Although winter has passed, warm spring has not yet arrived, and there is still a bit of coolness after sunset.
Under night.
In the dark streets, as every household fell asleep, a figure suddenly appeared in the dark alley.
Two drunken men were walking staggeringly on the dark street while talking about the woman they had just seen in the restaurant. They recalled the graceful and attractive figure of the woman and thought that if they could hold her in his arms, what would happen if they could hold her in his arms? What a treat.
However, when they mentioned that the woman was going to the private room, the two of them expressed a lot of envy towards the man in the private room.
while walking.
Just now they came to a corner, and in the hazy moonlight, while the two were talking, they could vaguely see a dark figure standing in front.
"Who?"
One of them spoke curiously, but at the moment he spoke, a faint cold light suddenly flashed in his eyes. The next moment, with the faint sound of the sharp blade cutting through the air, the man groaned and slowly fell to the ground.
Another drunk companion finally vaguely saw that the black shadow was actually holding a sharp blade.
He woke up instantly from the drunkenness, but before he could turn around and run away, or even have time to scream, the next moment the man suddenly felt a heartbreaking pain all over his body, his pupils widened, his body slowly became numb, and he lost consciousness, staring helplessly ahead.
call out!
As the companion fell, behind him, a black figure suddenly held a sharp blade. If he got close, he could vaguely see that it was covered with blood, sliding down the blade and slowly dripping from the tip. Drops of falling.
"superior!"
Along with a voice sounded.
Under the hazy night, several men in black stepped forward, pressed against the wooden board, and knocked rhythmically on the wooden door. After a while, the originally closed wooden door slowly opened in an instant.
"People are inside!"
The man who opened the door for these men in black said softly.
Hearing this, the men in black all held sharp knives and walked toward the room.
"who?"
"Who are you???"
"Don't!!"
Voices soon came out from the quiet little house.
On the street, listening to the noise coming from the hut, a voice sounded again.
"ignition!"
Soon, as each torch was slowly lit, the flames of more than thirty torches instantly illuminated the entire street extremely brightly.
Looking at the firelight, men in black clothes almost filled the entire street. There were no less than a hundred of them, and there were more than twenty people, holding bows.
The man in black at the head was only around 27 or 28 years old. He looked at the small house with the door opened in front of him, and his eyes were on the second floor.
The man in black was not in a hurry to let the others fight in.
The hut is right in front of him, and there are enough people here. To prevent accidents, he even brought more than twenty archers who were good at bows, and both the arrows and the swords of the others had been smeared with poison.
No matter how powerful Qin general Bai Yan is this time, he can't even think of escaping.
However, the man always kept his instructions in mind and tried his best to save Bai Yan's life and take him to Chu State.
for a long time.
As footsteps sounded in the hut, it wasn't long before several men in black were seen dragging several men to the front of the leading man.
One by one, the men were thrown to the ground by the men in black. Under the light of several torches, the leading man in black took out a piece of cloth from his arms, looked at the portrait on it, and then glanced at the men kneeling on the ground.
"Please, sir, let us go!"
"Sir, we are just merchants. I hope you will spare our lives!"
The men in coarse clothes looked around at the many people holding torches and swords. They were all so frightened that they peed their pants, fearing that they would be killed later.
"It's not Qin General Bai Yan!"
Looking at Bu Nei's portrait, the leading man had a vague premonition after confirming that none of these people were Qin General Bai Yan.
"Bring the boy here!"
The man turned around and ordered.
But there was no room to think too much at this moment. Looking at the small house in front of him, the man's expression was full of solemnity.
"No one is allowed to leave this cabin!"
The man ordered.
After hearing the man's order, the other men in black immediately accepted the order and turned around to rush into the hut. The sound that had disappeared not long ago was heard again in an instant.
This time, not only were the voices of men scared, but also the screams of some women.
The man handed the cloth with the human figure to his trusted aide and asked him to go up and inspect it.
At this time, the boy who had just opened the door for them was also brought to them by the man in black. When asked if the person he saw today was the man kneeling on the ground in front of him, the boy took a look, then froze, and slowly He shook his head slowly.
The boy was also confused at the moment.
Before sunset, he clearly saw those people living in those small houses. Why did he suddenly become these people late at night.
"Who asked you to live in the cabin?"
When the leading man saw this, he turned to look at the person who was kneeling on the ground and was captured.
"Sir, we don't know that person either. The person gave us some money and asked us to stay here for the night. He didn't say anything else."
"Yes! Sir! We don't know that person either!"
When the men heard the inquiry, they rushed to explain one by one, wanting to clear up the relationship.
But before they could finish their words.
After the man learned what had happened, he could no longer control the anger in his eyes and signaled the people around him to take action.
In an instant.
Following the gesture of the leading man, men in black rushed forward with sharp knives in hand. Screams rang out one after another. In an instant, all the men turned into corpses and fell in a pool of blood.
This scene made the young man frightened.
"Leave no one alive, burn this place down!"
The leading man looked at the small house in front of him and was convinced that Qin General Bai Yan had left. However, when he glanced around and saw no ambush, the man breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, the man realized that this was definitely not a leak of information or a conspiracy. It's the ghost, but Qin general Bai Yan is too cunning.
"Sir, I promised you before."
When the boy in the small house saw the man preparing to leave, he thought of the glory and wealth that the man had promised him before, so he gritted his teeth and smiled sarcastically.
However, as the man glanced at him, the boy was stunned for a moment. Before he could react, he suddenly felt a tearing pain from his back, and then he slowly fell to the ground.
"Throw it in and burn it together!"
The man looked at the boy's body with impatience in his eyes. He didn't even find him, yet he dared to offer a reward.
Late at night.
With the blazing fire of the hut, it instantly attracted all the gate guards of Yangxia City. Soon, the streets that were quiet just now were filled with shouts. Qin soldiers were rushing to put out the fire. Many people were They were all awakened and stood on the street watching.
Not long after, Yangxia City's city guards, city captains and other Qin officials came to the small house surrounded by Qin officials.
"what happened?"
Bao Xian, the city guard of Yangxia City, looked at the fire burning in the hut and asked the Qin soldiers who came to put out the fire with doubts.
However, Qin Zu didn't know what was going on.
At this time, the city captain Qi Li suddenly called Bao Xian over.
Bao Xian looked at the small house burning with fire. After thinking about it, he still took the risk. He raised his sleeves and robe to block the thick fire and came to Qi Li's side.
"look!"
Under Bao Xian's confused eyes, Qi Li pointed to the blood on the ground.
When Bao Xian saw this, his pupils shrank.
"Has anyone ever escaped from the fire?"
When Bao Xian realized that this was a murder case, he quickly turned his head and asked the Qin soldiers and officials around him, wanting to know if anyone could escape from the hut.
However, when the people around him heard Bao Xian's words, they looked at each other and fell silent.
Bao Xian and Qi Li looked at the Qin officials, and then at the common people watching in the distance. Suddenly they looked at each other, and a thought slowly emerged that made them sweat.
No one will survive, right?
Is there not a single one left alive!
Who is it that can send so many killers into the city without knowing it? Who can actually let this force use so many killers to assassinate? Is the person who was assassinated dead or alive at this time?
Doubts appeared in the minds of Bao Xian and Qi Li.
The next day.
As the news of the fire in the small house spread quickly, let alone the Qin officials who were not very strict in talking about the murder. Even after the fire, so many burnt corpses were found, there was no way to hide it.
After dawn, pedestrians on the street were talking about this matter everywhere.
Next to a small shop in the north, Bai Yan, Bao Yu, and Mu were sitting in a corner next to the shop, drinking water and eating unpalatable coarse millet cakes.
"When did you receive the news?"
Bao Yu looked at Bai Yan curiously.
Listening to the comments of the people in the distance, Bao Yu couldn't help but feel lucky. Fortunately, he listened to Bai Yan and secretly left the hut early and went to the casino to find some losers. However, Bao Yu was very confused. He and Bai Yan had been together. Bai Yan was never seen receiving the news.
Following Bao Yu's words, Mao Yu looked at Bai Yan in confusion. Since the general knew someone would assassinate him last night, why didn't he let those soldiers ambush him in advance?
"Uncle Yu, Bai Yan actually didn't know that someone would commit murder last night, let alone any news."
Bai Yan swallowed the coarse millet cake, smacked the remaining food in his mouth, and shook his head at Bao Yu.
"There are three nests of cunning rabbits. Now that they are going south, it is always right to be careful. Bai Yan had a cautious idea yesterday and never thought that he would just escape the disaster."
Bai Yan explained.
After hearing Bai Yan's words, Bao Yu was full of surprise. He took a bite of the millet cake and then looked at Bai Yan.
"There are only a few people in the Qin court who know that you are going to the south. If they have just arrived in Yangxia and settled down before us, they know where we will stay."
Bao Yu looked thoughtful, then looked at Bai Yan seriously.
"I'm afraid the Qin court and the army under Wang Ben's command are all Chu's masters!"
After Bao Yu finished speaking, his breathing became slightly faster, and there was some worry in his brows.
Bao Yu knew very well that from Bai Yan receiving Ying Zheng's order and going south to the assassin coming to assassinate him in the middle of the night, it would be difficult to accomplish this without any step, whether it was the Qin court or the Qin army camp.
"General, how about adhering to Xianyang and informing the king about this matter? I believe the king will be able to thoroughly investigate it!"
After hearing Bao Yu's analysis, Yu immediately realized the seriousness of the matter, so he looked around and asked cautiously.
When Bai Yan heard what Mang said, he suddenly laughed and looked at Mang.
"Why isn't there a mole in Shan Wu City? Why isn't it the news we accidentally leaked!"
Bai Yan asked.
He shook his head quickly.
"How is this possible? The general was careful all the way and no one knew anything about it."
He denied that all the way south, he knew how hidden their whereabouts were. All the identities were false, but they were all well-documented.
Unlike Yu, Bao Yu fell silent after hearing Bai Yan's words.
Bao Yu knew clearly that Bai Yan's words were correct. Although Ying Zheng was furious when the matter was reported to Xianyang, he could not doubt all the ministers who knew about it. When Qin and Chu were at war, the kings and ministers were suspicious. avoid.
Not to mention who can guarantee whether it was due to Bai Yan's carelessness, Shan Wucheng's careful planning, or even a coincidence that the news of Bai Yan's trip south was just leaked.
The only thing that is certain is that there is no detailed work in the Qin army camp.
Bai Yan doesn't need to talk about this matter. What happened in Xiaoshe yesterday must have scared the general Gao Ze sent by Wang Ben into a cold sweat. I'm afraid Gao Ze had already ordered someone to bring the news to Wang Ben overnight early in the morning. .
"Yang Xia can't stay any longer!"
Bao Yu knew that the assassination last night was unsuccessful, so those people would definitely be looking for Bai Yan everywhere, looking for an opportunity to strike. And the soldiers brought by Gao Ze could no longer be easily trusted. No one knew whether Xizuo was there. Among those five hundred people.
"It's better to quietly go to the Qin army's camp as soon as possible and meet Wang Ben."
Bao Yu looked at Bai Yan. Yangxia and even the surrounding cities must have been unsafe and they had to leave as soon as possible.
Under Bao Yu's gaze, Bai Yan shook his head.
"No, if Bai Yan goes to camp with the camp, Chu and Xianyang will have no scruples anymore. Only by continuing to hide it so that the generals of Chu can't find it can they be afraid."
Bai Yan said.
Thinking of the sudden rebellion of Lord Changping later, which caused Li Xin and Meng Tian to almost die in the Chu Kingdom, Bai Yan would never go to Wang Ben now. The soldiers and horses under Wang Ben's command were all taken from Lord Changping. Many of the generals who came here were Chang Wenjun's confidants.
Once they go somewhere, if Mr. Changping really wants to take action, the consequences will be disastrous.
Judging from what happened last night, Bai Yan has determined that it was Lord Chang Wen who sent the news to Chu State.
"Uncle Yu!"
Bai Yan thought for a while and looked at Bao Yu.
"Uncle Yu still has old friends in Chu State. It has been decided that we, as well as the Ruo Ao clan, will help Uncle Yu do some hard work."
Bai Yan looked at Bao Yu.
Zhao Qiu said that the Ruo Ao clan still had power hiding in Chu State, and Zhao Qiu would not lie to him, and that Cheng Ding would be found no matter what.
At present, Qin and Chu are at war. Bai Yan wants to focus on Chu State. The matter of finding Cheng Ding and Ruo Ao can only be left to Bao Yu. Besides, Bao Yu has more friends in Chu State than he does. , the chance of finding it will be greater than him.
"Don't worry! Once it's settled, leave it to me to find it!"
When Bao Yu heard Bai Yan's words, he nodded and did not refuse.
"But now, when the Chu State learns that you are coming, it will definitely send a large number of agents to conduct a secret search. If you don't go to the Qin Army's camp, you will be in a very dangerous situation."
Bao Yu looked at Bai Yan.
Bao Yu was still more worried about Bai Yan's safety than going to the Chu State to find Cheng Ding. In fact, in Bao Yu's eyes, when the Chu State was looking around, the safest place was the Qin Army camp at Wang Ben's place.
"Don't worry, I have a solution!"
Bai Yan told Bao Yu not to worry.
Have breakfast.
Bai Yan separated from Bao Yu, and Yu went to inform Gao Ze, who asked Gao Ze to find the city guard of Yangxia City and order the city gates to be opened, allowing the people and merchants to enter and exit the city as before.
Two days later.
Mang came to Bai Yan's side and watched Bai Yan playing with stones by the window.
"General, Master Yu has left Yangxia!"
Zhang said to Bai Yan.
Looking at Bai Yan, Zhang didn't know what to do at the moment. The turmoil in the city's cottage was still unsolved, and there might be dangers everywhere on the seemingly lively streets.
And if it is true as Bao Yu said, I am afraid that other cities also have spies from the Chu State.
Wherever the Qin army is, the general must not expose his whereabouts easily before General Wang Ben has thoroughly investigated.
"Then we are ready to leave!"
Bai Yan heard what Zhang said and looked at the stone in front of him.
The Qin army of Changping Jun, Changwen Jun, Xianyang, Wang Ben, the number of Chu troops, and the Qianzhong camp commanded by Mengwu in Qianzhong County
Looking back on what I heard in Yangxia City in the past two days, it seems that Xiang Yan, Jing Qi and others wanted to catch him when they learned that he was going south. They thought of their uncle in Shouchun.
"General, where shall we go?"
After hearing Bai Yan's words, Mang was a little confused.
"Shuchun!"
Bai Yan said.
Zhang nodded, but before he could react, when he thought Shouchun was the city in his mind, he suddenly widened his eyes and looked at Bai Yan with a dull look on his face, wondering if he had heard it wrong just now.
