Chapter 4, Super Surprise

Tian Chou also said: "Please rest assured, my two brothers. In the future, when my family's Grand Tutor learns of today's events, he will certainly not treat Sir Wang and the two brothers unfairly"

When Xianyu Yin set fire outside the courtyard, the crisis for Tian Chou was resolved. He followed closely behind the strongmen who were fleeing in panic, running out of the village, wanting to ascertain the origins of these individuals, only to witness a shocking scene.

Wang Yue, who ventured alone into the depths of the forest, although unaware of Liu He’s hiding place, possessed extensive experience in wilderness survival and concealment. Furthermore, he had senses of smell, hearing, and sight that far surpassed those of ordinary people, allowing him to quickly locate the dense thicket where Liu He was hiding.

The person who appeared in the distance was remarkably strong. Although his movements were not clearly visible, he was able to eliminate ten trained strongmen in the blink of an eye, and he did so with such ease and nonchalance, clearly indicating that he was a super strong individual who could kill without a second thought

Wang Yue was originally from Liaodong. Now, upon seeing his fellow townsman Tian Chou, and receiving such compliments from him, he felt quite pleased and said: "This is not the place for conversation; we must first deal with these corpses and quickly find the Emperor's special envoy, as that is the key matter!"

The man was greatly pleased by Tian Chao's repeated calls of "hero," and thus his attitude became more amicable. He said to Tian Chao: "I am Wang Yue from Liaodong, secretly entrusted by Wang He, the Minister of Books, to protect the envoy from the Emperor as he enters Nanyang. These individuals were sent by Li Jue, and they have but one objective: to assassinate the Emperor's envoy, preventing you from meeting Yuan Shu! As for why Li Jue wishes to conceal this assassination from Dong Zhuo, I do not know."

That person, observing the fields, displayed an attitude of neither servility nor arrogance, being courteous and composed. He then nodded and said: "Indeed, a loyal and steadfast hero, though his swordsmanship is rather ordinary!"

Wang Yue, despite being unmatched in swordsmanship throughout the world, could not surpass the local ruffians of a single generation. When faced with Liu He, the son of a noble family with official status, he still displayed the appropriate respect and humility.

The renowned swordsman Wang possesses unparalleled swordsmanship in the world; tonight, it is indeed a rare fortune for me to witness it with my own eyes

As Liu Heyi emerged from the dense forest, he hurriedly brought forth the numerous titles and official positions held by his father, fearing that the other party might be unaware of his background

Ten people besieged one individual, but in the blink of an eye, all were struck in the throat and perished

After Tian Chou met Xianyu Yin, he recounted his recent experiences in detail.

However, Wang Yue's two disciples were driving over twenty stolen military horses.

Brother Minghui, please bear with it for a moment. We have now seized twenty fine horses, and with the protection of the great hero Wang, we will surely be able to enter Nanyang smoothly

Wang Yue listened for a moment, then pondered slightly and said: "You wait here; I will go inform my two disciples to bring over the twenty fine horses we have captured. After the three of you meet up, return to the village immediately to reassure the villagers, so as to prevent any leaks of information."

One of Wang Yue's disciples was tending to and bandaging the wound on Xian Yu Yin's shoulder, while another explained, "The master just said he is going into the mountains to seek the angel, and instructed us to follow your orders."

I am Liu Yu, the current Grand Tutor, Minister of Rites, Grand General, Marquis of Xiangben, and Governor of Youzhou. I am accompanied by Liu He, the Chamberlain. May I ask how to address the esteemed visitor?

What? You say you are the King of Liaodong, Yue?

I, Tian Zitai from Beiping, have met the great hero. Thank you for your righteous assistance!

Wang Yue has two disciples, one named Shi A and the other named Ding Kuang. Although their martial skills are exceptional, their wits do not match the agility of Tian Chou. Upon hearing Tian Chou mention that Liu Yu would offer substantial rewards in the future, they revealed happy smiles.

Tian Chou's words, however, carried a hint of an invitation and allure towards the other party

After Tian Chou and Wang Yue's two disciples met, they immediately turned back to the village, only to encounter Xian Yu Yin, who was leaning against a tree trunk at the village entrance

Since no one in the village dared to step forward to inquire, Tian Chou and Xian Yu Yin also found it unnecessary to explain to anyone. They brought Shi A and Ding Kuang to the already burned courtyard, gathered the five charred corpses together, and then waited outside the courtyard for Wang Yue and Liu He to return

Although Tian Chou felt a deep resentment in his heart, he respectfully said, "May I ask how to address the esteemed hero, and how did you come to know that these individuals are from the military?"

Haha, it was merely an act of my youthful arrogance; I never expected that after so many years, there would still be someone who remembers it

The name of a legendary fighter from the Three Kingdoms period suddenly sprang to Liu He's mind, and a wave of exhilaration akin to having "struck gold" surged within him

After hearing this, Xianyu Yin also found it hard to believe. He turned his head to look around but did not see Wang Yue, so he asked, "Why is there no sign of the great hero Wang?"

These originally simple and honest villagers now resemble a group of ostriches with their heads buried in the sand and their backsides exposed. As long as the fire does not reach their own homes and no strongman enters their courtyards, they pretend to see and hear nothing. It is only after the wicked individuals, who have committed numerous wrongs, leave the village that they dare to step out of their yards to deal with the aftermath

Once those words were spoken, it was tantamount to admitting that he was indeed the renowned swordsmanship master Wang Yue, who once made a name for himself in Luoyang

Hiding in the forest, Liu He heard Wang Yue's call, and only then did he realize that someone had approached and discovered him

Being told to his face that his swordsmanship was mediocre, Tian Chou felt a wave of embarrassment. He thought to himself: "I have been practicing swordsmanship since childhood; ordinary people are no match for me. Who knows where you came from, a fierce person who killed ten in one breath! If everyone were as formidable as you, how would anyone survive?"

Tian Chou began learning fencing at a young age and considered his swordsmanship to be quite proficient. However, he secretly thought that if he were to face the person before him, he would only be at the mercy of that individual. Therefore, after the person let out a loud shout, he confidently stepped forward, even putting away the dagger he had been holding.

Upon learning that Wang Yue was a friend rather than an enemy, Tian Chou no longer concealed Liu He’s whereabouts

Tian Chou had crossed paths with these individuals and was aware of their formidable skills. Had it not been for his initial advantage of striking under the cover of night to kill two of them, and later Xian Yu Yin creating chaos outside, he would undoubtedly have faced certain death tonight

Upon reaching a distance of five steps from the person, Tian Chou cupped his fists and bowed to the other party in greeting

Wang Yue was afraid of scaring the angel, so he quietly called out to the woods: "Is the one hiding in the forest Liu Shizhong? I have been entrusted by Wang Situ to come and protect you, my lord"

I curse, whether I stick my head out or pull it back, it's all the same; at worst, I'll just play time traveler again! Liu He bolstered his courage in his heart, and then led the old man, who was already so frightened he could hardly move, out of the woods.

In the dead of night, the village was rife with murder and arson, which had already alarmed the ten or so households living nearby. However, the honest farmers of Bajiao had grown accustomed to the various officials and bandits wreaking havoc in the countryside over the years. They had long since become desensitized to the occurrences of murder and arson, rendering them numb to such events

Tian Chou had no better ideas, so he nodded in agreement and watched as Wang Yue leaped away.

Xianyu Yin no longer worried and said: "It is truly a great fortune to receive the assistance of your esteemed master and disciples tonight; otherwise, if those thieves were to escape, I fear the consequences would be endless"

Tian Chou had once heard someone say that Wang Yue placed great importance on fame and fortune, so he immediately launched a "sugar-coated" offensive, speaking with an increasingly fervent and respectful tone

Tian Chou was taken aback upon hearing this, and exclaimed: "Are you the renowned hero Wang Yue, who at the age of eighteen ventured alone into Helan Mountain and beheaded the Qiang chieftain?"

Before long, the fields felt a series of "rumbling" vibrations from the ground, and then a group of horses was seen approaching from the distance.

I dare not deceive you, Sir Wang. Our party, including Young Master Liu, consists of only three people. Currently, the young master has taken an old man from the village and hidden in the mountains behind us, while my other companion remains in the village waiting for my news. It is unlikely that we will succeed in searching for someone at this late hour.

Wang Yue secretly smiled upon hearing this, knowing that Liu He was frightened by the events of the night. He did not expose this but respectfully saluted Liu He and said: "Commoner Wang Yue of Liaodong, pays his respects to the esteemed Lord of the Chamber!"