The rain has no tendency to stop, but is getting heavier.
The entire Bei'an County was in a state of solemn silence.
Due to his professional habits in his previous life, Su Liang successfully avoided the patrolling officers and soldiers and approached the fifth house in Yumin Lane mentioned by Ning Jing.
From the outside, it looks no different from its neighbors.
The two old locust trees at the door were beaten bare by a storm, and a layer of half gray and half green fine leaves fell on the ground.
Su Liang hid in the corner, thought for a moment, walked forward, grabbed the rusty copper ring on the door, and slammed the door hard.
After taking more than a dozen shots, there were faint sounds of footsteps approaching from the door. She immediately left and hid in a nearby hiding place.
The door opened, and an old man stared at the empty alley outside. He made sure there was no one again, muttered something, and closed the door again.
Su Liang picked up a stone and slammed it on the door.
After waiting for a quarter of an hour, but there was no movement, she knocked on the door again.
Then, without waiting for anyone to come out, he quietly left and went around to the back alley.
Knocked three times on the back door, but there was no response.
Su Liang backed away, took a running start, climbed over the wall that was not too high, and sneaked in. He first found a hiding place to check the surrounding situation.
It looked like an ordinary home. There were two ridges of vegetable fields in the backyard, a well, a millstone, and two large vats under the thatched shed, covered with wooden lids, but the smell could not be concealed.
Su Liang took a few more glances. If fertilizer was being fertilized in the vat, wouldn't he be beaten by his neighbors? The smell would be so strong on rainy days, and on sunny days, the whole alley would be in trouble.
Besides, this is a county town, and planting such a small vegetable plot doesn't require much fertilizer.
At this moment, a tall and strong man came into the backyard cursing, "I'm about to be smoked to death guarding the human flesh and excrement. I finally fell asleep! The old immortal's ears are deaf, so he's whining!"
Su Liang's eyes narrowed and he finally realized what was going on with the big vat. The smell was used to cover up what they were really hiding. Even when the searching officers and soldiers came, they might not be willing to get close, let alone open it and take a look.
And Su Liang suspected that inside was the death row prisoner who "escaped" last night.
Immediately after the incident, martial law was imposed in the county. It was extremely risky to send a living person out. Regardless of whether a person was alive or dead, it was difficult to hide away from a strict search.
This is the county town, and each house is so big that the cellar cannot store it.
The three scholars were not found because that was the arrester's home.
But if you chop people up and put them in a big tank with their excrement, you just need to say that they are fertilizing. If it doesn't rain, they will be taken away soon.
After all, manure is also a valuable thing in this world.
The man pinched his nose and sat on a chair under the straw shed, staring at the back door.
Su Liang waited patiently for a while and saw that the man closed his eyes and soon started snoring like thunder.
Su Liang avoided the place where he could see, quietly appeared behind him, suddenly pulled out the dagger from his sleeve, stabbed it into his neck, then pulled out the dagger, and quickly hid behind him where he had just come from the front yard.
Next to the intersection.
The man's shrill screams pierced the sky. He covered his bleeding neck and knocked over a large vat. What came out of it was a human hand...
Su Liang held her breath and listened to the footsteps in the front yard. There were only two people.
After all, in order to pretend to be an ordinary family, the number of people must be reasonable. Su Liang had also calculated this.
The first person approached, and Su Liang estimated the distance from her based on the sound of footsteps.
This is the moment!
She went out with the knife and stabbed the man in the head!
The target was the neck. Su Liang followed the position estimated based on the height of the man in the backyard, but the man was half a head shorter, so he pierced the ear accurately!
Of course it was not the boss who was assigned to look at the back door. It was the one who covered his ears and immediately released them, then slashed at Su Liang with a knife.
As for the third person, he is the old man looking at the front door.
On weekdays, this is the home of an old father and his two unmarried sons.
Although he had fought against Hu Er's followers and Huang Gongzi's thugs, to Su Liang, those people were useless.
What Su Liang faced now was the first real battle.
Even if the enemy is injured, his strength cannot be underestimated.
But the old man with a stooped back and a shaky walk went to open the door. He suddenly straightened up, with a fierce look in his eyes, grabbed a rusty axe, and came over to kill him!
Su Liang has no fear, only fighting spirit!
Putting away the dagger and pulling out the long sword hidden behind his back, Su Liang used sword skills for the first time in actual combat.
When sparring with Ning Jing, Su Liang was always suppressed. Only now did he realize the sharpness and subtlety of this swordsmanship.
It feels like it's very smooth to fight and every move is useful.
This is of course closely related to Su Liang's strong understanding, psychological quality and adaptability.
The old man was first stabbed in the chest by Su Liang's sword and fell to the ground.
The strongest man was initially injured by Su Liang's sneak attack. Not long after the beating, he staggered and tried to escape when he saw that the situation was not going well.
Su Liang stepped up her offensive and called on him, aiming to destroy him without letting him die.
A sword pierced the man's thigh, and he tilted and hit the wall.
Su Liang was about to rush over to finish off the attack, when he suddenly noticed someone approaching. His expression changed, and when he turned his head, his arm was grabbed.
"It's time to go." Ning Jing, wearing a raincoat with only a pair of cold eyes exposed, led Su Liang from the backyard to the next door, then climbed over the wall and left.
The heavy rain was pouring, and Su Liang was pulled by Ning Jing to run quickly in the alley. When she turned the corner, she turned around and saw the officers and soldiers rushing into the alley from the other direction.
When Su Liang killed the first person, the noise caused neighbors to go to the nearest patrol officer to report the crime.
It didn't take long in total and everything was just fine.
But Su Liang remained silent, wearing men's clothes and covering her face, and was not worried about being exposed alive by her.
Most of the officers and soldiers rushed to the house, and the two of them returned home smoothly. Su Liang was soaked to the skin, but she was in a good mood.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't go?" Su Liang asked.
Ning Jing ignored Su Liang's question and said, "You are too reckless. You are not sure how many people there are in that family before you do it."
Su Liang nodded, "Indeed. But given the situation at that time, I couldn't think of a better way."
She had already tried it. She saw the old man at the front door, made two noises to lure him away, and sneaked in through the back door smoothly. She waited until the people in the backyard were alone before taking action. But she didn't know how many people were in the front yard at that time.
The house was not big, and there was no good place to hide. She didn't know how to climb over eaves and walls. It was very dangerous to go to the front yard. Luring people over and hiding in a dark place for a sneak attack was the best way at the time.
After all, she has gone there and cannot return empty-handed. At least she has the confidence to escape. She is already quite skilled in climbing over the wall.
"What do you think I should do at that time?" Su Liang asked seriously.
"Come back to me." Ning Jing said.
Su Liang was speechless, "Didn't you say you were tired? In fact, it would be best to find a way to inform Mu Luo, but you asked me to go, didn't you just want me to take action? If I come to you again, then I don't have to go."
"I can look at you." Ning Jing looked calm.
Su Liang understood what he meant.
Ever since she made up her mind to participate in martial arts, Ning Jing has been very attentive to teaching her martial arts. Whenever she asks Ning Jing to compete, he will put down what he is doing.
This time when I say "she will win in a fight", of course I am not talking about Ping Jinglai, but to let Su Liang gain experience.
But Su Liang is not strong enough, so Ning Jing said "watch her" as an extra layer of protection, just in case.
"Did you say you were tired at that time and were waiting for me to ask you to go with me?" Su Liang felt confused.
Ning Jing shook his head, "It's not a request, it's a request."
Su Liang:...Do you want to be so arrogant?
"It turns out that it's okay if you don't go." Su Liang hummed, and then went into the room to change clothes.
Ning Jing suddenly stretched out his hand to stop her, "Do it again."
Su Liang was confused, what's going on?
After a while, Su Liang held the dagger against the back wall, holding his breath and concentrating.
Ning Jing, who promised to reenact the fight not long ago and pointed out Su Liang's lack of moves, did not walk through the front yard, but fell from the sky and attacked Su Liang!
Su Liang looked startled and narrowly avoided it!
"If there is one more person in that family, you will definitely be injured." Ning Jing's voice was very calm, and the offensive did not stop at all.
Su Liang agreed. She assumed that the people in the front yard would take that route, which was actually a bit taken for granted. Based on the sound of footsteps, she could not prevent someone from coming from the ground.
"Sneak attacks often only have one chance. If you miss it or don't have enough, it will be ineffective." Ning Jing said while fighting.
Indeed. If she can directly knock down the first person with a sneak attack, she will be more confident in dealing with the second person.
Su Liang discovered that although Ning Jing used a sword, the sword skills he used were exactly those of the strongest person in that family, but more powerful.
"If the old one walks in front, you have no chance of winning." Ning Jing said.
Su Liang's opportunity for a sneak attack was used on the strongest person. If the old man was injured while walking in front, and the other one was unscathed before the fight with Su Liang, the result would be very different.
After dozens of moves, Su Liang did not fall down or get injured, but there were more than a dozen cracks on his clothes.
She knew that Ningjing was showing mercy, but a vicious enemy would not do so. And if she was really injured, she would be unable to support her now, and it was doubtful whether she could escape.
After fighting for about two quarters of an hour, both of them were soaked to the skin, but compared to Su Liang's embarrassment, Ning Jing felt like he had been caught in the rain.
As the last move, Ning Jing put the sword on Su Liang's neck from a tricky angle.
Su Liang was filled with frustration when he heard Ning Jing say coldly, "I know that you were a soldier in your previous life, you know some kung fu, you are very perceptive, you are also very hard-working, you have a smart mind, and you have quick reactions, but in the face of absolute strength, these things are useless.
use."
"Yes." Su Liang sighed.
"It was just a fluke that you escaped unscathed today. You may not be so lucky next time." Ning Jing said.
Su Liang nodded, "Yes."
"Is it okay if I don't go?" Ning Jing asked her in Su Liang's words.
Su Liang shook his head, "No."
In fact, she has always been under the protection of Ning Jing, just because Ning Jing doesn't like to talk, so she can solve everything she can, but this does not mean that Ning Jing's existence is not important.
"Since I taught you martial arts, I will watch you before you leave." Ning Jing finished her words, sheathed her sword and returned to the front yard.
Su Liang looked at Ning Jing's back and said, "Master, I was wrong. I will definitely invite you next time."
This was the first time she felt Ningjing was angry, although she couldn't see it from his face.
But Ningjing said she was tired at the time, but waited for Su Liang to ask him to go with her, which was also a test for her.
I didn't know much about her martial arts skills, because she didn't come into contact with many people after coming to this world. Even if Ningjing didn't need to take action this time, Su Liang should have invited him to go with her.
She didn't fail or get hurt, but there was a lot of luck involved.
Su Liang heated up hot water, and after the two of them took a shower and changed clothes, Chang An came again...
"The leader of the thief who robbed the death row prisoner last night was caught. The two accomplices who were with him were killed by the mysterious man. He also exposed several accomplices hiding elsewhere."
"The prisoners on death row are all dead, and the bones cannot be distinguished."
"Half of the government officials and jailers in Bei'an County have been bribed by others, and the investigation has not been completed."
"My master asked me to inform you two that the leader of the thief confessed that he was ordered by the Prince of Beijing. The truth or falsehood has not yet been determined, but Mr. Ning should make plans early."
Su Liang thanked Mu Luo for the reminder, and before Changan left, he turned around and asked, "I wonder why you two came to the city this time? Originally, my master was going to find you today!"
Su Liang smiled, "He wanted to eat sweet-scented osmanthus cake, but he didn't expect that something big happened in the county and Mingxiang Tower was closed."
Chang'an coughed lightly, "I see! Then I won't bother you, and I'll say goodbye!"
After closing the door, Su Liang went back and asked Ningjing what she wanted to eat.
Ning Jing glanced at her, "Are you trying to please me?"
Normally, Su Liang is not allowed to order dishes from Ningjing when she is cooking. She is not a cook.
Su Liang smiled sweetly, "That's right. If you don't miss this opportunity, it won't come again."
"It's up to you." Ning Jing threw back the question of how to please him.
Su Liang began to think that he had to make something delicious, something that Ningjing had never tasted before. He brought some ingredients from the village when he came, otherwise there would be nothing he could do.
Originally, Su Liang had no intention of asking Ning Jing to come over and light the fire. He came when it was time to show up.
"With my martial arts skills and ranking among the top three in martial arts competitions, is there no hope at all?" Su Liang asked.
Ning Jing shook his head, "No, if you practice martial arts until next year, you will be in the top three. But that is just a means for you to accomplish other things, not the purpose of practicing martial arts."
Before today, Ning Jing had always had a positive attitude towards Su Liang's martial arts.
In fact, today Ningjing said that Su Liang's biggest problem was not that he was weak in martial arts, but that he was overconfident and not cautious enough.
Su Liang nodded, "Then I'm relieved. The ultimate goal of my martial arts practice is to defeat you one day. Do you think there is hope?"
Ning Jing Tian Chai's hand paused, "What would you do if you defeated me?"
Su Liang chuckled, "Of course I order and you cook. I want to eat Buddha and jump over the wall."
Ning Jing was puzzled, "Buddha? Jump over the wall? What kind of food is it?"
"It's very complicated." Su Liang said.
Ning Jing nodded, "Okay. I want to eat this today, you do it."
Su Liang:......
The raw materials were limited, so of course it couldn't be made. So, Su Liang casually said that he owed Ningjing a meal and jumped over the wall...
…
Unlike the rainy weather in Bei'an County, Beijing is sunny and crisp in autumn.
Nian Jincheng came back from the military camp. He didn't change his clothes and didn't even bother to drink water, so he went to find Nian Ruxue.
"Miss Qin sent someone to invite the fourth lady to attend the poetry party." the little maid said.
Nian Jincheng frowned. He was busy with military affairs recently, and whenever he had time, he wanted to teach Nian Ruxue's martial arts, but she was not at home three times in a row.
Just as he was about to leave, Nian Jincheng suddenly remembered something and asked the maid, "Is the poetry meeting held in the Qin Mansion?"
"Yes. Today is a poetry meeting led by Miss Qin. It is the first time her cousin Prince Beijing has participated in such an event since he came to the capital, so the Fourth Miss must go!" the little maid replied.
When Nian Jincheng heard the words "Prince of Beijing", his eyes narrowed and he strode away. After changing his clothes, he rode his horse to the Qin Mansion.