CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: MARTIAL LAW!

At the city gate, the queue to leave the city stretched for over two li. Men and women, old and young, carrying their families and bundles, anxiously looked around.

The previous night’s massive fire had been intertwined with a demonic calamity. Then came the arrival of a large army, which executed hundreds of so-called heretics. The heads hanging densely from the city walls were a ghastly sight; when the wind blew, they clattered constantly against each other. Fully aware that the county seat was no place to stay, the populace had brought their families out early in the morning, hoping to flee the city and avoid disaster.

This is going to take forever, Qi Xiu let out a complex sigh, looking at the queue of at least a hundred people still ahead of him. Hey, isn’t that the Qian Family’s caravan? Just as he sighed, Qi Xiu suddenly noticed that the large group at the very front of the line was indeed the Qian Family.

"Military officer, if I may have a word," Qian Yuchuan said with a smile, holding a one-thousand tael silver note discreetly in his palm. "We’re not locals; we just came to visit relatives. Could you please let us leave the city?"

The soldier, his face devoid of expression, glanced at Qian Yuchuan. Then, the armored man, with a flick of his thumb, slid his blade half an inch from its sheath.

"Lv Shuai has given the order: the city is sealed under martial law. No one is permitted to enter or leave."

When bribery failed, Qian Yuchuan was about to say more, but Jin Tai stepped forward, taking over the conversation with a smile.

"Judging by your armor, sir, you must be from the Jixi Army Garrison. May I ask under which General you serve? The Brave Army? The Iron Spear Army? Or perhaps the West Wind Army?"

The armored soldier looked at Jin Tai, somewhat surprised.

"You seem to know a fair bit. We are indeed from the West Wind Army."

"That’s wonderful!" Jin Tai’s relief was palpable as he gave his companions a reassuring glance. "My father, Jin Siji, happens to know General Han of your esteemed army."

"Oh? Your father knows General Han?" the armored soldier asked, a hint of surprise in his tone.

"Indeed," Jin Tai replied, his smile beaming.

"Hah, I know him too. Now, get back!"

The soldier’s expression turned stern in an instant. He took a step forward, his gaze icy, making it clear that another step from them would result in their immediate execution.

"You..."

Jin Tai trembled with suppressed anger, clearly wanting to argue further. But the other armored soldiers nearby all turned to look, their unfriendly stares suggesting their swords could be drawn at any second.

Having driven Jin Tai and his party back, the armored soldier stepped forward and bellowed,

"Everyone, listen!

Guo Youfang, the County Magistrate of Baoho County, has been found guilty of dereliction of duty and other offenses, and has been executed on the spot!

As of today, Baoho County is under the temporary control of our West Wind Army.

Lv Shuai has ordered martial law throughout the city! No one is to enter or leave!

Anyone who violates this order and attempts to flee will be killed without mercy!"

These words caused an immediate uproar among the crowd, a wave of noisy discussion sweeping through them.

CLANG!

With their steel blades drawn, the armored soldiers advanced, their faces cold, a subtle killing intent slowly spreading from them.

"Anyone with a problem, step forward and state it!"

Seeing the gleaming steel blades, the crowd instantly fell silent, not daring to utter a sound.

"Also," the soldier added with a scoff, pointing towards the top of the city gate tower, "don’t even think about using ladders to climb the walls, unless you believe you can escape its eyes."

That is...

Following the soldier’s gesture, Qi Xiu, who had just been contemplating scaling the walls, felt his face darken.

Playing dirty, are we? How can they even keep eagles?

Gazing at the enormous bird of prey perched atop the gate tower, its wingspan nearly a zhang wide, Qi Xiu’s mind raced. Eagles are diurnal; they can’t see at night. If I can’t escape during the day, I’ll flee at night.

Having made up his mind to leave Baoho County, Qi Xiu glanced one last time at the giant eagle, then discreetly turned and followed the crowd back into the city.

...

「When night fell.」

On a starless, moonless night, the city lay in utter silence. Perhaps it was due to the iron-fisted policies implemented by the West Wind Army after their arrival, which had instilled fear in the populace. The usually bustling marketplaces were now devoid of even a single shadow.

Lying in bed with his eyes closed, Qi Xiu silently estimated the time. The city had just experienced a great disaster, and even the night watchmen who struck the hours were gone; he could only guess. It should be about right.

Figuring it was around the Hour of the Tiger, Qi Xiu swiftly leaped out of bed, grabbed his prepared bundle, and strode to the main door of the hall. Freedom, here I come!

SCREECH—

He had just stepped into the courtyard when a faint, sharp cry drifted into his ears from high above.

You’ve got to be kidding me...

His expression stiffened as he looked up at the sky. A goshawk with a wingspan exceeding three meters was slowly gliding over his head, apparently patrolling for anyone attempting to secretly scale the walls and escape the city under the cover of night.

He stood silently in the courtyard for a long while.

Qi Xiu tightened the bundle on his back, returned to his room, and mumbled under his breath, "Fly, fly all you want.

I refuse to believe you never sleep.

We’ll see who can outlast whom."

...

「Several days passed.」

Sleeping only two hours each day and spending an immense amount of time observing, Qi Xiu, on the verge of a mental breakdown, finally uncovered the secret of how the patrol eagle could seemingly stay on duty around the clock without rest.

It’s because...

"That’s not just one patrol eagle at all," Jin Tai said, shrugging helplessly as he pushed the wine pot on the table towards Qi Xiu.

"According to my investigation, the West Wind Army has raised a total of six such patrol eagles. They operate on a three-shift system, with two eagles per shift—one patrolling inside the city and one outside. These patrol eagles have exceptionally sharp eyesight. Forget about a person; not even a mouse could escape their notice. Take Tai’s advice: don’t even think about trying to leave for now."

Tai? Qi Xiu thought, rolling his eyes at Jin Tai. And I’m Lord Bao himself, then. He tapped the table lightly.

"This West Wind Army... what’s their deal? They’re acting so overbearingly."

Jin Tai said, "’Heh, they’re from the Jixi Army Garrison, so of course, they’re overbearing. Besides, the Lv Shuai leading them this time, Yuan Baiyi, is no ordinary figure..." Twirling the wine cup in his hand, Jin Tai’s eyes grew contemplative, his words hinting at a deeper meaning.

"No ordinary figure? You mean he’s not just a common Lv Shuai?" Qi Xiu pressed, his gaze sharpening.

"Alright, alright, a scholar like you should meddle less in such affairs," Jin Tai interrupted impatiently, clearly having no time for idle chat. His thoughts were still on Ye Wen. "By the way, is your big brother in the city? At a time like this, our two families should join forces."

A master proficient in both martial and mystical arts... he must have some significant background, right? To escape the city, Ye Wen might be our only hope.

Seeing Jin Tai’s dismissive expression, a vein throbbed on Qi Xiu’s forehead. He desperately wanted to give Jin Tai a taste of his full-powered Crimson Sand Palm. But the Hundred Faces Mask can’t be used carelessly now, and Ye Wen’s identity must remain concealed for the time being. I’ll just have to remember this slight and settle it later.

"My big brother had urgent business," Qi Xiu said. "He left the city ten days ago and won’t be back for some time."

Jin Tai’s face fell. He leaned back, propping his head with his hands in boredom. "Then all we can do is wait."

...

「Another ten days passed in the blink of an eye.」

The martial law sealing the city remained in effect. However, aside from prohibiting entry and exit, the West Wind Army rarely interfered in the city’s internal affairs. Baoho County, in fact, gradually returned to a semblance of normal life. Thanks to the West Wind Army’s fearsome and ruthless reputation, even instances of petty theft and pickpocketing became much rarer.

「In the Qi Family’s small courtyard.」

Qi Xiu, dressed in simple green robes, seemed to have reverted to the poor scholar of old, who made a living selling his calligraphy. Brush in hand, he moved it deftly across white paper, each character he wrote a gleaming pearl.

The city gates remained locked. Those inside could not leave, and those outside could not enter. With no merchant caravans coming or going, supplies like grain, meat, medicinal herbs, and even toilet paper could not be brought into the city.

Practicing martial arts consumed a great deal of grain and meat. Similarly, refining medicines and brewing decoctions required ingredients; even the most skilled physician could not create remedies out of thin air. With no supply of grain, meat, or medicinal materials, Qi Xiu had no choice but to temporarily halt his training in martial arts and Alchemy.

He devoted all his time to practicing his calligraphy, which was steadily approaching the third realm.

...