Chapter 321: Chapter 308: Insidious

Translator: 549690339 i

“If you put it that way, then it makes sense…”

“Right? Have I ever been wrong?”

After listening for a while, Zhuang Qingning finally understood.

These were obviously seasoned criminals with a tendency for rampant lawbreaking, and as far as she could tell, roughly five were involved.

At this moment, only two of them were outside, while the remaining three were supposed to rendezvous with them in about half an hour.

In other words, this was the best time to escape.

Zhuang Qingning composed herself, gathered all her strength, and managed to free her wrists from the hemp ropes. She then proceeded to untie the ropes around her ankles.

Carefully nudging the unconscious girls next to her, Zhuang Qingning tiptoed to the front, gently lifting the curtain.

Under the bright moonlight, she could see the two men seated on the carriage’s front.

One tall, one short. One fat, one thin.

She could also faintly see the long blades besides them, and the scars on their arms revealed as they rolled up their sleeves.

They were aggressive, armed, and dangerous.

Zhuang Qingning thought for a moment before summoning the System Mall.

Are there any handy weapons available in the Exchange Mall?

[Yes, the Exchange Mall has a variety of weapons ranging from spears, daggers, swords, broadswords, bows and arrows, and even gunpowder.] [Considering the host’s current dangerous situation, the system has activated emergency mode. Weapons can be redeemed at a 30% discount, plus an additional 20% off granted by the system earlier, providing a compound discount.]

That’s convenient.

Zhuang Qingning selected a short and exquisite dagger from the mall. It was small enough to carry around, and the blade had an ominous glint signaling its razor sharpness.

Besides that, Zhuang Qingning also exchanged for a bag of quicklime.

Please act according to circumstances. Regardless of the cost, provide what I need immediately without hesitation.

We’ll figure out the cost later.

Right now, the priority is to escape!

[Rest assured, host. In emergency mode, the system will prioritize your safety above all. You can pay on credit, and the mall can provide any service you need.]

Excellent.

Zhuang Qingning rolled up her sleeves, stooped down, lifted a comer of the curtain, and coughed loudly.

Startled by the noise, the two thugs in the front of the carriage instinctively turned their heads to check the carriage, wondering if one of the drugged girls had woken up.

Now’s the chance!

Zhuang Qingning threw the quicklime at their eyes.

The thugs immediately screamed like a butchered pig, scrambling for their nearby swords.

Without giving them a chance, Zhuang Qingning slashed the fat one’s throat with her dagger and swiftly grabbed his broadsword, stabbing it straight into the thin one’s chest.

Then she kicked both of them off the carriage.

Her actions were prompt and decisive, without hesitation.

Caught off guard, the two men fell to the ground like sacks of potatoes. Due to their severe injuries and their blinded eyes, they couldn’t stand. They could only roll about in pain on ground while cursing loudly.

Interestingly, their curses were rather creative.

Zhuang Qingning ignored them, calmly sat at the front of the carriage, grabbed the reins and shouted “Giddy up!”

The horses, pained by the harsh tug, galloped fervently as the carriage sped down the road.

Leaving the two thugs far behind.

System, show me the map and tell me which direction to take.

[Okay, host.]

[Based on the map, you’re currently east of the county town. The optimal route is towards the town. At the front, you should turn left at the intersection!]

[Well, to be precise, go left.]

Perfect.

Zhuang Qingning drove the carriage, indeed seeing a fork in the road ahead. She steered the carriage to make a left turn.

After careening down the official road for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the surroundings became increasingly deserted. The only sounds were the chorus of cicadas from the nearby bushes and the rushing wind.

Zhuang Qingning let out a soft sigh of relief.

Given this speed and the injuries of those two, catching up with her was impossible.

What’s concerning though, was the remaining three people mentioned earlier, including their boss who was supposed to join them.

Their numbers had increased, and the so-called “boss” was likely more skilled. Zhuang Qingning furrowed her brows, her mind growing even more tense. Prepare the caltrops.

[Alright, right away.]

As the System’s voice faded, Zhuang Qingning heard the clinking sound of metal hitting the ground.

Several caltrops might be able to stall them and buy some time.

Right now, every extra minute could increase her odds of winning and decrease the danger…

As Zhuang Qingning pondered how else she could delay her pursuers, she noticed the rushing sound of the wind and the ‘swish’ sound quickly closing in on her.

Zhuang Qingning immediately ducked her head.

“Thud!”

An arrow pierced the roof of the carriage.

Hisss!

Zhuang Qingning drew in a hiss of breath.

Thankfully due to her enhanced agility, she had noticed the danger early enough. If she hadn’t dodged in time, she might have lost her life.

But there was a problem. Didn’t she scatter caltrops earlier? Why didn’t they work?

With the number of caltrops the System had scattered, at least two horses should have been hit by now. However, the thugs managed to catch up, and seemingly at an even faster speed.

[Don’t doubt me. Anything put forth by the System is guaranteed to be of top quality. There’s no such thing as careless workmanship.]

I wasn’t even thinking that, okay?

Just as Zhuang Qingning was about to retort against the System’s defensive stance, she heard rustling noises from the bushes. Two horses broke out from the undergrowth, galloping onto the official road and began chasing after the carriage.

They took a shortcut!

How sneaky!

Zhuang Qingning tightened her grip on the reins and gave them another crack.

Prepare the caltrops!

[Ehem, host, about that, the thing is, caltrops are not commonly used, so the System Mall doesn’t normally stock many. It will take about six hours to restock.]

Zhuang Qingning,

So much for reliability in a crisis!

With no means to delay them, her only option was to make a mad dash for it. Zhuang Qingning continued to crack the reins, urging the horses to run faster. Still, the carriage being pulled along drastically affected the horses’ speed, and so the two riders behind started to close the gap..