Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

Qin Yining decided to let the three stay and prepared a tent for them. However, she didn’t tell them anything about their route or future plans.

  On the other side, Lu Heng treated his two bodyguards very warmly. He led them to Uncle Alham’s bonfire and even introduced the two to the Minuo tribespeople gathered there.

  Since the start of their Tartar escapade, Qin Yining had rarely seen Lu Heng as happy as he looked now. As she watched his projection of genuine emotions, she ultimately decided not to remind him to be careful.

  Lu Heng was an intelligent man and had more experience than her in the vicissitudes of business. He wouldn’t need her to remind him to be on guard.

  That night, Qin Yining still shared a tent with Cao Yuqing. Meanwhile, Feiying and Feilian stayed with Lu Heng.

  The next day, they continued on their journey.

  Although Qin Yining didn’t care much about the new additions to their group, Lu Heng was visibly happier. However, as time passed, their group gradually started to run into the troops pursuing them.

  The large number of wagons they had were encumbrances that they couldn’t bear to throw away. Thus, everybody could only grit their teeth and clash head-on with Siqin’s soldiers.

  It was fortuitous that the three from Azure Justice and Lu Heng’s two bodyguards had found them. They were all incredibly strong, each capable of taking on ten people. This made their circumstances much better than if it was just the Minuo bearing the brunt of it all.

  However, the pursuing troops were in contact with each other. When one squadron found them and engaged them in battle, it was impossible to ensure that absolutely no one got away. Thus, their situation grew more and more reactive. It was becoming common that not even two days would pass after their last battle before running into another group of soldiers.

  After being tormented like this for ten days, they were all physically and emotionally exhausted.

  After temporarily losing the soldiers, everyone hurried to set up basic tents to catch up on some sleep. However, heither Qin Yining or Cao Yuqing were sleepy. Their nerves were stretched taut with constant worries of pursuers catching up.

  Qin Yining closed her eyes and let herself rest for a while until she suddenly heard a voice outside the tent. “Alliance Head.”

  Qin Yining abruptly opened her eyes, and asked in a hushed voice, “Who is it?”

  “Alliance Head, it’s me, Liao Zhibing.” Liao Zhibing lowered his voice, “I have something to report.”

  Qin Yining locked eyes with Cao Yuqing, only answering after receiving a nod. “Please come in.”

  Liao Zhibing murmured a few words of courtesy before pushing open the tent flap and stooping by the tent entrance, perfectly abiding by etiquette. “Alliance Head, I’ve just discovered Second Master Lu has run away.”

  “Run away?” Qin Yining was greatly startled. “How do you know? Did you see him?”

  The three from Azure Justice were all in tents close to her’s, which was located in the female side of camp. In comparison, Lu Heng and his two guards were with Harbhara and Caganbhara, at the other end of the group.

  There were eight hundred tribesmen in the group, in addition to all the supplies they were transporting. That made for a great distance between the two ends of the camp. If Liao Zhibing personally saw Lu Heng run away, he would’ve had to travel all the way to the other side. Why would he be sneaking around instead of sleeping in the middle of the night?

  When Liao Zhibing saw the suspicion on Qin Yining’s face, he quietly cut straight to the truth.

  “I lived in the Miao territories for a few years and learned some of their venom techniques. Those techniques are focused on raising poisonous creatures like centipedes, snakes, or scorpions. When we just arrived, I didn’t really trust Lu Heng and left a tracking bug on him. Just now, I felt him leaving.”

  Chapter 519.1: Fleeing?

  Though Qin Yining had heard of the venom techniques from the Miao territories, she had yet to see them actually in practice. Hearing Liao Zhibing mention it now took her aback. "You can detect his movements?"

  "Yes. The response to the tracking bug isn’t as obvious if he’s within close proximity, but he got too far away, so I’m able to sense him."

  Deep down, Qin Yining trusted Lu Heng. Having been through thick and thin together, she’d long since gained a clear understanding of his character. He was a comrade worthy of complete trust.

  "Perhaps he still has matters to attend to?" Qin Yining couldn't help rationalizing Lu Heng's actions.

  "Alliance Head, I can sense he is headed southeast," Liao Zhibing replied, "and he’s moving very fast."

  The technique was even capable of sensing the cardinal direction of his movements? No wonder it was called a tracking bug!

  Qin Yining fell into deep contemplation of these ramifications.

  Cao Yuqing ventured, "Southeast, isn't that where the border of Great Zhou is located? Can it be that hanging between life and death by a thread because of pursuit has gotten him so anxious that Second Master Lu decided to return to Great Zhou alone?"

  "If he were simply returning to Great Zhou, then there would be nothing to worry about. I'm only worried he'll rat us out," Liao Zhibing growled. "If he reveals our location to the pursuing soldiers and diverts their attention away from him that way, he'd be able to return to Great Zhou more easily. If so, we will truly be in danger."

  Qin Yining's brows scrunched together even more tightly at that.

  "I still can’t believe Second Master Lu would betray us. However, his sudden departure really is suspicious." She looked at Liao Zhibing. "Can this tracking bug you speak of sense his location? What’s the extent of its range?"

  "The closer he is, the more accurately the mother bug will be able to detect its child," Liao Zhibing replied. "After a certain distance, we’ll only be able to know his general direction. As for the range," he smiled confidently, "he could travel through half of Great Zhou and there still won't be a problem."

  Qin Yining marveled, "This is indeed an impressive technique." She contemplated for a moment before continuing, "How about this—let’s refrain from making this public for now and take the Zhao brothers with us. Let’s pay a visit to their tent and see what the situation is there. Once we confirm he has indeed disappeared, then we pursue him."

  Liao Zhibing nodded. "That’s a good idea as well."

  Qin Yining quickly got dressed, putting on a thickly padded cotton jacket and a cotton hat, then covered half of her face in a scarf. She walked to the other side of the camp with Cao Yuqing and the three Azure Justice members, a casual air about them as they made their way to Lu Heng's tent.

  Just as they reached his tent and were about to lift the entrance flap, someone poked their head out of a neighboring tent.

  "What brings you here?" Uncle Alham inquired.

  Everyone was highly vigilant due to pursuit constantly nipping at their heels. Uncle Alham was staying in the same tent as the brothers Harbhara and Caganbhara, the three of them taking turns to keep watch at night. He’d just woken up from a nap when he heard the sound of footsteps, prompting a quick check.

  Qin Yining put a finger against her lips in a shushing motion. Though people were talking outside Lu Heng's tent, there was no response from inside. It seemed he was indeed absent.

  She pushed the flap aside in one smooth motion to see the tent completely empty. Not only was Lu Heng not there, but his guards Feilian and Feiying were also gone. Most importantly, their bags were also missing!

  "So he really has run away," Liao Zhibing muttered quietly.

  Now fully dressed, Uncle Alham crossed his arms as he came over to peek inside the tent. His expression changed instantly. "Where is he? Where is the chief?"

  Qin Yining furrowed her brows. "Did you hear any movement next door?"

  "No. I took a nap just now, but I've been on the alert. I could even hear snoring, but no commotion from his tent."

  That proved Lu Heng hadn’t gotten into a scuf
fle when he left; otherwise, those in the tent beside him would've heard something.

  "He must have snuck out while everyone was resting," Liao Zhibing surmised. "The soldiers have been hot on our heels these past few days, so perhaps Second Master Lu wished to return to Great Zhou more."

  Qin Yining shook her head.

  "I don't believe he would do such a thing," she refuted in a serious tone. "Please don’t say so, Mister Liao, before we have concrete proof that he ran away. We don’t need to impact the tribe negatively. Furthermore, though our situation is indeed bleak, we can’t blame the second master for wanting to return to his home if that were truly the case. He’s free to choose whether he stays or leaves."

  Liao Zhibing's lips twitched. In the end, he didn't continue arguing with Qin Yining, merely asking, "Then what do we do now? According to the alliance head, he's free to leave, so we needn’t concern ourselves with him anymore."

  Qin Yining shot Liao Zhibing a severe, commanding look of disapproval. Only after he lowered his head did she continue, "No matter the reason for his departure, we should go after him and clarify things with him. Even if he wishes to return, it’s not like him to leave without saying farewell. We must make certain of his safety."

  "Her Highness has a point," Uncle Alham agreed. "The entire tribe sees Her Highness and Second Master Lu as our chiefs. Your wish is our command, Highness."

  Chapter 519.2: Fleeing?

  The sincerely passionate look in Uncle Alham's eyes moved Qin Yining greatly.

  "Uncle Alham, I mean that we shouldn't alarm the tribe yet. My comrade here can sense Second Master Lu's general direction, so let’s go and check on him first. As for the camp, how about we leave the brothers in charge here while you come with us?"

  Qin Yining took a few things into consideration: if she didn't bring someone from the Minuo tribe, one misstep would have the others suspecting her of running away as well. There would be nothing to gain from such an outcome. She had spent so much time with the tribe that she’d come to greatly respect their sincerity and passion. She would never leave without saying goodbye. Since she had no such intentions, she naturally had to prevent others from misunderstanding her.

  Uncle Alham didn't consider quite as much, merely saying, "Then let me take a couple of brothers who don't have loose lips. We'll say we're going scouting and quietly leave on horseback while Harbhara and his brother stay to manage the camp. We just have to come back as soon as possible."

  "Uncle Alham is correct. Let us do as you say, then." Qin Yining smiled and nodded in assent.

  Uncle Alham made his arrangements and found two more tribesmen to accompany them, then joined Qin Yining and the others, setting off on horseback in the direction that Liao Zhibing pointed out.

  ……

  When Lu Heng blearily blinked awake, he found himself wrapped up like a large bundle and slung over someone's shoulder. The bony part of said person's shoulder pressed painfully against his stomach, especially when they were running; the angle at which his head was hanging almost made him vomit.

  "You..." Lu Heng coughed twice and sobered up instantly. "Feilian, Feying! Where are you taking me?"

  "You’re awake, Second Master." Feilian—the one carrying him—huffed and puffed as he ran, his heavy breaths spewing from his mouth in white clouds.

  Feiying had already carried Lu Heng for some distance, so he’d regained some of his strength. "Don't panic, Second Master," he replied. "We're only bringing you home. What good will it do for you to stay with those savages? Life is far better being a young master at home!"

  Lu Heng shook his heavy head, forcing himself to stay alert. "You drugged with my water?" he hissed in rebuke.

  "Don't be angry, Second Master, we're doing this for your own good. Look at how you've been living these past few days, eating raw meat and drinking blood like a refuge. At home, you can live in comfort with good food and drinks, and servants at your beck and call when you go out. You won’t be hunted down like this! We're doing this with your best interests at heart."

  Lu Heng gnashed his teeth. Despite his foggy head, he instantly deduced his current plight and where these two were really from.

  "You now follow my second uncle?"

  Feiying and Feilian's expressions froze for a good moment before Feiying finally replied, "Don't say that, Second Master. No matter who we follow, aren't we all a part of the Lu family? Be it you or the second elder master, everything we do is for the sake of the family."

  "As if you really are acting in the family's interests." Lu Heng's chest tightened from his ill mood and he nearly coughed up blood out of anger.

  He trusted them so much and had viewed them as his own brothers over the past few days. He’d been in awe of their sense of loyalty and support, seeing as they’d gone through such great lengths to track him down under such grueling circumstances—but they were only doing so to take him to his second uncle!

  Indeed, his second uncle was now the master of the Lu clan. As outsiders who were loyal followers of the eldest branch, Feilian and Feiying had to show proof of their devotion if they were to continue surviving in the Lu family. Otherwise, what reason did the new patriarch have to believe they wouldn't betray him?

  By handing Lu Heng over to his second uncle, his uncle could make him the scapegoat for all of the crimes that put the Lus at a disadvantage. With him taking the fall, his second uncle could then secure his position as patriarch with legitimate reasons. He could even curry favor with His Majesty and become part of the emperor's personal faction.

  What a thoroughly thought-out scheme!

  He’d been foolish to let his emotions affect his judgment, leading him to trust the wrong people!

  He greatly regretted his inclinations; why had he ever given them his trust so easily?

  And now, he had been spirited away without a trace. Not wanting to alarm the tribe, the two traveled entirely on foot without taking even a horse.

  If Qin Yining and the rest of the tribe thought he’d run away to save his own hide out of fear, what would he do then?

  Lu Heng had never been a coward only interested in saving his own neck! Not only had Feiying and Feilian turned against their own master for their own good, but they trampled over his reputation and trustworthiness in the process!

  Hanging upside down in a furious and panicked fit had him seeing stars and breathing with great difficulty. As he pounded hard against Feilian's shoulder blades, Feiying noticed something off with Lu Heng's expression.

  "Hurry, put the second master down and let him catch his breath. We can’t let him suffocate to death." he urged hastily. "There will be no talking our way out if that happens."

  "Alright!" Feilian stopped amidst a small patch of trees, propping Lu Heng with his back against a tree as if he were a sack of rice. He swiped at his sweaty brow and put his hands on his hips while he panted, "I'm beat!"

  Chapter 520: Catching Up

  All the running had also made Feiying short of breath. He lowered his head and glanced at Lu Heng, parked under a tree with closed eyes and trying to catch his breath.

  “Second Master, are you alright?”

  Lu Heng’s eyes didn’t open and his brows were tightly knit together. Lips colorless from overexertion, his chest heaved violently as he struggled to calm his breathing. His frustration and anger were as clear as day.

  Feilian and Feiying shared a glance, apology flashing through their eyes. However, their determination far exceeded any of the hesitations they bore.

  Since they already decided to pledge their allegiance to the second elder master, they had to prove their sincerity. How else would they be able to win his trust? Although this wasn’t quite fair to Lu Heng and they didn’t know what would happen after they returned to the second elder master, everyone was out for themselves in the end. There wasn’t room for them to think so much.

  The two sat down on either side of Lu Heng to take a quick break. Feiying gulped down some water and wiped his mouth befo
re speaking.

  “Second Master, don’t be angry. At this point, it’s not like being angry will do anything. Besides, you have to return home sooner or later, right? We won’t make things difficult for you. As long as you do as we say and don’t make trouble along the way, everything will be fine when we can get home safely.”

  “That’s right, Second Master, you don’t have to panic. Although the patriarch is now the second elder master, maybe he won’t do anything to you. After all, you’re an official son and a famous one of the Lu family. Even if the emperor wants to seize you for killing the khan, I believe that as family, the second elder master won’t hand you over. Really, there’s nothing to worry about at all.”

  Lu Heng’s eyes were still shut tight, but the knuckles on his clenched fist whitened. “You guys can shut up now.”

  “Hey!” Feiying laughed boisterously: “Can it be that the second master doesn’t want to hear the truth? But that’s right—it’s only natural that you, the grand and lofty second master, the one most spoiled by the old lord and heir to the patriarch position, wouldn’t want to hear the truth like this.”

  “But that’s just how it is right now. If the worst case happens, you’ll be a prisoner when you return. What can you throw a tantrum about then? In prison, you’ll be in stocks and chains and token up daily by whips and buckets of cold water. What’s right and what’s wrong won’t matter then.”

  “Feilian!” Feiying reprimanded Feilian for his increasingly outrageous words. “We’re just here to bring the second master back. A nobody like you can’t afford to meddle in any other matters. You can’t be rude to the second master!”

  Feilian snorted softly in response, but after further thought, he decided not to continue speaking. If they upset the second master to the point of illness, that’d just be making trouble for themselves. They would be the ones to take care of him on the long journey ahead.

  Originally on the cusp of flying into a rage, Lu Heng slowly calmed down when enough time passed. After recollecting himself, he began to analyze the situation.