Chapter 744: Immediately Run Away

Chapter 744: Making a Quick Escape

Xingxing walked out of the prefect's residence, her hand pressed to the short whistle hidden in her chest.

Fortunately, no one stopped her along the way.

Yu Yonggui was waiting in a secluded spot outside the prefect's residence. As soon as Xingxing emerged, he hurried forward: "How did it go?"

Xingxing simply shook her head briefly: "It's nothing. Let’s just go back."

Though Xingxing said it was nothing, Yu Yonggui could tell from her expression that something must have happened.

Yu Yonggui was instantly furious, swearing to himself that once this matter was settled—if the Pang family managed to escape unscathed—he would make sure Chaoyang Tower left no stone unturned digging up their dirt. If he couldn’t ruin them, he’d eat his hat!

Once back at the inn, Yu Yonggui slammed the door shut: "Xingxing, tell me."

Xingxing sighed and recounted how the prefect's wife, Luo Shi, wanted to force her into being a concubine for Pang Jinkang.

Yu Yonggui was seeing red now!

A concubine?!

Ha!

How dare they?!

Who do they think they are?!

Xingxing grabbed Yu Yonggui’s hand: "We’re leaving this afternoon—Since we already know the location of the lake, we can stay in a nearby town instead. It might even be more convenient."

Yu Yonggui made a swift decision: "Alright, let’s go now."

We’ll settle this score later!

He knew his priorities—keeping his sister Xingxing safe was the most urgent matter at hand.

The siblings packed their belongings immediately and left Anjiang City without a second thought.

When they passed through the city gate, Yu Yonggui had the carriage head toward Jiyang City.

Only when they reached a remote stretch of woods did they change direction, heading for the small town near Mirror Lake.

Luckily, their quick thinking and lack of hesitation meant they managed to leave just in time. Not long after they exited the city, Pang Jinkang arrived at the inn with his attendants, looking for them.

A shop assistant recognized Pang Jinkang and piped up: "Young Master Pang, are you waiting for Miss Feng?... They checked out and left half an hour ago."

Pang Jinkang was struck dumb: "G-gone?"

He had resolved to show Miss Feng his sincerity, only to find his efforts dead on arrival.

She had simply left!

Pang Jinkang was utterly crushed. Heartbroken, he returned to the prefect's residence.

When the prefect's wife, Luo Shi, heard the news, she was fuming: "You blockhead! Must you be so single-minded? If she left, why didn’t you chase after her? At most, she’s only been gone for an hour. With a carriage, they can’t move fast. Have riders chase them and see where she’s headed... First, go to the city gate. A whole carriage group will stick out like a sore thumb—the guards will surely know which direction they took."

Pang Jinkang rushed off with his men to the city gate.

Anjiang City was a one-gate town—typical backwater setup.

Pang Jinkang was the prefect's son, and the soldiers guarding the city dared not neglect him, quickly pointing out the direction: "Very few caravans leave Anjiang in a day, so I remember it well. They went in that direction."

Seeing it led back to Jiyang City, Pang Jinkang felt slightly reassured.

He even wondered if Miss Feng wasn’t avoiding him—maybe she was just heading back as scheduled?

Pang Jinkang ordered his men to pursue the direction leading back to Jiyang City, drilling into them, "Once you find them, tail them quietly and send word to me immediately. Understood?"

The attendant nodded and hurried off.

Meanwhile, Xingxing and Yu Yonggui had already steered their carriage into the rolling mountains southwest of Anjiang.

Amidst these verdant peaks, a few mountain folk lived scattered about, most settling near Mirror Lake for easy access to water.

These villagers rarely traveled to Anjiang for trade, so eventually, a little town sprang up in a convenient location for all.

The town was tiny, but its scenic surroundings drew merchants, armed escorts, long-haul travelers, and even the odd tourist who stayed briefly. Thus, even this tiny town had a small inn.

Before entering, Xingxing and Yu Yonggui split up.

Just Xingxing, Yu Yonggui, a coachman, and two guards went into town.

The remaining guards disguised themselves as escorts and entered the next day, blending right in.

Once inside, Xingxing and Yu Yonggui didn’t dawdle and set out that same day to look for the place in Xingxing’s dream.

Mirror Lake lived up to its name—its shimmering surface, nestled among rugged peaks, was as calm as a mirror reflecting the open sky.

At one point during their journey, Xingxing’s eyes lit up and she pointed at a distant cliff.

"Here..." she said excitedly, "This kinda looks like it!"

Yu Yonggui snapped to attention. "Let’s take a closer look."

As the saying goes, "The mountain you stare at could tire out your horse"—sometimes what seems near is actually far, separated by dense forests.

But Xingxing was tough. Without complaint, she pulled Yu Yonggui into the woods.

Yu Yonggui took a machete and chopped through vines to blaze a trail.

When the siblings finally emerged from the trees, the trees gave way to a stunning view—Mirror Lake glimmered softly in the distance.

This place really did look similar...

Xingxing stared in awe, but Yu Yonggui’s expression suddenly changed. He jerked her into the underbrush.

Among these mountains, apart from them, another group was stubbornly searching—and they were close!

Xingxing and Yu Yonggui recognized them.

It was the same team they had seen earlier near Anjiang City, the one the Pang family had sent to help their "old friends" hunt down a "house thief."

They had actually searched their way here!

Talk about stubborn!

Xingxing and Yu Yonggui hid in the bushes, but for some reason, the searchers started heading right for them.

Xingxing and Yu Yonggui locked eyes briefly and could only backpedal frantically.

"What was that sound?"

Some of the searchers had keen hearing and snapped their heads around alertly, drawing the blades at their waists. They chopped viciously through the undergrowth while advancing toward the source.

Yu Yonggui gritted his teeth, his hand gripping the Flexible Blade at his waist.

He could go all out and take down the entire team ahead.

But with Xingxing present and in these woods, he couldn’t guarantee her safety while eliminating the enemy.

Her safety was paramount.

Yet now, the searchers were drawing closer!

The whistling blades were nearly at their throats...

Yu Yonggui exploded from the underbrush, striking forward with a slash. The flurry of grass blades briefly blinded the enemy’s vision as he shouted, "Xingxing, run!"

He grabbed Xingxing’s hand and tore through the undergrowth.

The wind direction was unfavorable—Xingxing couldn’t scatter the Knockout Drug she carried.

Moreover, Yu Yonggui chose to flee with her to ensure her survival. He knew full well that if he told her to run alone, she would never abandon him.

Xingxing was anxious. She wanted to say she carried multiple Knockout Drugs and could protect herself.

But Yu Yonggui preferred the surest way—taking her with him in their escape.