RPAGF Chapter 449 For the Tiger Tally, the Rebellion of King Wu, and the Survivors
Chapter 449 For the Tiger Tally, the Rebellion of King Wu, and the Survivors
The shouts of battle outside grew increasingly intense, and the carriage shook violently, as if it might overturn at any moment.
"Mother, I'm scared..." Xuan-ge'er sobbed softly.
Chu Ruohan hugged the two children tightly: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."
Suddenly, the carriage door was flung open, and a figure darted inside.
Chu Ruohan instinctively drew a dagger from her sleeve, about to make a move, when she saw that the person who came was Song Ruyan.
"Young Madam, come with me quickly!" Song Ruyan said urgently, "It's not safe here. The general ordered me to lead you to safety first!"
Chu Ruohan quickly got up, holding Xiao Qingchen in one arm and pulling Xuan Ge'er with the other, and followed Song Ruyan as they jumped off the carriage.
The situation outside was more chaotic than she had imagined; a dozen men in black were engaged in a fierce battle with the Shadow Guards.
"This way!" Song Ruyan pulled Chu Ruohan along and quickly moved towards a grove of trees.
Chu Ruohan glanced back at the battlefield and saw Gu Junze locked in combat with a highly skilled man in black. Their swords flashed, moving so fast that their movements were almost invisible.
"The general told us to go first, and he will follow shortly," Song Ruyan urged.
Chu Ruohan bit her lip, finally nodded, hugged the children tightly, and followed Song Ruyan into the depths of the woods.
Little Qingchen was startled awake by the jolts and burst into tears.
Chu Ruohan quickly patted her gently, but in this emergency, she was unable to effectively soothe her.
“There’s a cave ahead,” Song Ruyan said, pointing to a spot not far away. “Let’s hide there first.”
The group quickly slipped into the cave, which was dark and damp, but at least they could temporarily escape their pursuers.
Doctor Qian took out a small bottle from his pocket, poured out a few pills, and handed them to Chu Ruohan.
"Give each child one pill," Dr. Qian whispered, "to calm their nerves and relieve their anxiety."
Chu Ruohan took the pills, first giving one to Xuan Ge'er, then crushing the other one and gently applying it to Xiao Qingchen's lips with her fingertips dipped in water.
Before long, both children quieted down, and Xiao Qingchen even fell asleep again.
"Were those people coming for us?" Chu Ruohan asked in a low voice.
Song Ruyan nodded: "Just as the general expected, they were indeed prepared. The attack on that caravan last night was probably a trap to lure us in."
“Junze, he…” Chu Ruohan looked worriedly out of the cave.
"General, you are highly skilled in martial arts and have the Shadow Guards to help you. You will be fine," Song Ruyan comforted her, but a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.
Dr. Qian: "No one is chasing us for now, but we can't stay here any longer."
"We'll make plans once the general arrives," Song Ruyan said.
Time passed second by second, but there was still no sign of Gu Junze outside the cave.
Chu Ruohan's heart sank deeper and deeper, but she forced herself to remain calm and not let fear cloud her judgment.
"I'm going outside to take a look," Song Ruyan finally couldn't hold back and stood up.
"Be careful," Chu Ruohan cautioned.
Song Ruyan nodded and quietly left the cave.
Holding her two children, Chu Ruohan leaned against the damp stone wall, silently praying that Gu Junze would be safe and sound.
About fifteen minutes later, faint footsteps could be heard outside the cave.
Dr. Qian alertly drew his short sword and stood in front of Chu Ruohan and the children.
"It's me." Song Ruyan's voice came from outside, and then her figure appeared at the cave entrance, followed by a tall figure—it was Gu Junze.
"Junze!" Chu Ruohan exclaimed in surprise, almost bursting into tears.
Gu Junze quickly walked to Chu Ruohan's side and hugged her and the children: "It's alright, those people have been dealt with."
Chu Ruohan then noticed a bloodstain on Gu Junze's sleeve and several small wounds on his face.
She reached out and gently touched the wounds with heartache: "You're injured."
"It's just some superficial injuries, nothing serious." Gu Junze held her hand and reassured her, "The Shadow Guards have already cleared the battlefield, we can continue on our way."
"Who sent those people?" Chu Ruohan asked.
A cold glint flashed in Gu Junze's eyes: "Judging from their skills and equipment, they should be remnants of Qingmo Valley."
"Qingmo Valley?" Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat. "How did they know our whereabouts?"
“There must be an inside man in the capital,” Gu Junze said in a deep voice, “but this suits me just fine, letting them think they’ve succeeded.”
Chu Ruohan asked thoughtfully, "You mean, this was also part of your plan?"
Gu Junze nodded slightly: "I deliberately let the news leak out to lure the snake out of its hole. I just didn't expect them to make a move so quickly. It seems that person can't wait any longer."
"So what do we do next?" Song Ruyan asked.
“Change the route,” Gu Junze said decisively. “The original route is no longer safe. We will take a detour through the mountains. Although it will take more time, it will allow us to avoid most of the ambushes.”
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement: "As long as we can reach our destination safely, what does it matter if it takes a little longer?"
Gu Junze looked at the two sleeping children, a hint of tenderness in his eyes: "Let the children rest a little longer, we'll set off later."
During this short break, Dr. Qian treated Gu Junze's wound, applied ointment, and bandaged it simply.
Song Ruyan stood guard outside the cave to ensure that no enemies approached.
Chu Ruohan leaned against Gu Junze and whispered, "Are you really alright?"
Gu Junze held her hand: "Don't worry, this little injury is nothing. But you and the children, were you frightened?"
Chu Ruohan shook her head: "I'm fine, and the children are all safe and sound. It's just..." She paused, "I have a feeling that things aren't that simple. Why are those people so persistent in hunting us down?"
Gu Junze's gaze was deep: "They not only want to take my life, but also want to obtain that tiger tally."
"Tiger tally?" Chu Ruohan's heart tightened, and she subconsciously looked at the peace charm worn by Xuan-ge'er.
Gu Junze nodded: "That tiger tally is of great importance. If it falls into enemy hands, the Eastern Jin Dynasty will have to change its ruler again."
"So our trip is not only to avoid disaster, but also to protect the Tiger Tally?" Chu Ruohan suddenly realized.
“That’s right,” Gu Junze said in a low voice, “That’s why I’m taking you and the children with me when we leave the capital. Staying in the capital would be even more dangerous.”
Chu Ruohan took a deep breath: "So Qingmo Valley wants the imperial throne?"
Gu Junze lowered his head, his voice falling on Chu Ruohan's ear, "During the chaos caused by the Martial King back then, my mother must have shown mercy..."
After a short rest, the group regrouped and set off again.
Gu Junze decided to abandon the carriage and travel on horseback instead, which would allow him to respond more flexibly to unexpected situations.
Chu Ruohan carried Xiao Qingchen and rode a horse with Gu Junze, while Xuan Ge'er was led by Song Ruyan, and Doctor Qian rode a horse alone.
“Although this mountain road is rugged, it leads directly to the next county town,” Gu Junze said, pointing to the mountain road ahead. “Once we get there, we will transfer to a boat and sail downstream to the State of Zheng.”
Chu Ruohan nodded: "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements."