Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 700

Chapter 700: Encirclement

Hearing this, Pei Que understood everything.

Wangcai was just a minor character; the real mastermind behind it all was the Governor of Jizhou.

In comparison, Chi Jiayun’s actions weren’t as excessive. After all, Chi Jiayun’s gambling dens were based on willingness, while the Governor of Jizhou was committing murder and arson.

Pei Que’s brows twitched. He finally understood where Xu Wenyong got so much money.

“Master Pei, I’ve said everything. Can you let me leave now?” Wangcai looked at Pei Que hesitantly, pleading.

Pei Que raised an eyebrow slightly. “It’s possible. However, the poison I just fed you requires an antidote every three days; it won’t be cured with just one dose.”

Wangcai was dumbfounded. He had never experienced anything like this before, but the stomach pain he had just felt prevented him from disobeying.

“Master Pei, please be magnanimous and spare me.”

Pei Que said he could, “But it’ll take some time. You’ll have to appease Xiao Mingye these next few days. If Xiao Mingye discovers anything amiss, you and he will both die. Once the Governor of Jizhou orders you to leave the Sihai Inn, I’ll have someone give you the antidote.”

Wangcai didn’t quite believe Pei Que’s words; after all, Pei Que seemed like a bad person.

But Pei Que saw through his thoughts. “Whether you believe me now or not, you have no choice but to believe me. Otherwise, you can try what it feels like to die from rotting intestines in three days.”

With that, Pei Que got up and walked out.

The waiter followed closely behind. “Sir, are you still leaving the day after tomorrow?”

Pei Que shook his head. “According to Wangcai, there are strongholds all over Jizhou. The longer I delay, the greater the risk will be. We’ll set off tomorrow. You keep an eye on Wangcai and Xiao Mingye, be prepared to evacuate at any time, and it’s best not to alert them.”

After instructing the waiter, Pei Que went upstairs to his bedroom.

An Zhi was sleeping soundly on the bed. As he lay down, An Zhi turned and hugged him.

Pei Que embraced An Zhi contentedly.

The next morning, Pei Que left with his men.

When Xiao Mingye got up to look for them, Pei Que and his men were nowhere to be found. Wangcai, threatened by Pei Que, had coaxed Xiao Mingye into believing that Pei Que and his men were afraid and had fled overnight.

Hearing that Pei Que was afraid of him, Xiao Mingye felt quite pleased but also a little regretful; after all, the two young ladies traveling with him were truly wonderful.

However, Xiao Mingye was unaware that the person he released was Pei Que, whom he intended to ambush. If he knew the truth, he would be furious.

After leaving the Sihai Inn, the road north became difficult to traverse, so they decided to bypass Jizhou City.

The mountain path was rugged. An Zhi was fine, but Yue’er had diarrhea.

For two days in a row, An Zhi noticed Yue’er still had diarrhea, so she had to ask Pei Que to stop.

But when they were almost at the next hidden stakeout, they found a group of soldiers surrounding the area, seemingly arresting someone.

Pei Que and his group could only hide in the woods, sending Shuo Feng to gather information.

An Zhi held Yue’er, who had just fallen asleep after being given medicine. “We can’t stay in the wild. The adults are fine, but if Yue’er doesn’t rest properly, her body won’t be able to take it.”

Pei Que looked worriedly at Yue’er’s pale face, his brows furrowed. “Wait a little longer, until Shuo Feng returns with his scouts.”

Ahead were soldiers, behind were rugged mountain paths; no matter which way they went, there was no good place to stay.

An Zhi held Yue’er, hoping Shuo Feng would return quickly.

After taking her medicine, Yue’er slept for two hours before waking up. She was generally healthy, but being young, she couldn’t withstand prolonged exposure to the elements and was prone to acclimatization problems.

Seeing Yue’er awake, An Zhi fed her some plain porridge.

“Mother, you’re crying.”

An Zhi shook her head and said softly, “Mother isn’t crying; my eyes just hurt. Be good, Yue’er, finish your porridge, and you’ll feel better.”

Yue’er nodded obediently; her once chubby face was now much thinner.

While An Zhi was feeding Yue’er porridge, Shuo Feng returned.

As expected, the soldiers ahead were there to surround Pei Que.