A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 334 Ending (3)

Xinjiamiao is not a temple, but a sparsely populated village. Many years ago, the construction of an official road occupied half of the village, and most of the people were relocated. The remaining half of the village is located below the official road, in a low-lying valley, with no road access in either direction. The only way to get around is to climb to the highest point of the village and use the official road.

Therefore, Xinjiamiao is well hidden, and people unfamiliar with the terrain would never know that a village is hidden here.

This official road, less than a hundred li long, was the only way to the capital.

Mu Yan had been waiting at Xinjiamiao for a day and a half.

As night fell, the drizzling rain, like a waterfall, washed away the carnage that had just ended.

The smell of blood, mixed with the fresh spring rain, quickly faded, and the bloodstains meandered down into the sewer with the rainwater.

Lanterns hung from the eaves, illuminating a small, hazy patch of sky.

Inside the empty wooden house, Mu Yan, his face tense, methodically treated the wounds of four elite soldiers.

Beside him was Zhao Rong, the woman who was responsible for assisting him. Although she was scared and nervous, she was able to maintain basic composure and handed Mu Yan wound medicine, bandages, scissors and other items from the medicine box.

"Please leave as soon as the rain stops!"

His stern and austere demeanor, which began in Jiangnan, has never softened for a moment.

The four elite soldiers were wounded to varying degrees. Captain Bai had been slashed in the back, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead. He gritted his teeth, took several deep breaths, and then replied, "Master Mu, we are acting on military orders. We must safely escort you back to the capital and hand you over to your accomplices. Otherwise, you will be punished according to military law! Please accept this without further persuasion, Master Mu."

Mu Yan was furious and about to retort when he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching from outside!

Everyone was shocked!
General Bai and his three men immediately picked up their weapons and, ignoring their half-bandaged wounds, rushed out to fight the enemy!

"Don't move!" Mu Yan reached out to stop him. He picked up a sword from the table and said, "This time, I'll do it myself. None of you are allowed to interfere, or I'll die right here!"

Mu Yan rushed out of the room, stood at the door with his sword in hand, and looked through the drizzling rain and mist at the crowd of people riding towards him!
A group of more than ten riders, all of whom wore straw raincoats and hats, and had long swords hanging from their waists!
When they were a few feet apart, the leader suddenly whistled a "coo-coo" sound!

He couldn't hear clearly through the rain, but he gripped his sword hilt tightly, ready to strike at any moment!
However, as the group drew closer and the whistling grew clearer, Mu Yan suddenly jolted and blurted out, "A-Xun!"

"Father!"

Lu Xun responded loudly, halting the procession, leaping off his horse, and galloping towards Mu Yan!
After being separated for many years, the father and son finally reunited at Xinjiamiao!
Lu Xun, who was always self-disciplined and respectful of propriety, was overwhelmed with emotion. He couldn't help but embrace Mu Yan, choking back tears as he said, "Father, I've finally seen you! I'm sorry, it's all my fault that you've suffered!"

"Let's go inside and talk," Mu Yan said.

Lu Xun released his grip and instructed his guards, "Spread out and guard each gate!"

"Yes!"

The men from the Marquis of Huai'an's residence acted decisively, immediately tying their horses in the courtyard before disappearing into the rain and mist.

Lu Xun followed Mu Yan into the wooden house. He glanced around, clasped his hands in a fist salute to the four men, and said loudly, "I am Lu Xun of the Marquis of Huai'an. I am grateful for your hard work in escorting my adoptive father back to the capital. I will remember this great kindness and repay you all in the future!"

After speaking, he bowed deeply and performed a grand salute.

General Bai and his men quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. We were acting under orders and dared not seek credit. Fortunately, although we faced constant wind and rain along the way, we did not fail in our mission and did not harm Master Mu." Lu Xun nodded, "Thank you in any case."

"Continue applying the medicine."

Mu Yan put down his sword, took the medicine bottle from Zhao Rong's hand, and began to busy himself again.

Seeing this, Lu Xun took off his raincoat and bamboo hat and also helped.

After settling in, Lu Xun looked outside. The rainy night was pitch black, with visibility less than five zhang. A chilly wind blew in, making him shiver.

He said, "Father, let's rest here for the night and return to the capital at dawn." After saying that, he looked at General Bai and suggested, "You will come to the capital with me. I will arrange a residence for you so that you can recover from your injuries before returning to report. Is that acceptable?"

"We appreciate your kindness, Young Master, but we are afraid it is inappropriate and difficult to explain to the Marshal." General Bai hesitated for a moment, but still firmly refused.

Lu Xun smiled slightly, "Don't worry about the Marshal punishing you. I will send someone to inform the Marshal. You are all so seriously injured that you must take good care of yourselves, otherwise I will not be at ease."

"In that case, thank you, Your Highness." General Bai cupped his hands and bowed.

Lu Xun went out and instructed his guards to light a fire in the house. He then took out the rations he had brought and cooked a simple hot meal. He rolled up his sleeves, personally served the rice, and handed it to General Bai and the others one by one.

Finally, Lu Xun brought a bowl of porridge to Mu Yan and said with concern, "Father, please eat it while it's hot. You should get a good night's sleep tonight. I'll stay with you."

Mu Yan took the bowl of porridge and held the chopsticks in his hand, but did not rush to eat. The steam rose from his wrinkled face, which made Lu Xun's eyes well up with tears. He knelt down and kowtowed heavily, his voice tinged with sobs, "Father, your son is unfilial. You can scold me and hit me, but I will not complain. I only ask that you take good care of your health, even if it is for Qing'er's sake."

After several years apart, Mu Yan looked much older, with a few strands of white hair growing at his temples, and his once bright eyes had become much darker.

Lu Xun felt an overwhelming sense of heartache and guilt.

"A-Xun, get up." Mu Yan sighed deeply and said earnestly, "Father doesn't mean to blame you. Knowing that you are still alive and that you have found your biological parents, Father is happy for you. Father is just... just worried about Qing'er."

After saying that, Mu Yan lowered his head and ate his porridge. Only when the bowl was empty did he put it down and look at Lu Xun's face.

Lu Xun remained kneeling, his eyes bloodshot and glistening with tears.

He said, "In my heart, you will always be my father, regardless of blood ties."

Mu Yan paused for a moment, then grasped Lu Xun's arm and helped him up. He looked at Lu Xun, who had transformed from a boy into a young man, and said with satisfaction, "You've grown up, and you seem to have even grown taller. Your features have become even more handsome."

"Father," Lu Xun's ears turned red from the praise, but his heart ached at the same time, "You look thinner, Father. How have you been these past few years?"

Mu Yan patted Lu Xun's shoulder with his large hand, a rare smile appearing in his eyes. "Don't worry, your father is still quite healthy, there's nothing serious."

"Mm." Lu Xun responded verbally, but in his heart he was planning that once settled, he would ask the doctor to take Mu Yan's pulse and give him a good rest and recuperation.

Mu Yan tilted his head, glanced at General Bai, and asked in a low voice, "A-Xun, did you ask Song Yan to send someone to escort Father back to the capital? Or... was it Song Shuyu?"

Happy New Year, my darlings!

(End of this chapter)