Xia Chanyi smiled bitterly. This woman was too sharp. However, she did not answer Jiang Jin's question directly, but instead asked, "I wonder if I might have the honor of following by your side, My Lady?"
From the very first moment she saw Jiang Jin, she knew that this woman was the leader of the group.
Jiang Jin gave a faint, enigmatic smile. "Why?"
According to Xia Chanyi's own words, Luo Lan was a talented individual. At the very least, he could resist the Quzhao people in Lin County in the short term.
Since that was the case, after Luo Lan came out, Xia Chanyi should have stayed by his side to help manage Lin County and fight against the Quzhao people together.
Xia Chanyi considered her words carefully before saying, "Luo Lan does indeed possess the courage to fight the barbarians and is currently the most suitable leader for Lin County."
"However, this man is ruthless in his methods, especially after his relatives were all murdered by the Quzhao people. I cannot agree with many of his actions."
Seeing that Jiang Jin remained silent, Xia Chanyi continued, "Although the few of us have just met, I can tell that you do things with great order and are very formidable!"
"I cannot guess your identities, nor can I think of anyone else nowadays who possesses such capability. I..."
She lowered her head, looking at the blood still dripping from the blade in her hand, watching the drops of blood from her own arm fall to the ground.
A trace of sorrow and pity dyed her eyes. "My father's murder has been avenged, but I find that in this vast world, I do not know where I can go."
This was not only her sorrow, but the sorrow of all Han people in the world today. The world was vast, yet there was not a single place for them to settle.
Jiang Jin fell silent. After a long while, she finally said, "You can follow by my side. However, in my team, you must obey orders."
"If one day you wish to leave, you can tell me, and I will naturally allow you to go. But you must never betray me; that is my absolute bottom line."
Xia Chanyi looked up, a bright light flashing in her eyes, and solemnly promised, "I will never betray you. Thank you, My Lady."
Jiang Jin nodded. "Those of you who are injured, treat your wounds. We will set off in fifteen minutes."
Both Zhou Sui and Xia Chanyi carried healing medicine on them at all times.
Xia Chanyi chose a room to enter and treat her injuries. Fortunately, they were all external wounds, though she had lost quite a bit of blood along the way.
Zhou Sui did not shy away. He had only suffered a slash on his arm, which was not a major issue; sprinkling some styptic powder on it was enough.
Looking at Yun Chengxuan, who had already fallen into a deep sleep, Jiang Jin took a meat bun from her robes and waved it under his nose.
Yun Chengxuan suddenly opened his eyes. "Meat, hiss, meat..."
Jiang Jin laughed and handed him the meat bun. "You have to work after eating this, so you can't sleep anymore."
Yun Chengxuan took a big bite of the meat bun, his words slurring. "I know, I will definitely work hard later."
Fifteen minutes later, the group left the clinic. Jiang Jin rode her horse specifically toward the crowded and noisy areas.
She remembered that many of these so-called bandits had horses. It was the perfect opportunity to snatch a few for Zhou Sui and the others to use.
The others also understood her intentions and followed closely behind her.
Fortunately, they were all strong and robust martial artists. Even the injured Xia Chanyi did not fall too far behind, as Jiang Jin could not ride too fast on the chaotic streets anyway.
Along the way, whenever Jiang Jin saw anyone robbing—whether they were Quzhao people or Han—she killed them all. If they had horses, she killed them and took the horses.
Before long, they had grabbed enough horses for everyone to have one. The four of them headed straight for the prison.
Just as Xia Chanyi had said, there were only six guards stationed at the prison gates.
Seeing the four riders charging straight at them, the guards shouted, "Who goes there? Halt!"
The Tang sword in Jiang Jin's hand slashed downward, and a head flew into the air.
Zhou Sui and the others followed up and joined the fray. In just a few breaths, the six guards were dispatched.
Jiang Jin instructed in a low voice, "Be quick."
Zhou Sui and the other two nodded. They dismounted and quickly entered the prison.
Jiang Jin stood at the prison entrance. Fearing they might get surrounded, she stayed outside to keep watch.
About seven or eight minutes later, chaotic footsteps echoed from inside the prison, and soon the figures of Zhou Sui and the others appeared.
However, Yun Chengxuan was carrying a weak man on his back.
Xia Chanyi explained, her voice a bit timid, "This is Suo Qian. He used to be a military doctor. He wanted to come with us, so I brought him out. If you feel it's inappropriate, My Lady, we can just leave him here."
Suo Qian: "..." Eldest niece, that wasn't what you said just now.
He hurriedly spoke up for himself, "Um, this old man can help treat your illnesses."
Seeing Jiang Jin looking at him with suspicion, he somehow understood her meaning and coughed twice.
"I'm just hungry, my body is fine. I haven't had a proper meal in three days, which is why... which is why I'm so weak."
Jiang Jin no longer hesitated and mounted her horse. "Keep up."
Yun Chengxuan tossed Suo Qian onto a horse. Just as he was about to mount, he heard Zhou Sui say, "I'll take him. You ride the other horse."
In his eyes, Yun Chengxuan was just a child.
First, he was afraid the boy's riding skills weren't up to par and he might drop the man.
Second, he was worried Suo Qian might have bad intentions. Yun Chengxuan was pure-hearted and easily tricked, so it was safer to keep the man with him.
Yun Chengxuan did not know his complicated thoughts. Seeing that his aunt had already ridden a distance away, he hurriedly got on the other horse and followed Jiang Jin.
Not long after Jiang Jin and her group left, several men walked out of the prison.
"What do you think Eldest Miss Xia meant? She saved us and then left on her own?" a young man of about twenty asked, puzzled.
The tall man standing in the middle looked at the dark night sky with deep eyes. "She probably feels I'm not worthy."
The young man was even more confused. "Not worthy of what?"
Another pale-faced man also looked at the dark night. "I don't know who those two were, but their martial arts were highly skilled. Could they be the main family that Eldest Miss Xia has pledged allegiance to?"
A look of yearning appeared on the young man's face. "They are indeed experts. I wonder which faction they belong to?"
Saying this, he added indignantly, "That ungrateful wretch Suo Qian actually left with Eldest Miss Xia."
The tall man did not reply to them, but took large strides toward the county magistrate's office. "Let's go to the county office."
On the other side, in the dense forest, Xie Nanxiao was patrolling. From a distance, he saw a cluster of green dots rushing wildly in their direction. His heart skipped a beat, and he shouted, "A wolf pack is coming! Everyone, get ready!"
The group panicked for a moment, but Yao Ji quickly emerged from the carriage to direct them. "Able-bodied men, come get swords and guard the perimeter."
"Li Su and your son, calm the horses. Women and children, light fires immediately—as many as possible—and place them around the outer edge. Move quickly!"
