CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 233: THE WOLF PACK! WHO DID IT?

"Prime Minister, I just smelled a powder mixed in the blood of that elk, specifically used to attract wolf packs."

"Are you sure?"

Li Qingmu listened to his wife’s explanation, his expression slightly tense.

When Chang Yao provoked him earlier, Long Yue signaled him with her eyes not to argue further and to leave quickly.

That was his wife, she wouldn’t harm him, so Li Qingmu had no hesitation and left together with Long Yue.

After they walked some distance, a loud wolf howl came from behind, and the entire forest became deadly silent as some birds flew into the sky in terror.

Li Qingmu stopped and looked back at the forest, frowning: "Judging from that sound, there are probably no less than fifty wolves. Those people will be in trouble!"

This trip included, besides Chang Yao and Qiao Zizhan, also Huang Hua, Liu Yi, and other members of the Crown Prince and Third Prince’s factions, but all together there were just seven or eight people. How are they supposed to deal with over fifty wolves?

"They’ll definitely get hurt, some might even lose their lives, and we, having gone together, will return unscathed. What will others think of that?"

"They’ll say we did it!" Long Yue’s eyes turned cold. "That game has a detectable special drug in it, and along with our safe return, it could definitely be linked to us!"

"So, we can’t just go back like this, or we’ll fall into someone else’s trap. Forget it, let’s rescue them!"

Li Qingmu finished speaking, turned his horse around, and charged back.

"Awoooo—"

The wolf howls in the distance grew clearer, and as they approached, they could even smell the scent of blood.

"Help, help—"

A horse was running frantically, with three wolves trailing behind. Huang Hua was on its back, with a deep gouge on his left leg down to the bone, bleeding profusely, attracting the pursuing wolves.

"Li Qingmu, help, save me—"

Huang Hua screamed miserably, steering his horse towards Li Qingmu.

"Whizz, whizz, whizz!"

Long Yue fired two arrows in quick succession, and Li Qingmu fired one, all hitting the wolves’ throats, penetrating through, causing them to fall lifelessly to the ground.

Huang Hua, panting heavily, looked at the dead wolves in shock and at the distant couple, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Realizing how incredible their archery was, he regretted having mocked them earlier with Chang Yao...

So they saved me earlier? Then... what about the enmity between us? Huang Hua was at a loss, not knowing what to do.

"Giddyup, giddyup! Quick, retreat!"

Up ahead, Chang Yao and others urged their horses forward, with the wolf pack in pursuit.

Several wolves had already been killed, but over thirty were still trailing them. As Long Yue approached, he saw the ground littered with wolf carcasses and two young men who had been torn apart by the wolves.

"If it’s mounted archery, you should shoot while riding, what skill is there in just fleeing?"

Li Qingmu rode in and nocked his bow, two arrows whizzed out, accurately hitting two wolves.

"This Li Qingmu, what amazing archery, I underestimated him before!"

Chang Yao stared at Li Qingmu’s figure, his pupils shrinking. In the wolf pack, he was at ease, not just relying on archery but also on martial arts and leadership ability,

"Hmph, so what? Earlier we were scattered by the wolf pack, that’s all... just some wild wolves, nothing to fear! Kill!"

Qiao Zizhan was full of deep hostility towards Li Qingmu. Seeing him so impressive, he was displeased, tugging his reins to charge back.

"Giddyup, giddyup!"

"Crack, crack—"

Long Yue urged the carriage, wielding a long whip with force, each snap sending two or three wolves flying.

"Awoooo—"

"Ah—"

The wolves were enraged by Long Yue and Li Qingmu’s slaughter. One wolf suddenly pounced on the side of Liu Yi, who screamed miserably as he fell from the horse and was besieged by a dozen wolves.

"Help me—"

Liu Yi screamed tragically. Chang Yao wanted to go help, but it was too late, as wolves tore at Liu Yi alive, killing him on the spot!

"Impressive archery, Imperial Censor Li, killing over ten fierce wolves by himself, truly impressive!"

Qiao Zizhan looked at the ground covered in bodies, slightly cupped his hand at Li Qingmu, the hostility in his voice much reduced, though still laced with envy.

Then, as if understanding something, he pointed abruptly at Li Qingmu: "You’ve been hiding your skills all along, haven’t you? Why? Why back then did you hold back against me? Give me a reason, or else today I’ll still challenge you!"

Saying this, he drew his sword from his side.

Li Qingmu touched his nose, chuckling awkwardly: "Back then, Young Master Qiao, you lost your place because of me, understandably sour. Isn’t it fair for you to vent your frustration?"

"Hmph, I’m not a petty person!"

Qiao Zizhan turned, arms folded, full of pride, while Li Qingmu smiled lightly.

"What, you don’t believe?"

"No, not at all!"

"The wolf pack may be gone, but it’s not safe for certain. Let’s leave quickly!"

Long Yue glanced lightly at the men, turned, and rode off.

"Let’s go! Giddyup!"

"This is so strange, in this hunting ground, how did so many wolves suddenly appear? Someone must be plotting against us?"

Qiao Zizhan calmed down gradually, suddenly speaking.

"I agree, someone must’ve set this up! Damn it, if I find out who did it, I’ll impeach them to death!"

Huang Hua, dragging his injured leg, grimaced and shouted angrily.

"The Third Prince would never do such a thing!"

Chang Yao glanced coldly at everyone behind him with unwavering eyes.

"Indeed the Third Prince wouldn’t, he’s arrogant, yes, makes you want to hit him just from seeing him, but at least he’s protective of his own."

Li Qingmu’s remark drew an angry glare from Chang Yao.

"I’ll recount every word you said today to the Third Prince!"

"Feel free!"

"Nor would it be the Crown Prince! The Crown Prince wouldn’t do something that would hurt his allies and comfort his enemies!"

Qiao Zizhan also denied firmly.

If it’s not the Third Prince, nor the Crown Prince, then... it must be..."

Among the remaining few, someone speculated but didn’t dare to say "Seventh Prince," as it was a taboo matter.

Li Qingmu lowered his gaze, eyes deep.

This situation was too bizarre, unlikely to be so simple.

Moreover, the most crucial aspect was the powder that attracted the wolf pack on the elk... how did it get there?

"Yue’er, how did you know the powder in the elk was for attracting wolf packs?"

"I’ve spent plenty of time with my master, can’t I make such a judgment? Besides, my master has this kind of medicine..."

Long Yue stopped abruptly in her speech.

She looked startled.