Chapter 572: Destroying the Evidence 2
"Master, terrible news! Yuan Yintang is about to execute the criminals who set the fire," a Zhan family guard reported, rushing in.
"Execute them? Have they been interrogated? Did they find out who the mastermind is?" Zhan Yi asked.
"Yuan Yintang says they’re all wandering brigands who murder and commit arson for money."
"Nonsense. What kind of wandering brigands would dare to run rampant around the Capital City?" Zhan Yi refused to believe it.
Qian Fu said, "Yuan Yintang is in such a rush to execute them. Is there any doubt as to who is behind this?"
Zhan Yi froze, and Old Master Gu also paused for a moment before the realization dawned on him.
Yuan Yintang wasn’t a court official, nor did he have ties to the ministers. He was one of the Medicine King’s men and also Consort Yuan’s senior brother. Was there any question as to who he was helping?
"No, I can’t let them get away with this," Zhan Yi said, waving to his guards. "All of you, come with me."
"Old Master Zhan, it would be unwise to start a conflict at a time like this. Just stop them, that will be enough. Leave the rest to the government for trial; the Emperor will make the final decision," Qian Fu urged.
"I know. The Capital City isn’t a place where Yuan Yintang can just act as he pleases." With that, Zhan Yi led a group of men away.
Old Master Gu stared at the blazing mountain, deeply worried.
"As soon as the fire is extinguished, we must search the mountain immediately. Pay close attention to Yuan Yintang. The man is ruthless and cunning; we must guard against him." Qian Fu understood the situation perfectly.
"I know. Yuan’er, take all of our family’s men and patrol around Four-direction Mountain. If you find anyone, report back immediately."
"Yes, Grandfather."
「In the cave.」
Ying Ge cleaned Luo Wen’s and Ying Yuan’s wounds and applied medicine. Seeing her young mistress sleeping so soundly, she decided not to wake her.
Zhan Chi, Gu Shuo, and the others also couldn’t bear to wake the soundly sleeping little girl. She surely hadn’t rested at all since coming up the mountain.
Back at the residence, the little girl could sleep for most of the day. After staying awake for two days straight, who would have the heart to wake her when she’d only just fallen asleep?
But if they didn’t wake her, the little girl would definitely throw a tantrum when her temper flared.
After much hesitation, Qian Fanji bent down and patted her gently.
Ye Qianning’s body was under severe strain, and she was in a deep sleep. In the past, she would have sensed anyone approaching, but now, she didn’t stir at all.
"Kiddo," Qian Fanji called out again.
Sang Zhi’s heart ached watching this.
Ye Qianning’s brow twitched, and she slowly opened her eyes. She was startled by the sight before her but quickly grasped the situation.
After a few seconds, she turned her head to look at Luo Wen.
"I need to perform acupuncture on them. Carry me a little closer."
Sang Zhi released his hold.
Qian Fanji bent down, picked her up, and placed her beside Luo Wen.
Luo Wen was covered in sword wounds; not a single spot on him was unharmed. At a glance, it looked as if he had been flayed by a thousand cuts, a truly gruesome sight.
Fortunately, the medicine they usually took was working, keeping him barely clinging to life.
She took a set of silver needles from her robes. After sterilizing them, she inserted one into Luo Wen’s head to seal his acupoints, then immediately followed by inserting needles into his back.
In no time, he looked like a porcupine.
Afterward, she moved to Ying Yuan’s side. Ying Yuan’s injuries were lighter compared to Luo Wen’s. A silver needle pierced the top of her head.
The unconscious woman suddenly drew a sharp breath. As the second silver needle was inserted, Ying Yuan’s whole body reacted, and her eyes shot open.
She saw Ye Qianning and tried to open her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
"Don’t move," Ye Qianning said.
Three more needles from her hand landed in the woman’s abdomen and lower leg.
The man in red also knew some medicine. Watching her sharp and decisive technique, he thought, ’She seems even more practiced than a Dharma Protector, yet she’s clearly just a little girl. If the Dharma Protectors ever found a genius like this, they’d surely worship her like a priceless treasure.’