Chapter 100: The Bridal Escort Team

Chapter 100: The Bridal Escort Procession

The next morning, the sunshine was as radiant as the smiles of young maidens—brilliant, beautiful, and brimming with warmth.

The peach blossoms on the mountain were in full bloom, and the sky above was a clear, washed-blue expanse. Choosing such a day to send off a bride was truly the perfect occasion, blessed with splendid weather and scenery.

The bride was adorned in a resplendent red wedding robe, complete with a phoenix crown and embroidered veil. Her bright red veil covered her head as she was escorted by the Fourth Miss into a lavish, vividly decorated carriage.

Zhang He watched everything intently. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have been deeply moved by such a scene.

Unmarried men and women witnessing a wedding often found their memories stirred or their imaginations sparked with thoughts of the future.

But now, Zhang He neither recalled the past nor dreamed of what lay ahead; instead, he felt sweat gathering in his palms. The mysterious person’s “paper prophecy” seemed true—this assassination drama was already unfolding.

At the gate of the Famous Sword Manor, today’s Jin Mailang appeared spirited and full of life, his face glowing like the spring breeze. He had abandoned his usual somber and steady demeanor, casually wearing a black silk robe bordered with gold, tied loosely with a golden belt. Though informal, his appearance exuded even greater charisma and authority.

Compared to the joyous wedding of the Third Miss, Jin Mailang was truly the central figure of today’s event.

Last night, the Beggars’ Sect’s bridal escort had already departed from the Yuezhou headquarters. They would arrive at the Happy Forest before noon. After receiving the bride, both families would proceed with loud fanfare to Jiangdu City in Yuezhou to hold the ceremony, followed by a grand feast lasting late into the night. Every detail of the festivities had been meticulously arranged.

This grand wedding was not merely about the ceremony itself. It symbolized the alliance between Famous Sword Manor and the Beggars’ Sect, announcing to the martial world that Famous Sword Manor had ascended into the ranks of the premier sects. If today went smoothly, tomorrow they could apply to the system. Success would boost the sect’s prestige and yield numerous rewards and benefits.

What slightly saddened Jin Mailang was that Qi Shiqi would not witness this moment, and the two men he had sent seemed unwilling to linger any longer.

Meanwhile, Zhang He was taking his leave from the Fourth Miss. “Thank you for the hospitality at Famous Sword Manor. We won’t trouble you any further—we’re preparing to leave.”

The Fourth Miss smiled like a flower blossoming in the spring breeze. “Take care on your way. Farewell.”

Zhang He turned and left, with Zhong Shuman following behind, leading a white horse.

The two were heavyhearted and silent. Only when they reached the small bridge on the edge of the manor did Zhong Shuman break the silence: “Are we really going back like this?”

Zhang He nodded slowly, weighed down by his thoughts.

“Even you have no solution? You couldn’t figure anything out last night?” Zhong Shuman asked.

He nodded again, then shook his head. While there was no immediately effective solution, it wasn’t as if there were none at all—such as the mysterious paper scroll outlining the assassination plan he had received the night before.

But the problem was that this matter was too strange, too surreal. Even if he explained it, not only would Zhong Shuman find it absurd and unbelievable, he himself might struggle to accept it.

Moreover, it wasn’t something that could be explained clearly in a short time.

Zhang He suddenly recalled that Zhong Shuman was a third-tier chivalrous young hero. If she were to kill the bride, it would likely affect her chivalry rating and other attributes. She could neither be involved in nor should partake in this assassination plot.

With that in mind, Zhang He said, “You should head back first. Tell Young Master Qi about the situation here. I’ll stay behind to see if there’s any other way.”

Zhong Shuman’s expression was even more complicated than his. Her gaze was filled with doubt.

After a long moment, she bowed slightly—a rare gesture for her. “I know this mission is difficult, and Sect Leader Qi offered you great rewards, but… if it’s truly impossible, then perhaps it’s best to let it go. It’s not easy for wandering cultivators to level up and change professions. You’ve finally done so and obtained some equipment; it would be a shame to lose it all here.”

Her usual demeanor was icy and indifferent, but now her face was clouded with worry beyond words.

An indescribable feeling stirred in Zhang He’s heart. In the Dynasty game, he had come and gone, and the people around him were transient. Even those deeply imprinted in his mind were merely passing figures.

Yet now, for reasons unknown, he suddenly found it hard to say goodbye to Zhong Shuman. The words caught in his throat, impossible to utter. Could this be the taste of parting?

Zhong Shuman, noticing his dazed look, said, “I’ll leave first. Be careful. Keeping your strength and equipment intact is paramount. If you can’t win, run—it’s no disgrace.”

With that, she vaulted onto her horse, which neighed sharply as it galloped into the distance, leaving behind a silhouette full of heroic spirit.

A wave of fear surged within Zhang He as he recalled the paper scroll from last night. On the third sheet, he and Zhong Shuman stood facing each other, making gestures, exchanging earnest farewells and repeated warnings.

What an uncanny resemblance! Could the mysterious person truly foresee past and future alike?

If it was true, what should he do next? How could he find a way to sneak onto the bride’s carriage?

Just then, a scout horse came galloping from afar. The rider was clearly a player. As soon as he spoke, Zhang He knew: “Are you Brother Wu, conqueror of all by force? I’m a level two scout from Jiangdu City. Someone hired me to deliver this parchment to you. Here it is—please accept it.”

Zhang He nodded. No longer gripped by unknown fear, he now understood. The assassination plan was real, and someone was orchestrating it behind the scenes. The scout’s arrival was perfectly timed, precisely calculated by the mysterious person. This was not only a remarkable operation but also a long-planned scheme.

Zhang He first handed the scout a reward of ten taels of silver. After all, parchment wasn’t valuable, and Jiangdu City wasn’t far. Then he tossed over a one-tael gold ingot. “Brother, who is your employer? What’s their name? Where and when did they hire you?”

He fired off a barrage of questions like a machine gun, but the scout coldly refused. “Brother, sorry. You should know our profession’s code and ethics. Our employer paid for privacy. If I disclosed it casually, I’d never get work again. Hope you understand. I’m off now. If you need me in the future, you can hire me.”

Zhang He sighed and nodded. The mysterious person was not only thorough but utterly discreet—when concealment was needed, they vanished without a trace; when leaving clues was necessary, you couldn’t avoid seeing them.

The parchment depicted a clear and detailed, complex terrain map, outlining every step and detail of the mission. After careful study, Zhang He decisively set off toward the Happy Forest.

Shortly after his departure, the gate of Famous Sword Manor bustled with activity. The bridal escort had assembled, and the magnificent carriage slowly rolled out.

The procession was undeniably grand. Leading it was the manor’s chief steward, Yan Jiu, alongside the Fourth Miss on horseback. Behind them were twenty drummers, twenty suona horn players, and forty manor disciples carrying gift boxes. Ten fourth-tier martial experts from Famous Sword Manor flanked the sides as escorts.

Following them was a carriage fit for a grand hall, inside which the Third Miss sat serenely.

The carriage was drawn by six fine horses. The driver, disguised as an NPC coachman, was the second senior disciple, Simen Jian, ready for any emergency.

Behind the carriage marched a large group of disciples—the manor’s third-tier main force, seventy-eight in total. The manor’s head, Jin Mailang, led a group of distinguished guests at the rear.

Additionally, the escort team led by the eldest senior disciple, Baili Feng, had already set out ahead to the Happy Forest. Their task was to welcome the Beggars’ Sect’s escort and meticulously inspect and eliminate any suspicious individuals or situations along the way.

Jin Mailang was confident the escort was strong enough to handle any unexpected incident. After all, this was a major event for Famous Sword Manor; there was no room for negligence or accidents en route.

Anyone causing trouble along the way, attempting to sabotage the marriage alliance, would be courting death—unless they were a Shaolin high monk or a demon sect protector.

The procession crossed the small bridge, finally leaving Famous Sword Manor, and set off grandly toward the Happy Forest.

Everyone wore faces full of joy, especially the Fourth Miss riding at the front. She was immensely proud.

After all, everyone knew the lead of a bridal escort represented the family’s image. Yan Jiu’s presence was a given, but the Fourth Miss never dreamed that today Jin Mailang would place her at the forefront.

Yet it made sense—Famous Sword Manor was openly sending a maiden to wed, not some undesirable to embarrass themselves. Seeing how charming and lovely the Fourth Miss was, one could only imagine the Third Miss must be a beauty of unparalleled grace.

Her own thoughts swelled with pride, and she couldn’t help but sit taller, with a coquettish sway. She mused that her attire today was indeed fitting. If some Beggars’ Sect bigwig took a fancy to her in Jiangdu City, perhaps her lifelong matter in the Dynasty game would be settled today. Then she’d have the equipment, the status... and as for fine clothes and rich food—well, leave that to the tens of thousands of Beggars’ disciples. She need not beg; she’d simply enjoy what others brought her.

With such thoughts, the Fourth Miss’s face blossomed like a peach flower as she sat triumphantly atop her horse.

Her pride was short-lived, however, as the sound of clashing weapons rang out ahead—clearly a player battle, and judging by the noise, quite a crowd.

Though Yan Jiu still wore a broad smile, his eyes were sharp with alertness.

With a sudden wave of his hand, the long bridal procession came to an immediate halt…

[To be continued.]