Chapter 780 - 782: Leaving
Chapter 780: Chapter 782: Leaving
Tie Zhu also wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible. They had poured their hearts into the task over the past few days, but the results had been less than satisfactory.
If they continued to stir up trouble and alerted the other party, not only would they be unable to escape, but they might also implicate their master. Failing to complete the mission would, at most, result in some punishment upon their return. However, if they exposed their master, they would lose their lives, and their families would suffer as well.
"But this area is full of mountains and forests, and we’re not familiar with the roads," Tie Zhu said. "If we take the wrong path and encounter wild beasts, we won’t survive."
"Let’s go find the owner," Lu Sui suggested. "They are locals and have businesses all around the area. They can surely figure out a way to send us out. We shouldn’t delay; let’s go find him right away. It’d be best if we leave today."
The longer they sat there, the more panicked they felt. Lu Sui stood up and was about to head out, but unexpectedly, the door was pushed open from the outside.
"Gentlemen, the kitchen is already preparing the dishes. You’re in for a treat today. A hunter just brought down a wild deer, so we’ll be having a venison feast," Wu Hao said with a smile as soon as he entered.
These two were noble guests he had managed to connect with after much effort, so he naturally had to host them well.
"It’s good that you’re here. We have something to tell you." Lu Sui blocked his path directly. "I heard your family has businesses in several nearby cities. Arrange for us to be sent somewhere else today."
"Do you two have other matters to attend to?" Wu Hao was a bit surprised. "Didn’t we already agree with the escort agency that you’d leave with their escort team in two days? If you head to another commandery now, you won’t make it back in time."
"It doesn’t matter," Tie Zhu said. "If we don’t make it back in time, just cancel the arrangement with the escort agency. We’ll head straight back to the capital from somewhere else. Don’t worry, Young Master Wu. You’ve helped us a lot these past few days. When we return, we will certainly report this to our master, and he will definitely appreciate you."
When asking for someone’s help, one naturally had to offer some benefits or hope. Lu Sui chimed in, "I’ll leave you our address in Shangjing later. When the time comes, just mention our names, and someone will naturally help you find us."
Wu Hao kept a smile on his face, but inwardly he thought, "What use is a favor from you two? What I want is to be valued by the master above you. But if that’s not possible, a favor works too."
However, these two were his bridge to Shangjing, so he couldn’t voice any objections. "Coincidentally, I’m also planning to visit Shangjing in a few days. If there’s a suitable business opportunity, I intend to expand there. When the time comes, I’ll have to ask for your guidance, brothers. And of course, as a brother, I won’t let you help me for nothing."
As he spoke, he revealed a knowing smile. He had offered the bait; now it was up to them to see if they would bite.
Sure enough, the eyes of the two men lit up. Tie Zhu, in particular, immediately said, "Going to Shangjing is a great idea! Brother Wu, just come find us when you get there. With our master backing us, we guarantee no one will dare to mess with you."
"Exactly," Lu Sui added. "But time is of the essence right now. Please help us make the arrangements right away, Brother Wu. If possible, we’d like to leave as early as we can."
Wu Hao looked troubled. "This is actually quite difficult. We usually travel with the escort agency as well."
"Please think of another way, Brother Wu. We really are in a hurry."
Wu Hao pondered for a moment before saying, "There is one way, but it will inconvenience you two slightly."
"We’re listening."
"The other aristocratic families travel frequently, but they aren’t willing to bring ordinary people along. The only option is for you to pose as stewards of our mansion. We’ll give them some benefits, and then you can travel with them."
"That works," Lu Sui agreed. "Please go contact them right away, Brother Wu. We’ll head back to the inn to pack our things."
Wu Hao didn’t know why the two of them were in such a rush, but since they had already laid everything out, he had no choice but to go out and make the arrangements for them.
Tie Zhu waited until it was just him and Lu Sui in the room before whispering, "Are we really going to introduce him to our master later?"
"When we get back, we’ll report everything truthfully and see how the master decides," Lu Sui replied. "The Wu family is a century-old aristocratic family in this area; they definitely have their own heritage and foundation. Although the business at this restaurant doesn’t look like much, the fact that they can keep it running says a lot. If he goes to Shangjing to do business, the two of us can also reap some benefits. As for whether the master will favor him or not, that’s none of our business. Once he’s in Shangjing, I doubt he’ll have the guts to cause any trouble."
"Since you have a plan, we’ll settle on that," Tie Zhu said. "Let’s hurry back and pack our things. If we can’t leave today, should we find a different place to rest? What do you think about the place across the street?"
In truth, they had wanted to stay at the Heavenly Blessing Inn when they first arrived, but they hadn’t mustered up the courage. Now that they were about to leave, they kind of wanted to experience it.
However, Lu Sui shook his head and refused. "If we can’t leave today, we’ll have Wu Hao find a place for us to stay the night. For this final stretch of time, let’s keep as low a profile as possible and avoid drawing any attention."
Just as the two returned to pack their belongings and left the inn, a person was already tailing them closely, while another person ran off.
When they arrived at the Tianle Restaurant again, they received a piece of good news: Wu Hao had already inquired and found out that an escort team would be departing early the next morning. Although they were somewhat disappointed, they could only accept the arrangement. They had already checked out of the inn, so they asked Wu Hao for a private room in the restaurant to simply make do for the night.
Just as the sky was beginning to lighten, they grabbed their belongings and prepared to leave, only to be cornered at the entrance of the Tianle Restaurant.
By the time they were brought to the governor’s mansion, sweat was dripping down their foreheads. The two of them were locked up in separate cells, ten meters apart. If they wanted to say a single word to each other, they would have to shout.
They waited in fear from dawn until dusk. Only then was Tie Zhu taken away.
Watching Tie Zhu disappear from the cell block, Lu Sui slumped to the ground. He knew they were done for this time. Not only could they not save themselves, but their families in Shangjing were likely in danger as well. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Tie Zhu; it was just that even if the two had gotten their stories straight beforehand, being interrogated separately would inevitably reveal flaws. Moreover, they had been overly confident earlier, and there were many details they hadn’t ironed out between them. After a round of torture, even he couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t confess.
He just wondered how the other party had discovered them so quickly this time. Only Wu Hao knew their whereabouts. Could that brat be trying to catch them to claim credit? But that wasn’t right either. These plans had been concocted together with Wu Hao. If they were caught, Wu Hao wouldn’t be able to escape either.
While his mind was in a chaotic mess, at that very moment, Wu Hao was kneeling before Old Sir Wu.
Old Sir Wu gasped heavily several times before angrily rebuking him. "The men have already been taken away, and only now do you come to tell me about this!"