Chapter 145: Bearing News

Uncle Wu, the gatekeeper of the Liu residence, sat propped in his chair, humming a little tune while cradling a cup of tea.

Having served the old master since the days in the Imperial Capital, Uncle Wu had followed him to Wucheng. Now that he was advanced in years, he was meant to be enjoying a life of ease. However, he had no interest in managing affairs, nor could he bear to be idle, so he had requested this post: guarding the main gate of the Liu manor.

In a wealthy household, the main gate was usually just for show. It was rarely opened; all comings and goings took place through the side gate. Only for esteemed guests, major festivals, or joyous celebrations would the main gate be thrown open as a mark of respect. Consequently, Uncle Wu’s position was quite comfortable, with almost nothing to do.

Bored to the point of distraction, Uncle Wu sat with his eyes closed, humming, until his ears caught the sound of a commotion outside. Rising to investigate, he saw the footman at the side gate scolding a woman dressed like a peasant. "Go on, get out of here! You can’t even say clearly who you’re looking for. Can you even read? This is the Liu manor, not a place for any stray cat or dog to just wander into."

"Young master, please, have some mercy. I need to find the little master. Just pass on a word—tell him Sister Zhen is looking for him."

"The little master?" The footman looked her over with disdain. "There are plenty of little masters in this house. Who are you even looking for? Don't try to claim kinship with me. Get lost now, before I fetch a stick to chase you off."

The peasant woman shrank back, seemingly terrified at the threat of the stick. Yet, she was unwilling to leave, lingering just a short distance from the side gate.

Uncle Wu usually didn’t care for such trivial matters, but today, feeling particularly restless, he walked over to see what was happening. The footman, who held great respect for Uncle Wu, called out to him from a distance and trotted over eagerly.

"Uncle Wu, what’s all the noise about?"

The footman, known as Xiaoshan, gestured toward the woman with a sneer. "It’s just that woman, claiming she’s here to see a little master. Look at what kind of place this is—how could any of our young masters possibly know someone like her?"

"That’s where you’re wrong, Xiaoshan. Our master has told us many times not to judge people by appearances. Perhaps she truly has an urgent matter. It wouldn't do to cause a delay because of your attitude."

Chastened by Uncle Wu’s words, Xiaoshan hesitated, then decided to call the woman over to clarify. Upon questioning, it turned out she was indeed connected to the household, having come from one of their estates. However, when asked which young master she was looking for, she couldn't say. She only remembered seeing a group of them together on a previous visit, and the one she sought was definitely among them.

Truth be told, Sister Zhen could have gone to her mother-in-law or reported directly to the matriarch, but she had her own selfish concerns. This matter involved her husband, Feng Da, and she didn't want it widely known. Furthermore, she knew her mother-in-law well; the woman would panic at the slightest sign of trouble, and likely faint before hearing half the story. It would be better to find the young master directly.

As Sister Zhen paced anxiously, unable to explain herself clearly, Cuiyu arrived at the side gate. She had come to deliver something for her young mistress, but upon finding her missing from the Moxiang Courtyard, she had come to the side gate to inquire.

"Sister Zhen?"

Cuiyu was very familiar with this woman. In fact, it was she who had discovered the scandalous affair between Sister Zhen and Feng Da back at the estate and reported it to Liu Qin. Recognizing Cuiyu, and desperate as a drowning person clutching at a straw, Sister Zhen stuttered out her purpose. She didn't know the young master's name; she only knew she had seen him at the edge of the village fields that day.

Cuiyu realized immediately that the woman was looking for her own mistress. She pulled Sister Zhen aside and whispered, "What exactly do you need to tell the young master?"

Sister Zhen looked at her, lowered her head, and hesitated for a long time before murmuring, "I want... I want to tell the young master not to go out these next two days."

"Why?"

"Because there is... there is danger. Someone wants to harm him."

Finally dropping her guard, Sister Zhen blurted it out and bowed her head again.

*Danger? Someone wants to harm the young mistress?*

Cuiyu’s head spun. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she rushed to Xiaoshan and grabbed him. "Is the young mistress... has she already gone out?"

Startled by her reaction, Xiaoshan nodded.

"Quick! Send someone to find the Master and the Eldest Young Master! Tell them the young mistress is in danger!"

Without waiting, she sprinted into the manor, dragging Sister Zhen along with her. Her mind raced—who could save the young mistress? *Master Mu!* Lei Hu had said that Master Mu’s martial arts were exceptional. She turned and bolted toward the training grounds. Fortunately, Sister Zhen was accustomed to hard labor and kept pace without difficulty.

Mu Qing had been restless since morning, plagued by a vague sense of foreboding. Xiao Wu had gone out front and hadn't returned. Fearing something was wrong, Mu Qing had specifically warned him today not to leave the house. He wondered if he should go out himself. Waiting for trouble to come to him was agonizing; if not for his many burdens, he, Mu Qingcang, would never have cowered like a tortoise.

To him, those people were no threat, but Xiao Wu was his Achilles' heel, and now, the Liu household was involved as well. He feared most that *that man* would come in person. The internal injuries he had sustained years ago had never fully healed; in his current state, he was no match for him. His own life didn't matter, but if he died, what would become of Xiao Wu? What of his sworn brother’s blood feud? And as long as his traitorous disciple remained at large, he would find no peace even in the afterlife.

He had to preserve his life and Xiao Wu’s, which was why he was forced to wander, fleeing the endless pursuit that dogged his heels. Usually, he never stayed in one place for more than a year. This time, he had been careless, assuming that after so many years, his pursuers might have relaxed. Moreover, he saw how Xiao Wu had changed at the Liu manor and hoped that this stability would help purge the desire for vengeance from the boy’s heart.

Who would have thought this would drag the Liu manor into the vortex? If anything happened to them, he wouldn't know how to face himself.

Just as his thoughts were spiraling into chaos, Cuiyu rushed into the courtyard with Sister Zhen in tow.

"Master... Master Mu!"

Cuiyu was panting, but Mu Qing had already sensed that something was terribly wrong.

"Master Mu, please, save the young mistress! She, the cousin, and Young Master Xiao Wu have left the city. Sister Zhen says someone is planning to harm them!"

Cuiyu finished her sentence in one breath. She spoke rapidly, but Mu Qing was faster—before she had even finished, he had already vanished.

Meanwhile, the carriage carrying Liu Qin and the others had been overturned, throwing them into the dense weeds nearby. Fortunately, the wild grass in the Liangzi Mountains was thick and lush. As they fell, Xiao Wu and Jiang Li had instinctively used their internal energy to cushion the impact, so they landed with only soreness and no internal injuries. However, Xiao Wu had been shielding Liu Qin; taking the brunt of their combined weight, his injuries were more severe than Jiang Li’s.

Before the three of them could even climb to their feet, the danger arrived. A group of men in black surrounded them from all sides. Lei Hu, who had leaped from the carriage the moment the horse went wild, stood by the wreckage. Seeing the black-clad figures closing in, his heart sank. Connecting the dots with the spooked horse, he realized this was a calculated trap. But who could they have offended? The Fang family?

There was no time to think. A quick glance revealed nearly thirty attackers. He drew his long sword from the carriage frame, gripped it tightly, and moved to stand between the black-clad men and the three youths.