First-grade Martial Artist and had brought the renowned Hubiao Battalion; he and his men were likely no match for them.

Suddenly, a bright idea occurred to him. He pointed to Shen Xiuru behind him and said, "This is Miss Shen of the Chiyan Sect. We are merely searching for a medicinal herb for the Chiyan Sect."