Chapter 245: 222 Revisited 2

She still looked bewildered, using her dirty little hands to grab the corner of her mother’s clothes beside her.

“It seems that the arrow wound is festering,” Ah Yi said in a low voice.

He had seen such wounds before.

Zhang Rongfang sighed and nodded.

Then he saw the group of people approach the caravan, each kneeling silently and kowtowing.

The two children with the heaviest injuries were pushed to the front and followed, kneeling on the ground.

These people kowtowed and made gestures, while continuously sobbing and speaking in a dialect or some barely recognizable Great Spirit mandarin.

Zhang Rongfang realized they were seeking help.

He looked at the front of the Commandery Princess’s caravan, where two people wanted to come out but were held back by those beside them.

“Why doesn’t the caravan want to help? It’s just some medicine and food,” Zhang Rongfang asked in surprise.

He was kind-hearted and could not bear to see such a scene.

To eradicate enemies is one thing.

But why refuse to show a sliver of compassion to those without conflicts of interest?

“It’s probably because Princess Yongxiang doesn’t favor their status,” Chen Han replied.

“Status?” Zhang Rongfang frowned slightly. “What status can be determined in just a few moments of meeting?”

“Before Great Spirit established its complete attire rules at the Celestial Robe Pavilion, there were rules,” Chen Han said. “In households of prostitution, family members were only allowed to wear black clothes and green hats. No other attire colors were permitted. Otherwise, if found out, it meant confiscation of property and dozens of lashes as punishment. Very strict.”

Zhang Rongfang was slightly taken aback.

He suddenly remembered similar rules from past ancient times.

This was the origin of the green hat?

“Even if they are from households of prostitution, many things are not their choice. Going through this difficulty, why can’t they be helped?” Zhang Rongfang shook his head and sighed.

“The Daoist is right,” Chen Han nodded.

“Ah Er, go give them some medicine and food,” Zhang Rongfang instructed.

“Yes,” Ah Er was the most silent among the three, but also the most honest, doing whatever he was told, without complaint.

The food and medicine carried by Zhang Rongfang’s group were not nearly enough, and soon all were distributed.

So Ah Er then requested to purchase from the Commandery Princess’s caravan.

But was refused.

Fortunately, this group of people did not insist, and after receiving some aid, they expressed deep gratitude, kowtowing many times to Zhang Rongfang, inquiring names and origins, carefully noting them down before getting up and continuing their journey.

Until this group completely left, disappearing at the end of the road.

Zhang Rongfang then withdrew his gaze.

Meanwhile, the Commandery Princess’s side had already prepared a meal.

A young maid, carrying a large dark red food box, approached Zhang Rongfang’s group.

“Lord Zhang, this is the meal my Commandery Princess bestowed. You have given your food to those beggars earlier, it should be insufficient now.”

“Then many thanks to the Commandery Princess,” Zhang Rongfang cupped his hands, signaling Ah Er to step forward and receive the food box.

Ah Er took it and brought it next to Zhang Rongfang, gently opening it.

The food box divided into four layers, just right for each person to have one layer.

Inside, it was evenly sectioned into four partitions, three dishes and one rice.

Braised lion’s head meatballs, lychee pork, and steamed mandarin fish.

All were meat dishes.

The mandarin fish was extremely fresh, scallions and soy sauce poured over the cut fish flesh, releasing a thick aroma from the white tender cut.

Just a glance aroused one’s appetite.

But…

Zhang Rongfang’s brow furrowed slightly, smelling with intent.

Felt as though there was a very faint, other smell mixed within the dishes.

That seemed like some kind of spice aroma.

If not for his foundation in alchemy skills, comparable to usual alchemists, he probably wouldn’t have detected such a scent.

However, checking the attribute bar, life remained unchanged, obviously it was not poisonous.

Hesitated for a moment, Zhang Rongfang tossed his meal to Chen Han beside him.

To let him eat it all on his behalf.

He himself took out fasting pills to consume.

“Daoist aren’t you hungry? Just eating fasting pills doesn’t taste good, right?” Chen Han asked puzzled.

“It’s nothing, I think it’s not bad, and it saves time,” Zhang Rongfang answered with a smile.

Soon, the meal was completely consumed.

Chen Han and the three of them considered it a light meal, packed up the food box and were going to send it back.

Earlier that maid approached again, taking the box from Ah Er.

This time, a special fragrance seemed to be applied to the maid, very rich and aromatic.

The scent wafted towards Zhang Rongfang’s side in no time.

His brow furrowed, feeling the scent was overly fragrant.

It was at this moment that Zhang Rongfang suddenly felt something was amiss.

Beside him, Chen Han and the other two seemed to slow down in their movements!

It wasn’t just them; even the commandery princess’s convoy nearby was affected.

Most were swaying, clearly something was wrong.

“Poison!?”

Zhang Rongfang noticed the anomaly immediately, glancing at the maid with the food box.

The maiden smiled slightly, and her muscles swelled rapidly.

Her dress burst, and the previously demure and graceful face suddenly bulged with blood vessels and veins.

Her height shot up from 1.7 meters to 1.8.

Her arms and legs ballooned swiftly, growing larger.

“Die!!”

Bang!

The ground exploded with a small pit as the maid lunged forward, her hands spread like eagle claws, her sharp fingers whistling as they aimed for Zhang Rongfang’s head.

This move was extremely fast; if it hit, Zhang Rongfang’s head would explode like a watermelon in an instant.

Unfortunately, the move missed.

Her claws landed inches away from Zhang Rongfang.

Zhang Rongfang turned and bolted, covering over ten meters in the blink of an eye.

Just then.

Chen Han finally reacted, growled lowly, and stepped forward to block her.

Bang!

The maid’s claws viciously struck Chen Han’s chest, but only scratched the outer layer.

As Spiritual Veins, his body had been significantly strengthened, with high defense. Without heavy weapons or firearms, ordinary attacks wouldn’t cause much harm.

But before Chen Han could breathe easy.

Bang!

A muffled shot struck his head directly, creating a fleshly circular hole on the right side of his face.

The hole pierced his skull, allowing a clear view of the gray mountain wall behind.

That maid had a gun!

She raised it and aimed at Zhang Rongfang, but before she could shoot again, Ah Yi suddenly charged in from the side, delivering a heavy blow to her right arm.

With a cracking sound, the arm bone shattered.

The woman, focused on Chen Han, failed to notice Ah Yi’s attack and suffered damage instantly.

She screamed, trying to switch hands to grab the gun, but it was too late.

Chen Han grabbed her throat, seized the gun, and lifted her off the ground.

“Daoist, how do we proceed?” He turned to Zhang Rongfang, the hole in his head rapidly healing, filled with silver threads, restoring to its original state.

Only moments ago, due to the mixed poison, he was sluggish for a few breaths, nearly causing a great mistake.

Now, having regained clarity, he felt a wave of dread.

Zhang Rongfang also felt a lingering fear.

The speed of the woman’s attack surpassed even Ah Er; she was at least a master who had undergone External Medicine three times.

Such a master launching a sudden attack, while everyone else was dulled by toxins. Luckily, he responded aptly, playing along well.

If she had succeeded, he would have had to reveal his true strength to counter.

At that moment, he couldn’t explain how he went from External Medicine once to External Medicine five times in such a short time.

Thinking about this, Zhang Rongfang’s eyes turned cold, looking at the still struggling woman.

“Kill her.”

Chen Han immediately strengthened his grip, about to snap the woman’s neck.

“Stop!”

Suddenly, a figure appeared lightning-fast beside Chen Han, a finger pointing forward.

A tidal force surged, striking Chen Han’s arm softly, loosening his grip.

The woman was freed, falling to the ground.

“Greetings, Commandery Princess.” Chen Han was about to retaliate, but seeing the person in front of him donned in a purple dress was Princess Yongxiang; he quickly clasped his fists courteously.

“Commandery Princess, what do you mean?” Zhang Rongfang frowned. “This person suddenly attempted to assassinate me and should be executed on the spot. Why are you interfering?”

Princess Yongxiang glanced at the maid.

“The source of the black-clad assailants was never found. Now that we finally captured one alive, we can use her to trace the mastermind.

If we kill her now, wouldn’t the trail go cold?”

Zhang Rongfang stared at her, sensing Princess Yongxiang’s eyes were sharp, revealing no other intentions.

“This woman tried to assassinate me; if there’s questioning to be done, shouldn’t I be the one to do it?”

“This person infiltrated my convoy; it’s only right for me, the commandery princess, to interrogate her. What, do you have an objection?” Yongxiang’s tone suddenly dropped.

Their gazes locked, paused for a few breaths.

Zhang Rongfang suddenly smiled.

“Since the commandery princess insists, this humble Daoist shall comply. Only, after your interrogation, I ask you to provide a clear answer.”

“Agreed.” Princess Yongxiang grabbed the maid’s shoulder, turned around, and in a few steps, disappeared at the distant end of the official road.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep