Chapter 27: Returning
It was still deep into the night, but sleep was no longer possible.
Elder Yue said, "Lady, the minions of the fake emperor are relentlessly pursuing us. This place is not safe to stay for long. Why not travel through the night and reach Yingshui Commandery as soon as possible? There, we can rendezvous with the reinforcements."
Dongyang Lady bowed her head in thought for a moment before suddenly asking Qin Sang, "Mr. Qin, based on your knowledge, how many assassins has the Jiangshan Tower gathered in the City of Three Witches?"
Qin Sang shook his head cautiously. "I’m not certain, but I fear there may be at least several dozen."
Dongyang Lady nodded. "You've already slain two of them, yet only ten appeared this time. This indicates that our whereabouts have not been entirely exposed. Either the Jiangshan Tower assassins have split their forces, or Granny Li and the others managed to eliminate most of them. Elder Yue, what do you think about us returning to the City of Three Witches tonight?"
Elder Yue was startled and pale at her words. "Lady, you must not! The City of Three Witches is a place filled with danger. The Zhenshui King is highly likely to have sided with the fake emperor. All the other guards have been assassinated, leaving only a few of us. If we encounter an ambush, it would be difficult to ensure your safety even at the cost of our lives, and we would have no way to answer to the king!"
The Dongyang Lady smiled faintly. "If you wish to accomplish great things, how can you avoid taking risks? If even you, Elder Yue, dare not let me return to the City of Three Witches, then the fake emperor’s lackeys certainly won’t expect it. As for the Zhenshui King, I believe he may not have allied with the fake emperor. Otherwise, the fake emperor wouldn’t need to resort to such underhanded tactics."
Before Elder Yue could respond, the Lady shook her head. "There’s no need to persuade me further, Elder Yue. My decision is made. Commander Bai, you and Zhou Ning share a horse and take the injured arm back to the City of Three Witches. There is an imperial physician in the Zhenshui King’s manor; perhaps he can reattach the limb."
Bai Jianglan quickly replied, "Yes!"