Chapter Six: The Monk at the Pass

  Young Zhao Defang cried out at a most inopportune moment. Although his mother, Wang, quickly covered his small mouth, the cry still went out.

  Hearing the crying sound, Zhao Zhuang almost fell from the large pine tree he was hiding in.

  Zhao Zhuang knew that hiding in the temple would eventually be discovered by the pursuing soldiers. Especially that underground palace, it was well-known and had no secrecy to speak of, once discovered, they would be caught like fish in a barrel.

  In a critical moment, Zhao Zhuang thought of the Three Holes of the Cunning Rabbit and dispersed the monks in the temple, making them think that the Zhao family's relatives were hiding in the palace. In fact, they were sent to the Clear Heart Pavilion.

  Chai Rong had issued a prohibition, but after daybreak, the dynasty was changed, and his orders were rendered completely ineffective! Moreover, Zhao Kuangyi's wife, Fu Shi, was the younger sister of Empress Dowager Shengzhen, so they were already family, and there was no need to worry about anything.

  Zhao Zhuang was very careful, not letting them leave by the main gate. Instead, he let the Zhao family members jump into the window from a dark side and lower down ropes to pull up the Zhao family members, without damaging the thick dust on the front door, windows, and steps at all, thus deceiving Han Wei for the first time.

  The monks' performance was really poor, but it also had a great misleading effect. This situation is just like constantly touching the pocket with money, which will attract the attention of thieves. The monks subconsciously looked in the direction of the palace, doesn't that imply there's something fishy over there?

  Zhao Zhuang made good use of this point, and Han Wei fell for it.

  The underground palace was opened, but no one was found, successfully delaying for two hours. On such a special night, the meaning is not trivial. And continue to mislead Han Wei, making him think that the Zhao family members had already escaped.

  At this critical moment, Zhao Defang burst into tears!

  All their plans were ruined and the Zhao family fell into crisis once again.

  Little guy, why are you so unreasonable? Isn't this a scam? Zhao Zhuang was complaining incessantly, and when he lowered his head, he saw that Han Wei had already brought people to the Qingxin Pavilion, and his heart immediately rose to his throat.

  Hiding was no longer meaningful, Zhao Zhuo jumped down and stood firmly on the steps in front of the attic, stirring up a cloud of dust.

  Han suddenly stopped in his tracks and said with a sigh: "Little Shifu is not ordinary, Han underestimated you!"

  "You're welcome!"

  "I previously thought I had underestimated your mind, now it seems I also underestimated your courage."

  Zhao Cong smiled and said: "Did Han Gong decide that I was afraid of defeat and escaped ahead of time?"

  "You're right, I underestimated you!" Han said with a cold smile: "You're very clever and brave, but it seems like your luck isn't that great!"

  Zhao Zhuang could only force a smile: "Perhaps, it's hard to predict the future, who can plan every step and calculate without leaving anything out?"

  "Who are you? You don't look like a monk at all!" Han Wei was really curious now, wanting to know who this person was that had made him lose out.

  Zhao Zhuang smiled and said: "Me? I'm indeed a monk, but recently I've been thinking of returning to secular life."

  "Is that so? So you've found a shortcut and are waiting for the opportunity to rise to greatness, enjoying wealth and glory?" Han Wei seemed to understand something.

  "Originally, the Zhao family was supposed to leave after burning incense, but he whispered a few words with the young lady of the Zhao family and they ended up staying!"

  "Oh?"

  Han's mouth corner rose with a hint of smile, it was unclear whether he was pleased or self-mocking. He said coldly: "As expected, Zhao Kuangyin is indeed hypocritical and has long had the heart of a traitor. To let you become a monk in Dingli Temple so early on, truly a deep and far-sighted move! However, it's a pity that the chess piece was misplaced. Did he really think that a small monk like you could protect his wife, children, and mother completely? Isn't that underestimating people too much?"

  Zhao Zhuang couldn't explain and didn't try to explain, he just smiled and said: "What a pity, it was only off by a little bit."

  "A difference of a single hair's breadth can lead to an error of a thousand miles; even if it's just a tiny bit off, it still ends in failure!"

  Zhao Kuangyin's rescue troops had not yet arrived, although they had delayed for two hours, Zhao Defang's wailing made the situation suddenly deteriorate.

  Is this going to cost us our lives? Is the ten-day tour of ancient times going to end like this in such a hurry?

  Postpone it, must postpone it!

  As soon as he had this idea, Zhao Zhuang subconsciously rushed up, his movements extremely fast, snatching a long sword from the deputy general's hand and rushing straight towards Han Wei.

  Zhao Zhuang himself was somewhat unbelievable, and he couldn't help but marvel at Wu Lang's extraordinary martial arts skills. In his desperation, he naturally brought out...

  Capture the leader first, if we can take down this humpbacked official, perhaps we can control the situation.

  Han Wei did not expect Zhao Zhuang to make a sudden move and was shocked, hastily retreating backwards.

  Although the guards on both sides had already intervened in a timely manner, they were unable to stop Zhao Zhuang, and the sword was still heading towards his chest. In desperation, Han Wei quickly pulled over Xing Chen, who was standing in front of him, chattering away.

  He let out a loud shout, and perhaps before he could even feel fear, his life was already gone. In that instant when his eyes closed, he might have had some regrets - the gods were fighting, and monks really shouldn't get involved.

  "You're quite skilled, it seems Zhao Kuangyin chose you for a reason!" Han narrowly escaped and after some heavy panting, coldly laughed: "Unfortunately, two fists can't defeat four hands, let alone more than that are here now!"

  A group of imperial guards immediately rushed towards the Qingxin Hall, Zhao Zhong missed one hit and knew that the opportunity had passed. So he retreated at the fastest speed and guarded the steps in front of the Qingxin Hall.

  Zhao Yanran on the attic knew she had been exposed and hastily dispatched several attendants to assist, also guarding several windows.

  The guardsmen brandished their long spears, thrusting from both sides towards Zhao's waist and eyes. Zhao dodged a sword with a swift movement, the blade scraping along the spear shaft. Positions were exchanged, one man's spear shaft snapped, another's fingers severed at the root, wailing in unison as blood spurted out.

  It was just one move, and Zhao Zhuang had already taken the initiative, stunning and intimidating his opponent.

  The monks of Dingli Temple widened their eyes, and the usually dull and foolish Jiesu turned out to be so fierce, he was actually a hidden master! Fortunately, they had never offended him before, otherwise they would have ended up like Jiechou.

  Han Wei did not expect Zhao Zhuang to be so formidable, and Zhao Yanran on the attic also had the same thought. They were both guessing, who was this person after all?

  A team of Imperial Guards soldiers kept charging forward, Zhao Zhuang's long sword constantly swinging, actually blocking the opponent's offensive.

  Qingxin Pavilion has a relatively high foundation, and the positive steps are a must-pass place. Zhao Zhuang defended this land, and not a single soldier rushed past. It was like a monk guarding the pass, an unbreakable formation of ten thousand men.

  Han Wei was extremely angry and gritted his teeth in hatred. He had never expected that tonight's big event would be ruined by a little monk.

  The best way is to just set fire to it. But now the goal is to capture Zhao Kuangyin's family as hostages, if they die, they will be worthless, and only capturing them alive has value, a forced attack is the only way.

  Han Wei's heart was burning with anger and anxiety, worried that if they couldn't take down this side, his father's side might not be able to hold on.

  Once the rebels enter the city, everything is over!

  Han Wei had no choice but to order a full-scale attack, sparing no expense. Little Monk may be formidable, but he must have moments of carelessness and weakness too!

  Zhao Cong's situation was indeed precarious, and it was hard to imagine that Wu Lang's martial arts skills were so formidable. In the face of crisis, he displayed his skills with utmost perfection!

  Facing several forbidden army generals, I can respond calmly, dodging, counterattacking, and drawing my sword in one breath. However, the opponent has over a hundred men, and the rotating battle has consumed a lot of my energy, exhausting me from responding.

  Gradually, whether it was dodging or drawing his sword, his speed decreased, and there were already several wounds on his body, fortunately none of them were serious.

  If things go on like this, I'm afraid it won't last long. Zhao Zhuang secretly called out that something was wrong. He didn't want to lose all his efforts, nor did he want to lose his life because of this.

  Just as he parried one sword, a long spear came straight at him. Zhao Kuang leaned back to dodge it. Two guards rushed up, their spears stabbing viciously at his waist from both sides.

  Zhao Zhuang hastily supported himself with his left hand on the railing pillar beside the stairs and leaped into the air. While dodging, the sword blade was directed at one person's chest and abdomen, trying to force him back and resolve the crisis.

  Han Wei stood at a distance, watching clearly, where would he let go of such an opportunity? With a hint in his eyes, two guards immediately threw out their long spears, targeting Zhao Zhuo's exposed body, to be precise, the lower part that was vulnerable to attack.

  Awesome!

  If this is hit, it will really be quit color!

  The soldiers in front saw the opportunity to win, and they fought with their chests against the sword without retreating a single step. Zhao Zhuang was in mid-air, all retreats were blocked, and he saw the long gun coming quickly, but there was no way to avoid it!