readsfreenovel Chapter 116: Just a Little Bit of Hardship
Chapter 116: Just a Little Bit of Hardship
Upon hearing this, Li Xunhuan's eyes lit up instantly. If that were possible, that would be wonderful.
However, he still had some hesitation in his heart. The main question was whether the person in front of him was trustworthy. What if the people from the Eastern Depot changed their minds after he suddenly left? Then Zhou Huai'an and his group would surely perish here!
Seeing the conflicted look on Li Xunhuan's face, indicating he still had some concerns, Shan Tianxie directly administered a drastic measure.
"Of course, if Li Tanhua doesn't trust me, I'll lead the Eastern Depot men and retreat first to show my sincerity!"
After saying this, Shan Tianxie turned and walked towards the Eastern Depot members.
"Now Li Tanhua can leave with his men! I will release Qiu Moyan then."
.......
Sure enough, the people from the Eastern Depot began to retreat in no time, and in the blink of an eye, they were all gone, leaving only Zhou Huai'an and his men. They even thoughtfully left behind a few fine horses.
Li Xunhuan watched the Eastern Depot members gradually disappear into the distance across the desert, along with their horses, and remained silent for a moment.
He was also somewhat unsure of what Shan Tianxie was trying to do, but he found the young man quite interesting.
If it weren't for the circumstances, he might have become friends with him.
"Xunhuan, what exactly did that person say to you? Why did the Eastern Depot just leave like that?"
As Zhou Huai'an watched the Eastern Depot's men inexplicably retreat, his curiosity was practically overflowing.
What exactly did Li Xunhuan say to him? Could he have secretly sold him out?
After all, the Eastern Depot had previously framed Lord Yang for treason in order to obtain the military tally, and then used Lord Yang's bloodline to force him to show himself.
Even Cao Shaoqin, the powerful Junior Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, traveled a long way to this Dragon Gate Inn. How could he give up so easily?
Besides, what good stuff could the Valley of Bliss possibly have? Would they really just release a dignified instructor of 800,000 Imperial Guards like that?
"They didn't talk much. According to him, he only came for the safety of his subordinates. If that's true, then he's quite loyal and righteous!"
"Do those people in Bliss Valley also have feelings and loyalty?"
Zhou Huai'an said with a disdainful look, he didn't believe Li Xunhuan's words at all.
Li Xunhuan sensed the doubt in his words, sighed softly to himself, but did not offer any further explanation. A lone figure on a cold river, old friends in the martial world—he had a clear conscience.
However, Tie Chuanjia, who was standing to the side, secretly retorted to Zhou Huai'an, and said loudly,
"I'm a rough guy, Zhou Daxia, don't worry about why they're retreating. Our most important thing right now is to get you out of the pass. What's the point of all this rambling?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Huai'an felt a surge of shame and anger. How dare you, a mere coachman, instruct me, the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, on how to conduct myself? Now that Xun Huan has left officialdom, his subordinates have become increasingly ignorant and irresponsible.
Just as he was about to say something, Duan Tianya interrupted him.
"What this brother says is quite right. Whatever tricks the Eastern Depot may have up its sleeve, at least it has indeed withdrawn. Commander Zhou, we should probably leave the pass first. I wonder where you put that thing?"
Gui Haiyi and Duan Tianya, who were standing to the side, nodded in agreement. Tie Chuanjia's words, though rough, were not without merit.
Otherwise, if the stalemate continues, even if Little Li Flying Dagger's martial arts are superb and he can lead everyone to break through the encirclement, it will be disastrous.
However, if even one or two escaped, Cao Zhengchun would surely stir up trouble before the Emperor, accusing the Dragon Guard Manor of being accomplices in a conspiracy.
That would be extremely bad news for the Dragon Guard Manor.
"I've hidden the military tally in a very secluded place. How about I hand it over to the Divine Marquis in person when I meet him?"
As Zhou Huai'an said this, his mind immediately became active. If he left it to Duan Tianya and the others, he would have no chance to be the number one secret agent of the Yellow Division. Of course, he would do this kind of credit himself!
Duan Tianya saw that Zhou Huai'an was not one to act without seeing any benefit, so he wisely refrained from asking any further questions, as long as it didn't fall into the hands of the Eastern Depot.
At the same time, he secretly gave Guihai Yidao a look that said, "Don't panic." Guihai Yidao understood immediately and subtly loosened his grip on the knife.
Although he was usually cold and ruthless, seeing what Qiu Moyan had just done, he couldn't help but want to chop Zhou Huai'an in half with one stroke. But it was just a military tally; even if he killed Zhou Huai'an, the Eastern Depot still wouldn't be able to get it!
Then everyone helped Zhou Huai'an up. Duan Tianya was quite familiar with the barbed arrow and used a special technique to remove it. He then applied some wound medicine. With a good rest, Zhou Huai'an would be fully recovered.
After settling the two children in the carriage, the group mounted their horses and headed towards Longmen Pass.
Along the way, Zhou Huai'an exchanged pleasantries with Duan Tianya and the others. Aside from avoiding the topic of the military seal's location, Zhou Huai'an...
The others, however, chatted happily with Duan Tianya and the others!
"I never expected that it was Bai Wuxia, Lord Yang's sworn brother, who betrayed him?"
Zhou Huai'an was shocked. This was the first time he had heard this news. Bai Wuxia was known as the most virtuous man in the world. He never expected that he would betray Lord Yang!
"Indeed, the Divine Marquis also feels deeply sorry for what happened to Lord Yang. It's just that the eunuch Cao was too insidious, and the hypocrite Bai Wuxia helped fabricate evidence, which deceived the Emperor! Therefore, he ordered the execution of Lord Yang's entire family."
Duan Tianya paused slightly here, offering a brief compliment to Zhou Huai'an.
"Fortunately, Commander Zhou's chivalrous spirit prevented the military tally from falling into Cao Zhengchun's hands!"
"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it!"
Zhou Huai'an shook his head, looking humble, but he couldn't hide the arrogance on his face.
"However, what does my life matter if it's for Lord Yang's sake!"
At this point, Zhou Huai'an paused, then asked meaningfully, "I heard that the position of the number one secret agent of the Yellow Division of the Dragon Guard Manor is still vacant. I wonder if I have any chance?"
"The Divine Marquis most admires those who are loyal to the emperor, patriotic, and righteous, so he should have a chance."
Duan Tianya gave a vague and ambiguous response.
Zhou Huai'an didn't quite understand Duan Tianya's implied meaning at this moment, but he felt that Duan Tianya had a good chance.
First, he traveled thousands of miles to save the orphan of his former leader, and was seriously injured in the process. Later, even his childhood sweetheart was about to be insulted to his face, but he remained unmoved!
If this behavior isn't considered chivalrous and righteous, then who is more qualified than me to be the number one secret agent in the Yellow rank!
Seeing that the three of them were all smiling and chatting happily, but each had their own ulterior motives, Li Xunhuan felt inexplicably weary.
He opened the wine gourd at his waist, took two big gulps, and decided that the officialdom was too complicated. After seeing Zhou Huai'an off to Longmen Pass, he would take his leave first.
"Young master, please drink less. It's not good for your health to drink too much..."
Upon seeing this, Tie Chuanjia quickly spoke up to remind him.
"It doesn't matter."
A hint of warmth flashed in Li Xunhuan's eyes as he looked at Tie Chuanjia. Then he glanced at his former friend, who was now busy befriending Duan Tianya and paving the way for his future.
He simply shook his head and smiled, saying it was nothing more than a few hardships.