Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 405 - 241: Intrusion

"These are all useless, how could they let him escape? Hurry and chase him, he took something important." The prince yelled furiously at the guards while clutching his bloodstained arm.

The guards with bows and arrows were at a loss. Just now, the masked man fought with their master. How could they shoot arrows?

Besides, the master always said to leave him alive, so when the masked man fled, they only then got the order to shoot, but unfortunately, he still escaped.

"Yes!" Jin Canling led people over the wall, pursuing the masked man.

The prince turned and ran to the stables, and the remaining guards followed him.

They ordered someone to tightly guard the study, and then several people rode horses, also heading west.

The masked man clutched his bloodstained chest, running with great difficulty. He had panicked and lost his way when he came out; the east side was heavily guarded, while in the west forest, he had a horse and someone waiting to respond.

He sprinted forward swiftly, suddenly vaguely hearing the sound of hooves behind him.

Damn! Those people were coming on horseback.

In the dark night, with the wind and snow growing stronger, he looked around at the scenery under the reflected white glow of the snow, trying to find a place to hide.

Unfortunately, the swirling snowflakes made it impossible to open his eyes.

A faint scent reached him, and after wiping his face, he vaguely saw a manor not far to his right.

He turned to look behind him; the snow was so heavy that it quickly covered his tracks.

He felt relieved and clambered unevenly over the manor wall.

"Young master! Do you want to tie your hair?" Ming Yan asked as he looked at Gu Chengyu’s somewhat damp hair.

"No need, I’m about to rest. If Ming Mo returns and I haven’t retired, let him see me."

Gu Chengyu wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, put down the bowl and chopsticks, and prepared to appreciate the plum painting he created during the day.

Although it was finished, he hadn’t had time to inscribe it.

"Yes!" Ming Yan replied, thinking about Ming Mo, who had been gone for half an hour.

"Ming Mo should be back soon." Ming Yan opened the window a crack and looked out, noticing the fire to the east had disappeared, presumably extinguished.

Gu Chengyu got up and went to the study, which was connected to the bedroom and the house with the hot spring. He was most satisfied with this place.

Entering the study, he looked at the plum painting on the table. The ink had dried, so he thought for a moment and then stamped his private seal on it.

He glanced at his work and found it had captured some of the essence of the plum, nodding with satisfaction, not in vain for his years practicing painting.

Suddenly, Gu Chengyu paused, holding his artwork, and then gently stood up, taking the treasure sword hanging on the wall into his hand.

Someone had entered. He heard footsteps, and it was definitely not Ming Mo or Ming Yan.

This person’s breath was somewhat unsteady, the footsteps light but flustered. Gu Chengyu first suspected a thief had entered the manor.

Clearly, this was a skilled practitioner, unfamiliar with the house’s arrangements, indicating they were not from the manor.

Gu Chengyu listened to the intruder pacing in the bedroom, tossed the sword into the space, drew out the sword blade with a thought, and held it again in hand.

He moved slowly toward the bedroom and appeared there in a few steps.

A black-clad, masked man was there, back facing him, probably searching for valuables in the room.

Gu Chengyu inadvertently glanced at the ground, realizing this might not be a thief.

Since he was sure it wasn’t a thief, Gu Chengyu made a decisive choice to strike first.

He raised his sword toward the masked man. When the man sensed the sword aura from behind, he hurriedly turned to resist, but it was too late.

A sword slashed across his back, eliciting a muffled groan, and the masked man retreated a few steps.

He fixed his gaze and found Gu Chengyu’s jade-like complexion particularly familiar in the candlelight. It was him!

This was terrible. He wasn’t a match for Gu Chengyu, and now injured, he didn’t know whether to reveal his identity. But if he didn’t, would Gu Chengyu let him go?

Today was utterly unlucky. The original plan had been disrupted, with nothing going smoothly. He felt the little booklet in his chest, fortunately, not a complete loss.

Gu Chengyu intended to press his advantage but noticed the masked man was staring fixedly at him without making a move.

Gu Chengyu’s mind turned; could this be someone familiar?

Seeing no attack from the masked man, Gu Chengyu had no plans to waste words, intending to capture him first.

Seeing Gu Chengyu about to advance, the masked man was anxious, hurriedly hoarse-voiced, "Wait! I mean no harm; I was just passing through."

With just these two sentences, blood was pouring unstoppably from the wounds on his back and chest.

The blood soaked through his black clothes, and Gu Chengyu could hear it dripping onto the floor.

"Oh? Then please leave now. I can spare your life!"

Gu Chengyu did not lower his sword, now believing the other was truly just passing through.

This was clearly an injury sustained elsewhere, possibly entered his manor while fleeing or perhaps being pursued, seeking to hide here.

If it was the latter, his situation was equally dangerous. The pursuers might think he was an accomplice, and then he would be unable to explain himself.

The person was wounded, his chest injury untreated, undoubtedly bleeding all the way here. Fortunately, the snow outside was heavy, likely covering his tracks.

As long as the masked man left, Gu Chengyu wouldn’t pursue it. Even if people came to search, they wouldn’t find anyone or prove the masked man had been here.

The masked man panted heavily; if he ran again, he surely couldn’t escape and death awaited outside. He hesitated.

As the two were at an impasse, Ming Mo’s voice came from outside.

"Sir, have you gone to rest?"

Ming Mo already held a sword in his hand; the candlelight flickered inside, casting two shadows on the door and windows. He was sure one was his master, and the other wasn’t Ming Yan.

He trusted his master’s abilities, seeing no immediate action, intending to stay put until the two started fighting to join in.

The masked man grew nervous, watching Gu Chengyu closely, strategizing.

He couldn’t even defeat Gu Chengyu alone, let alone with another follower, who also wasn’t weak.

"Why? You still don’t want to leave? The people behind are almost caught up, right?"

Gu Chengyu found it strange, was he planning to stay here? He certainly wouldn’t protect him. Who knew what this man was?

The owner was pursuing relentless, possibly because he took something important. Gu Chengyu didn’t want to get involved in the trouble.

The masked man hesitated a bit longer and decided to leave. He wouldn’t drag others down or reveal his identity, and let Gu Chengyu help him.

Even if Gu Chengyu knew who he was, he might not get involved.

He opened the door, planning to leave, not expecting Ming Mo to be standing guard outside, sword in hand.

"Ming Mo, let him leave."

Ming Mo saw the masked man, glanced at his master, noticed Gu Chengyu unharmed, and then stepped back a few paces.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves came from outside, heading toward the manor gate.

Gu Chengyu frowned, intending to urge him to leave quickly.

But the man in black stopped in his tracks, turned around, and pulled down the black veil on his face, "Please, Mr. Gu, lend me a hand!"