Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

  He could already predict what would happen when he returned to the family. The second branch’s biggest worry was not being able to build a relationship with Li Qitian. With him being such a ready-made opportunity, would they just let it go?

  Although Lu Heng didn’t fear death, he also wasn’t willing to die such a stupid and cowardly death. If there was really a day he had to face death, he hoped that his death would be impactful. He wanted it to have meaning, not like this, where he was fooled and dragged back by these two for offering to Li Qitian, who would then hand him off to the Tatars like tribute.

  However, all he could do in the current situation was pretend to obediently follow these two and look for an opportunity to escape down the road. There just wasn’t another plan he could think of.

  Fortunately, Lu Heng was rather familiar with the two’s temperaments. Making them relax their guard wouldn’t be too difficult.

  The two didn’t know what to do when they saw their second master just sitting there with his eyes closed, continuing to ignore them.

  “Let’s create some more distance from the camp,” suggested Feiying. “I’ll carry him this time.”

  Feilian raised a brow. “Piggybacking him again? It’s not like the second master’s a child.”

  Feiying internally mocked Feilian’s stupidity. Even if Lu Heng was stronger, would he use his true speed in a situation like this? Could they just let him slowly plod on and delay the whole journey? It was better to save themselves the trouble and take turns carrying him. When they arrived at Great Zhou, they could just hire a carriage, tie him up, and have their work just end there.

  Feiying was elated at these plans and stooped down, forcing Lu Heng to get up. His colleague helped thrust Lu Heng on Feiying’s back so they could continue on their journey.

  But the moment the two relaxed, a gust of wind suddenly whisked past them.

  Feiying turned his head to see a silhouette flicker past. By the time he realized what happened, the weight on his back had disappeared.

  “Ah!” Feiying said angrily, “What are you doing!”

  When he clearly saw who had come, Feiying’s expression turned quite ugly. The one who’d come wasn’t a stranger, but Cao Yuqing.

  In Feiying and Feilian’s impression, Cao Yuqing was just an old mama wholeheartedly devoted to serving Qin Yining.

  Who would’ve thought that this seemingly delicate woman would be so powerful and easily pilfer their captive during their short break? It was no wonder that she dared to go out alone to find Qin Yining; with her skills, there was no need to worry.

  Next, the sound of hooves sounded from the nearby forest, quickly bringing Qin Yining, Uncle Alham, the three from Azure Justice, and two Minuo tribesmen into view. They spurred their horses onward, slowing to a trot as they approached.

  This time, Feilian and Feiying were truly shocked. Who would’ve fathomed that Qin Yining would actually bring people and pursue them?

  “How’d you know I was here?” When Lu Heng saw Qin Yining, his dejected face broke out in a resolute grin.

  Qin Yining blinked rapidly and didn’t mention the tracking bug that Liao Zhibing placed on him. “One of my people saw some shadows leave. Your tent was empty, so we decided to give chase. Are you alright, Second Master Lu?”

  “I’m fine.” Lu Heng shook his head with a smile. His smile was obviously forced, so Qin Yining didn’t take it seriously. She also didn’t probe further, choosing instead to face Feiying and Feilian.

  Cao Yuqing and Liao Zhibing flanked her on both sides, staring vigilantly at Feiying and Feilian.

  The two bodyguards were in no mood to appreciate Qin Yining’s beauty as they watched her approach. There was an icy light in her eyes, like that of a wild animal’s. All they could think of was how they could safely escape.

  Qin Yining stopped not far in front of them and looked down on them. “On whose orders have you come here on? Is it your second or third elder master? Or did you come yourselves, hoping to capture the second master for a reward?”

  Hearing that, Lu Heng trembled with anger. Feiying and Feilian’s faces were also very unsightly.

  “Don’t talk like you’re some righteous saint, what reward?” Feilian retorted. “We work for the emperor. Do you think we care about some reward when the emperor will bestow a fortune of glory and riches? If it wasn’t for my lord helping you when you were with the Tatars, would you be standing here in pristine condition? What are you strutting around for?”

  Chapter 521.1: Silencing

  Qin Yining chuckled merrily from anger at hearing his pompous self-righteousness.

  “Your lord? So now you’re some loyal servant devoted to protecting your master? You disregarded his wishes and hauled him out here, all trussed up. You’re about to use him to trade for your own future! How do you still have the nerve to say such a thing?

  “Listen to you being all right and proper, working for the emperor. Do you think us all for fools? You’re doing all this for your own selfish interest yet, you still have the cheek to flatter yourselves like that!” Qin Yining slowly paced in front of the two, fixing her stare on them.

  “If we talk about shamelessness, no one would dare say they’re first if you guys claim to be second. I have a whole new level of respect for you two! Well done, well done!”

  Her words made Feiying and Feilian flush with anger. They didn’t expect such a soft and delicate looking woman to spit words sharp enough to run a person through, nailing them into a bloody mess.

  Feilian was the easily irritated sort and started to curse. “As a woman, you should know your place in the home instead of stirring up trouble outside! You have been surrounded by the Tatar troops, if you don’t find a way out, you’ll just be left in these foreign lands forever!

  “Being from Great Zhou, you should think of a way to return to Great Zhou! I advise you to let us bring Second Master Lu back. Perhaps then, on behalf of your merit, the second elder master may put in a few good words and let you safely return to Great Zhou! After all, you’re just a woman. The emperor won’t really care to make life difficult for a woman.”

  Although Feilian’s words were very unpleasant, his reasoning was quite clear.

  And while the two Minuo tribesmen who’d come with Uncle Alham didn’t understand what they were saying, the elder did!

  Their current situation was just as Feiying said. Stealing the provisions had enraged the Utkin Khan, and the large number of wagons they carried painted continuous targets on their backs. Soldiers would keep coming after them. They couldn’t even escape because they were ultimately still of the Tatar people at the end of the day, followers of the Tatar way of life.

  However, Qin Yining and Lu Heng weren’t! In fact, they really could leave at any time!

  But during this most challenging period, neither of them shrank back. They both decided to throw their lot in with the Minuo tribesmen.

  The realization quite moved Uncle Alham, and his face flushed with emotion.

  Qin Yining didn’t notice Uncle Alham’s mental journey. She just felt that the way these two could still be so convinced of their morality after betraying their former master was truly too disgusting. “Seize them.”

  Feiying and Feilian hastily retreated backwards, but even so, Feilian didn’t forget to throw down a threat.

  “Qin, I advise you to reconsider and think about your family at home! If you let us go, we really can say a few words in your favor! Don’t tell me that because you’re running with the Minuo now, you plan on never returning to Great Zhou for the rest of your life!”

  Qin Yining fixed her stare on them. She didn’t feel like exchanging more words and just kept silent, her face calm.

  This time, Cao Yuqing put the full extent of her martial arts on display as she effortlessly knocked them on the ground before taking a rope from Zhao Promise, pinning their arms behind their backs and tightly wrapping them up.

  Lu Heng looked at Cao Yuqing in astonishment. The two ha
d both been his bodyguards, yet they were subdued in just a few moves. Moreover, it’d been done as easily as grabbing two chicks. Seeing this, Lu Heng couldn’t help but doubt the capabilities of his former bodyguards.

  Liao Zhibing looked at the anguished expression on Lu Heng’s face before looking back at the two on the floor. “What do we do next? How do we deal with these two?”

  Qin Yining looked back at Lu Heng. But when she saw his dark expression and scrunched brows, clearly stuck in a dilemma, she sighed.

  Lu Heng pursed his lips. “Just let them go.”

  The two had clearly just betrayed him, yet despite that, he was still magnanimous and showed leniency. This really gave Qin Yining pause. Am I being too ruthless?

  Uncle Alham didn’t agree with Lu Heng’s decision. “If we let them go and they tell the soldiers, our location will be revealed. What do we do then?”

  Liao Zhibing and the Zhao brothers also nodded.

  Feiying and Feilian panicked this time. They started to struggle fiercely, appearing almost like two wiggling worms as they managed to arduously stand up, only to topple back over.

  “Alright, so the benevolent Second Master Lu wants to spare you two.” Cao Yuqing waved her hand with a sneer. “However, you two just can’t tell good from bad, not only betraying your old master, but even throwing away your dignity now. Really, I just can’t see why people like you deserve to live.”

  Feiying and Feilian’s faces whitened as they started to beg Lu Heng. “Second Master! Please recall how us brothers have sold our lives for you and always brave life and death on your wishes. On behalf of our previous accomplishments, please forgive us, just this once!”

  Seeing how miserable they looked, Lu Heng couldn’t help but hesitate. What might’ve happened to my old subordinates after a new patriarch took power?

  Unlike trees and plants, humans had their own feelings and thoughts. Furthermore, he’d never been a ruthless sort.

  Chapter 521.2: Silencing

  When Liao Zhibing saw that Lu Heng was growing soft hearted again, he hastily took a step forward.

  “You guys said it yourselves that you sold your lives to him. Since it’s selling, that’s a transaction. Even if you died, Second Master Lu would’ve provided financial support to your family and silver in exchange for your lives. So that transaction ended a long time ago.

  “However, not only have you failed to accomplish anything for the second master, you selfishly decided to betray your former master. You traded your master to better your prospects. Yet despite all this, you shamelessly use your relationship to plea for leniency. What an eye-opener it is, seeing men like you!” Liao Zhibing’s mocking truly hit where it hurt, turning the two further shades of red and purple.

  Lu Heng grew increasingly hesitant. Logically, he knew that he shouldn’t let them leave. However, emotionally, he couldn’t bear to watch those who used to be his men be killed.

  The rest of the group could see Lu Heng’s dilemma, and all felt a little helpless.

  Cao Yuqing laughed and decided to speak, her soft, pleasant voice ringing crisply through the air. “But if we let such scum go, wouldn’t the heavens themselves punish us?”

  “Mercy, please mercy! We know our wrongs! Second Master!” Seeing that they were about to lose their lives, Feiying and Feilian kowtowed repeatedly at Lu Heng. Their hands were bound, leaving only their legs free from restraint. Because of their anxiety, blood seeped from their foreheads just after a few kowtows. The two looked quite tragic and pitiful under the moonlit night.

  In the end, he just couldn’t forget how long they’d served by his side. Even raising a cat or a dog would inspire affection, not to mention a real, live human.

  In this moment, emotion defeated logic in Lu Heng’s mind. “Just leave.”

  Right now, all he could feel was despair. His family already decided to sacrifice him, and his formerly trusted subordinates had betrayed him as well. His future seemed lost and nebulous; he didn’t even know whether to persist on in life or not.

  Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared speak after seeing the determined, resolute expression set on Lu Heng’s face.

  Feiying and Feilian’s faces lit up as they hopped toward the forest, not even bothering to deal with the restraints on their arms first.

  “Let’s go back.” Lu Heng then turned back and walked to where the horses were bound.

  Qin Yining watched Lu Heng’s back and shook her head with resignation before catching up with Uncle Alham and the others.

  Cao Yuqing raised a brow and shared a glance with Liao Zhibing, who nodded in reply. The pair quietly took a few steps back before using their swiftness skills, speeding through the forest like lightning.

  The two returned just a few moments later and mounted their horses, following behind the group as if nothing had happened. Qin Yining shared a horse with Cao Yuqing, giving Lu Heng the horse she’d travelled here on.

  Everyone but the dazed Lu Heng knew what Liao Zhibing and Cao Yuqing had just done, especially Qin Yining. Her senses had always been sharp and although the two both put their swiftness skills to full use when they left, she could still sense that something was amiss.

  Qin Yining didn’t think much about what happened to Feiying and Feilian. There wasn’t really much to ponder over—in any case, there was no way Cao Yuqing and Liao Zhibing would’ve allowed any possibility of exposing their whereabouts.

  Everyone made swift time back to camp, worried that something might’ve happened in their absence. But when they drew close to the site, they noticed hoof markings in the snow. They were organized and appeared similar to tracks left by a scouting party.

  The group returned to camp and made straight for Harbhara and Caganbhara’s tent.

  The brothers didn’t dare to sleep deeply, getting up immediately when they heard the footsteps and sighing with relief when they saw Qin Yining’s group had returned.

  “How is the situation outside?”

  “It’s not looking good,” sighed Qin Yining. “We found the footprints of a scout on the way back. We’d better leave this place soon.”

  The group’s expressions turned grave, and even Harbhara and Caganbhara tensed up with nervousness.

  “Then I’ll go tell the tribe to start packing.”

  “Alright.” Harbhara led a group to wake up the people and prepare them for departure, while Qi Yining discussed their next plan of action with Uncle Alham.

  Cao Yuqing glanced at Lu Heng and saw that even at this critical juncture, he was still thinking about what happened earlier. Displeased by his weakness, she couldn’t help but frown. She approached him and asked lowly “Don’t tell me that Second Master Lu is still thinking about those two traitors.”

  Lu Heng jumped from the sudden address and jerked his head up. When he met Cao Yuqing’s gaze, his lips moved, but he didn’t speak.

  “You know that I’ve already killed the two, right?” Cao Yuqing snorted.

  Lu Heng’s face instantly twisted. “So you actually did kill them.” He didn’t sound surprised—clearly, he’d already known.

  “I’ve always known Second Master Lu to be an esteemed figure, successful at a young age and talents being second to none. But seeing you dither now, I see you also have moments of soft-hearted foolery. You should know that if they’d left and exposed our whereabouts, the entire tribe would’ve been destroyed because of your hesitation! We are in the most critical of periods right now. Will you have time to regret when the Tatars catch up to us? Have a think about it.” Cao Yuqing strode away with that parting shot.

  Lu Heng just stood there, dazed from the rebuke. Only after a long while did he heave a large sigh and adjust his mood before catching up with Qin Yining and the rest.

  Chapter 522.1: Blockade

  Qin Yining and her companions wrapped up discussions of their planned route within forty-five minutes. By then, the tribesmen were also ready to go.

  As they knew that their pursuers had already
locked onto their position, everyone was exceedingly quiet and orderly as they followed the crowd and advanced west into the wind and snow.

  As expected, a troop of almost a thousand soldiers quickly reached the spot where the Minuo had camped. The cavalry hauled back on their reins and bade their horses circle around the campground. Jumping off his horse, the leading general squatted down to inspect a spot where a campfire had burned shortly before. It was now covered with a thin layer of snow.

  “What a bunch of devious scum!” He smashed a furious fist into the ground.

  They’d been only a step too late. If they’d arrived just a little earlier, would these elite soldiers have failed to retrieve the provisions? Their opponents would’ve surely fallen in close combat!

  With how furious the khan was and how anxiously their superiors were pressing for results, if they couldn’t retrieve the supplies, none of them would have an easy time of it once the khan lost his temper!

  “General, what should we do now? This snowstorm is really bad timing. Now that the tribe’s had some time for the snow to cover up their tracks, it won’t be easy if we want to continue the chase.”

  “We have to even if it isn’t easy! I don’t believe that their plodding wagons can outpace our galloping horses! Everyone, look sharp! We must complete this task perfectly, or nobody will like the consequences!”

  That single statement made everybody’s blood run cold. Even if the khan were an eminently wise and reasonable person, they would truly be useless if they couldn’t complete a single one of the tasks assigned. Even worse, what they’d lost this time were army provisions crucial for war.

  The troops carefully inspected the tracks left behind on the snowy ground, trying to close the distance between them and the Minuo. At the same time, Qin Yining and her companions had also received the news brought back by the scouts.

  “Did you say that there’s already a troop of almost a thousand calvary on our tail?” Lu Heng asked gravely in the Tartar language.