It was not yet dark, but there were already no passers - by outside the house. Silence was spreading all around.
Suddenly, the door creaked and was pushed open a crack. Fang Qinhu's heart skipped a beat. His hand was already on the hilt of his knife. His eyes widened like a tiger or leopard eyeing its prey, ready to draw his blade and charge out at any moment.
"It's me!"
As the voice faded, the wooden door was completely pushed open, revealing a young but cold - looking face. She was wrapped in a black cloak with a veil hat on her head, making her look somewhat eerie.
Fang Qinhu's face lit up with joy. He immediately sheathed his knife. "Miss Ling? Why did you come at this time?"
The visitor was Ling Yin.
The current hiding place of Shang Luoshu's group was provided by Ling Yin. Even their food, clothing, and water for these days were arranged by her.
Only Shang Luoshu and Lu Yinxi knew Ling Yin's real identity. So, although Fang Qinhu and the others had suspected Ling Yin's help, they didn't completely reject it, thinking they would repay her in the future.
"There's no time to explain. You all need to pack up quickly and follow me!" Ling Yin had a solemn face, looking as if she was keeping everyone at arm's length.
Hearing the commotion outside, Hongrui and Hongmei trotted out of the room. "Miss Ling, why are you here? Could it be..."
Ling Yin nodded slightly and handed the bags to the two of them. "Take these bags. Open them when you reach a safe place."
"I've already sent Lin, the official who came with the army, and his personal guards out of the city during the day. So you don't have to worry. After leaving the city, go directly to the mountain in the north to meet him."
To be on the safe side, Shang Luoshu had assigned a few personal guards to protect Lin Zihan. Unexpectedly, it really came in handy.
"Also, have you done what I told you?"
As she said this, Ling Yin's gaze returned to Fang Qinhu.
"Of course."
Fang Qinhu immediately took over. "Following your instructions, Miss Ling, I led some men out the past few nights and stole a lot of military uniforms."
As he spoke, he motioned for his subordinates to take out the uniforms.
"Good."
Seeing those uniforms, Ling Yin showed her first smile of the night, but it disappeared in an instant. Before Fang Qinhu could see it clearly, she had already put on a cold face again.
"Now, all of you change into these clothes. The two lying inside too."
To prevent Shang Luoshu's group from escaping the city at night, Zhu Jie and Xia Shouzheng had added a lot of patrolling soldiers at night. But Ling Yin turned the tables. She immediately told Fang Qinhu to lead some men to attack the patrolling soldiers.
They didn't want to kill these soldiers. The only requirement was to seriously injure them.
For several consecutive nights, the casualties in the city were increasing day by day. The medical clinics could hardly accommodate all the injured soldiers. Even Xia Shouzheng's mansion was filled with many of them. Helplessly, Zhu Jie had to order the injured to be sent to the camp outside the city.
This was exactly the opportunity Ling Yin was waiting for.
Knowing they could leave the city, Hongrui and Hongmei acted quickly. They immediately changed Lu Yinxi into a military uniform. Fang Qinhu and Lu Hu were in charge of Shang Luoshu.
A quarter of an hour later, everyone was dressed neatly.
Before Ling Yin came, she had already learned that in half an hour it would be the You hour. The people appointed by Zhu Jie would send the wounded out of the city at this time.
"Let's go!"
Underneath the black cloak, Ling Yin was also dressed in a military uniform.
Walking through the alley and onto the main street, it was completely dark. There were hardly any civilians on the street. Most of the people in sight were soldiers wearing armor and carrying broad - bladed swords on their waists.
Ling Yin walked straight ahead, looking very calm. She led the group towards the north city gate without changing her expression.
Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of her, blocking her way.
"Password!"
With so many soldiers under his command, it was impossible for Zhu Jie to know everyone. So, to prevent Shang Luoshu's group from disguising as soldiers and escaping, Zhu Jie had come up with a special method. They would use a password to confirm whether the other person was one of their own, and the password was even changed daily.
Lu Hu, who had no idea about this, instinctively tightened his grip on the scabbard, ready to fight at any moment. But then he heard Ling Yin in front speak calmly.
"Heavenly King covers the Tiger. Response."
"Pagoda suppresses the River Demon."
Since both sides had the correct password, the man who had just spoken immediately softened his expression. "Brother, you're sending the wounded out of the city!"
"Yes, from Magistrate Xia's mansion."
Hearing this, the man nodded in understanding.
After all, it was the magistrate's mansion. The wounded there must be sent out first.
It had to be said that Zhu Jie really attached great importance to Shang Luoshu. Along the way, Ling Yin had to answer the password at least seven or eight times before they finally saw the north city gate. A group of wounded soldiers had just left.
Seeing the exit in sight, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Ling Yin still had a poker face, and her steps were as steady and heroic as before.
Finally, the city gate was right in front of them.
"Whose wounded soldiers are these?" the guard asked routinely.
"From Magistrate Xia's mansion."
Hearing this, the guard's face changed. "Bold! All the wounded from Lord Xia's mansion have already left the city. You're clearly thieves."
As he spoke, he drew his sword and placed it against Ling Yin's neck.
Seeing this, the other guards also drew their swords.
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Noticing Ling Yin's hand behind her back signaling them not to act rashly, Fang Qinhu pondered slightly. Seeing this, his personal guards also suppressed their urge to draw their swords, but they remained on high alert.
"Open your dog eyes and see who the real thief is!"
As she spoke, Ling Yin took out a token from her sleeve. There was a big "Xia" character engraved on it.
The guard's face changed again, but Ling Yin seemed not to notice. She said coldly, "You can't recognize your own people but let the thieves go. Hurry up and chase them!"
The soldiers then reacted. They immediately sent some men out of the city to chase after them, and at the same time, they sent someone to deliver the news to Magistrate Xia's mansion. Finally, they flattered Ling Yin. "I was blind, sir. You can leave the city now."
Even though they didn't know Ling Yin's identity, since she could hold the Xia mansion's token, her status must be high. It was right to flatter her.
Ling Yin gave a cold nod and stepped forward to lead the group away.
When the city gate closed behind them and gradually faded into a dot in the distance, Fang Qinhu finally realized that they had made it out?
"Was it really that easy to leave the city?" someone voiced the doubt in everyone's minds.
Everyone's eyes fell on Ling Yin. After all, it was all her doing. But she seemed not to notice. She just picked up the bags again.
"You must hold on to these bags." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Lord Lin is waiting for you on the mountain. Hurry up!"
"Also, don't go back to the capital!"
Fang Qinhu was stunned for a moment, then he understood what she meant and nodded solemnly.
"Hurry up!"
Ling Yin urged again. Lu Hu looked puzzled and asked, "Miss Ling, aren't you coming with us?"
Hearing this, Ling Yin gave a faint smile but answered off - topic. "Don't you want to know how I managed to lead you out of the city so smoothly?"
The air around them froze for a moment. Then they heard her voice again.
"Because I'm Xia Shouzheng's daughter."
So, I can't leave!