Chapter 143
Chapter 143: Crossing the River
Hearing Li Mu Sheng’s question, Hu Rui An carefully put away his map. A complicated expression shadowed his face as he shook his head, saying, “I won’t hide it from Your Highness. In past years, I had some bitter entanglements with Shen Liancheng, the villa master of Deer Slaying Manor. So, I’m somewhat worried about the journey ahead, since it passes by his territory.”
After this explanation, Hu Rui An fell silent, clearly unwilling to elaborate further.
Li Mu Sheng slightly raised an eyebrow, sensing from Hu Rui An’s expression that the past grievances must not be simple. Perhaps there was a hidden story behind them. However, Li Mu Sheng had no interest in digging into such matters and did not press further.
A short time later, Wu Shang returned hastily, his expression uneasy. He reported, “The bridge across the Giant Deer River ahead has somehow collapsed. All travelers have been stopped on the banks, unable to cross.”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An furrowed his brows, gazing thoughtfully ahead. “This is the only road to Sheng Province in the vicinity. If we choose another route, we’ll have to travel at least an extra one or two days.”
He turned to Wu Shang and asked, “Are you certain the bridge is completely destroyed, with no possibility at all for our carriage to cross?”
Wu Shang nodded gently and replied, “I checked personally. The wooden-stone bridge has entirely collapsed. The river is about a hundred zhang wide, and the water is swift and deep. Crossing it by carriage or horse seems impossible.”
Hu Rui An paused briefly, then turned toward Li Mu Sheng, obviously waiting for his decision.
At that very moment, a startled cry erupted from ahead, and someone shouted loudly, “Incredible lightness skill! That man just crossed the river all by himself!”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An, Cao Gao Shan, and the others exchanged intrigued glances.
“Almost forgot—we have another important mission this time. Carriages and horses aren’t crucial; we can easily abandon them,” Hu Rui An declared calmly, stroking his beard.
Millenary Commander Shang Wu, Cheng Zhong, and the others all nodded eagerly, excitedly adding, “Although our lightness skills aren’t the greatest, crossing a hundred-zhang river shouldn’t be an issue.”
Everyone turned simultaneously, looking expectantly at Li Mu Sheng.
Just as Hu Rui An was about to speak again, Li Mu Sheng casually waved his hand, remarking lightly, “It’s nothing much. Let’s continue forward.”
Hu Rui An nodded in approval, instructing Wu Shang, “Clear the path ahead. Let’s move closer to the riverbank first.”
Wu Shang responded immediately. Riding ahead, he shouted loudly, his martial Qi amplifying his voice, “Everyone, please clear the way!”
His thunderous voice startled the people nearby, leaving their ears buzzing. Instantly, both ordinary travelers and martial artists recognized Wu Shang’s profound martial abilities and quickly moved aside. Soon, a narrow path appeared, allowing the carriage to proceed.
Cao Gao Shan took this chance and guided the carriage after Wu Shang. The crowd whispered uneasily, wondering who these strangers were. Some guessed their identities, while others shook their heads, thinking the group would soon turn back when they realized the road was blocked.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Hu Rui An had already taken out a human-skin mask and was carefully applying it to his face, swiftly changing his appearance. Seeing Li Mu Sheng give him a sidelong glance, Hu Rui An calmly explained, “The boy Wu Shang made such a big scene. To avoid attracting unwanted attention from Deer Slaying Manor, it’s safer if I’m cautious.”
Murong Xiao Ya cast Hu Rui An a suspicious glance, slightly knitting her graceful brows, while Li Mu Sheng merely squinted and smiled, saying, “Whatever pleases Lord Hu.”
Under Wu Shang’s guidance, the carriage soon stopped at an open area near the riverbank. Several martial artists with blades and swords had gathered, pushing the ordinary travelers further back. Their attention was now fixed on a large stone pillar in the river, the remnant of the destroyed bridge. Standing atop it was a swordsman in blue, wearing a wide straw hat.
The man appeared to be about thirty. He stared intently at the rapid currents of the river before taking a deep breath, bending slightly in preparation for a jump. Surrounding martial artists whispered among themselves.
“Another man attempting the crossing! Earlier, aside from that elderly man from the Zhu family of Chong Province, two others were swept away by the river, never to be seen again.”
“But this one seems different. He’s from the Golden Eagle Manor. Their sword and lightness skills are famous in the martial world. He should have no problem.”
As they spoke, the blue-clad swordsman leaped gracefully into the air. After traveling several zhang, he used martial Qi to step lightly onto the rushing waters, bouncing swiftly forward, dancing upon the river’s surface like a dragonfly.
“The Golden Eagle Technique indeed is remarkable,” Hu Rui An observed from inside the carriage, now disguised, lifting the curtain slightly to watch. “The current here is fierce, yet he moves steadily. Clearly, his mastery of this skill is exceptional.”
Yet, just as the swordsman nearly reached the opposite shore, something unexpected occurred. From nowhere, a long black whip lashed out from the opposite bank, slicing through the air towards him.
Fortunately, the swordsman reacted swiftly. Using his impressive skill, he twisted and evaded the whip by a narrow margin, changing direction sharply upon the turbulent water.
A cold laugh echoed, and suddenly, a black-clothed man appeared on the opposite shore, speaking in a cold voice amplified by martial Qi, “All men under thirty who have not married are forbidden from crossing. Anyone who disobeys will suffer the consequences.”
As his voice faded, a line of armored guards holding iron bows stepped forward behind him, swiftly aiming arrows at the swordsman.
The next instant, arrows cut sharply through the air, shooting towards him. The swordsman’s face paled in horror. It was already difficult enough to use his skill on the turbulent river, but now he was under attack. He desperately twisted and dodged, quickly retreating along his original path.
When he finally reached the shore, he collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, his back pierced by two deep arrows, his clothes soaked red with blood.