TSWPF -Chapter 375 Disappearance

When Magistrate Ma saw the village head’s face change drastically, his heart began to pound.

Could something really have happened?

He quickly told the village head to go check on the middle-aged man who had been guiding them and see whether he had returned home.

The village head clenched his slightly trembling hands and hurriedly told his eldest son to go to Mu Tou’s house to look for him.

Knowing how serious the matter was, the eldest son answered and ran off at once.

“Master Ma, the County Magistrate will be fine… he’ll be fine,” the village head said repeatedly, not knowing whether he was comforting Ma or himself.

If something happened to the magistrate in Wutong Village, what would they do?

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. With his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth in the room.

His pacing made Ma dizzy. Frowning, Ma stood up and strode outside, forcing himself to calm down.

He couldn’t panic. Absolutely not.

If he panicked, who would take charge? Who would save the magistrate?

With that thought, Ma gradually steadied himself. He looked toward Wutong Mountain, silently praying for the magistrate’s safety.

After a while, the village head’s eldest son came running back. Seeing Ma, he shook his head.

Uncle Mu Tou hadn’t returned.

Not back?

Ma’s heart sank. He pinched his palm hard and turned to the village head.

He told him to send people up the mountain to search for the magistrate, while he himself would return to the yamen to bring constables.

The village head nodded repeatedly. After Ma left, he told his sons to gather the villagers and prepare to go up the mountain.

“Father, do we really have to go up there? Aren’t there wild beasts in the mountains?” his third son asked worriedly.

The village head slapped the back of his head and scolded him, “The magistrate has gone missing in the mountains. Shouldn’t we look for him?”

He wasn’t an ordinary commoner. How could he not be anxious if he disappeared on Wutong Mountain?

Even if there were blades and flames up there, he would still go.

Taking a deep breath, the village head fetched a firewood chopper and told his sons to bring hoes and other tools for protection. Then they set out together.

When the villagers heard that the county magistrate had gone missing on Wutong Mountain, the men grabbed weapons and torches and gathered at the village head’s house.

Before Ma returned with the constables, the villagers followed the village head in a large group toward the mountain.

They had only one thought:

They had to find the magistrate.

He was a good official. They couldn’t just stand by and let anything happen to him.

…

“Why hasn’t Brother Zhimou come back yet?” Li Qingling said anxiously.

She touched her eyelids, which had been twitching all afternoon, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Could something have happened?

Master Luo glanced at her and told her not to worry. Liu Zhimou would be fine.

With Liu Shi protecting him, how could anything happen?

He himself was not too concerned and continued drinking tea calmly.

But since becoming pregnant, Liu Zhimou always came home on time to eat with her. Tonight, he was unusually late, so she couldn’t help worrying.

“Girl, what are you worrying about? Maybe Mo’er was held up by something,” Master Luo said gently when he saw how restless she was.

After her pregnancy, Li Qingling’s emotions had become unstable and she cried easily. He didn’t dare speak harshly.

Hearing this, Li Qingling forced a smile and said she understood.

But her anxiety did not ease.

She clenched her handkerchief tightly and silently prayed for Liu Zhimou’s safe return.

She didn’t want to worry like this, but remembering how he had once been detained by villagers in Wutong Village made her heart uneasy.

Unable to bear seeing her so anxious, Master Luo waved his hand and told her to go rest. It wasn’t good for the child to overstrain herself.

At the mention of the child, she calmed down slightly.

Shaking her head, she said she wasn’t tired yet and would rest later.

If she didn’t see him return safely, she wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.

Seeing her stubbornness, Master Luo didn’t force her.

Time passed—so long that it felt like a week.

Suddenly, Nianxia ran in in a fluster, almost tripping over the high threshold.

After steadying herself, she reported that Magistrate Ma had arrived.

Ma had come?

Li Qingling hurriedly told her to let him in.

Seeing her switching between smiling and crying, Master Luo felt extremely helpless.

After greeting Master Luo and Li Qingling respectfully, Ma said, drenched in sweat, that Liu Zhimou was missing.

What?

Missing?

Li Qingling stared at him in shock and demanded that he explain everything clearly.

How could he just disappear?

Hadn’t he gone to Wutong Village?

Ma recounted everything guiltily and asked her to send the household guards to help search.

More people meant more hope. Moreover, her guards were skilled in martial arts and could handle danger.

Hearing this, Li Qingling collapsed into a chair and squeezed her eyes shut, forcing back her tears.

She couldn’t cry.

She had to hold this family together.

Wiping her eyes, she told Nianxia to summon Ling Yi.

Ling Yi arrived quickly. Before he could speak, she explained everything and ordered him to take the guards to Wutong Mountain.

After dark, wild beasts might appear. They had to find Liu Zhimou as soon as possible.

Ling Yi answered solemnly and left. Soon, he gathered the guards and even summoned the Liu family soldiers.

Looking at the crowd, he explained the situation so everyone would be prepared.

The soldiers trembled inwardly. They were here to protect the magistrate. If anything happened to him…

“Let’s go,” they said without hesitation.

Ling Yi nodded and had Ma lead the way.

…

“Grandmaster, do you think Brother Zhimou will be alright?” Li Qingling asked anxiously.

If she weren’t pregnant, she would have gone with them herself.

Waiting at home was the most tormenting.

She paced restlessly.

Master Luo was just as worried but hid it, fearing she would become even more anxious.

He said calmly, “Mo’er will be fine. Liu Shi is with him.”

He was comforting her—and himself.

But it didn’t help.

She continued pacing.

After thinking for a long time, she hesitantly suggested letting Ah Huang help search.

“No,” Master Luo refused firmly. “It would panic the villagers. Absolutely not.”

With guards and soldiers searching, they would find him.

Sighing heavily, Li Qingling sat down and smiled bitterly. She had let worry cloud her judgment.

If Ah Huang appeared, it would frighten everyone.

All they could do was wait.

Two hours passed with no news.

Master Luo’s heart sank further. He urged her to go rest.

Reluctantly, she agreed and returned to her room with Xichun’s help.

That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Was he lost? Injured? In danger?

…

At this moment, Liu Zhimou was in unprecedented trouble.

He frowned and told Liu Shi to put him down. He could walk himself.

Liu Shi was panting heavily and finally set him down.

“Sir, are you alright?”

Liu Zhimou bit his lip and said he was fine.

Looking at Liu Shi’s pale face, he apologized softly.

He had never expected to encounter assassins on Wutong Mountain.

If Liu Shi hadn’t risked his life to save him, he would already be dead.

“Sir, it’s my fault for not protecting you well,” Liu Shi said coldly.

Someone had hired Netherworld assassins.

Liu Zhimou forced a smile. “It’s not your fault. The enemy is too strong.”

Today might be fatal.

He hadn’t even seen his child born yet.

He didn’t want to die like this.

After staggering forward for a while, Liu Shi spotted a cave and helped him inside.

Looking at him deeply, he said, “Sir, stay here. I’ll lure them away.”

Even if it cost his life, he would protect him.

Liu Zhimou grabbed his hand. After hesitating, he said only one thing: “Come back alive.”

Liu Shi nodded and left.

He concealed the cave entrance, cleaned the bloodstains, and hurried off in the opposite direction.

Inside, Liu Zhimou tore his robe and rewrapped the wound on his leg.

Too much blood scent would attract both enemies and beasts.

After finishing, he leaned against the cave wall and slowly closed his eyes.