022 Tian Shi

"I have a small motorcycle that I never ride..."

Shen Tang, astride the motorcycle, was anything but still. Sometimes she would tilt her head back and sing loudly, other times she would pluck leaves and send them flying. Accompanied by the jingling bell, her off-key singing followed suit, and when she forgot the lyrics, she would hum a few notes instead.

"One day, I was in the mood and rode it to the market..."

Finally unable to bear it any longer, Qi Shan interjected, "Shen, where did you learn this 'music' from, as part of your gentlemanly arts?"

It was simply misleading.

"Isn't it pleasant to listen to?"

Shen Tang asked earnestly.

Though her memory was limited, she vaguely remembered being a singing queen, capable of captivating audiences with a microphone. Singing, drawing, the epitome of high-quality femininity.

Qi Shan looked at Shen Tang with a mixture of amusement and concern.

The latter's eyes were clear and confident. It was obvious she not only didn't see anything wrong with her singing but also thought there was something wrong with his taste. Qi Shan couldn't fathom where she got such confidence from and remarked, "There's a fitting saying for this situation - 'A mountain song and a village flute'."

Shen Tang looked puzzled, "What's that?"

Qi Shan suppressed a laugh, "It's unpleasant to hear."

Shen Tang stared, her fists clenched!

"Is Yuan Liang's survival merely a matter of luck?"

Such a good person, but cursed with such a mouth!

"It's by merit, of course."

Shen Tang was speechless.

Seeing her struggling to control her expression, her features contorting, Qi Shan burst into laughter, "Don't worry, Shen, you're still young. You'll learn eventually."

After about an hour, Qi Shan looked up at the sun, now at its fiercest. Even standing still, the sweat couldn't be contained, soaking through his clothes.

"Shall we pick up the pace?"

Shen Tang replied, "We shouldn't get too close for fear of being discovered."

Qi Shan nodded, "Given the laziness of those soldiers, they're unlikely to continue the journey in such intense heat. They'll probably find a shady spot to rest and have some tea to cool off. Shen, with so many ingredients added to the tea, I'm afraid we'll miss out on the show if we're late."

"Yuan Liang's words make sense. I'll go ahead and catch the drama. If you won't ride the donkey, then take your time on foot."

Shen Tang gave the motorcycle's rear a flick.

The motorcycle winced, then sped off.

In no time, it was just a tiny dot. Faced with Shen Tang's childish provocation, Qi Shan just smiled, seemingly unconcerned, but followed up with a whispered verse, "Chasing the wind and shadow."

With wings, one could soar high into the sky, and with strides, one could chase the wind and shadow.

With a slight sway, leaving only an afterimage, as if treading on the wind, each step covered three zhang. Shen Tang: "???" Qi Shan brushed past her, creating a breeze, then in the blink of an eye, was dozens of zhang away. Shen Tang: "!!!" Call the referee, there's someone cheating here!!!

In the end, she fell victim to her lack of experience with words of power. Even riding on four legs, her motorcycle couldn't outrun Qi Shan on two.

Under the scorching sun, the soldiers escorting the prisoners were overwhelmed, seeking refuge in a dense grove. They gathered in small groups in the shade, leaving a few prison carts exposed to the sun. The prisoners on those carts were either suffering from heatstroke, pale and weak, or bore severe whip wounds.

The most severely injured among them was the Deputy Censor.

Exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, coupled with the intense heat, led to severe hallucinations for him. His cracked lips moved slightly as he murmured, "Water, water..."

Just as he was about to faint, his cart was kicked, shaking him awake.

"Father, wake up!" The Deputy Censor's son managed to regain some composure and turned to look at his father's neighboring cart - his cart was the shorter one, providing space to stretch his legs. He looked at his father with a worried and surprised expression, saying, "Father, look at them."

Them?

Who?

The Deputy Censor was slow to react.

Following his son's gaze, he saw one mishap after another among the soldiers who had sought shade under the trees. Some were rolling on the ground, clutching their heads, others were convulsing, struggling to breathe, rolling their eyes and foaming at the mouth, or clenching their jaws with facial spasms. Some were less severe but still doubled over, clutching their stomachs, while others lost control entirely.

With his experience, the Deputy Censor instantly understood.

First thought, these soldiers are poisoned!

Second thought, someone is trying to stage a prison break!

This thought filled him with renewed vigor, and a strong will to survive surged from deep within him, barely keeping him alert.

Meanwhile, chaos reigned among the soldiers.

"The water is poisoned!"

"There's, there's poison!"

"Be on guard, watch out for enemies!"

Most of the soldiers were poisoned, with only about a dozen who hadn't had the chance to drink the water yet. Drawing their swords, they surrounded the prison carts, looking panicked and wary in every direction.

A few breaths passed, and the surroundings calmed.

Ding-ling...

Here they come!

The soldiers all thought to themselves.

But strangely, they only heard the sound, but saw no one.

"Where are they? Where?"

"Filial sons, are you looking for me?"

A stranger's voice came from behind them, startling them. They turned around to see the prison carts empty, except for a young man with a sword, his cheeks still smooth, and his stature slender. With a sweep of his sword, the shining blade cut across their vision, and their eyes suddenly stung.

Blood stained their sight red.

"Cutting through the wanderer's body!"

Shen Tang's expression was as cold as ice as she leaped down, wielding her sword.

She taught the filial son a lesson with her kind mother's sword, while the prisoners fell to the ground, and the prison carts were now dozens of zhang away.

The Deputy Censor's pupils contracted.

"Long time no see, Master Tian."

The Deputy C