USWHC -Chapter 393 Openly Copying (Part 3)

“Why haven’t they come out yet? Should we just rush in?”

As the sun slowly dipped westward and dusk began to fall, the people on the small hill opposite grew increasingly impatient.

“No need. The more she refuses to come out, the more suspicious it is,” Zhao Xuguang said.

Hearing this, the others frowned. Could it be that they had already been discovered?

Just then, a figure darted over. He, too, wore a red flying-fish uniform—clearly another member of the Imperial Guards.

“My lord, there’s been a sighting of the white jade hairpin in town!” he reported in a low voice.

“In town?” Zhao Xuguang was startled. He looked into the distance. Through the open doorway, he could vaguely still see the person inside—moving about. Yes, she was definitely still there.

“You’re certain?” Zhao Xuguang asked, uncertain.

The man nodded firmly. “Certain. I heard it was a girl of fifteen or sixteen who brought it there. Not only that, she kept heading south afterward. It looked like she intended to go to the southern regions.”

“Did anyone get a clear look at her face?” Zhao Xuguang still looked doubtful.

“I heard she’s extremely beautiful,” the man replied.

“Then it must be her!” At this, nearly everyone began to waver. Could it be that the person in the house wasn’t her at all?

“Let’s go and take a look!” Zhao Xuguang suddenly stood up—apparently convinced.

“They’ve left!” Ji Yi had been secretly observing the hill. Seeing those people finally depart, he let out a sigh of relief.

Zhu Jie also breathed deeply before daring to step out of the room. Sure enough, the hill was now completely empty—the pesky flies had all flown away.

“It’s all arranged. The person will head south to Yangzhou and then disappear there completely.”

Hearing this, Zhu Jie nodded happily. “Good. When you handle things, I’m at ease.”

But just then, another group of people came marching in from the distance. Judging by their movements, they seemed trained fighters. Who were they?

Zhu Jie and Ji Yi both froze. Had their plan been exposed? That shouldn’t be possible.

From afar, the group approached. The man leading them had a murderous aura and charged straight at them. Before Ji Yi and the others could even react, he had already drawn his blade.

Even someone seeking revenge wouldn’t carry such killing intent, right? Ji Yi was taken aback as the blade thrust straight toward his neck without the slightest hesitation. He quickly leapt straight up from the ground, and when he landed, he was already three steps behind.

The attacker had been brimming with confidence, believing the strike would surely hit Ji Yi. He hadn’t intended to decapitate him, but at least to scare him into panic. Yet he never expected Ji Yi to be so nimble and dodge it so easily.

“Impudent Ji Yi! Surrender at once!” the man shouted.

Ji Yi was stunned. Who were these people? Attacking right away, speaking so arrogantly? Looking closer at his gray fur clothing—wasn’t this a county yamen constable? He hadn’t provoked them at all!

“Brother Hao, don’t waste words with them. Beat them down first—then they’ll behave!” one of the constables behind him said slyly.

At that, Zhu Jie and the others finally recognized him—it was Constable Hao, the one who had been stripped of his pants before! What was he doing here? If he wanted revenge, shouldn’t he be going after Ji Yi’s mother? Had they come to the wrong place?

Constable Hao hesitated for a moment, then immediately lunged forward to strike. But how could he possibly hit Ji Yi? Ji Yi simply shifted aside, neatly dodging the attack.

However, Hao’s strike had been too fast and too forceful. Unable to stop himself, he stumbled forward. Just as he tried to regain his footing, a sharp pain shot through his calf—like a cramp—and his balance gave way.

With a loud smack, his large body slammed face-first into the ground.

When he finally got back up, everyone was stunned. His face was covered in bloody scratches, as if clawed by a cat—red mixed with dirt. Damn, that fall was no light one!