Chapter 593: Chapter 593: Haunted at Night!

Shui Zhihan stared blankly in the direction where Zhan Lan’s carriage departed.

The attendant behind her asked, “Miss, will you be visiting the Commandery Princess’ house today?”

The attendant referred to the daughter of the King of Yuzhou, Commandery Princess Liu Qinyin.

“No!” Shui Zhihan said coldly, “Just let her know.”

“Where does Miss want to go now?”

“Back to the sect!”

“Yes, Miss.”

After returning to the sect, Shui Zhihan immediately summoned the senior brothers who used to practice martial arts with her.

In the sparring sessions, the senior brothers noticed Shui Zhihan’s unusually fierce strikes today. If they hadn’t dodged swiftly, they would likely be injured. Moreover, they couldn’t risk harming the Miss; they had to be cautious while pretending to give it their all and ensuring she wouldn’t get hurt.

Disappointed, Shui Zhihan looked at them, tightened her grip on the sword, and said coldly, “Is this how you usually humor me!”

She finally understood what Zhan Lan meant. Because she was the daughter of the Sect Master of the world’s number one sect and had countless experts around her, these people only humored her to protect her pride. Yet, how many of them gave it their all in battle with her? She had never experienced the carnage of battlefields, nor faced life-and-death crises!

These words echoed in her mind as she looked at the embarrassed expressions on her senior brothers’ faces, her gaze filled with defiance, “Today I met a very formidable woman. She defeated me with just a tree branch. This is the result of your daily humoring!”

The senior brothers exchanged glances; they all knew the Miss had fainting spells, and should anything happen to her, they wouldn’t be able to continue in the sect.

Shui Zhihan said in a deep voice, “From today on, fight with a do-or-die spirit. If you don’t give it your all and end up dead by my sword, I won’t be held responsible. If I die by your hands, it will be the same!”

“Junior sister, you mustn’t!” someone voice stopped her.

“Then why aren’t you giving your all! I made a three-year pact with her. In these three years, I want to do only one thing, to become stronger. If you don’t want me to lose to her again, train earnestly with me.”

The senior brothers saw Shui Zhihan’s determination and all nodded, “Yes!”

Shui Zhihan tightened her grip on the sword hilt and faced their attacks. This time, she indeed lost within a few rounds.

Her eyes lit up, “Yes, just like that, fight me seriously!”

She had to train hard day and night; no matter what, she wouldn’t lose to Zhan Lan again.

…

Meanwhile, Zhan Lan and Mu Yan followed Jin Tianjing’s carriage to leave Yuzhou.

“Lan’er, Jin Tianjing’s carriage seems to be heading towards Shuiyu City,” Mu Yan lifted the curtain and looked out the window.

“Good, it’s a city of Dayu.”

Mu Yan watched Zhan Lan’s long lashes tremble lightly, eyes flashing with excitement. He quietly gazed at Zhan Lan; no one in this world treated him as well as Lan’er.

Concerning his matters, Lan’er seemed more attentive than he did. It seems he should start paying attention to things he previously neglected.

The carriage traveled for two hours, and by the time it got dark, they finally arrived in Shuiyu City.

The three carriages maintained a certain distance.

Upon reaching the city gate, the guards stopped Jin Tianjing’s carriage from a distance.

Jin Tianjing was from Eastern Wei, and to enter the city of Dayu, he needed a transit permit.

“Where is your transit permit?” demanded the guard with an air of authority.

Jin Tianjing’s attendant took out the transit permit from inside his robes.

The guard glanced at the attendant’s permit by torchlight and smiled, “Your master’s permit expires in a day. Sorry, you can’t enter!”

Jin Tianjing lifted the curtain and said, “The time isn’t up yet. I’m entering the city to take care of some matters and will leave soon.”

“Not allowed, you might not come out once you’re in. Where would we find you then!”

Jin Tianjing immediately realized the guard was deliberately causing trouble, his eyes cold. He gestured to his attendant, handing over a money pouch.

The attendant, used to traveling far and wide with his master, knew the drill. Guards wouldn’t accept bribes in the day but would extort money for drinks at night.

Their permit indeed was about to expire, and a partner would bring a new one in a few days. His master’s intentions were clear: bribe the guards with silver.

The attendant walked over and discreetly slipped the money pouch to the lead guard.

Hidden in his sleeve, the guard tested the weight of the pouch with satisfaction and nodded.

“Go on in!” he said, dropping his arrogant tone.

Jin Tianjing’s coachman was about to whip the horses into motion when the guard suddenly grabbed the reins, “You can enter, but you must be out by dawn tomorrow!”

Jin Tianjing frowned; dawn was only a few hours away, and this guy was clearly trying to exploit him twice!

The attendant was at a loss, unsure what to do, looking to Jin Tianjing for direction.

Jin Tianjing raised a hand, indicating not to bother with him, and made to leave.

If this guard indeed wanted silver, he would definitely stop them. At that point, just a bit of money to settle would’ve avoided a third extortion.

The guard watched as the attendant made to leave and immediately shouted, “Stop, you’re from Eastern Wei, aren’t you? Previously, Eastern Wei soldiers pretended to be merchants to harass citizens. You’re not here for that, are you!”

In this harsh winter, the guards had to keep watch at the gate and couldn’t sleep at midnight. If they didn’t scare them to extort money, how’d they afford wine and women!

Jin Tianjing ignored him, as the attendant prepared to board the carriage, a person suddenly grabbed the attendant’s collar, sneering, “You might not know, but Dayu and Eastern Wei negotiated, and you lost! Hahaha…”

Jin Tianjing clenched his hands. This guard was overly impertinent; his petty face was evident.

He came to the city because an old friend was sick, and he intended to treat them. But with the guard purposely making things difficult, he feared being thrown out as soon as he entered.

As he pondered a solution.

Bang! The guard’s head was suddenly struck hard, and he cried out, his vision darkening as he staggered and fell.

The attendant took the chance to break free and moved to Jin Tianjing’s side.

Jin Tianjing lifted his gaze to see a man retracting his powerful fist.

The remaining guards, one of them whispered, “Quickly, notify the County Magistrate!”

Soon afterward, another man extended his leg, tripping the messenger.

The Silver-faced Fox glanced at Mu Yan and Zhan Lan in the carriage, remarking, “Truly, little ghosts don’t come out during the day, but at night the spirits stir!”

The lead guard struggled up from the ground, eyes wide with fury, and shouted, “Rebellion, rebellion, no, enemy attack! Enemy attack!”

The Vermilion Bird flexed his fist and stomped on the lead guard’s head, “You people are utterly shameful for Dayu!”