Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 237 - 144: Enemies on a Narrow Road

Chapter 237: Chapter 144: Enemies on a Narrow Road

For some reason, Mengniang felt as if Jiang Shouzhong’s gaze could see right through her, making her extremely uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Jiang Shouzhong withdrew his gaze in time, cleared his throat, and said with a stern expression, "It’s normal to encounter Demon Energy outside, there’s no need to meddle in unnecessary matters. Right now, with Miaomiao by our side, it’s best to be cautious."

"Hmm."

Mengniang nodded lightly and disappeared from the room.

Just as Jiang Shouzhong was getting his luggage ready, planning to set out with Er Liang and the others, an unusual sound of horse hooves suddenly rang out on the street outside the inn.

About a hundred heavily armored elite cavalrymen surged into the streets of Muling County City like a flood and quickly dispersed.

Before everyone could react to what was happening, a cavalryman kicked open the inn’s main door with the front hooves of his horse, his sharp gaze swiftly scanning the lobby before he coldly announced, "By superior order, effective immediately, Muling County City will be under a three-day lockdown. During this period, no one may leave without authorization. Those who disobey will bear the consequences!"

Having said this, the cavalryman turned his horse around and rushed in another direction to continue conveying the lockdown order.

A lockdown?

The crowd looked at each other, puzzled.

Jiang Shouzhong was also caught by surprise, wondering why there was suddenly a lockdown.

Recalling Mengniang’s mention of Demon Energy inside the inn, he guessed that perhaps the lockdown was initiated to capture a demon. But it seemed excessive to mobilize so many troops—unless the demon in question was of significant stature.

Jiang Shouzhong hesitated, wondering if he should reveal the special Token of the Liushan Division to gain passage privileges.

But seeing the large military presence outside, acting rashly could bring unnecessary trouble. Attracting attention would be problematic, especially with an enemy princess in his company.

After weighing his options, Jiang Shouzhong ultimately decided against taking any risks.

After all, the lockdown was only temporary; enduring it for three days was bearable.

Once back in his room, Jiang Shouzhong called Mengniang out and asked, "Can you sense where the demon hiding in this inn might be?"

Mengniang closed her eyes, using her Divine Sense to feel around for a moment. When she opened her eyes, she said, "There are two demons in this inn. One is the fan-bearing man who sat at the table next to yours during your meal today. The other... seems to have used some secret technique, I can’t pinpoint their location."

"So he was a demon."

Remembering the elegant gentleman with the fan, Jiang Shouzhong was surprised, "Is that sword-carrying woman also...?"

Mengniang shook her head, "No."

Jiang Shouzhong sighed, "It’s always an eventful time when we step out the door."

Mengniang curiously asked, "Who is Zhang Que’er’s relative? Will they take her in?"

Jiang Shouzhong rubbed his temples and said, "According to the address given by Zhang Ashun, it’s a place called Longwu Escort Agency in Yucheng County. Zhang Ashun’s brother-in-law is a head escort there. As for whether he will take in Zhang Que’er, we’ll have to wait and see when we get there."

...

The sudden mandatory lockdown left people dissatisfied, but facing the fully armored elite cavalry on the street, even with great grievances, they could only swallow their complaints.

Fortunately, it was only for three days, a duration most could endure.

Inside the room, the sword-carrying woman stood at the window, watching the patrolling cavalry on the street, her face showing a worried expression.

"Yuan Mei, it’s nothing, it’s just three days after all."

The man beside her lightly swayed a folding fan in his hand. Although a touch of worry showed in his eyes, he tried to speak in a comforting tone upon seeing the woman’s sad face.

The woman named Yuan Mei expressed her unease, "I’m worried that father might come looking for us..."

"It’s all right. My father-in-law won’t find us so quickly," the man reassured, lightly holding the woman’s hand.

Yuan Mei blushed, saying with feigned anger, "What father-in-law? If father really does come, let’s see if he won’t break your legs, after all, you eloped with his precious daughter... the heiress of the Longwu Escort Agency."

The man laughed, "If Yuan Mei hadn’t been willing, how could a mere scholar like me have eloped with such a beautiful heroine?"

"Enough of that, I was deceived by you," Yuan Mei slapped his hand away.

With a soft sigh, she gently leaned her head against the man’s shoulder, "We, you can’t let me down."

The scholar surnamed Wen embraced the woman tenderly, "Don’t worry, Yuan Mei. Once we arrive in Qingzhou, I’ll have my uncle personally bring the dowry to Longwu Escort Agency to marry you. My uncle has no sons, only me as a nephew, and he supports whatever I do. By then, you’ll be the young madam of the Wen family, with endless wealth and honor."

Yuan Mei’s eyes were filled with affection as she shook her head, "We, I don’t need wealth or honor. I just hope you will always love me."

As she spoke, Yuan Mei’s expression suddenly turned fierce, "Wen Dong, if I ever find you fooling around with another woman, I will kill both of you! And don’t you dare look at other women again. Like that little girl today—if you gaze at her again, I will scratch her pretty little face to shreds! That’ll give you an eyeful!"

Feeling the icy murderous intent in the woman’s tone, Wen Dong knew that the young mistress of the escort agency had a stubborn temperament and immediately promised repeatedly, "Don’t worry, Yuan, you are the only one in my eyes forever."

...

Since only the city was locked down and not the inns, many people from the inns went out to wander the streets, seeking to relieve their boredom. Even more went to enjoy themselves in the pleasure quarters, despite it being broad daylight.

Jiang Shouzhong meandered aimlessly through the city streets with the three women, but soon found it dull and returned to the inn.

When going upstairs, they coincidentally ran into Wen Dong and Long Yuanyuan again.

This time, Wen Dong, holding a folding fan, did not look at Zhang Que’er. Instead, he passed Jiang Shouzhong and his party with a straight gaze and courteous manners, the very model of a refined gentleman.

On the other hand, Long Yuanyuan glared fiercely at Zhang Que’er.

Because of the special nature of Zhang Que’er’s cultivation technique, she, like Er Liang, appeared to be an ordinary girl, while Yelü Miaomiao had completely lost her Daoist form and currently had no cultivation, just like an ordinary person.

Only Jiang Shouzhong, with a Seven Kills Blade slung on his hip and his Taoist Body transformed into the Golden Taoist Body of the Martial Warrior Second Realm, was working on expanding his energy points.

Therefore, in the eyes of Long Yuanyuan and the rest of the people at the inn, Jiang Shouzhong and his companions were not seen as a threat.

"Crazy."

Zhang Que’er rolled her eyes.

Although the girl’s voice was very soft, Long Yuanyuan, who was going downstairs, heard it.

Long Yuanyuan, who had been spoiled since childhood in the Longwu Escort Agency, changed her expression instantly. She turned around and glared furiously at Zhang Que’er, "You brat, dare to say that again and try me!?"

The crowd in the inn’s main hall, hearing the commotion, all turned to look.

Human nature always enjoys a spectacle.

Jiang Shouzhong’s brows furrowed, just as he was about to speak, Wen Dong hurriedly stepped forward to persuade the woman with kind words, and whispered something in her ear, which made Long Yuanyuan turn away with a cold face.

The crowd, deprived of the excitement, couldn’t hide their regret.

"Do you want to wear a veil?"

Back in the room, Jiang Shouzhong asked Zhang Que’er.

Zhang Que’er shook her head, "I don’t want to. It’s like admitting I’m at fault. You must think I’m the one causing trouble, right,"

Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t help but laugh dumbly. "I’m not blind. It’s just that we still need to keep a low profile for now, especially with many soldiers around. It would be troublesome to draw their attention. Of course, if they provoke you first, you can fight back,"

"I know~"

Zhang Que’er deliberately stretched her voice, turned her back, and walked out of the room, her small boots clacking against the floor.

In the afternoon, Er Liang said she wanted to buy some items for the road.

Jiang Shouzhong, who was consulting Mengniang on martial arts, didn’t mind, as the shops were not far from the inn. He gave some money and let Zhang Que’er go with Er Liang.

Passing by a blacksmith’s shop, Zhang Que’er suddenly stopped.

Looking at the sparks flying and the red-hot iron blanks, Zhang Que’er glanced at a general store not far away and said softly to Er Liang, "You go ahead and buy the things. I’ll stay here for a while."

"Oh, okay."

Er Liang nodded her little head, didn’t think much of it, and went on her way.

Zhang Que’er entered the blacksmith shop and watched the iron blanks being forged and quenched. She asked faintly, "How much to forge a sword?"

The muscular middle-aged blacksmith wiped the beads of sweat from his brawny limbs and saw that the questioner was a young girl. He said unenthusiastically, "Girl, swords are not toys; they are not meant for play."

"Is business also about age?"

Zhang Que’er took out a small piece of gold and fiddled with it in her hand.

This piece of gold wasn’t given by Jiang Shouzhong, but was the asset left by her father’s noodle shop, which she had converted into money.

Seeing the gold in the girl’s hand, the blacksmith hesitated for a moment, then finally took her to the warehouse, "Girl, I think you’re just playing around. Here are some of the finished products I normally forge. Although it’s not much, it’s enough for you to have your fun pretending to be a swordswoman."

The warehouse stored various weapons: swords, spears, clubs, and staves. In a corner, there were some unpolished iron blanks stacked up.

Zhang Que’er glanced around indifferently and was about to refuse when, feeling an inexplicable intuition, she turned to look at one of the long swords.

...

Meanwhile, Er Liang, after finishing her shopping, was walking out the door when suddenly a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Eh? Aren’t you that... little beggar?"

A carriage on the street lifted a corner of its curtain, and Zhou Xiyue stared in surprise at Er Liang coming out of the store.

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