Chapter 234
Book 21 Chapter 5 - Held Back In Reserve
Xiang Shaolong could no longer worry about exposing his ident.i.ty and hurried towards the north gate.
If his guess was not off, the reason why those kids would call him a "bandit" was that they had seen his wanted poster somewhere and recognised his face.
Now that he was known as a public enemy in Wei and if those kids that had seen him went home and told their parents. The alarm would be raised in the whole of Daliang in no time at all.
So if he missed the opportunity to escape now, he wouldn’t be able to do so at some later time even if he had grown wings.
At this junction, he no longer had the time to blame his own negligence. Fortunately, dark clouds started to form and cover the sun. As the gate grew in sight, snowflakes were dancing in the sky, providing him with a little cover.
When he reached a position where he could clearly observe the gate, he hid behind a big tree by the roadside, waiting for an opportunity to break out of the city.
The gate was staffed by around thirty guards who inspected both people and carts going in and out of the city in a routine manner and did not seem to be particularly cautious or strict.
Xiang Shaolong was relieved and looked for an opportunity. If he managed to chance upon the sort of mule team that he entered the city in with, he would easily get away.
Despite waiting for nearly an hour, there were no carts traveling out of the city, even traders were scarce. During this freezing cold season, it was certainly not suitable to go on a journey and the absence of travellers was to be expected.
Around this time, the sound of hurried hooves could be heard and a large group of over 100 Wei cavalry came galloping at full speed towards the gate and swiftly dismounted. They seem to be preparing themselves to face a fierce and imminent enemy.
In the midst of the wind and snow, Xiang Shaolong faintly heard someone mentioning his name.
His heart sank.
The scenario that he hoped to avoid most had just happened.
The Weis knew he was in the city before he could get away.
The snow was getting heavier and heavier.
After he bought some small tools from a blacksmith shop, Xiang Shaolong snuck back into the warehouse and hid himself. He inserted a small but extremely sharp saw plus two fine iron rods into his hollowed-out soles and glued back the bottom layer. Unless his soles were stripped off, otherwise no one would expect anything unusual. At this moment, he did not know exactly how these would be put into use, so they were just preventive measures.
After some time, Qiu Lin came back again.
Xiang Shaolong remained in hiding, hardening his heart to ignore her call.
After Qiu Lin left disappointedly, he waited patiently till dusk before leaving the warehouse and returning to snow-filled streets.
The Wei troops were constantly patrolling the streets, check points were again setup at road junctions to question pa.s.serbys.
Xiang Shaolong knew that the Weis had embarked on a rigorous and thorough search, so he used the rope hook to mount over house by house. Only with great difficulty did he reach the Wei imperial district.
Thinking of the fact that the locust tree is still around but the people are no more, he can't help but felt dejected.
He wondered if Lady Ping Yuan is well and safe when he was suddenly startled out of his reminiscing by the sound of galloping horses.
Xiang Shaolong quickly steadied his mood, and under the cover of darkness, moved toward the living area of the ministers in the palace.
Because all the residents here were rich and respectable, no soldiers come to patrol and search.
Xiang Shaolong, using his the special task force skills, ran in a zigzag manner, suddenly stopping and running, alternating between slow and fast.
At last, he stopped in front of a magnificent mansion house.
This inscription above the door read 'Lord Long Yang's Residence'.
After letting out a deep sigh, Xiang Shaolong followed the wall towards the direction of the building.
Arriving at the inner courtyard, he slipped on top of the wall. Only after confirming that there were no guard dogs on the prowl did he land on the ground.
He was in no hurry to find Lord Longyang. After inspecting the surroundings, he selected a large tree and shot out his grappling hook, pulling himself on top of the building.
Only after stabilizing his footing did he place Bloodwave, his dagger, and his other tools in a branched crook of the tree.
Returning to the ground, he snuck past several buildings at a go before arriving at the garden at the innermost residence.
Due to the blizzard, everyone in the residence had secreted themselves inside the building, making it extremely convenient for him to move about.
Pa.s.sing by the garden, he trod upon a stone path, crossed a stone bridge, and arrived in front of a tall building.
Seeing that the building was three stories high and was located directly in the middle of the inner courtyard, he knew that he had arrived at Lord Longyang’s residence.
By now, night had fallen. But lamplight shone out from the windows of the three-storied building, and an indistinct voice could be faintly heard as well.
Xiang Shaolong stealthily stepped on top of one of the windows and quietly looked inside the building.
Inside was a large hall. Two servant boys were seated at either side of the doorway, yawning widely.
Seeing this, he knew that Lord Longyang had yet to return. That was why those two poor boys had to force their eyelids open as they tiredly awaited their master’s return.
Lord Longyang naturally must have heard the news that Xiang Shaolong had arrived in Daliang. Perhaps at this very moment, he was in the palace discussing this matter with He Liangping.
Xiang Shaolong thought quietly for a period of time, then firmly made up his mind. Climbing back outside, he climbed to the highest level of the residence, then pushed the window open and entered the room. He had entered what he believed to be the private bedroom of Lord Longyang.
The way the room was decorated was very feminine. A slender, sloping recliner bed could be seen. It was covered in perfume, filling the room with the sweet scent of spring.
Under the light of the lamp affixed to the nearest window, the room appeared graceful and elegant. One shelf was filled with all sorts of little curios and toys, but only a single precious sword had been hung on the wall, demonstrating the martial energy of the room’s master.
Xiang Shaolong, paying no mind to proprieties, laid down on the bed and immediately fell asleep.
After some period of time, the sound of footsteps startled him into wakefulness.
Xiang Shaolong immediately sat up, his rapt gaze instantly focusing on the slowly opening door.
Lord Longyang walked into the room, his feet moving slowly, as though enc.u.mbered by a thousand-pound heavy pair of shackles. "You two, go to bed!"
The two servants acknowledged the order and left.
Lord Longyang mournfully walked in, letting out a sad sigh.
Xiang Shaolong whispered, "High Lord!"
Lord Longyang’s ‘elegant form’ trembled as he turned to stare, astonished, into his bedroom.
Xiang Shaolong pushed aside the veil covering the bed. With a low laugh, he said, "High Lord, how have you been?"
Lord Longyang’s face ‘bloomed like a flower’, "Shaolong! You really came!"
Xiang Shaolong hurriedly made a shus.h.i.+ng gesture with his hands. In a quiet voice, he said, "Don’t startle anyone here."
Only now did Lord Longyang come to his senses. Distressed, he said, "Shaolong, why did