Pa Chapter 24 (1/2)
Chapter 24: Fake Robbers
Nan Xun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at her unreasonableness. He could only agree in the end. He knew that Jun Huang wouldn’t really tell on them, but that she would never drop the matter if he didn’t agree. She might be in danger if she snuck into the yamen herself.
Once she’d reached her goal, Jun Huang quickly returned to her room and fished out black night-walking clothes, reconvening with Nan Xun after she changed clothes.
Nan Xun was also dressed in black with his hair tied up, seeming to blend into the night itself. He was holding a dirk in his hands which he shoved into Jun Huang’s after seeing her, telling her to keep herself safe. Jun Huang didn’t stand on ceremony, deftly accepting the dirk and holstering it at her waist. Her lips curved into a smile when she saw the band of “robbers” standing behind Nan Xun. They set off without a word, Jun Huang following in the rear.
Since Qi Chen was stas.h.i.+ng his embezzled funds in the yamen, he’d naturally set some guards on it. Jun Huang wanted to scatter some confusion powder and take all the guards out when they reached the door, but Nan Xun stopped her from doing so.
“Apparently there are lots of local robbers and thieves here. All of them have their sights set on the yamen. When they do business, they rarely use drugs. We just need to barge in. Don’t give rise to suspicions,” Nan Xun spoke.
Jun Huang looked at Nan Xun through her veil and nodded, putting her powder away. The group surged into the yamen after a sharp command. Perhaps they’d grown lax after such a long period of peace, the drowsy guards jerked awake when they saw that robbers had come calling. They were all a-fl.u.s.ter and quickly restrained after a panicked scramble. Worried that too much chaos would create danger since swords possessed no eyes, Nan Xun and Jun Huang stood guard outside. It wasn’t the proper time to reveal themselves either.
Jun Huang was a bit worried as she clenched her fists, peering anxiously inside. Sweat soon grew on her palms as she waited for Nan Xun’s band of men to return triumphantly. Nan Xun reached out to grasp her cold fingers when he noted her nervousness. He squeezed them twice in soundless comfort. “It’ll be fine, don’t worry too much.”
Nan Xun’s voice was cool and had a calming effect. Jun Huang nodded, taking a deep breath in but keeping her eyes on the yamen, waiting for those inside to emerge. A large hubbub grew from the inside before long, and the flames of a fire lit up the night sky. The sounds of swords and blades clas.h.i.+ng together made hearts jump in fright. Jun Huang asked with a small frown, “Is something the matter?”
Nan Xun’s brow was likewise tightly knit together. He stepped forward and patted Jun Huang’s shoulder after a moment’s thought. “Wait here. Return to the inn immediately if I don’t come out after twenty minutes.” He was about to charge in after speaking.
“And where are you going?” Jun Huang reached out and snagged Nan Xun’s hand, uneasiness in her clear eyes.