County Magistrate (for all citizens): I can watch ads and get unlimited resources.

"Is it on fire?"

Han Yilin's expression immediately changed.

In this era,

The firefighting methods were rather primitive, and the city was densely packed with houses, all made of wood. If the fire got out of control, it wouldn't just be one inn that would be destroyed.

The whole street,

They could all be implicated.

Immediately,

Han Yilin strode out of the city lord's mansion; by then, it was completely dark.

In the dark night,

North of the city

Flames shot into the sky.

Thick black smoke shot straight into the sky, and the flames illuminated almost half of Zhatian County in a bright red, making it extremely conspicuous.

"Holy shit!"

Seeing this scene,

Han Yilin's eyelids twitched suddenly: "The fire is that big?"

"quick!"

"Where are the people at the fire lookout tower? Go put out the fire!!!"

"Also, evacuate the residents in the surrounding area as soon as possible, especially the elderly and children, to avoid casualties."

After the arrangements were made,

At this time,

Han Yilin couldn't sit still any longer and rushed to the scene of the fire.

On the way,

You can see it everywhere.

Panicked people

The whole street was in chaos, and many people ran out of their homes, wrapped in their clothes, looking towards the direction of the fire.

Further away,

People can be seen in the watchtower.

They are using tools such as pumps, water bags, and fire extinguishers to put out the fire, and many other people are running back and forth carrying buckets of water.

Before we even got close,

Han Yilin could feel the scorching heat wave hitting him.

In the air,

It even had a strong burnt smell.

"Damn, how come this fire is so big?"

Watchtower

It is an ancient version of a fire station.

They are usually built at the highest point in the city.

12 hours a day

There are dedicated personnel on duty to watch for fires, and firefighting equipment is stored inside. Han Yilin built this building some time ago.

But ever since the time travel...

This is the first time.

Such a large fire broke out in the city.

At this time,

A member of the Imperial Guard stepped forward and stopped Han Yilin: "Sir, you can't get any closer. The fire ahead is raging, it's too dangerous."

Upon hearing this,

Han Yilin stopped in his tracks.

Looking at the raging fire, thankfully the situation wasn't as serious as I'd imagined.

Although the fire was frightening, it has been largely contained within the inn's area, and the residents in the surrounding buildings have been evacuated.

Seeing this,

Han Yilin breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's alright, it's alright."

My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

Another member of the Imperial Guard strode over; this was one of the members who had investigated the caravan that afternoon.

After getting closer,

The Imperial Guard lowered his voice and said, "Sir, this is the inn where that Western Regions merchant caravan is staying."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this,

Han Yilin immediately sensed something was wrong.

The Imperial Guard continued, "Most of their goods were piled up in the backyard, including furs, grease, and a lot of flammable materials, which is why the fire was so big."

"Given the current situation, even if it's under control, it'll probably burn for a while."

"in addition......"

Speaking of which,

The Imperial Guard paused for a moment, then pointed to the other side: "Two people escaped from the inn, one of whom is the woman in red that you specifically asked to investigate this afternoon."

If we say,

I just sensed something was wrong, but it was just a guess.

right now,

Hearing that the woman in red was one of the survivors was practically confirmation.

This fire,

Nine out of ten,

It has something to do with her.

Han Yilin didn't believe it was a coincidence; his Zhatian County hadn't experienced a fire in all this time.

But,

Today, this caravan entered the city and not only did it catch fire, but it was also at the inn where they were staying.

Where are they?

Han Yilin asked hurriedly.

The Imperial Guard replied, "He escaped through the back door of the inn. Should we arrest him and interrogate him now?"

Hesitate for a moment,

Han Yilin shook his head: "Don't rush, it'll alert them. You lead the way, we'll follow and see."

"Yes."

Before leaving,

Han Yilin also reminded everyone: "Keep fighting the fire here, and be careful not to let it spread."

"clear."

After explaining,

Han Yilin led a dozen or so Imperial Guards and quickly circled around to the back of the inn.

Here,

It has already left the main street.

The back door of the inn

All the lanes were narrow alleys left between residential houses and warehouses, with high and low walls crisscrossing each other and roads winding in all directions.

far away,

The firelight from the burning inn illuminated the walls, making them flicker between light and shadow.

Not only that,

There were also shouts for help to put out the fire, the crackling of burning wood, and the occasional booming sound of collapsing roof beams, all coming from behind.

These noises,

This masked the sound of their footsteps.

They hadn't gone far when

The Imperial Guard leading the way suddenly stopped and lowered his voice: "Sir, it's just ahead."

Han Yilin looked in the direction he was pointing.

front,

There's another corner,

Turn around,

According to the map, it is a dead-end alley sandwiched between two courtyard walls.

Take a few more steps forward,

ear,

The two people's voices could already be faintly heard.

Han Yilin immediately raised his hand, signaling the people behind him to be quiet. Then he quietly took a few more steps until he stopped at the corner.

This distance,

It's only a dozen or so steps away.

The dialogue has become very clear.

......

"Miss Chu."

A man's voice came, "Don't be afraid, it's all over now."

Upon hearing the sound,

Han Yilin slightly peeked out.

Then, the firelight shining from afar revealed figures inside.

One man and one woman

among them,

The woman was clearly the same woman in the red dress I had seen during the day.

only,

At this moment, she had lost the composure she had during the day, and her bright red dress was covered in dust.

His long, black hair was slightly messy.

Those bare, jade-like feet stepped on the cold bluestone slabs, and her face was even paler.

The whole person looks,

They didn't seem to have recovered from the fire.

Beside her,

Standing there was a young man in his twenties.

His appearance was also disheveled, but his eyes were full of excitement and agitation as he looked at the woman.

"Miss Chu, those people are all dead."

"From now on, we can stay together and go somewhere where no one knows us. I've saved up a lot of silver over the years by following caravans, enough for us to live on."

"after......"

The young man became more and more excited as he spoke.

Even his eyes, when he looked at the woman, were filled with longing for the future.

"The two of us can stay together forever, and no one can force you to marry someone you don't like anymore."

hearing these words,

The woman was still somewhat dazed, seemingly not yet recovered from the fire.

After a while,

Then, her voice trembling, she spoke, "But...but, so many people died in the inn, and it caught fire. If this is found out..."

"No way!"

The young man immediately said, "I put the poison in, I started the fire, and it has nothing to do with you."

"Besides, now that all the evidence has been burned, who can still find us?"

What the hell!

Upon hearing this,

Han Yilin inwardly cursed the "national essence" (a derogatory term for something considered pedantic or outdated).

It turns out you really did start the fire.

This kid,

Has he lost his mind?

The word "simp" is practically written on his face. He'd kill and commit arson for a woman?

You're really something!

Just as Han Yilin was pondering whether or not to arrest them now.

In the alley,

The sound came again.

The young man's face remained full of affection: "Miss Chu, don't worry, no matter what happens, I will protect you."

In the firelight,

The woman, who had been keeping her head down and looking terrified, slowly raised her head and said, "Thank you, you're so kind to me."

In just eight words,

The young man was overjoyed. Just as he thought he had achieved his goal and was about to open his arms to embrace the woman,

suddenly,

His expression changed.

He let out a muffled groan, then lowered his head in disbelief.

I see,

one's own abdomen,

A dagger appeared out of nowhere.

The arm holding the dagger stretched upwards, clearly belonging to the woman he was deeply in love with.

"you......"

Why...?

Her lips trembled.

The young man's voice was intermittent.

puff~

Seemingly afraid that she wouldn't die immediately, the woman quickly drew her dagger and stabbed again.

The woman at this moment,

There was no trace of panic on his face.

Her eyes were no longer red, her voice was no longer trembling, and even the pitiful look she had just given off was nowhere to be found.

In the eyes,

Only indifference remains.

The woman parted her red lips slightly, her voice cold as she said, "Murder and arson are heinous crimes, worthy of the highest reprieve. If I escape with you tonight, wouldn't I become an accomplice?"

The young man looked at the woman in disbelief.

the first time,

He felt that the other person was so unfamiliar, completely different from the person he had met for the first time.

"You...you clearly said..."

"What did I say?"

The woman sneered, "It's all just wishful thinking on your part."

After saying that,

The woman drew her dagger again.

the third time,

It pierced the man's abdomen.

puff!

The young man's body twitched.

finally,

He slowly fell to the ground.

A muffled thud was heard, and then silence returned to the alley.

The woman looked down at the corpse on the ground, her face expressionless. She slowly pulled out a dagger, and crimson blood dripped slowly down the blade onto the bluestone slab.

"Phew~"

He breathed a sigh of relief.

The woman glanced back at the inn, still filled with the glow of fire, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"Now, they should all be dead."

As he spoke,

She had just turned around, ready to leave.

The whole person,

Suddenly, he froze on the spot, only to see a group of figures appear at the entrance of the alley.

immediately,

The leader,

Clapping his hands, he kept stepping forward, his voice full of mockery: "That was quite a show!"