Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 542 - 277: Witch Qingchen

Chapter 542: Chapter 277: Witch Qingchen

What Mr. Zhao said was indeed troublesome.

However, speaking of the Sky Demon Sect, Jiang Shouzhong suddenly recalled one of the four protectors of the Sect, Jin Ao.

The two had met on the road to Fengcheng and had left a fairly good impression on each other, barely qualifying as friends.

Perhaps, could he rely on this relationship to have the Sky Demon Sect help clear the way?

"Maybe... should I escort them?"

Jiang Shouzhong thought silently.

But Jiang Shouzhong was a bit worried.

Initially, Jin Ao blustered about knocking him out and delivering him to Qu Hongling, and it was unclear whether he was joking.

If he went to the Sky Demon Sect and was captured, becoming that Sect Master’s kept man, then he would be doomed.

After considering for a moment, Jiang Shouzhong said:

"Mr. Zhao, we can’t think too much for now, you go ahead to the Sky Demon Sect. If you are stopped, find a person named Jin Ao, he is my friend."

Jiang Shouzhong planned to secretly follow behind.

If Mr. Zhao and his men could pass smoothly, he wouldn’t need to show himself.

If things did not go smoothly, he would have no choice but to intervene and negotiate.

Mr. Zhao’s brow slightly relaxed, and he nodded, saying:

"If there is someone from the Sky Demon Sect, things will be much easier. However, the most troublesome issue now is still these rescued people.

The soldiers are easy to handle; there are quite a few old acquaintances among them, and they would mostly believe me. But it’s difficult to say for the civilians; they are the subjects of Dazhou, and currently, it’s hard for them to believe that the Court would harm them."

Jiang Shouzhong understood the other’s concerns and said lightly:

"Everyone has their destiny, we have already done our best. Let those who want to stay, stay; whether they live or die is up to their own fate."

Jiang Shouzhong is neither a living Bodhisattva nor a savior.

Up to now, he truly had done his best; he couldn’t possibly save every person determined to die alone.

Ultimately, everyone must take responsibility for themselves.

Mr. Zhao wanted to say more, but ultimately, he helplessly nodded, "I can only try my best to persuade them."

After Mr. Zhao left, Jiang Shouzhong asked Li Nanshuang: "Boss, is Qingchen in another safe place?"

Li Nanshuang was startled, blinked, and said, "Didn’t she go outside the city to meet you?"

"To meet me?"

Jiang Shouzhong said in surprise, "I didn’t see her."

Li Nanshuang said, "Recently, Jia brought some surviving women here, claiming it was Qingchen who saved them. Ran Qingchen told him she was going outside the city to meet you, I thought you..."

Before Li Nanshuang could finish, Jiang Shouzhong cursed silently, mounted the Cow Demon, grabbed its horns, and dashed towards the city gate.

...

Meanwhile, Ran Qingchen had not left the city but was hiding behind a mud wall next to the Ancient Brahma Temple, nervously watching a cavalry squadron searching for survivors in the distance.

Ran Qingchen’s face was pale, still showing traces of shock and disbelief.

Because just moments ago, she had witnessed this squadron of Dazhou cavalry kill a surviving family of three.

Jiang Shouzhong hadn’t had the chance to tell her the details, so when she saw the cavalry entering the city, she thought they were rescue troops, only to witness that scene.

Ran Qingchen was not foolish; combining her husband’s actions and the explosive arrows, she deduced some of the truth.

This was something she could not accept.

She truly couldn’t understand why the Dazhou Court would slaughter its own people.

But now was not the time to seek the truth, as the Ancient Brahma Temple behind her sheltered many surviving civilians, mostly women and children.

Before departing, Empress Luo Wanqing had instructed the monks of the Ancient Brahma Temple to open their sanctuary. Should any refugees arrive, they were to be sheltered, and their survival would be up to fate.

Just as Jiang Shouzhong had said before, for figures like Luo Wanqing and Li Guanshi, expecting them to act like Bodhisattvas was obviously impossible.

At the peak of cultivation, life was regarded lightly.

Even ordinary individuals of Jianghu had fled amidst the chaos, not bothering with others.

However, before Luo Wanqing left, she still performed a few good deeds.

Under the massive attack with explosive arrows, she protected the monks and over four hundred refugees within the temple.

However, this burden now fell on Ran Qingchen.

Watching the cavalry drawing near, the woman slowly gripped her long sword. She was confident she could kill this small squadron of cavalry, but she was afraid of alerting the nearby troops.

Fortunately, the cavalry did not approach but passed through a small alley.

Ran Qingchen breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the temple.

Within the temple, the chief monk of the Ancient Brahma Temple was settling the refugees.

"Lord Ran, what is the situation outside?"

The old monk looked worried.

Ran Qingchen glanced at the people, who were either frightened or numb, and spoke:

"Chief, I need you to send monks with good cultivation to escort them out of the temple, towards Mingyang Lake. This place is not safe; troops will soon reach here, and I will clear the path ahead for you."

The old chief monk nodded lightly: "Alright, I will definitely protect them."

"Lord Ran, if Dazhou has sent troops, that means they are here to protect us, why should we hide from them?"

A woman from the crowd suddenly asked.

Ran Qingchen didn’t know how to explain, so she simply told the truth:

"I saw those soldiers kill a surviving family of three. I suspect they do not want to leave any survivors in Qingzhou."

What!?

Upon hearing Ran Qingchen’s words, the crowd became agitated.

"How is that possible? Are you sure you didn’t see it wrong, Lord Ran? Maybe those were rebels outside."

Some people refused to believe it.

Ran Qingchen said: "The rebels are nearly gone, the remaining ones are under Mr. Zhao’s control; indeed, those outside are the troops sent by the Court. I will do my best to ensure your safety until you reach Mingyang Lake."

The people looked at each other uneasily.

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