Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with a Chronicle of Tragic Love

Archers?

All eyes immediately turned to that direction.

Behind the gray roof ridge, a glimpse of a white garment and half a veiled face flashed by.

"Rebellion! Truly rebellion!" The executioner was both shocked and furious. "Bring out archers! Shoot that traitor to death!"

"Protect the adults!"

Hong Chou screamed and scrambled under the table.

Jia Zhen was terrified and, surrounded by several guards, retreated directly behind the execution platform, wishing he could leave this deadly place immediately.

Qian Chou stared at the disappearing figure, his eyes gleaming.

He hated Jiao Si to the core and tore that scoundrel apart in his heart day and night.

In my opinion, that person was definitely not Jiao Si.

It was a woman?

The anxious woman came to save his other woman?

But it doesn't matter who it is, as long as they are related to Jiao Si!

He shouted again:

"Don't panic! The thieves only have the advantage of bows and arrows; they're hiding in the shadows and dare not engage in direct combat!"

"This is Nanjing! Under the Emperor's nose, where the law reigns! How can we allow a few thieves to run rampant?"

"All soldiers, listen to my command! Guard the four passages! Archers, prepare! If any bandits dare to show their faces again, kill them without mercy!"

"As for this demoness..."

Qian Chou looked coldly at Liu Rushi, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

"Change the executioner! Continue the execution! I will personally oversee this operation; let's see who dares to come and die!"

His calm and composed command helped the panicked officers and soldiers regain some composure.

Several officers began shouting and reorganizing the ranks, and archers were also called over, nervously aiming at the rooftop.

At this tense standoff, on the verge of exploding—

"Fire has broken out!"

"Look! Over there! Huge plumes of black smoke!"

Suddenly, from a distance east of Caishikou, terrified cries of the people could be heard.

In the southeastern sky, a thick, black column of smoke billowed up and shot straight into the clouds.

It looked particularly dazzling under the clear sky.

"Where is the fire?"

"Judging by the direction... it seems to be..."

The attention of the officers, soldiers, and civilians was instantly drawn back to the sudden fire.

The situation, which Qian Chou had just managed to stabilize, was once again in turmoil and chaos.

In Nanjing, most of the buildings were constructed of wood.

Firefighting was one of the top priorities in Nanjing, in case the fire spread...

Qian Chou frowned, his ominous premonition growing stronger.

This fire... started at such a perfect time!

He suppressed his unease and said sternly, "A minor fire is a matter for the Yingtian Prefecture officials to handle! We are ordered to oversee the execution of the wanted criminal; it is our duty! No one is to be distracted! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

The voice just fell.

A junior officer, who had run from the southeast, rushed breathlessly to the execution platform, his face filled with panic and disbelief.

"M-My lord! Something terrible has happened!"

"That...that house that caught fire...it looks like your official residence!"

"What?"

Qian Chou's composure, which he had been trying so hard to maintain, cracked instantly!

His villa?

Since his falling out with his father, Qian Zhengduan, at Huai Shang Yun Lou, he has stopped living at the Qian residence and instead found a house in Jinling City to serve as his official residence, accompanied by his personal servant.

Why did it have to start a fire at this particular time?

A chill suddenly shot up Qian Chou's spine!

He suddenly realized that today's rescue of the execution ground was far more targeted than he had imagined!

The other party is not only trying to save people, but also launching a precise attack and disruption against him!

Qian Chou was momentarily flustered.

Having spent many years in officialdom, he had developed a calm and reserved demeanor.

After a moment's thought, his furrowed brows relaxed.

But the more this is the case, the more it shows that the other party is well prepared, and the more it shows that Jiao Si is likely nearby, or even the mastermind!

The ruthlessness in Qian Chou's eyes intensified.

He forced himself to calm down.

The more unexpected situations arise, the more important it is to stay calm and collected!

"Nonsense!" Qian Chou shouted at the junior officer. "My residence is guarded by servants. How could there be a fire? You must be mistaken! If you dare to disrupt morale again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

He ignored the fire and turned to the execution platform:

"Where is the executioner? Execute him immediately! Any further hesitation will be punished as an accomplice!"

He was determined to kill Liu Rushi first, to extinguish her hopes, and to force her to reveal herself completely!

Seeing Qian Chou's selfless courage, even disregarding the fire in his own house, the officers and soldiers were also stirred by his own fighting spirit.

"Lord Qian is truly virtuous!"

"Brothers! Hold the fort! Keep a close watch!"

The morale of the officers and soldiers was forcibly boosted by Qian Chou's seemingly selfless act.

The executioners were forced forward again, trembling with fear, yet they dared not disobey orders.

A cold smile appeared on Qian Chou's lips.

He made the right bet.

The enemy's attempt to disrupt morale was forcefully suppressed.

Once close combat begins, with the numerical and equipment advantage of the government troops, these cowardly bandits will undoubtedly be defeated!

He could almost see the beautiful scene of Jiao Si and the others being captured on the spot, and Liu Rushi's blood splattering on the execution ground.

however.

Just as the third executioner trembled as he raised his blade, and the soldiers' attention was focused on the execution platform and the distant rooftops—

"Clang!"

From a narrow alley next to Caishikou, a sharp clang of a blade being drawn suddenly rang out!

Followed by.

A large, ball-shaped figure shot out from the alley entrance like a cannonball!

The man was dressed in ill-fitting black clothes, his face was covered, and he was actually carrying a huge, dark iron pot in his hand.

"Damn it! All that dawdling and whining is driving me crazy!"

The fat man had a rough voice and was cursing.

"Brothers! Grab your weapons! Let's fucking kill them!"

With a roar.

In the alley, like a floodgate being opened, dozens of strong men dressed in black and masked, wielding various weapons, surged out instantly!

These men were taciturn, but swift and decisive, heading straight for the execution platform and the surrounding soldiers!

"The thief has appeared!"

"Prepare for the enemy! Prepare for the enemy!"

Close combat erupts instantly!

Qian Chouzhi was overjoyed.

According to his deduction, the group of thieves had only one purpose, whether it was shooting knives earlier or setting fire to the house later.

First, by taking advantage of the situation, they could undermine the morale of their own troops and greatly reduce the fighting strength of the government officials and their men.

Second, they wanted to get the government soldiers away from the execution ground as much as possible to create an opportunity.

Now, I have withstood the pressure and thwarted both of their plans.

The other side had no choice but to engage in a direct confrontation.

In this way, our side can be said to have victory firmly in hand...

Qian Chou smiled smugly as he observed the battlefield situation.

But after only a few glances, the smile on his face froze completely.

The scenario he had envisioned—where the thieves were forced to reveal themselves and a chaotic battle ensued—had unfolded.

but......

Something seems amiss.

The fighting power of those masked men was beyond imagination.

The three of them worked together seamlessly, their moves ruthless, each strike aimed straight for vital points, yet avoiding fatal blows; clearly, they intended to subdue their enemies rather than kill them.

On the other hand, although the officers and soldiers had a numerical advantage, they were caught off guard and their formation had been broken up, leaving them with limited options.

In just a few exchanges, more than a dozen officers and soldiers were knocked to the ground, groaning in pain.

The officers and soldiers were actually retreating in defeat?

Qian Chou stared wide-eyed at the battle unfolding before him in disbelief.

Who exactly are these people?

Where did Jiao Si find these ruthless bandits?