303 Trapped
"After we discovered this location, the ones pulling the strings grew desperate. They had Li Zhoucheng deliberately lure us here and then arrange for assassins to kill Elder Song."
"As for the explosion on the mountain, Li Zhoucheng must have arranged it. His intention was that if the assassins failed, they could use the Shi Tou to bury us all underneath."
"He was utterly determined not to let us leave the mountain alive. I just don't know what went wrong in the interim for the explosion to detonate prematurely."
Zhao Zhitong nodded. Indeed, she had seen the black-clothed assassins engaged in a fierce battle with the yamen clerks when she came out. Detonating the Shi Tou on the mountain at this time was truly inopportune.
Zhao Zhitong's brow furrowed with worry. "As you said, Li Zhoucheng and the people behind him are bent on seeing us all dead here, especially Elder Song, as he poses the greatest threat to them."
"I fear that dangers lurk everywhere outside. Who knows how Elder Song and the others are faring."
Zhao Zhitong had just finished worrying about those outside when their own situation began to look dire.
The ground suddenly trembled violently, and immediately, fragments of Shi Tou and dust began to fall from the ceiling...
"The cave is collapsing!"
They both exclaimed almost simultaneously.
"We need to get out of here, quickly!"
Qiao Muchen grabbed Zhao Zhitong's hand and pulled her towards the hidden door. As they passed the entrance, he also deftly snatched up a torch.
One after the other, they raced inside.
Just as they ran in, a deafening RUMBLE echoed from behind them.
The cave had completely caved in!
Fortunately, the space within the cave's hidden passage remained safe for the moment.
They both looked back at the completely collapsed cave, their faces etched with worry; it would be even more difficult to clear the entrance now.
Qiao Muchen held the torch aloft, observing their surroundings.
This concealed passage wasn't very large. Inside, there was some equipment for minting copper coins, but nothing else.
Zhao Zhitong found a spot to sit and gestured to Qiao Muchen. "Qiao Muchen, come and sit. Conserve your energy. The way out is completely sealed now."
"It will likely take a long time for those outside to dig through the cave and rescue us. Let's hope we don't starve to death before they find us."
Qiao Muchen nodded. "You're right."
He stuck the torch into a crevice in the wall, then walked over and sat down beside Zhao Zhitong. "Then let's just sit and chat while we wait for them to rescue us."
"Mm."
Zhao Zhitong hummed in acknowledgment, then fell silent.
Qiao Muchen glanced at Zhao Zhitong, then at the cave, and also had nothing to say.
The two of them sat in silence.
The cave was incredibly quiet, filled only with the sound of their even breathing. Suddenly, Zhao Zhitong recalled her conversation with Ding Xiang from the previous night.
She subconsciously glanced back at Qiao Muchen and saw his perfect side profile. His skin was fair and smooth, the lines of his profile well-defined and strikingly attractive. He had a high-bridged nose, and his long eyelashes fluttered in the flickering torchlight.
No wonder the students at the academy called him "Qiao the Beauty." He certainly had the looks for it. Though Qiao Muchen himself strongly objected to this nickname.
As she was lost in thought, Qiao Muchen suddenly turned his head. Their eyes met for an instant. Zhao Zhitong, momentarily awkward, quickly looked away.
Her heart couldn't help but race.
Qiao Muchen asked, "Tongtong, what's wrong? Why is your face so red? Is it too stuffy in here? Are you feeling unwell?"
As he spoke, he reached out to touch Zhao Zhitong's forehead. "You're burning up, Tongtong. Are you ill?"
Qiao Muchen's hand was cool. As it rested on her forehead, she froze for a moment. Their faces were very close.
They had been this close before, so why did it feel so strange this time?
In the end, she could only blame it all on their conversation the previous night. Ding Xiang's words must have been too sentimental, causing her to overthink things.
"Tongtong, are you not feeling well?"
Qiao Muchen's concerned voice sounded beside her ear. Zhao Zhitong shook her head. "No, it's probably just a bit stuffy."
Qiao Muchen nodded. "It is rather stuffy. Why don't you get some sleep? I'll keep watch. You should rest for a while."
To avoid any more stray thoughts, Zhao Zhitong decided to sleep. She nodded, leaned against the stone wall, and closed her eyes.
「Meanwhile.」
The situation outside was no less grim.
Just as Zhao Zhitong had surmised, Li Zhoucheng and those behind him intended to use this opportunity to kill Song Renying, and naturally, they would not let him off easily.
Under the protection of Magistrate Han and his men, Song Renying had managed to evade the falling Shi Tou from the mountain. The group took refuge in a nearby patch of forest.
The Shi Tou hadn't managed to bury Song Renying.
However, many of the black-clothed assailants were still alive. Consequently, Song Renying and his group had barely hidden in the forest for long before they were attacked by the black-clothed men again.
The yamen clerks hurriedly engaged the enemy, while Magistrate Han escorted Song Renying in an attempt to flee.
However, the yamen clerks were too few in number. They didn't hold out for long before being completely wiped out by the black-clothed men, who then immediately turned their blades on Song Renying.
At this perilous moment, several stones suddenly flew through the air. One struck the blade aimed at Song Renying, sending it clattering to the ground with a clang. Another directly hit the head of the black-clothed assailant wielding the weapon, killing him on the spot.
Song Renying was momentarily stunned. Fixing his gaze, he saw a young martial artist in green robes leap down from a tree. The young man landed lightly. Without even unsheathing his sword, he dispatched the remaining black-clothed men in a few swift moves and even managed to capture one alive.
The newcomer was none other than Zhao Zhitong's brother—Zhao Yu.
Zhao Yu moved with great agility. With quick eyes and deft hands, he instantly dislocated the jaw of one black-clothed man, preventing him from committing suicide.
Seeing all the black-clothed men dealt with, Magistrate Han let out a sigh of relief.
Just then, a detachment of yamen officers rushed over. Reaching Song Renying, they knelt and begged for pardon.
"Your Excellency, your subordinates were derelict in their duty and arrived late. We implore Your Excellency to forgive our transgression."
Song Renying waved his hand, absolving them of their fault. He then turned to Zhao Yu with a smile. "I must also thank this young hero for the rescue. Might I inquire as to the young hero's name?"
Zhao Yu's expression was tinged with anxiety, but he politely clasped his hands. "Your Excellency is too kind. This humble one is Zhao Yu."
Afterward, he asked, "Your Excellency, are you Elder Song, Minister Song Renying?"
Song Renying nodded.
Zhao Yu then asked, "I heard from my aunt that my younger sister is assisting Elder Song with a case. May I ask her current whereabouts?"
Song Renying inquired, "The young lady you speak of... is she Miss Zhao of the Zhao Family?"
Zhao Yu nodded, his voice laced with excitement. "Indeed! Where is my sister now? Is she in any danger?"
Song Renying replied, his face etched with remorse, "It is this old man's failing for not preparing thoroughly. Miss Zhao and Young Master Qiao are currently trapped in the cave."
"What!"
Zhao Yu's eyes instantly widened, his face a mask of anxiety. "Forgive me, Your Excellency, this humble one was overcome with worry."
As he spoke, Zhao Yu's eyes turned bloodshot. The mere thought of his younger sister having met with misfortune made his composure crumble. He clasped his hands again. "Your Excellency, forgive this humble one for not being able to linger. I must take my leave now."
With that, he employed his lightness skill and sped towards the cave.