CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: KILL HIM!

As soon as Li Qingmu left, many came to visit him. A newly minted top scholar with limitless potential in the future, yet they arrived only to find he had already departed.

"Why did he leave in such haste? The painting boat poetry gathering is about to begin; shouldn’t he stay to get acquainted? Perhaps he could become a clerk at the government office?"

A great scholar wanted to witness Li Qingmu’s talent, and incidentally offer him a position under his tutelage. In the future, when Li Qingmu succeeded, the scholar could claim credit, but he was disappointed to find that Li Qingmu had already left.

Nearby, a bookish scholar with a sour disposition chimed in, "He is so talented, destined to excel in next year’s exams, surely above such pursuits."

"He said there was an affair at home; probably missing his wife."

"Pfft..."

There are always those who talk behind others’ backs. Some jealous scholars complained about him to officials of status, including Mr. Li, the chief examiner who graded his exam papers.

Mr. Li sighed, "He reminisces over beauty instead of striving... Alas, this person will likely fade into the crowd, let it go, let it go. The world is not lacking talented individuals, nor does the nation need one more pillar... Gone!"

This Mr. Li left in a huff, having listened to the whispers, unaware that Li Qingmu had no idea about this matter. At that moment, Li Qingmu had already obtained his credentials and, seeing the red official seal on it, joyfully stuffed it into his bag before mounting his horse to embark.

"My dear, I am returning, wait for me!"

His mind was filled with thoughts of his wife’s charming visage, and thus his whip cracked with force, the horse neighed and sprinted towards the city gate.

At the city gate, in a tavern, Qian Yi sat alone on the second-floor railing drinking. Upon seeing Li Qingmu’s silhouette approaching, his gaze turned malicious. With a wave of his hand, a dozen people dressed in black appeared by his side.

"Follow him!"

He commanded, and the group of people in black started moving, chasing after him.

"Princely Heir, Young Prince!"

A while later, Qi Jingyu appeared at the city gate, hastily followed by six guards.

"Where is he? How is he running so fast, like he’s flying?"

Qi Jingyu was anxious. He originally sent someone to convey a message to Li Qingmu, but the person returned stating he had already left, driving Qi Jingyu to pursue.

"Useless, can’t even deliver a message, what’s the point of keeping you?"

Qi Jingyu was truly angry. Those people were about to act on his return route; if he returned cluelessly, wouldn’t he become a target?

Thinking quickly, Qi Jingyu made a decision.

"You two, search south of the city gate; you two, search in the Northwest; you two, follow me to the Southwest!"

He chose the route from the Southwest since he earlier came from that direction.

"Princely Heir, absolutely not; you might encounter danger!"

A guard kneeled and pleaded for him to retract his order.

"Nonsense! Saving someone is urgent; if I fear this danger, how will I inherit the title of Prince Lingjiang in the future? Stop babbling and go quickly!"

At this moment, Qi Jingyu folded his hands behind his back, his eyes electrifying, his young and tender face radiating authority, no longer exhibiting any trace of child-like demeanor.

The guards were moved by his commanding presence, unable to refute further, and promptly followed him out of the city gate.

On the official road, Li Qingmu rode fast, the horse beneath him neighing incessantly from the whipping, dust trailing behind.

His heart was as anxious to return as an arrow!

He had been away for more than a month; how was home?

His wife must surely miss him?

His hand brushed against the cloak draped over him, bringing warmth; it was a token of affection from his wife...

"Yah, yah, yah!"

After rushing out of the provincial capital along the official road for half a day, Li Qingmu halted at noon.

He led the horse to a creek to let it graze, while he retrieved dried food and two buns bought en route. The buns were hardened from the cold wind during travel, but Li Qingmu was reluctant to abandon them as they contained meat.

He glanced at the stream, clear to the bottom; his wife advised against drinking raw water, fearing stomach upset. But just a little should be harmless, right?

Besides, he was thirsty!

Thus, Li Qingmu rolled up his sleeves, first slurping a mouthful of fresh stream water, then dipping the bun into the water to eat.

The water was cold, causing stomach upset for those with weak stomachs, but not for Li Qingmu. He was not one of those frail scholars, rising early to practice in the chill dawn, thus possessing a strong constitution that found the cold water refreshing.

However, halfway through his meal, he suddenly noticed the creek water rippling.

His gaze sharpened, seeing the ripples were unnaturally moving; instead of spreading from his side outwards, they moved towards another side.

No wind blew at the moment, what could cause the waves?

Li Qingmu realized a large number of horses were approaching, perhaps a trade caravan?

Being close to the official road, it was probable for a trade caravan to rest here.

Relaxing with this thought, a whistling sound broke from behind.

Instinctively ducking, he saw an arrow shot above him.

"Who?"

Alarmed, he understood he likely faced bandits, instinctively rising and drawing his knife.

Warily scanning his surroundings, he saw a group of black-clad men closing in from all directions, trapping him.

One, two, three, four, five... nine, ten, eleven, twelve... a total of twelve.

"Who are you? Bandits?"

Though facing danger, Li Qingmu remained calm and clear-headed; his question was just to probe, not believing they were bandits.

Would bandits dress in black? Would they be so murderously fierce?

Bandits usually demanded money and left once paid!

These were not bandits; they were assassins sent specifically to kill him!

Li Qingmu was uncertain who he angered to warrant assassins, but he knew one thing: he must escape!

Against two or three assassins, he might have a chance, but with twelve, he would surely be skewered!

While questioning, he surveyed the terrain, seeking an escape route.

The opposition did not grant him such opportunity.

"Orders from the master, kill him!"

The leading black-clad man gestured, unleashing twelve dark shadows upon him!