Fortune Across the World

Chapter 137: Night Assault, Grave Wounds, and a Deep Slumber

Fu Ruqing's caravan, persuaded by the merchant king's warm hospitality, stayed an additional five days, allowing everyone to thoroughly experience the exotic culture of Xuanzhou. After spending half a month in Ulan City, they finally embarked on their journey back home.

No longer in a rush, the caravan's pace slowed once they re-entered the Great Qian border, as Fu Ruqing inspected business operations in the towns along the way. Six days into their return journey, they were still near the western border, much to the impatience of Ding Qiyu, who eagerly awaited their return to Yinzou to marry Qing'er.

That night, the caravan stopped at an inn, one of Fu Ruqing's own establishments, to rest.

Perhaps due to the fatigue from their travels, Fu Ruqing often felt sleepy, prompting Ding Qiyu to accompany her to bed early. In the midst of their slumber, the sudden clash of weapons startled Ding Qiyu awake. Instantly alert, she found Fu Ruqing awake as well. Ding Qiyu quickly grabbed the cloak and hood hanging by the bed, wrapping Qing'er securely, ensuring her long hair and the hood concealed the scars on her face. Though Ding Qiyu herself was dressed in simple nightwear, there was no time for concern.

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Silver Sui's voice called out, "Miss!" Ding Qiyu grabbed her sword, Wuchang, and opened the door. Silver Sui entered with a stern expression, accompanied by a female guard in dark attire whom Ding Qiyu didn't recognize—she was the leader of Fu Ruqing's shadow guards.

The shadow guard leader stepped forward, knelt, and reported to Fu Ruqing, "Eldest Miss, we are under attack."

"What is the situation?" Fu Ruqing remained composed and steady, her calm demeanor unwavering even in a crisis.

"There are many attackers, and it was a planned ambush. Some are foreigners using long tubes to blow a strange poisonous smoke. Some of our guards were caught off guard and incapacitated, but the shadow guards remain intact," the leader reported.

"Miss, Young Master Ding," Silver Sui stepped forward, offering a bottle of pills and two wet cloths, "These are Baicao pills and cloths soaked in medicinal liquid from Shadow Six. They provide some protection."

Ding Qiyu and Fu Ruqing took the wet cloths and swallowed the pills. Just as Fu Ruqing was about to issue orders to the shadow guard leader, a loud crash shattered the wooden window, and several assassins in nightwear leapt inside, wielding curved blades and carrying half-arm-length copper tubes at their waists. Their faces were marked with strange patterns instead of being covered with black cloth.

Without hesitation, Ding Qiyu shielded Fu Ruqing, as several close shadow guards swiftly entered and formed a protective circle around Fu Ruqing, Ding Qiyu, and Silver Sui, engaging the intruders in combat.

The room was cramped, with most of the guards fighting outside. More and more assassins poured in, forcing the shadow guards to struggle to protect the trio as they exited the narrow quarters, joining the larger group of guards outside.

Outside, the inn's courtyard was in chaos, fully illuminated by torches. Fu Ruqing's people clashed fiercely with the numerous attackers. Despite the assassins' faces being marked with the same patterns, it was clear under the bright lights that some had dark skin and deep-set eyes, clearly not from the Great Qian.

Fu Ruqing's shadow and unpoisoned guards were skilled fighters. Although the attackers used bizarre sword techniques, they couldn't withstand the well-trained and coordinated guards. Many bodies littered the ground, mostly those of the foreign assassins.