parentshiftbook Chapter 19 Before Departure
Chapter 19 Before Departure
Just as Fu Que had verified his identity and explained his purpose, he was led into the archives. As he turned into the corridor, a hurried figure bumped into him.
Fu Que subconsciously grabbed the other person's wrist, but he didn't expect the other person to react the same way. Just as the power of the Scroll Swordsman was about to burst forth, Fu Que remembered his public identity and forcefully dispersed his power.
He felt a sharp and fierce force strike him, and his blood and qi surged uncontrollably.
"Thump, thud!"
Fu Que stumbled backward, taking several steps back and crashing straight into the file shelf behind him, about to fall down along with the shelf.
In a flash, the man reacted and quickly grabbed Fu Que's wrist, while simultaneously placing his fingers on Fu Que's right upper arm to neutralize the fierce force.
Fu Que's right arm was swollen, sore, and numb, and he glared at the other person in annoyance.
If I hadn't collected those two hundred-plus Sinful Cloud Ink last night and given the Scroll Blade Master a few more strokes to paint, even if he had stopped in time, my right arm would definitely have been crippled within a few days.
What just invaded his right arm was not only that cunning and fierce force, but also the backlash left by Fu Que's own dissipation of hidden energy.
The man was in his early twenties, dressed in black military uniform. He was thin and had a heroic air about him, but his eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't had a proper rest in a while.
"Excuse me, excuse me, are you alright?"
The man released his grip, gave Fu Que a simple and honest smile, and the Nuo wood mask swaying at his waist seemed to brighten a bit.
"Of course something's wrong. I can't even lift my right hand now."
Fu Que rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
The thin young man scratched his head.
"Never mind, I guess you didn't do it on purpose. Let's leave it at that. I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
A fleeting black ripple appeared in the depths of his eyes.
Fu Que had already judged from the number of simple drawings that the other party was not simple, and seeing that the other party was sincere and did not put on airs of a master, the anger in his heart quickly disappeared.
After he finished speaking, he prepared to leave.
"Take care, take care."
The gaunt young man watched Fu Que leave, and when he looked down, the bright colors of the Nuo wood mask at his waist remained.
"This is really interesting. The fact that someone who just broke through the Bone Pass has caused such chaos in the Li family and the Green Gang is actually a prospective Tiger Cavalryman. Who would believe it if this got out?"
If this Nuo wood mask weren't my livelihood, I wouldn't believe it either. But Sister Jing gave me five days, and I found out in less than a day. Isn't that a bit much?
He muttered to himself.
"Fine, I'll return the favor. No matter why you hid your strength to hunt down the Green Gang members, since you didn't pursue the matter just now, I'll report to Sister Jing two or three days later."
The gaunt young man hummed a tune, his right hand swiping across the Nuo wood mask at his waist, instantly dimming its bright color and restoring its rustic hue.
Fu Que was completely unaware that his disguise had been completely exposed. At this moment, he was engrossed in reviewing the escort records of Qingshui Medicine House.
The escort team usually consists of twelve people. Apart from the leader, who is always a three-blue-striped tiger rider, the other eleven people are randomly selected.
Most of the time, the escorts were arranged by Qingshui Medicine House. Only when it was necessary to train trainee tiger riders, or when someone like Fu Que completed the promotion assessment, would additional tiger riders be added.
Based on his permissions and the reason for his application, he could only view the records of the three most recent escorts, and he could not see the specific routes or the location of the medicinal fields.
However, judging from these three escort records, the mountains are indeed not peaceful. All three escorts were attacked, all by mountain demons.
However, the attacks were not very powerful; they were probably just demons that were attracted by the medicinal herbs themselves.
If Hu Liangyu were to inquire, he would be able to see much more information, but considering that Sun Shun almost got taken in for a talk, he hesitated.
Fu Que managed to extract information about the Green Gang from Hu Liangyu, who has probably already been summoned for questioning. It's best for Fu Que not to provoke him at this point.
After reviewing the escort information several times, Fu Que left the archives.
With over a hundred Sinful Cloud Ink pieces still unused and an imminent departure for the mountains, Fu Que was not prepared to leave them any longer.
Even escort missions are dangerous, let alone the fact that he will deliberately cause trouble on this trip. Going all out is the best choice, even if it slows down his growth rate.
After the painter in his mind finished painting the scroll for the swordsman, he reviewed the Wind Riding 3324 sword technique and the half-baked Crane Cry Fist several times. By then it was already around midnight, so Fu Que simply spent the night in a corner of the tiger's den.
With this outburst, he'll definitely get scolded by Hu Liangyu when he gets back. It's better not to go back at all. After all, Hu Liangyu has already tacitly approved of Fu Que's private actions since that encounter.
The early winter wind already carries a chill.
In the early morning, the sunlight is abundant, and the dappled light cast on the stone path, shaded by leaves, sways in the wind like a kaleidoscope, creating a beautiful and captivating scene.
The town gate was bustling with activity. Under the inspection of the soldiers, merchants and vendors thronged around, most of them dressed simply.
Along the bluestone road leading out of the county, several carriages were already stopped and waiting. The man leaning against the lead carriage with his eyes closed was wearing a distinctive black military uniform that made others afraid to approach, and they unconsciously left a large empty space for these people.
Fu Que took out the letter to confirm the time and place. After confirming that everything was correct, he headed towards the direction where the carriage had stopped.
Because he was wearing the same Tiger Cavalry uniform as the leading man, the people surrounding the carriage did not stop him when he approached; they simply scrutinized him.
Upon seeing his face and the aura he exuded, the men guarding the carriage all frowned and subconsciously looked at the black-clad tiger rider who was resting with his eyes closed, but the latter pretended not to see them.
Fu Que paid no attention to the gazes falling on him. He walked calmly to the front of a carriage and, like the black-clad tiger riders, closed his eyes to rest.
About ten minutes later, Fu Que felt someone standing in front of him. He opened his eyes and found that it was a girl who was no more than twenty years old.
"Are we leaving yet?"
He asked calmly.
"Although you are wearing the Tiger Cavalry uniform, you only have one Wind Riding Pattern on your chest. As far as I know, one Wind Riding Pattern indicates a prospective Tiger Cavalryman. With your strength, you are not qualified to join the escort convoy."
The girl replied, "Did you accept the wrong mission?"
"Who are you?"
Fu Que glanced at the girl.
"I am Chen Lu, the person in charge of this trip to Qingshui Medicinal Herb Hut to collect medicinal herbs in the mountains."
"Oh, hello, Miss Chen Lu. My name is Fu Que. I am one of the guards going into the mountains this time. The reason I am wearing the uniform of a prospective Tiger Rider is because I have not yet completed the promotion assessment for trainee Tiger Riders."
Fu Que handed the letter to the other party: "This escort mission is my promotion task."