Wandering Swordsman |

Murong Qing smiled faintly, as if everything was under her control. Her smile was elegant and composed, giving people a sense of reassurance. "Since it's a misunderstanding, then we won't pursue it any further." Her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable strength. "However, I hope that everyone will be more discerning in the future and not easily believe one-sided accounts."

Her words, though gentle, were like a sharp sword, piercing the hearts of those with ill intentions. Those around her lowered their heads, not daring to meet Murong Qing's gaze; a tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the air.

The magistrate nodded repeatedly, beads of sweat clearly visible on his forehead, his tone full of flattery: "Yes, yes, Miss Murong is right. I will certainly keep it in mind and will never do it again." His voice was urgent and humble, as if he was afraid that a single wrong word would lead to irreversible consequences.

After speaking, the magistrate turned around, waved his hand, and hurriedly left with Yan Shang and a group of yamen runners. Their footsteps faded into the distance, as if they had never existed.

Meanwhile, in a small alley far from the clinic, the county magistrate, along with Yan Shang and his constables, walked briskly, as if afraid that if they slowed down, something would catch up with them.

"Uncle, is the Murong family really that great?" Only after walking a distance did Yan Shang dare to ask, his tone tinged with resentment and doubt.

The county magistrate stopped in his tracks, turned around abruptly, and glared at Yan Shang, his face full of anger and helplessness: "What do you know! You brat! How could your mother have given birth to such a worthless thing! You have little experience in the martial world, so naturally you don't know the power of the Murong family. You almost dragged me into a big disaster!" His voice was low and suppressed, as if he was trying his best to control his emotions.

Yan Shang was startled by these words, opening his mouth but unable to utter a word. The county magistrate sighed with lingering fear, his tone softening slightly: "You should pack your things and leave immediately, go back to your hometown to find your mother, and don't stay in Cangzhou any longer..."

At this point, Yan Shangcai truly understood the seriousness of the problem. Although he was still unconvinced, faced with his uncle's serious expression and firm tone, he could only silently nod in agreement.

......

A cold breeze gently swept by, carrying a chill that seemed to pierce the bone. At the entrance of the clinic, Liu Xiaorong smiled as she looked at Murong Qing.

At this moment, Murong Qing's image was indeed no longer that of a refined young lady; her clothes were slightly disheveled, and her face looked much more haggard. Liu Xiaorong's eyes revealed a trace of heartache and pity: "Qing'er, what have you been through? Look how thin you've become."

Murong Qing nodded gratefully, her voice tinged with emotion: "Master, how did you end up here?"

Shen Mo stood aside, quietly watching Murong Qing and his disciple reminisce, a warmth involuntarily rising in his heart. At this moment, he thought of his own master, Luo Wangchen. What was his master doing now? Had he already rescued his friend? These questions surged into his mind like a tide, lingering for a long time.

"...Oh, right, Master. Let me introduce you. This is Shen Mo, who saved my life in Jinzhou." Murong Qing talked with Liu Xiaorong for a while before remembering to introduce Shen Mo. Her tone was full of gratitude and respect.

Liu Xiaorong nodded slightly, gave Shen Mo a gentle smile, and after looking him over for a moment, said softly, "Young man, thank you for Qing'er's matter."

Then, Liu Xiaorong said to Murong Qing, "Qing'er, I have some important matters to discuss with you. Could you please ask Young Master Shen and the doctor to leave for the time being?" Her eyes revealed a hint of seriousness, indicating that this matter was of great importance.

Murong Qing nodded, indicating that Shen Mo and the doctor should wait a moment. Then she led Liu Xiaorong into the clinic, leaving only the doctor and Shen Mo standing outside.

After a long while, Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong finally emerged. Both looked noticeably more relaxed, as if their conversation had resolved many issues. Murong Qing's face held a hint of relief and determination, while Liu Xiaorong appeared even more composed and confident.

Murong Qing turned to Shen Mo and said softly, "Shen Mo, let's rest at the inn for the night, and buy three more horses for Yunnan tomorrow."

Three horses? A question arose in Shen Mo's mind, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. Could it be that Liu Xiaorong wasn't here to take Murong Qing back to Luoyang?

Although Shen Mo had some questions and didn't know what Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong had talked about, he still followed Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong and left the clinic.

......

In a luxurious inn in the heart of Cangzhou, Shen Mo sat at a table in the center of the hall, his gaze drawn to the dazzling array of steaming dishes before him. His throat involuntarily moved, and he swallowed hard, as if the delicacies possessed an irresistible allure.

"Shen Mo, sorry to keep you waiting." A voice came from not far away, and Shen Mo turned his head to look. He saw Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong, who had already washed and dressed, walking down gracefully from the second floor.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the inn seemed to freeze. A series of exclamations arose from all around, "Wow!" Everyone stopped eating and turned their gaze to Murong Qing. Her appearance was like a dazzling light, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

At this moment, Murong Qing's image had undergone a complete transformation. She was no longer the somewhat disheveled young lady who had fallen on hard times while traveling with Shen Mo, but a stunningly beautiful and refined lady from a prominent family. Her beauty was breathtaking, as if she were a goddess who had stepped out of a painting.

Murong Qing wore a pale pink silk dress, embroidered with exquisite patterns, every stitch showcasing superb craftsmanship. Delicate silver lace adorned the neckline and cuffs, adding to her noble and elegant appearance. The skirt swayed gently in the breeze, like a flowing cloud.

Her hair was meticulously styled in a bun, with a few strands of dark hair falling on either side of her face, adding a touch of softness. She wore a small jade crown, inlaid with sparkling pearls, which swayed gently with her movements, emitting a soft glow. A pair of jade earrings adorned her ears, making her skin appear even whiter than snow.

Murong Qing's face was incomparable. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, slender and curved, like two crescent moons hanging below her forehead. Her bright eyes were like water, clear and bottomless, revealing intelligence and gentleness. Her nose was straight, and her lips were as luscious as cherries, with a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth carrying a faint smile, making people feel extremely friendly.

Her skin was delicate and smooth, as warm and lustrous as mutton fat jade, with a faint blush on her cheeks, adding to her shy charm. She exuded an indescribable aura, possessing both the dignified elegance of a well-bred lady and the lively spirit of a young girl.

Shen Mo stared, mesmerized, not for any other reason than that he had never seen such a beautiful woman in his entire life. His heart pounded uncontrollably, as if drawn by an invisible force. He had never seen such perfect beauty, such breathtaking charm.