bestfiction Chapter 151 Speaking Up for Justice
Chapter 151 Speaking Up for Justice
When they arrived at a bustling market, Chen Xiao raised his hand and waved it gently. The carriage slowly came to a stop, and the sound of the wheels rubbing against the ground gradually slowed down and eventually disappeared.
One by one, the people stepped out of the carriage and into the market, which resembled a scroll painting of everyday life.
The market was teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder, like a rushing river.
The colorful stalls are as numerous as stars, and the wide variety of goods is dazzling.
Chen Xiao walked forward slowly, his brows slightly furrowed, carefully observing the expressions of the people and the transactions.
She noticed that prices in Xunyang were quite high. Although the people were busy haggling at the stalls, their weathered faces were filled with the hardships and difficulties of life.
Some people frowned, their eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness; others sighed and complained, exhausting themselves trying to negotiate over a few coins' difference.
Despite their hard work day after day, year after year, from the first light of dawn until the deepest night, they still struggle to make ends meet, barely scraping by.
Upon witnessing this scene, Chen Xiao secretly pondered that if a good opportunity were to come in the future, he would do everything in his power to improve this predicament. It was as if he had made a solemn and firm vow in his heart to seek the well-being of the people.
Qianyi stayed close to Chenxiao, observing everything around them silently.
He knew that the situation in Xunyang was like a deep sea with countless hidden reefs. The surface was calm, but the undercurrents were turbulent, and it was more complicated than people could see.
Ning Yuyuan was like a lively butterfly, pulling Yin Yuyao along as they happily flitted between the various stalls.
She excitedly introduced the unique little items, her voice clear and melodious, like silver bells swaying in the wind, playing a joyful melody.
Yin Yuyao's originally calm face gradually revealed a smile as bright as spring flowers in full bloom. The smile seemed to be infected by Ning Yuyuan's enthusiasm, and the gloom in her eyes gradually dissipated.
Chao Yuan and Ye Yu were like two majestic guardian deities, always maintaining a high level of vigilance.
Their gazes were like the sharp eyes of an eagle soaring through the sky, scanning every corner of the crowd. No one's slightest movement or every exchange of glances could escape their keen eyes, as if they had woven an invisible yet tight safety net among the crowd.
Suddenly, Chen Xiao's keen hearing picked up a loud argument, which suddenly exploded like a thunderclap in the peaceful market.
She looked in the direction of the sound and saw an elderly man with white hair arguing with a burly stall owner.
It turned out that the stall owner had sold less grain than the required weight. When the old man discovered this, he came to argue with the stall owner, whose face was full of menace, but whose eyes revealed cunning and shamelessness. He refused to admit his fraudulent behavior.
Seeing this, Chen Xiao quickly stepped forward and stood in front of the old man. Facing the curses that the stall owner was about to utter, she immediately revealed Zheng Hanying's identity.
When the stall owner saw the inscription on the jade plaque and then the attire of Chen Xiao and the others, his face turned deathly pale. He seemed to have lost his backbone, his body trembling slightly, his panic evident.
Chen Xiao had no intention of using her status to intimidate anyone. The officialdom in Xunyang was a murky place, and with prices already so high, this was just another shameless act. She revealed her identity only because she couldn't stand how he was bullying the old man.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority as she ordered the stall owner to make up the weight and sternly warned him against any further fraudulent activities.
Seeing this, the surrounding people gathered around, casting grateful and admiring glances at Chen Xiao. Their gazes were like the warm spring sun, warm and bright, dispelling their long-standing resentment and helplessness towards the unscrupulous merchant.
Upon seeing this, Ye Yu clicked his tongue in amazement and whispered to Chao Yuan, "I never imagined His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus would be so similar..."
Chao Yuan was also somewhat stunned. Chen Xiao's skillful way of revealing his identity and his righteous manner made her feel as if she had traveled back in time to many years ago.
The emperor at that time was Chu Yanxi, who also stood up for the people. The mother and daughter were exactly the same in their style of doing things, which shows that they were indeed connected by blood!
After this incident, the group continued their journey.
Qian Yi approached Chen Xiao and whispered, "Your actions may attract the attention of those with ulterior motives."
Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, his ink-black hair swaying gently: "I cannot bear to see the people being bullied. If this brings me trouble, I am not afraid."
Her eyes shone with determination and fearlessness, like a bright star shining in the dark night.
As the journey progressed, the weather gradually cooled, as if nature's paintbrush had quietly painted the world with a cool and serene hue.
When setting up camp at night, everyone sat around the campfire.
Ning Yuyuan began to recount the strange tales of the temple. Her voice was soft and melodious, like a whisper in the night sky, slowly flowing into everyone's hearts.
The crowd listened quietly, immersed in the fantastical world she described, temporarily forgetting the fatigue and potential dangers of their journey. Their expressions softened and relaxed, as if they had found a warm haven in the cold night.
Chen Xiao stared at the flickering flames, but his heart was filled with worry for Xi Xi, wondering if she was alright behind the barrier.
That worry was like an invisible thread, tightly wrapped around her heart, impossible to shake off.
Qian Yi was silently thinking about how to explain everything to Ning Yuyuan after arriving at the prefect's mansion. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes showed solemnity and worry, as if he was weighing every word and every possible reaction in his mind.
As night deepened, everyone gradually drifted off to sleep, lost in their own thoughts. Only the night watchmen remained steadfast at their posts, standing tall and proud like ancient pine trees in the darkness, guarding this tranquility.
Their figures appeared somewhat lonely under the cover of night, yet incredibly resolute, as if silently proclaiming their commitment to responsibility and dedication.
The next morning, amidst the morning mist, the group packed their belongings and continued their journey to the Prefect's residence.
The trees on both sides of the road were covered with autumn frost, the frost color as if it had draped the trees in a layer of silvery white gauze, appearing and disappearing in the morning mist, like a dream.
The fallen leaves rustled under the horses' hooves, as if telling the story of Xunyang. Each fallen leaf was like a page of history, recording the traces of time and changes, and bearing the joys and sorrows of this land.
When they arrived at a mountain forest, Qianyi felt as if he had been struck by a mysterious electric current. He suddenly sensed a faint but not negligible fluctuation of mysterious power.
His expression hardened, and he quickly signaled everyone to stop.
Upon hearing the sound, everyone stopped in their tracks and looked around warily.
Chao Yuan instinctively gripped the sword at her waist, the patterns on the hilt digging into her palm. She asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
Qian Yi frowned and said, "There's something strange here. It seems like some mysterious force is watching from the shadows."
His eyes were alert and serious, like a cheetah that had caught a whiff of danger.
Just then, a group of mysterious people dressed in black robes slowly emerged from the woods.
Their faces were hidden in the shadows, as if shrouded in a dark curtain, exuding a repressive and terrifying aura that permeated the air like a tangible force, making it hard to breathe, as if one were in a dark ancient tomb.
The leader let out a low laugh: "Do you think you can leave this place so easily?"
The laughter was like the cry of an owl, eerie and terrifying, echoing through the mountains and forests, sending chills down one's spine.
Ye Yu stepped forward and shouted, "Who are you? Why are you blocking our way?"
The sound was like a booming bell, echoing and reverberating through the mountains and forests.
The mysterious man did not answer, but moved like a ghost and launched an attack.
Their movements were as fast as lightning, instantly closing in like a group of ghosts from the dark world.
The group quickly engaged in battle. Ye Yu's swordsmanship was fierce, each strike accompanied by a whistling sound, like a dragon emerging from the sea, with overwhelming momentum, as he fought a life-or-death battle with the mysterious man.
Qian Yi unleashed the unique power of the system. As the light flashed, it collided with the dark power of the mysterious person. The light bloomed like a brilliant firework in the night sky, illuminating a corner of the mountain forest and also illuminating the hope and courage in everyone's hearts.
Ning Yuyuan and Yin Yuyao worked together. Ning Yuyuan used incantations to distract the enemy. She chanted incantations that sounded like mysterious music, echoing in the air and carrying mysterious power.
Yin Yuyao then used hidden weapons to catch her enemy off guard. The hidden weapons streaked across the sky like meteors, heading straight for the enemy's vitals, just like an assassin in the dark, striking unexpectedly.
Chao Yuan stood guard beside Chen Xiao like an impregnable fortress. Her posture was upright and her gaze was firm, ensuring that no enemy could get close to Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao remained firmly seated in the carriage, not daring to go out and hold everyone back. She only slightly lifted the curtain to observe the battle situation. Her eyes behind the curtain revealed tension and worry. She tightly gripped the hem of her clothes, and her palms were full of sweat.
During the fierce battle, Chen Xiao noticed that the attack methods of these mysterious people seemed familiar. A thought struck her: could it be related to the fake S?
Qian Yi also realized this, and while fighting, he shouted, "These people may be remnants of that evil force, everyone be careful!"
His voice was clearly audible amidst the clamor of battle, as if sounding an alarm for everyone.
As the battle continued, the group gradually figured out the mysterious man's tactics and began to launch a counterattack.
Ye Yu seized the opportunity and unleashed his ultimate move. A sword aura swept across the night sky like lightning, its dazzling light repelling the mysterious leader.
Seeing that things were not going well, the other mysterious figures began to retreat, disappearing into the forest like a receding tide.
Qian wanted to give chase, but Ning Yu stopped him, saying, "Don't pursue a desperate enemy. We should hurry to the prefect's mansion."
After a short rest, the group continued their journey.
After this battle, everyone's mood became even heavier, realizing that the evil forces had not been completely eliminated and that more challenges awaited them ahead.
That heavy feeling weighed on everyone's heart like a lead weight, like a dark cloud obscuring the original light of hope.
Chen Xiao's worries about Xi Xi's background grew stronger. She knew that only by solving the mystery of why Xi Xi was blocked by the barrier could this series of crises be fundamentally resolved, as if she were desperately searching for a glimmer of light in the darkness, which was their only hope for victory and peace.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as the trip continued.
Ning Yuyuan no longer told stories as cheerfully as before, and Yin Yuyao also fell into deep thought. Chao Yuan and Ye Yu remained highly vigilant, as if facing a formidable enemy. Their nerves were taut, like a fully drawn bowstring.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiao and Qian Yi were silently pondering a solution, their brows furrowed, as if they were trying to solve an unsolvable problem. Various ideas and plans flashed through their minds, only to be rejected one by one.
Upon reaching the bank of a river, the water surged and roared like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins.
The original bridge has been washed away, leaving only ruins. Those ruins sway precariously under the impact of the river, as if telling the story of past vicissitudes and disasters.
The group had to find a new way to cross the river.
Qianyi used the system's capabilities to explore the surrounding area and discovered a shallow shoal downstream that might be a good place to cross the river.
However, when they reached the shallows, they discovered that there seemed to be undercurrents in the water, posing a great danger.
Chen Xiao picked up a stone and threw it into the river. The stone was instantly swept away by the undercurrent, as if swallowed by the giant mouth of a demon, and disappeared without a trace.
"What should we do?" Ning Yuyuan looked worried, her eyes filled with concern and anxiety.
After thinking for a moment, Qianyi said, "I can use my power to temporarily stabilize the water flow, and you can take the opportunity to cross the river quickly."
His eyes shone with determination and resolve, like a fearless warrior ready to face any challenge.
So Qianyi used his power, and the river became slightly calmer under his control.
Chen Xiao stepped into the river first. The water was icy cold, as if countless fine needles were pricking her skin. She couldn't help but shiver, but she still walked forward resolutely.
Chao Yuan and Ye Yu stood guard on both sides, their eyes alert, constantly watching the surrounding movements.
Yin Yuyao and Ning Yuyuan followed closely behind.
Just as the group reached the middle of the river, several huge water monsters suddenly sprang out from the bottom of the water and pounced on them with bared teeth and claws.
The water monster was enormous, its scales gleaming coldly in the sunlight, resembling a giant beast clad in armor.
Ning Yu swung his sword at the water monster. The sword collided with the monster's scales, splashing water droplets that rained down like a storm, soaking everyone's clothes.
Qian also increased his power output while assisting in attacking the water monster.
His forehead was covered in sweat, which slid down his cheeks, but his eyes were firm and he did not back down.
Chao Yuan and Ye Yu fought valiantly against the water monster's attacks. Their swordsmanship was skillful, each strike carrying power and determination as they protected Yin Yuyao and Chen Xiao in the middle, as if they were guarding the most precious treasure in the world.
After a fierce battle, the group finally managed to defeat the monster and successfully reached the other side.
However, due to the excessive use of power, Qian's face was slightly pale, like a blank sheet of paper, devoid of any color.
Chen Xiao asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
Qian Yi shook her head slightly: "It's alright, it just takes a little time to recover."
His voice was slightly weak, but still carried a hint of stubbornness.
At this moment, they were getting closer and closer to the governor's mansion, but everyone knew that the closer they got to their destination, the more dangers and challenges they might encounter.