Abandoning literature for martial arts, starting by unleashing the beauty's bow.

Shangjie Village is built against a large mountain.

Almost all the houses were built at the foot of the mountain, except for one family who settled in a valley halfway up the mountain.

Lu Fengnian placed Liu Yunjuan on a large blue stone at the entrance of the valley, gave some instructions to Lu Manyue and Lu Xiaoyu, and slowly walked into the valley.

The valley was quite large; we walked for a good half mile before we saw a few small bamboo houses built along the stream.

As Lu Fengnian approached the bamboo house, a cold shout came from inside: "Who goes there?"

Then, a window on one side of the bamboo house was opened, and a dark figure jumped out of the window, drew a bow and arrow, and aimed the arrow directly at Lu Fengnian.

He had a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a slightly thin build; he was Yang Kai.

"Lu Fengnian!"

Using the faint moonlight, Yang Kai recognized Lu Fengnian's face, exclaimed in surprise, and immediately put away his bow and arrows, quickly walking to Lu Fengnian's side.

What are you doing here?

Lu Fengnian smiled slightly, "Luckily, your place is in a remote location, otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to find it."

Yang Kai invited Lu Fengnian into the house. "You still have the mind to say these useless things? Hurry up and tell me, what are you doing here? Is your case closed?"

Lu Fengnian didn't beat around the bush. "I escaped from prison and came to find you because I need your help with something."

Yang Kai was taken aback at first, then laughed and said, "I knew it! How could you, Lu Fengnian, be manipulated by others?"

Without the slightest hesitation, he said, "Tell me quickly, what do you want me to do for you?"

Lu Fengnian raised his voice slightly, "Your place is remote. I'd like my mother, younger brother, and younger sister to stay here for a while, no more than a month."

Without hesitation, Yang Kai replied, "As long as your aunt and uncle don't mind, they can stay as long as they want."

Thank you.

Lu Fengnian gave a slight bow, "You must not let anyone know they are here. If the authorities find out, you will likely be charged with harboring a criminal."

Yang Kai shook his head. "My place is extremely remote, and no one comes here on weekdays. As long as Auntie and the others don't leave the valley, they definitely won't be discovered."

Lu Fengnian nodded. "You can rest assured about that. I've already told my mother and the others, and they definitely won't leave the valley."

Yang Kai then asked, "And you? What are your plans?"

Lu Fengnian cleared his throat. "I'm going to the prefectural capital to see if I can join the army to atone for my crime."

Yang Kai pondered for a moment and nodded. "This is indeed a good method. Some of my master's comrades-in-arms committed crimes at home and joined the army in order to get out of punishment."

"With the dynasty facing a tense war situation, a skilled archer like you would be highly sought after if you could join the army."

Lu Fengnian hummed in agreement, took out one tael of silver from his pocket, and handed it to Yang Kai, saying, "This is for my mother and the others' expenses here."

Yang Kai curled his lip and said, "Lu Fengnian, are you insulting me? The fact that you sent your aunt and the others to me at this time shows that you trust me."

Don't worry, as long as I have food to eat, I won't mistreat them in the slightest.

At this point, he seemed to remember something, "You've recently experienced such a big change, you must have forgotten something."

I've already divided the meat off the old turtle we hunted, but I've kept the shell.

This old turtle must have lived for who knows how long; its shell is quite valuable.

I've discussed it with Zhao Tie, Yang Yingfeng, and Yang Sihai, and they all agree that you should decide how to dispose of the turtle shell.

Without hesitation, Lu Fengnian said, "Take it to the county and sell it. We sixteen people will split the money equally."

Yang Kai nodded. "Okay, let's do it that way."

Lu Fengnian paused briefly, then asked, "Did you release Zhao Gang?"

Yang Kai hummed in agreement. "The day before yesterday, Zhao Tie came and said it was your idea."

Lu Fengnian smiled slightly, "I have to thank you for giving me face."

Yang Kai said, "Even if Zhao Tie doesn't come, I'm planning to let Zhao Gang go. Keeping this kid locked up means I have to pay for his food and drink, which is a bad deal to begin with. Let him learn his lesson, that'll be enough."

Lu Fengnian nodded slightly, "Now that things have been settled, I'll go and call my mother, younger brother, and younger sister over."

Yang Kai added, "I'll go with you."

Soon, Liu Yunjuan, Lu Manyue, and Lu Xiaoyu entered the valley.

Yang Kai quickly vacated the room and settled Liu Yunjuan, Lu Manyue, and Lu Xiaoyu in.

"Mother, if you need anything, just tell Yang Kai."

After comforting Liu Yunjuan, Lu Fengnian turned his attention to Lu Manyue and Lu Xiaoyu. "Manyue, Xiaoyu, you can't go anywhere during this time. You should stay in this valley."

"You can leave here and go home in a month at the latest."

Yang Kai added, "Auntie, Manyue, Xiaoyu, please make yourselves at home here and don't feel awkward."

"If you need anything, just ask. Don't hesitate to ask."

"Fengnian, where are you planning to go?" Liu Yunjuan asked worriedly.

Both Lu Manyue and Lu Xiaoyu had worried expressions on their faces.

Lu Fengnian smiled faintly, "I need to find a way to settle things with Wang the Cripple."

Don't worry about me. Just stay here and relax. We'll have results in no more than a month."

At this point, he turned his gaze to Yang Kai, "It will be dawn soon, I have to go, I'm entrusting my family to you."

"Don't worry."

Yang Kai nodded emphatically, "With me here, they will be fine."

Lu Fengnian didn't linger any longer. He waved to Liu Yunjuan, Lu Xiaoyu, and Lu Manyue, then turned and left.

Yang Kai, Lu Manyue, and Lu Xiaoyu escorted Lu Fengnian to the valley entrance.

Liu Yunjuan had difficulty walking, so she stayed in the bamboo house.

"Big brother, you must come back safely." Lu Xiaoyu's voice choked with sobs, reluctant to see Lu Fengnian leave.

Lu Fengnian patted her head, then patted Lu Manyue's shoulder, "I'm leaving Mother and Xiaoyu in your care."

Lu Manyue nodded. "Big brother, take good care of yourself. Don't worry about Mother and Xiaoyu."

Lu Fengnian smiled slightly, waved to the three of them, quickly turned around, and strode into the night.

After leaving Shangjie Village and walking more than ten miles of mountain road, we arrived at the official road.

Lu Fengnian found the carriage in the woods, drove it onto the official road, and headed towards the city under the cover of night.

After traveling about thirty li, the sky began to brighten.

Lu Fengnian drove the carriage to the side of the road, then abandoned the carriage, mounted his horse, and continued towards the city.

Meanwhile, things were in an uproar in Qinghe County.

Lu Fengnian's escape from prison was finally discovered. Most of the county's high-ranking officials were woken up from their sleep and immediately went to the county government office for an emergency consultation.

Soon, numerous constables and officials were mobilized, completely sealing off the entire Qinghe County and conducting a thorough search...