Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 503 - 502: Heart of Stone

The talisman immediately drew his sword upon hearing the voice, standing guard in front of Lu Qing and Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu instinctively patted herself, feeling the golden silk armor hidden beneath her clothes, which made her feel much more at ease.

Ever since Lu Qing gave her this to wear inside her clothing at the Li State camp, she can only recall taking it off once at Little Mountain Building due to fear of being exposed; it was that very time when something almost went wrong.

Since then, Lu Qing no longer allows her to travel without wearing the soft armor.

As the saying goes, he who understands the time is the wise one. Zhu Yu considers herself someone who understands the time. With her abilities, she doesn’t fear ordinary ruffians, but when facing skilled practitioners, her ability to protect herself is the greatest help to Lu Qing.

Therefore, regarding matters that benefit both her and him, she has no intention of being overly polite with Lu Qing.

Outside, there was a chaotic clash of swords, interspersed with a few muffled grunts. Zhu Yu saw a figure chasing two others flash past outside the side window, moving toward the door, followed by a thud and chaotic hurried footsteps.

"Divine Doctor, quickly have your attendants come to help—" A guard’s panicked voice came from behind several layers of veils.

But unfortunately, before he could finish a single sentence, a sword tip suddenly pierced through the shadow on the white veil in front of him, blooming a red flower on the snow-white fabric.

The guard, with the remaining words still stuck in his throat, collapsed to the ground with a thud, silent.

From over Lu Qing’s shoulder, Zhu Yu saw a figure leisurely slashing through the obtrusive veils with a sword, step by step approaching them. In no time, as the last veil floated to the ground, an eerily familiar yet fearsome face clearly appeared before the four of them.

Isn’t this the Fake Castle Master who was inadvertently let go by Lu Zhang back then!?

After so long, the wound on his shoulder from Lu Qing’s sword that night had healed completely. Now dressed in black attire, he wasn’t wearing a hat, leaving his fearsome face exposed. The sword in his hand was still dripping blood, making it evident that the fate of the guards outside was grim.

The kind of ruffians who only bully and fight are no different from watermelons in a field before someone with real martial skills like the Fake Castle Master.

Now, in broad daylight, this Fake Castle Master brazenly entered wearing attire more suitable for nighttime, drawing even more attention during the day. Clearly, this scoundrel now disdains concealing his appearance with a hat or mask.

It seems he is confident, feeling victory is in hand, hence the fearless demeanor.

The talisman gripped their swords, nervously watching the Fake Castle Master, ready to fight for their lives at any moment he makes a move.

Yet, the Fake Castle Master just stood there, not too far nor close, with a nearly indiscernible smirk, provocatively examining Lu Qing, who was dressed in robes and wearing a hat, and laughed mockingly.

"They say the Golden-faced Imperial Censor is a righteous man; I was almost convinced." He chuckled throatily, "But I just saw Lord Imperial Censor watch me slaughter those guards, one by one, without letting his own guards help...

I see the so-called righteous man is no more than a heartless stone-hearted soul!"

"They were just a pack of hooligans, oppressing the common folk and seizing girls. Their deaths are unworthy of lament." Lu Qing’s cold voice emerged from beneath his hat, "Besides, if I really intervened, wouldn’t that ruin your performance, Fortress Lord?"

Behind Lu Qing, Zhu Yu couldn’t outwardly react but secretly gave a thumbs up to Lu Qing’s response.

The windows on all four sides of the room had been smashed open by the guards, making it easy for anyone skilled in the martial arts to leap in, as convenient as passing through a city gate.

If the Fake Castle Master truly intended to charge at them, there was no need for the previous antics of circling outside; he could have chosen any window and barged in.

Instead, he leisurely and methodically eliminated the sentinels sent by King Fan before coming in to meet them, clearly finding the guards bothersome and wanting them dead to silence them.

Being exposed by Lu Qing didn’t anger the Fake Castle Master; he grinned, but with his ghastly face filled with entangled layers of scars, his smile appeared even more twisted, creating a spine-chilling sight.

"By your reasoning, I should thank Lord Imperial Censor for aiding me?" he replied sarcastically, "We’ve met before, and now with no outsiders here, why is Lord Imperial Censor so reserved?

This Bhutan climate is unbearably humid and hot. Aren’t you uncomfortable wearing that hat?

Take it off, there’s no outsider here. Why suffer by wrapping yourself up tightly!"

Lu Qing lifted a hand to remove the hat, revealing his face beneath, his eyes mildly amused as he looked at the Fake Castle Master: "You say there’s no outsider, yet you’re very much treating me like one.

You went through so much trouble delivering things to me late at night, never staying even for a cup of tea. I say you truly treat me as an outsider."

He spoke while taking out a brass pendant from his bosom and weighed it in his palm.

The Fake Castle Master’s gaze fell on the brass pendant, showing no surprise nor denial, tacitly acknowledging Lu Qing’s words.

Yet when he looked up at Lu Qing again, he let out another laugh: "Is that... a disguise you’re wearing, altering your appearance?

Oh... if only your grandfather and father had been as cautious as you are, perhaps your family wouldn’t have suffered to the point of only leaving you as the sole survivor."

Listening to this, Zhu Yu’s heart tightened instantly.

This scoundrel deliberately probed into the past tragedies of Lu Qing’s family without any scruples, clearly with malicious intent.

From a position invisible to the Fake Castle Master, she stealthily pressed her hand against Lu Qing’s lower back.

This wasn’t the time to speak; the enemy clearly only recognized Lu Qing and was unaware that she, Zhu Yu, was a woman and Lu Qing’s wife.

Since even the enemy’s motives were not entirely clear, they couldn’t afford any risky exposure of their relationship.

Still, she couldn’t help wanting to subtly remind Lu Qing to remain calm and under no circumstances allow himself to be led by the nose by the opponent.