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Chapter Four
Xu Zhenxin was in high spirits and planned to ride a bit further before letting Moya down and taking Loli back to Liangzhou. He seemed to envision a bright future where he could achieve great merit and rise to prominence in one fell swoop.
With such thoughts, he couldn't help but glance at Loli, who was as light as a swallow, almost gliding on the horse's back, displaying riding skills even more exquisite than those of the Xu Zhen. Truly, she was worthy of being from a noble family!
The Xu Zhen caught up and rode alongside Loli, curiously asking, "Hey, girl, which Duke's child are you? How did Tuguhun Achai set his sights on you?"
Loli's lips moved as she prepared to give this clueless little Wuhou a stern reprimand. However, she suddenly remembered her mentor's teachings. Her expression turned cold as she huffed in annoyance, "What business is it of yours? You little Wuhou, you're barely a step above a Vile Slave. If you dare pry further, I'll have you charged with disrespect when we return to Chang'an!"
The Xu Zhen initially thought Loli would be easy to manipulate but was surprised by her cleverness. Feeling embarrassed yet unable to back down, she grabbed Loli's reins and pretended to be angry, saying, "Get down!"
Loli was slightly startled but did not back down. Instead, she held her head high and retorted with righteous indignation, "This horse is mine! What right do you have to make me get off? If you shout at me again, I'll have you exiled three thousand miles when we get back to Chang'an!"
Seeing that her intimidation tactics had failed, the Xu Zhen gritted her teeth in frustration and forcefully kicked off the ground, leaping onto Loli's horse behind her while leaving her own horse for Moya.
"What are you doing?" Loli's face flushed red. Although she was only eleven or twelve years old, the Tang Dynasty was open-minded, and both genders matured early. She understood the boundaries between men and women. The Xu Zhen's actions were undoubtedly those of a lecherous rogue. Moreover, no one had ever dared to get so close to her!
The Xu Zhen shrugged dismissively and turned back to Moya with an apologetic gesture, saying loudly, "Rock Master, circumstances forced me into this situation. I hope you won't hold it against me. I'm taking my leave now!"
Moya had expected the Xu Zhen would take him along back to Liangzhou as a hostage but was surprised when she let him go instead, thus repaying his mercy of not killing him.
While he was still astonished, the Xu Zhen tossed him a golden sachet. Moya caught it instinctively but felt an inexplicable emotion rising within him. By the time he came to his senses, the Xu Zhen had already taken Loli and galloped half a mile away, leaving Moya alone on his horse.
"What a pity..." Moya sighed lightly but wasn't sure what he felt sorry for. Just as he was about to turn back to find Caesar and the others, he heard the sound of thundering hooves. Looking back, he saw Murong Xiao's Riding Team approaching!
Moya had been forced into participating in this kidnapping case and regretted Xu Zhenzhi's fate. After a moment of contemplation and determination, he kicked his horse hard and chased after the Xu Zhen!
The Xu Zhen believed she had shaken off this group of villains and felt relaxed as she bickered with Loli while racing toward Liangzhou. Little did she know that Moya was hot on their heels!
"Is this old man still not giving up? Does he want to repay kindness with enmity?" The Xu Zhen's expression darkened as she felt regretful about letting the tiger return to the mountain only to be bitten by it again.
Moya quickly caught up, shouting loudly, "Young Master! There are pursuers behind!"
Xu Zhen had already gripped the large curved knife on Loli's horse but did not expect Moya was here to warn them. Any lingering dislike for the old man vanished from her heart as she scanned the surroundings.
They were nearing Liangzhou Pass, where the yellow earth was sparse and greenery was becoming denser. Hills and meadows appeared not far away, but she was unfamiliar with the terrain and couldn't find a hiding place at the moment.
At this critical moment, Moya took the lead, guiding Xu Zhen away from the path and onto the meadow, racing towards a small hill on the left. However, the open view allowed Murong Xiao and his group to easily lock onto Xu Zhen and her companions' whereabouts.
The steed under Xu Zhen was meant for pulling carts; it had enough endurance but lacked explosive power. Meanwhile, Murong Xiao's horses were warhorses that quickly caught up.
The Tang people prided themselves on being civilized and often spoke of Turkic foreigners as savage wolves. Although Xu Zhen did not agree with this view, seeing Loli's terrified expression made her lose her composure. Gritting her teeth, she made a difficult decision.
As the steed turned over the small hill, Xu Zhen finally spotted a patch of wild grass on the meadow. Fiercely, she warned Loli by her ear, "Girl, you're too heavy! Your uncle will eventually be dragged to death by you; you'd better fend for yourself!"
Upon hearing this from Xu Zhen, an endless rage surged within Loli. What kind of man was this? In times of danger, he was thinking only of his own escape—what a disgrace to the Tang people!
Without waiting for Loli to retort, Xu Zhen decisively tossed Loli into the bushes!
To her surprise, there was a small waterhole among the bushes. The waterhole was wide enough for two arms and covered with green duckweed. Xu Zhen deliberately slowed down the horse's speed; with the pool of water acting as a buffer, Loli was not injured. She suddenly got up to curse Xu Zhen but saw the latter placing a finger on her lips in a gesture for silence!
Loli instantly understood and submerged herself in the waterhole, using the half-person-high wild grass at the edge of the pool for cover, successfully hiding herself!
Watching Xu Zhen's retreating figure filled her heart with an indescribable bitterness. This despicable Wuhou truly evoked both hatred and respect!
Xu Zhen let out a bitter laugh and galloped away but then turned right. At that moment, Moya finally caught up and realized that Xu Zhen intended to draw Murong Xiao's cavalry away. A deep respect arose in his heart.
"Master, who are these people?" Xu Zhen asked loudly. Moya succinctly clarified Murong Xiao's identity and discussed strategies with her.
Moya and Caesar's kin were still in Murong Xiao's hands. The latter had changed his mind midway and intended to kill that Tang girl, clearly to silence her. Since it was about silencing witnesses, Moya knew he would also have to eliminate Moya and Caesar as well. He understood this well and thus spoke openly with Xu Zhen.
Xu Zhen was eager to know the true identity of Loli, but now was not the time. As Murong Xiao's cavalry was about to catch up, he quickly whispered something to Moya. Moya's expression changed slightly, but soon her face lit up with joy!
Murong Xiao urged his horse forward, and at this moment, he could clearly see the back of Xu Zhen. Skillfully, he unfastened the Longbow from his back, nocked an arrow, and aimed to shoot down Xu Zhen and Moya from their horses!
However, at that moment, a yellow powder mist suddenly enveloped Moya and Xu Zhen, briefly concealing their figures before dissipating into the air. The two of them pulled on the reins and surprisingly came to a halt!
An ominous premonition surged in Murong Xiao's heart. His right hand hesitated slightly on the bowstring as a strange fragrant wind wafted into his nostrils!
The knights of the Tuguhun following closely behind also felt their noses itch and sneezed repeatedly. Although they had wrapped scarves around their mouths and noses, it could not stop the encroachment of the powder mist, revealing its peculiar nature!
Moya and Xu Zhen stood side by side. Elder Tianzhu, an enigmatic Illusionist, possessed exceptional mental fortitude. Having performed in front of thousands in the real world, Xu Zhen remained calm after settling her mind, showing no signs of panic on her face, as if she could easily kill all thirty or forty of Murong Xiao's men with just a gesture!
Murong Xiao was intimidated by their powerful aura. He lowered his bow and drew a curved dagger, surrounding Xu Zhen and Moya with his group.
Moya trembled as he dismounted, nearly falling apart from the jarring ride. Meanwhile, Xu Zhen, holding the curved dagger, toyed with a strange yellow stone in her hand, feeling even more acutely the formidable aura of this master of Illusion.
“Moya, you should be aware of my methods. I’m giving you a chance to end it yourself; perhaps if I’m pleased, I might spare your people. You know how important this plan is!”
Murong Xiao looked extremely grim. He realized that Xu Zhen had somehow discarded that crucial girl—she was the key figure!
With a gentle smile, Moya countered, “Murong Commander, you are a smart man; otherwise, you would have killed us already instead of resorting to threats. Are you feeling itchy in your throat now? Dry mouth?”
Murong Xiao’s expression changed dramatically as he shouted angrily, “You old bastard! You actually dared to poison us!”
The others in the cavalry had long suspected that Moya had released poisonous smoke along the way. Hearing the exchange between Murong Xiao and Moya, they felt even more furious and terrified!
The poisons used by these people from the Western Regions were quite formidable, with methods that were both bizarre and unpredictable. Cloaked in thick mystery, they often caught people off guard; never did they expect that they would fall victim themselves!
“Good for you, old poisoner! I’ll kill this ugly woman first and see if you have an antidote!” The man with the Handlebar Mustache, having had enough of Caesar, brandished his curved dagger and charged toward her!
Caesar had already disarmed himself, confident in his own men, which is why he did not bind her hands and feet. At this moment, seeing Handlebar Mustache charging at him with great momentum, and realizing that their escape route was blocked by other knights, Caesar felt a chill in his heart!
Murong Xiao wore a sinister smile, watching Moya with extreme malice, clearly waiting for Moya to obediently hand over the antidote.
However, at that moment, Xu Zhen let out a cold laugh, lightly tossing a yellow stone into the air. She drew a curved dagger from the ground and swung it fiercely, the wide blade striking the yellow stone with a clang and sending it flying!
Murong Xiao's pupils suddenly constricted as he saw the stone inexplicably catch fire!
Handlebar Mustache, who was swinging his sword at Caesar, was struck by the burning stone and instantly ignited, engulfed in flames. He fell from his horse, screaming in agony, while his two lackeys hurriedly dismounted to help Handlebar Mustache extinguish the fire. However, they too were quickly consumed by the raging flames!
"Don't go over there to die!" Murong Xiao finally realized that the dust on them was not poison but gunpowder used by this old trickster to perform Illusion!
They had been chasing all this way; outside of Liangzhou, it was extremely dry with heavy winds and sand. Only upon reaching this vast meadow did they find some moisture. However, Moya's gunpowder mist had already clung to their clothes. Once they got close to Handlebar Mustache's source of fire, they would all be burned alive!
Moya remained expressionless, neither sad nor happy, and nodded towards Xu Zhen. The latter then took out a flint stone. Murong Xiao's face changed dramatically as he hurriedly reached for the bow and arrows on his back!
"Murong Commander, think carefully: how many of your thirty-odd men will survive before you shoot us?" Moya pulled out a leather pouch from under his robe and slightly opened its mouth. Murong Xiao seemed to smell a rich and intense fragrance wafting out once again!
This time, Murong Xiao was genuinely afraid!
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