Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Come Out, Stop Hidingl i
Translator: 549690339
As Mu Changtian’s voice fell, the bailiffs dispatched to escort them took out the keys to the prison carriage and opened its doors, releasing the people from Duke Mu Residence.
Since they were escorting the household of Duke Mu Residence, the bailiffs weren’t very strict; generally, when they arrived at a resting place, they would open the carriage doors and let them out for a rest.
At this time, one bailiff entered the inn and said to the innkeeper, “Shopkeeper, we will be staying here tonight. How many rooms does your inn have?”
The shopkeeper said with a smile, “Officer, the inn is already fully booked. You’d better look elsewhere.”
Upon hearing this, the bailiff said dissatisfied, “What do you mean, fully booked?”
“What kind of joke is this? There’s no village ahead or shop behind; how can you have so many guests?”
The innkeeper replied, “It’s precisely because there is no village ahead or shop behind that people passing this road have no choice but to stay at our inn.”
Hearing this, the bailiff had no choice but to say, “Alright then, do you have any spacious open ground here where we can rest our feet tonight?”
The shopkeeper replied, “Our inn’s backyard is quite spacious. Perhaps the officer would like to squeeze in there for the night?”
As the bailiff was about to say something, the innkeeper quickly continued, “If the officer decides to rest at our inn, all the food and drinks will be free tonight. What do you think?”
Hearing this, the bailiff immediately said, “Well then, find someone to help feed our horses.”
The shopkeeper immediately responded, “Very well, I will arrange for someone to feed the horses right away.”
The bailiff then turned and left the inn, approaching Mu Changtian, and said with slight apology, “Duke Mu, 1 am truly sorry, the inn is fully booked, and it seems you will have to endure resting in the open air tonight.”
Mu Changtian indifferently replied, “No matter, go on with your tasks.”
The bailiff immediately said, “Alright then, I’ll have the shopkeeper send you some food later.”
As the bailiff walked away, Mu Jingwu and Mu Xingping, the two brothers, gathered around.
Mu Xingping said, “Father, why hasn’t there been any action against us after two days? Could it be that His Majesty has decided to let us go?”
Hearing this, Mu Changtian chuckled before replying, “What’s the rush? Haven’t they come already?”
Hearing this, Mu Xingping was startled, and then nervously looked around. “Where? Where are they? 1 don’t see them.”
Mu Changtian looked at the inn before him and said, “They are inside waiting for us.”
Upon hearing this, both Mu Jingwu and Mu Xingping’s eyes turned toward the inn, just in time to see a few people peeking out from halfway opened windows on the upper floor.
Noticing that the Mu family members had spotted them, those people immediately closed the windows.
Seeing this scene, both Mu Jingwu and Mu Xingping were startled.
They had thought the Emperor had already decided to spare them, but it turned out that it was just not time yet, and probably, those people would make their move tonight.
Mu Jingwu then asked, “Father, what should we do now?”
Mu Changtian replied, “We’ll talk about it tonight. I’m curious to see who will actually come.”
Mu Changtian knew in his heart that the Emperor would definitely send a Grandmaster-level expert this time, but who it might be was uncertain.
There were many experts he could think of, and many with whom he had conflicts.
Soon, the sun in the sky gradually began to set.
Mu Changtian and his company were on full alert.
Just then, the sound of a whistle rang out in the courtyard.
With the sound of the whistle, a group of people dressed in black and wearing masks appeared in the courtyard.
Seeing this scene, the officials tasked with escorting to the Duke Mu Residence instantly understood what was happening and hurriedly got up to flee.
The masked assailants did not stop the officials from escaping, after all, their target was not the officials in the first place.
The men in black drew their bows and aimed in unison at the people of the Duke Mu Residence.
The men of the Duke Mu Residence immediately stood out, surrounding the children and shielding them inside, while the women of the Duke Mu Residence were trembling with fear, not daring to move.
At that moment, the crowd of masked assailants gradually dispersed, and a man walked out from among them, taking off his mask to reveal a face with a scar from a knife.
Upon seeing the man’s real face, Mu Changtian sneered, “1 considered every possible person who might come to deliver me, but you— you I had not considered at all!”
At these words, the man with the scarred face laughed too and said, “Teacher, how could His Majesty bear to hand over the newly formed Dragon Guard to me to command if it wasn’t for my coming to personally deliver you?”
The scarred man was named Chen Pengyi, who had been brought up and promoted by Mu Changtian himself; Mu Changtian was also his benefactor.
On normal days, Chen Pengyi, out of gratitude to his mentor, treated the Duke Mu Residence very well.
Even a year ago, when the Duke Mu Residence was implicated due to the Zhou family’s rebellion, it was he who personally pleaded with the Sum Emperor. In the end, the Sum Emperor used the Writ of Protection Against Execution to offset the charges and did not act against the Duke Mu Residence.
However, what Mu Changtian had not expected was that this very person was now after his life.
Mu Changtian sighed and said, “Truly, the human heart is inscrutable. It seems that when you pleaded with His Majesty back then, it was all to coerce the Mu Family into surrendering the Writ of Protection Against Execution, wasn’t it a task given to you by the Emperor?”
Chen Pengyi coolly said, “Teacher, now that things have come to this point, there’s no use talking about those matters.”
“Why not speak about any unfulfilled wishes you might have? Perhaps I, as your student, can fulfill them on your behalf.”
Hearing this, Mu Changtian laughed loudly, “Hahaha, Chen Pengyi, oh Chen Pengyi, today, 1 have been abandoned by Lu Xingqiu, yet did you never wonder if one day you too would be discarded by Lu Xingqiu! When that time comes, 1 fear your end will be even more miserable than mine!”
Chen Pengyi, with an uncaring expression, retorted, “You needn’t worry about me, Teacher. I definitely will not follow in your footsteps.”
“Well then, since the teacher has no more words left to say, please have a good journey!”
With that, Chen Pengyi waved his hand, giving a cold command, “Fire the arrows!”
However, just at that moment, countless arrows suddenly shot down from the rooftop of the inn, and Chen Pengyi’s men had not even time to react before they were struck.
At this sight, Chen Pengyi’s expression darkened in an instant, “Who dares interfere with His Majesty’s affairs!”
No sooner had Chen Pengyi finished speaking than a group of people dressed in red clothes leaped down from above; these individuals were all of fifth rank realm.
Seeing these people, Mu Changtian was slightly taken aback.
He had guessed that the Mysterious Prince who had given them the Great Returning Pill might send someone to rescue them, but he did not expect the prince to send people who were all above fifth rank martial artists.
It seemed that the prince took their Duke Mu Residence quite seriously.
At this time, Chen Pengyi said coldly, “Since you dare to meddle in His
Majesty’s affairs, you should be prepared to die.”
Then, Chen Pengyi shouted loudly, “Come out, stop hiding!”
As soon as Chen Pengyi’s words fell, two Grandmasters and several martial artists appeared behind him.
Seeing these individuals, Mu Changtian spoke with a smile, “His Majesty really values me highly.. To kill a cripple like me, he has actually sent three Grandmasters!”