"Old Fourth, Old Fourth, look quickly, there seems to be someone ahead..." Yun Sanman nudged his fourth brother.
Yun Siman narrowed his eyes and looked, feeling a hint of surprise.
As they got closer, he became even more confused.
He seemed to have seen these people somewhere before.
They looked like subordinates of Prince Ming...
"Two young masters, you've arrived!~" the leader of the men smiled slightly and greeted them.
Yun Siman asked curiously, "What are you doing here?"
The leader pointed to a small county town at the foot of the mountain and said with a smile, "To be frank, we were sent by Young Master Xiao to protect Miss Fang'er and Miss Murong. They are currently resting at an inn in the county town. Shall I lead the two young masters there?"
Yun Sanman: "???"
Why would Xiao Jinfeng send people to protect Shangguan Fang'er?
However, it was good to encounter his subordinates here; it saved them from aimlessly searching like headless flies...
"Thank you for your hard work!~" Yun Sanman cupped his hands towards the leading man. "You have been toiling for several days. Please return. My fourth brother and I will protect Fang'er from now on!"
The leader exchanged glances with his subordinates, chatted with the brothers for a few more words, and then set off back to Dashui Village...
Not long after they left, another group of men in black appeared in the woods.
They wore crossbows at their waists, held sharp knives, and their faces were covered with black cloth. Their attire and demeanor clearly indicated they were Yan Kingdom's death warriors.
These people were not targeting Sanman and Siman, but were secretly tracking Shangguan Fang'er.
Yun Siman, being a martial artist, could sense the killing intent in the surroundings even while sitting on the horse-drawn sled...
"Third brother, hold on tight! Giddy-up, giddy-up!~" Yun Siman flicked the whip, spurring the horse.
Yun Sanman asked in confusion, "Old Fourth, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly running so fast?"
The horse-drawn sled carved two shallow tracks on the official road, and snowflakes were kicked up, landing on the felt hats of the two brothers...
"There are assassins nearby, we need to find Miss Fang'er quickly!~" Yun Siman said with a serious expression.
Yun Sanman's mouth twitched upon hearing this, "Ass, assassins?"
The difference between an assassin and a bandit was that one dared to kill, and the other dared to rob.
For bandits, as long as they were given enough money, they might let you go if they were in a good mood.
But assassins were different; they pursued their targets with purpose. Once caught by them, death was certain...
Especially the Yan Kingdom's death warriors, they were top assassins trained rigorously and would not turn back until their mission was accomplished.
"Third brother, why do I feel like these people are looking for Miss Fang'er?" Yun Siman said.
Since the brothers were unaware of the treasure map, they could only guess the assassins' intentions...
Yun Sanman pondered for a moment, then slowly raised his head, "My sister mentioned before that Fang'er and Miss Murong leaving Dashui Village so abruptly was likely to search for treasure. If these men in black followed them all the way here, perhaps they intend to cast a long line to catch a big fish, and when Fang'er finds the treasure, they will eliminate them all!~"
Yun Siman grunted, his eyes scanning the black figures in the thicket, and soon drove the horse-drawn sled into the small county town...
In an inconspicuous inn.
Murong Qing stood by the window, glancing outside, "Your Highness, why do I feel something is strange?"
Ever since they left Dashui Village and passed through Heyang County, she had felt as if someone was following them...
Shangguan Fang'er held her teacup and asked, "What's wrong, Qing'er?"
"Princess, let's return the way we came. Those people from Yan may have already discovered us!~" Murong Qing said sternly.
In their current predicament, even if they found the treasure, they wouldn't be able to take it away...
The Yan Kingdom's death warriors were cruel; how could they possibly let them leave?
Shangguan Fang'er said with a hint of urgency, "But, but if we return the way we came, won't we lead those assassins back to Dashui Village?"
She didn't want to implicate the entire Yun family because of this matter.
Murong sighed, closed the window tightly, "Once we reach Dashui Village, with the protection of Marquis Gu and Prince Ming, those assassins won't dare to act recklessly. Having more help is better than facing them alone..."
She had disagreed with searching for treasure now from the beginning, but the princess wouldn't listen.
And now, they were being targeted, and the two of them were in a dilemma, not knowing what to do.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Shangguan Fang'er was startled and quickly drew her dagger, telling Murong Qing to stand behind her...
"Don't be afraid, Qing'er, I will protect you!~" Shangguan Fang'er said.
Murong Qing: "..."
You'd better protect yourself first.
"Who is it?" Murong Qing walked to the door and asked in a low voice.
A moment later, Yun Sanman's voice came through, "Is that Miss Murong? It's Sanman!~"
Murong Qing's eyes lit up, and she quickly opened the door, letting Sanman and Siman in...
Upon seeing Shangguan Fang'er, Yun Sanman's eyes darkened, and his face was clouded with gloom, "Fang'er, why did you leave without saying goodbye?"
Given the situation, he didn't need to beat around the bush; he directly asked the doubts in his heart.
Shangguan Fang'er stared blankly at Yun Sanman, then slowly lowered her head, "There are some things I can't explain myself. I intended to explain them to you and the family after I returned, but I didn't expect you to find me here..."
"You're not going to the State of Chen, are you?" Yun Sanman frowned and asked directly, "Where exactly are you and Miss Murong going when you suddenly left Dashui Village? And what about the treasure map?"
As soon as the words "treasure map" were spoken, Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing were both startled...
How did Sanman know about the treasure map?
"I don't know what you're talking about!~" Shangguan Fang'er turned her face away.
"Fang'er!" Yun Sanman stepped forward, turned Shangguan Fang'er's shoulders, and sighed slightly, "Just now, when Fourth and I were on our way here, we saw many men in black. Are they targeting you? Is that treasure map really that important to you?"
If one lost their life, what use were so many gold and silver treasures?
Shangguan Fang'er pondered for a long time before looking at Yun Sanman, "These treasures are immense, and they are my capital for a comeback. If they are dug up by those people, how can I face my father's spirit?"
Yun Sanman: "..."
You can't even protect yourself now, and you're still thinking about a comeback?
If he and the treasure were compared, which would Fang'er choose?
Yun Siman walked to the window, slightly parted a gap, and glanced outside, "Not good, those people are flooding into the inn..."