Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 193 Unexpected! Escape!

That's true. If he doesn't run, he'll be the next one to die.

Liu Mang gripped the flute tightly in his hand.

If Jiang Liuyun had stayed where he was, Liu Mang would definitely have played the flute.

The wounded Jiang Liuyun was no match for the flute player.

"Ha! You think you can stop me? Dream on!" Liu Mang sneered and summoned the flute player back.

On the city wall, Lin Zhiqing looked at Liu Mang, who had suddenly relaxed, and slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

Throughout the journey, Liu Mang's mood fluctuated wildly.

Tension, relaxation, tension, relaxation.

These alternating emotions will inevitably affect his mindset and subconscious, and that will be the time for Lin Zhiqing to make his move.

The fact that Liu Mang is currently too preoccupied to pay attention to his surroundings shows that his observational skills are on the verge of collapse.

Otherwise, Lin Zhiqing would have been able to easily spot it from the city wall.

Lin Zhiqing watched as Liu Mang got off the carriage and reached out to check the breaths of the group of people on the ground, especially the coachman.

But he was destined to be disappointed; those people wouldn't wake up anytime soon.

Lin Zhiqing specifically instructed Jiang Liuyun to hit him a little harder.

Combined with the psychological suggestion planted during their journey, the driver and others were now fast asleep.

Liu Mang would either wait for them to wake up or drive the carriage himself.

It remains to be seen what choice this rather aloof Lord Liu will make.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhiqing revealed a playful smile.

Below the city gate, Liu Mang stood there stunned for a moment after failing to summon the men.

The coachman is gone, but the execution ground must still be reached.

He stepped forward, untied the horse, and mounted it.

Just kidding, how could Liu Mang, a high-ranking official of the fifth rank, drive a carriage like a lowly groom?
Seeing this, Lin Zhiqing found it very interesting.

Liu Mang's thinking ability has indeed declined significantly.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have abandoned that white-haired man, who could have been a secret weapon, here.

Since she abandoned the carriage for the sake of that so-called class consciousness, she shouldn't be blamed for taking advantage of the situation.

Liu Mang rode his horse past Xuanwu Gate. At the same time, not far from the carriage, Lu Huai seized the opportunity and came out with Aunt Mu.

They hid here in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

In retrospect, it was indeed worthwhile.

"Go and fetch Miss Lin and Brother Shi'an. Tell her to bring a horse. The people on the ground are clear evidence." Lu Huai and Aunt Mu couldn't move so many people at the same time, but Lin Yangyang and Lin Shi'an could.

"Yes, Young Master Lu." Aunt Mu bowed and walked quickly toward the execution ground.

After Aunt Mu left, Lu Huai stepped forward, lifted the carriage curtain, and began to check on the white-haired man's condition.

Seeing that he seemed to be asleep, he finally felt relieved and got out of the carriage.

Immediately, he felt a slightly worried gaze.

Looking up, Lin Zhiqing's delicate face came into view.

He climbed the steps and soon reached the city tower.

Lin Zhiqing had already changed direction. When Lu Huai walked up the city wall, he found her staring blankly at Liu Mang's back.

"In that case, his emotions must have reached a breaking point," Lu Huai asked.

Lin Zhiqing opened his mouth, about to answer, when he saw the figure on the horse move.

Then, a gaze filled with mockery and provocation was precisely fixed on Lin Zhiqing.

It was Liu Mang who discovered Lin Zhiqing!
Having achieved his provocation, he turned around and pushed off with both feet, instantly increasing his speed. Lu Huai was startled, realizing that something had gone wrong.

Liu Mang remained rational; otherwise, they assumed he wouldn't have discovered Lin Zhiqing.

Maintaining rationality means that it will be more difficult for Lin Zhiqing to hypnotize Liu Mang and make him reveal the truth on his own.

Lu Huai looked at Lin Zhiqing, and to his surprise, Lin Zhiqing's face remained completely calm.

"Zhiqing, wasn't Liu Mang affected by those psychological suggestions?" Lu Huai asked.

"No." Lin Zhiqing shook her head firmly:
"He was definitely affected."

Otherwise, given Liu Mang's cautious nature, he wouldn't have abandoned the flute player, nor would he have been unable to control his emotions and provoked Lin Zhiqing when leaving.

Why did you provoke Lin Zhiqing?

Because Liu Mang was angry.

This "anger" is a manifestation of Liu Mang losing his rationality.

His emotions and actions were indeed influenced by what had happened along the way.

But this impact is not enough.

Lin Zhiqing turned and went downstairs: "Did you just ask Aunt Mu to go find my cousin and cousin?"

“That’s right.” Lu Huai nodded. “Judging by the time, they should be here soon.”

"Liu Mang is still a bit off. Let's find a secluded spot, fire a few sneak attacks, and scare him a little," Lin Zhiqing suggested decisively.
“He is quite relaxed now, thinking that we are helpless. We must not appear in front of him anymore, and we must keep him in a relaxed state.”

"Moreover, we must not alert the imperial court, so we must remain hidden!"

"In this way, the cold arrows will be able to cause Liu Mang extreme panic when they are released."

"I remember there's a cluster of shops up ahead; maybe you can find a secluded spot there."

Lin Zhiqing was remarkably calm as she spoke these words.

Lu Huai was also considering the feasibility of her words: "Liu Mang's riding movements were rather clumsy just now, he should be able to travel about ten miles per quarter of an hour."

“It’s still nine miles from here to the market entrance. It will take him at most two cups of tea’s time to get there, and at least fifteen minutes.”

"Conservatively speaking, we still have about an incense stick's worth of time to arrange everything."

He spoke very quickly, but Lin Zhiqing could hear him clearly.

Xuanwu Gate is nearly five kilometers away from the entrance to the market.

Liu Mang can run five kilometers every fifteen minutes.

However, Liu Mang was not very good at riding horses, and the road was not easy to travel, so his speed was not very stable.

According to Lu Huai's estimated time, Liu Mang would arrive at the market entrance in fifteen minutes at the fastest and twenty minutes at the slowest.

Lin Zhiqing and the others need to make arrangements in advance to overtake Liu Mang, which will take about ten minutes.

Lin Zhiqing could only roughly estimate these things, but Lu Huai could do them with ease.

But Lin Zhiqing didn't have time to praise him now; ten minutes was a very short time, and it passed in the blink of an eye.

If Lin Yangyang and Lin Shi'an were here, with their lightness skills, they would have no problem reaching the corresponding position before Liu Mang.

The difficulty lies in the fact that Lin Zhiqing does not want to alarm the imperial court, so he cannot wait for Liu Mang to arrive before launching a surprise attack; he must act in advance.

Finding a secluded place in a short time is not easy.

Lin Zhiqing frowned slightly, quickly recalling the shops she had seen a few days ago:
“We have to make our move in the middle of the market entrance, but most places are too obvious and easy to spot.”

"Zhiqing, I know a place that might meet your requirements."

"Where?" Lin Zhiqing looked up at Lu Huai. "Is it safe?"

Lu Huai nodded: "It's unlikely that either Liu Mang or the imperial forces will discover us."

"Let's go now!" Lin Zhiqing decided immediately.