CHAPTER 142: CHAPTER 141: ANOMALY

Situ Jing observed Fuwen’s actions with admiration, then looked at Lu Qing.

Although he hadn’t directly interacted with this Golden-faced Imperial Censor before, from the behavior of the two people he brought with him, it wasn’t hard to deduce that this person was usually upright and strictly regulated.

"Have you inquired about the condition of those who were poisoned over there?" Lu Qing asked in a low voice.

Fuwen quickly nodded: "Before I came back, I made a detour to inquire.

Currently, those sent there are still unconscious, the Divine Doctor is trying all means to prepare the most stable antidote. Although there isn’t absolute certainty yet about using it on those people, the toxicity in them has been temporarily suppressed and hasn’t worsened.

The Divine Doctor said to ask General Situ to be patient, he will do his utmost."

Situ Jing’s eyes shifted from anxious anticipation to slightly dimmed, worry lines appeared on his forehead, but he said nothing, just nodded and thanked Fuwen.

The next day, Situ Jing began secretly replacing the waist cards in the camp. Any that seemed off were discreetly exchanged, and the replaced waist cards were wrapped several times and hidden in a wooden box in his tent.

In the next three to five days, although there were still incidents of poisoning in the camp, their numbers gradually decreased. Seeing his strategy was effective, Situ Jing’s brow relaxed slightly, reassuring him somewhat.

Two days later, at night, Lu Qing and Zhu Yu were assigned along with another personal soldier to patrol with two imperial guard soldiers.

The five were responsible for patrolling the northeast side of the camp. The two imperial guard soldiers walked ahead, with the foremost carrying the night patrol waist card. For safety, Lu Qing walked in the middle, separating Zhu Yu and the two guards, with Situ Jing’s personal soldier bringing up the rear.

The northeast corner of the camp had no barracks, mainly storing military grain and fodder, and the stables. At night it was dark and quiet, the leader and the rear each holding a torch for lighting, carefully inspecting everything around.

All that could be heard were their footsteps, occasionally accompanied by a few low neighs from the horses.

The two imperial guards at the front said nothing, appearing somewhat anxious and nervous.

Recently, rumors spread in the camp that people were "possessed by evil spirits" during night patrols, causing apprehension during their rounds.

This left everyone on edge when it was their turn to patrol, fearing some terrifying creature might leap from the darkness.

Zhu Yu, walking behind Lu Qing, was growing sleepy, stealing yawns now and then. She couldn’t tell how long or how far they’d walked when she started feeling something was amiss.

The light from the torch behind her started to waver.

Zhu Yu continued to walk forward nonchalantly, while casting sidelong glances at the shadows cast by the firelight behind.

Suddenly, she noticed the firelight flickering sharply and heard footsteps behind her, sending chills down her spine. She quickly turned to see what was happening.

Just as she turned, she caught the gleam of a cold blade, and her body was suddenly yanked aside by Lu Qing.

At the same time, a glinting knife sliced through Zhu Yu’s robe, the blade striking her golden silk armor beneath, almost sparking.

Zhu Yu barely steadied herself, realizing the attacker was Situ Jing’s personal soldier. Lu Qing had already engaged him in combat.

The two imperial guards seemed dumbstruck by the sudden attack, standing by idly, watching Lu Qing and the attacker fight, looking dazed and somewhat at a loss.

Zhu Yu knew the attacker was Situ Jing’s man, and to the guards, she and Lu Qing were also considered Situ Jing’s people.

Being under the same leader for only a couple of months versus those who’d been with him through thick and thin, there naturally were differences in loyalty.

This situation inevitably caused some hesitation.

"What are you standing there for?!" Zhu Yu shouted to them. "Go report to the General quickly!"

The guards snapped out of their daze and ran to report to Situ Jing.

Zhu Yu, knowing she had no martial skills to contribute, chose not to interfere lest she worsen the situation for Lu Qing, watching the two not far away.

Unlike the time assisting Situ Jing against Pang Centurion, Lu Qing had clearly learned from that experience. He attacked fiercely, holding nothing back, even if his intent wasn’t to kill.

The personal soldier resembled Pang Centurion, eyes red and unfocused, biting his jaw, attacking blindly with his knife.

After exchanging a few blows, Lu Qing found an opening and struck the soldier’s elbow with a heavy punch, causing a paralyzing numbness in his forearm, making him drop the knife.

Lu Qing kicked the knife far away before increasing his assault, aiming at the soldier’s arms. Seizing the moment as the soldier charged, Lu Qing flipped over his shoulder to his back, gripping his arms firmly and pulling until both were dislocated.

The soldier lost his balance and fell headfirst. Lu Qing pounced, swiftly pinning him facedown.

Though the soldier’s arms were unusable, his struggling was intense. Even with all his strength, Lu Qing barely kept him pinned, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Zhu Yu moved to help, but Lu Qing’s glance at her slashed robe made him signal her to stay put.

Soon, hurried footsteps sounded in the distance. Situ Jing, alerted by the guards, rushed over with several personal soldiers in tow.

"Hurry and help!" Situ Jing commanded, waving his soldiers forward.

The soldiers quickly moved to assist Lu Qing in subduing their comrade on the ground.