Chapter 722: Su Zhao |
The ruins naturally drew attention. Few could pass by without taking notice.
However, the riders merely glanced at it and moved on. The flames of war were spreading, and such sights were common in troubled times. The few riders continued their journey.
"Have we confirmed this is the only road?" One of the riders asked.
"At the very least, this road is the closest. Madam is rushing to the Dudu. She must have gone this way."
"A lone woman dared to leave home in such tumultuous times. Truly inviting trouble! If anything happens to her, how will we report to the masters? Even more, what will we say to the Dudu!"
"Ah, one can understand her. The defending army lost, six hundred thousand captives buried alive. The Dudu is returning from the Yan Kingdom with nothing. Moreover, upon learning that Meng Shan Ming intended to prevent the Dudu from returning, she couldn't bear it. She fears something might happen to the Dudu."
"This woman truly understands little of this. What good will it do for her to rush to him? You shouldn't have told her the bad news about the battle. Otherwise, she wouldn't have run off."
"Martial Uncle. It's impossible to hide information from her. We couldn't possibly place her under house arrest, could we? She constantly visits noble people who know a great deal. If she inquires about the battle, she will, of course, find out everything. Her husband is at war, and she cannot help but follow the news of the battle. What's more, if we cut off all news, she'll immediately suspect something is amiss. Martial Uncle speaks incorrectly. She secretly ran away because we wouldn't let her leave. That's why she found a secret method to escape."
"Stop trying to talk your way out of it. You'd better pray nothing happens to her. Otherwise, I'll see what you report to the masters!"
In the forest, seeing Yuan Gang with another person, Yin Er asked.
Yuan Gang froze.
Uncle Cheng and the others standing nearby were also astonished. They looked at Yin Er, a little afraid of her.
It's a living person, can't you tell?
And what was most important was that Yin Er wasn't joking. She wasn't the type of person who knew how to joke at all.
If anyone else had said it, the others would have laughed. But from Yin Er's lips, everyone was simply terrified. Is she capable of eating people? That's depravity!
Truth be told, Yuan Gang was also frightened by Yin Er's words. He vaguely felt that this Beast Queen was indeed capable of eating people.
He had known Yin Er for so long, but this was the first time she had shown the potential to eat people.
Yuan Gang said nothing. He merely lowered his shoulder and placed the girl on the ground.
Yin Er began to stare intently at the girl. Suddenly, Yuan Gang struck the back of Yin Er's neck with the flat of his saber.
Yin Er's eyes immediately rolled back, and she collapsed onto the girl.
"You..." Uncle Cheng asked Yuan Gang, full of doubt.
"Remember, as soon as you find her waking up, knock her out immediately. Wait until Lord Dao returns. We'll talk then." Yuan Gang said to everyone.
There was nothing he could do either. Without the special food ingredients, and in the absence of Niu You Dao and Shang Shu Qing, no one could calm this Beast Queen. He didn't even know when Niu You Dao would return. Therefore, he could only put Yin Er to sleep. Otherwise, if she transformed, she wouldn't recognize anyone. And don't even think about escaping.
And these people didn't know exactly who Yin Er was. And he couldn't explain everything to them.
Everyone exchanged glances. They didn't know why Yuan Gang had acted that way. She was just hungry, after all. Why act so cruelly?
"Wait!" Uncle Cheng, pointing at the girl, said, "Why does this woman seem familiar?"
Several people approached and looked at her. Zhu Lao Ba said in surprise, "White Clouds Club, Su Zhao?"
"No. She resembles her, but it's not her. This one is more beautiful." Xu Lao Liu said, shaking his head.
These people from Fufang Park had spent many years in the capital of the Qi Kingdom. And had seen Su Zhao from the White Clouds Club.
"I heard the White Clouds Club changed owners. And Su Zhao's whereabouts are unknown."
Several people discussed Su Zhao. Yuan Gang remained silent about where Su Zhao had gone. And silently looked at the girl.
After a brief conversation, Uncle Cheng asked, "Monkey, who is this girl?"
Yuan Gang: "I don't know."
"..." Several people exchanged glances. They didn't know why he had brought someone he didn't know.
If one were to say Yuan Gang brought her because of her beauty, they wouldn't believe it. After all, that wasn't like Yuan Gang. However, Yuan Gang spoke little, so they didn't question him much.
Fortunately, not long after, a large bird descended into the forest. Niu You Dao and Guan Fang Yi had returned.
Seeing the girls on the ground, both of them froze.
On Yin Er's face, patterns were faintly appearing. At this, Niu You Dao frowned. And the other girl seemed familiar to him. Yet he couldn't recall where he had seen her.
It was the surprised Guan Fang Yi who reminded him: "Su Zhao? How did she appear here? Ah, no, it's not her. This one is more beautiful than Su Zhao!" She looked at everyone and asked, "How did she end up here?"
Everyone looked at the silent Yuan Gang. Xu Lao Liu said, "He went out, and brought her back. We don't know."
Su Zhao? Hearing the name Guan Fang Yi uttered, Niu You Dao was startled. And finally remembered where he had seen her.
Or rather, he hadn't seen *her*, but her *image*.
When he had shown Guan Fang Yi the image, he had formed an impression of her. Although he had spent much time in the capital of the Qi Kingdom, he had never had the opportunity to see her in person.
It was precisely because of that portrait that this girl seemed so familiar to him.
A girl resembling Su Zhao, and Yuan Gang was the one who brought her. Niu You Dao involuntarily looked at Yuan Gang. Others didn't know about Yuan Gang and Su Zhao's past, but he did.
He knew even more that Su Zhao had already died. He knew Yuan Gang had personally buried Su Zhao in the desert. Yuan Gang had told him.
"What is it? Is it not because she resembles her that you brought her here?" Niu You Dao mused, then asked.
He didn't want this headache to cloud Yuan Gang's judgment.
Yuan Gang: "You've misunderstood."
The two men spoke ambiguously, which raised doubts in Guan Fang Yi and the others. It felt as if Yuan Gang and Su Zhao from the White Clouds Club had some connection.
Niu You Dao: "Then what is it?"
Yuan Gang: "This girl is suspicious. She was apologizing to the peasants of the Song Kingdom. She must not be simple..." He looked at everyone, and it seemed they didn't understand something. So he recounted what had happened.
As soon as everyone heard, they immediately understood. That indeed, this girl's background was not simple. The girl had disguised herself as a man. And she was even asking for forgiveness from the peasants of the Song Kingdom.
Niu You Dao looked at Yuan Gang's expression and said, "You've brought someone of unknown origin to a secret place. This place isn't suitable for her. Sixth, get rid of her. And do it thoroughly."
Xu Lao Liu nodded and, approaching the girl, bent down, preparing to pick her up.
Only then did a hand grip Xu Lao Liu's shoulder. Xu Lao Liu turned his head and saw Yuan Gang.
Yuan Gang: "Lord Dao, I think it would be better to first ascertain her origin. Who knows, she might be useful to us."
Guan Fang Yi nodded in approval: "Exactly. She was asking for forgiveness on behalf of the Song Kingdom's troops. She must not be a simple girl. If her standing is not simple, then it can be exploited. Lord Dao, Monkey speaks truly. It would be better to first find out who she is. A common person won't cause such ripples. If she is a simple person, why kill an innocent?"
Niu You Dao looked at Yuan Gang again: "Very well!" He nodded his head.
Guan Fang Yi approached the girl and began to search her. She found several hidden protective mechanisms and concealed weapons, like secret arrows. As well as some money. Finally, using her Qi, she roused her awake.
Very soon, the girl regained consciousness. Opening her eyes, she saw a group of people before her. And immediately, she crouched and began to crawl backward. Until her back hit a tree. Because of her injury, she let out a faint groan, and slowly, leaning on the tree, stood up. Staring at Yuan Gang, who had injured her, she gritted out, "Who are you people?"
Niu You Dao, watching her, replied, "Before you... is Niu You Dao!"
"You are Niu You Dao?" The girl was surprised. She immediately gave an appraising look to Niu You Dao, who stood leaning on his sword. Then she looked at the others.
Niu You Dao smiled. That girl seemed to realize something and grew angry.
Everyone exchanged glances. Everyone knew that Niu You Dao could discern whether this girl was ordinary or not just by her recognizing him. And indeed, she was not a simple girl.
It was simple. Ordinary people knew nothing at all about Niu You Dao. But extraordinary people, at the
very least, had heard of him. And this girl clearly was one.
Niu You Dao, smiling, said, "Indeed, who are you?"
A glint appeared in the girl's eyes. She knew Niu You Dao was before her. And therefore didn't dare reveal her true identity. So she suddenly said, "Su Zhao!"
At these words, Yuan Gang's heartstrings trembled.
"..." Niu You Dao and the others also froze. This girl could have named anyone and it would have been fine, but she chose this particular name? Which utterly bewildered everyone.
Niu You Dao came to his senses and, looking at everyone, asked, "Did you speak of that name in front of her?"
Everyone exchanged glances. How could this girl, unconscious, have heard that name? She surely couldn't have.
Yuan Gang replied, "When I pulled off her mask, I mistook her for Su Zhao and called out the name."
So that's it! Niu You Dao gave her a sidelong glance: "Take her, and make her talk!"
Yuan Gang nodded.
Niu You Dao gestured for this *Su Zhao* to be taken away. Then he himself looked at Yin Er: "What happened with Yin Er?"
Yuan Gang recounted Yin Er's irritability.
The others didn't understand, but Niu You Dao and Guan Fang Yi understood perfectly.
Guan Fang Yi even shuddered upon hearing all this. She knew the consequences if this Beast Queen lost control. It was fortunate they had returned in time.
Niu You Dao crouched beside her and began to channel his Qi into Yin Er.