CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT

The eleven-member scout team set out from Sheng Family Manor to Shiqu Village. Although the distance wasn’t far, the scouts’ cautious nature slowed their progress.

It was precisely because of their caution that Yuan Bao had ample time to slip out of her own yard.

In fact, the scouts deserve no blame for their cautiousness.

In a village that should have been deserted, a column of smoke suddenly appeared, but that wasn’t all—a rather foreboding eagle was seen circling overhead.

Eagles!

These birds can be trained.

A trained eagle can do more than just hunt for its master; it can also deliver messages and even scout enemy positions.

Due to their fear of You Cang, the scout team’s mobilization slowed down even further.

Once Yuan Bao managed to sneak out of her yard and hide in the farmland ditch behind the village, You Cang let out a sharp cry and then disappeared into the sky in an instant.

It was only after You Cang flew away that the scout team quickened their pace.

However, Yuan Bao, who had caused the smoke signal, had already hidden herself away.

The eleven men searched the village thoroughly and cautiously, wary of any traps.

Unfortunately, even after inspecting every house, they found nothing.

They couldn’t even figure out where the smoke column had originated.

"Centurion, what should we do?"

The scout who first noticed the smoke signal whispered to the centurion of the scout team beside him.

"If you ask me, who should I ask?"

The centurion snapped back at him.

"Centurion, we’re very close to Sanchuan City. If we can see the smoke signal, surely the city can see it too. If the city garrison comes out, our small number won’t stand a chance!"

This scout voiced cautiously.

His intention was clear—that it was time to withdraw.

Of course, he couldn’t just say this bluntly; it must be their centurion to give the order.

"Let’s wait for a bit!"

The centurion was determined, "The smoke signal didn’t appear out of thin air. If someone is hiding in the village, they will reveal themselves sooner or later!"

Under the centurion’s orders, the scout team quickly split into four groups and concealed themselves in four directions around Shiqu Village. If more smoke appeared, they’d rush over immediately.

...

At first, hiding in the ditch was fun for Yuan Bao, but soon she wasn’t happy anymore because it was really cold.

The worst part was discovering three men in ordinary cotton clothes lurking at the road entrance behind the village, less than a hundred meters in a straight line from Yuan Bao’s hiding spot.

What sort of situation is this?

Yuan Bao increasingly felt her situation was far from that of a protagonist.

If she were a protagonist, she’d escape harm and turn adversity into advantage.

But the reality was that she was being ambushed by three men who obviously weren’t decent people. They might not even know she was there, but the situation was what it was.

Yuan Bao felt frustrated at the moment—why had she chosen to hide here?

Why did she have to be curious about what was going on?

Curiosity kills the cat—how true this saying is!

Yuan Bao felt physically cold and emotionally chilled, regretting the predicament she was in. She had just started this promising life, only to face potential ruin—this unfair fate is utterly outrageous!