The live stream erupted when viewers saw someone actually giving chase.
【King of Trash Talk: Holy shit, someone really came after them! The streamer is amazing! Streamer, explain how you discovered them?】
【Shuaidebumingxian: One, two, three, four, five… There are over thirty people. The leader isn’t bad-looking.】
【Driver No Brakes: Not bad? With those dark circles under his eyes, he looks severely kidney-deficient. Wait, could this kidney-deficient young master be that arsonist Xie Jinchi?】
Lu Zhao replied in the live stream, 【You guessed right, it’s Xie Jinchi. He probably tracked us by the wheel marks.】
As soon as she spoke, the live stream exploded again. 【Pacifier Crusader: Damn, it’s really that bastard! The arsonist who should rot in prison!】
【February Red: Streamer, I meant what I said before. One small star for slapping him, one rose for kicking him, and a sports car if you take him out.】
【Bajiaolian: I’ll chip in a sports car, but you have to grab his ear and recite the classic line: ‘Arsonists who burn mountains belong in prison for life.’】
【Rainy Day No Thunder: Streamer, go get him!】
【Base Upon Base: Go, go, streamer—go blow his damn head off!】
Lu Zhao was speechless: Go? In his current physical state, charging forward would be suicide.
He wouldn’t even get to see Consort Mei—he’d be meeting that black-hearted lotus Shen Qi in the underworld first.
There would be plenty of chances to deal with people later. Besides, with the Qiao father and son present, she didn’t want to reveal all her cards prematurely unless absolutely necessary.
Lu Zhao stayed put.
The caravan halted as Xie Jinchi and his large contingent caught up. He reined in his horse before the carriage, looking down arrogantly at the curtain. “Who’s in there?” he demanded.
The carriage curtain was drawn aside as Qiao Bing stepped out, cupping his hands in respect. “Sir, we are a merchant caravan traveling north, passing through this area. May I ask why you’ve stopped us?”
At the rear of the caravan were cargo carts, and the attendants were dressed as guards—nothing seemed amiss.
Xie Jinchi eyed him up and down haughtily. “Where are your travel pass and clearance documents?”
Qiao Bing promptly produced the documents from his robe and handed them over. Xie Jinchi glanced at them dismissively. “From Zhongdu, Huangcheng?”
Qiao Bing nodded, his demeanor neither subservient nor arrogant.
As the saying goes, “Even a gatekeeper of the prime minister holds the rank of a seventh-grade official.” Caravans from the imperial capital often had connections with court officials. Most people wouldn’t trouble them much upon seeing “Zhongdu” on the travel pass.
But Xie Jinchi was an exception. He snapped the documents shut and sneered, “A merchant caravan from Zhongdu, traveling all the way to a remote place like Liangzhou? You just left Xuyang City and turned back halfway—clearly suspicious. Men, seize them first!”
His guards responded in unison, dismounting to apprehend the caravan.
The caravan members immediately tensed, ready for a fight. Qiao Bing frowned and roared, “Who dares!” His voice boomed like a bell, radiating authority.
The advancing guards faltered, momentarily frozen by his intensity.
Qiao Bing then turned to Xie Jinchi, his tone grave. “Young Master Xie, our caravan has done nothing wrong. How can you, as the son of Xie Zhoumu, arrest people arbitrarily?”
Xie Jinchi narrowed his eyes. “You know who I am?”
Qiao Bing slightly lifted his chin. “Not only do I recognize you, young master, but I also know Governor Xie. When your father served as an official in Zhongdu, he once received favors from me.”
The implication was clear—he had connections in the imperial capital, and even Xie Jinchi’s father would have to show him some respect.
But Xie Jinchi was a reckless local tyrant, accustomed to bullying others and detesting anyone who tried to assert superiority over him.
He sneered coldly, “I despise those who use past favors to extort repayment. Seize them!”
This man was utterly unreasonable!
Qiao Chi could no longer restrain himself. Gripping his silver spear, he charged out so swiftly that Lu Zhao had no time to stop him.
Lu Zhao shook his head inwardly: The young man was too impulsive. Qiao Bing, having navigated the official circles for years, surely had ways to resolve the situation. Charging out now would only escalate the conflict.
Sure enough, as soon as Qiao Chi knocked Xie Jinchi off his horse with a single thrust, Xie Jinchi clutched his injured arm and glared coldly. “And who are you?”
Without a word, Qiao Chi raised his spear for another strike.
Qiao Bing shouted, “A-Chi!”
Xie Jinchi retreated hastily behind his guards before drawing his sword and pointing it at Qiao Chi, his eyes filled with malice. “A-Chi? How dare you share a character with me? Since you refuse to cooperate, just kill them all. Men, I suspect they’re harboring fugitives! Execute them on the spot!”
Anyone who dared injure him, regardless of status, deserved to die.
The guards behind Xie Jinchi spurred their horses forward. Qiao Chi kicked a horse’s belly, using the momentum to leap into the air, his silver spear aimed straight at Xie Jinchi’s throat. Seeing that a fight was now unavoidable, Qiao Bing took up his own silver spear and joined the fray, followed by the rest of the Qiao family retinue drawing their blades.
The scene descended into chaos, filled with the clashing of weapons.
The live-stream audience cheered wildly.
Hidden in the grass, Lu Zhao watched silently while providing commentary for the viewers.
[Qiao Chi’s right hand is injured, so he can only use his left. But his fundamentals are solid—though his left hand isn’t as agile as his right, it’s more than enough to deal with Xie Jinchi.]
[This move is called ‘Snowy Wave Recedes.’ The stance is stylish, but his aim is slightly off.]
[Xie Jinchi is all show and no substance—no match for him. He’ll be defeated within ten exchanges at most. Although the Liangzhou Governor’s soldiers are skilled, they’re no match for a seasoned veteran like Qiao Bing. A skirmish of this level doesn’t require my intervention. It’ll be over soon…]
The system muttered inwardly: Hah, this cunning host. She’s clearly too physically depleted to fight, yet she makes it sound so righteous.
Oddly enough, the live-stream audience was completely captivated, showering the screen with little stars one after another.
The system didn’t understand: Every Chinese person harbors a dream of martial heroes.
Modern viewers had never witnessed such authentic, life-and-death combat scenes from ancient times. Moreover, Qiao Chi was exceptionally pleasing to the eye—his silver spear dancing with grace, his youthful demeanor already hinting at the future general he would become. Combined with Lu Zhao’s thrilling commentary, the effect was even more exhilarating than a World Cup broadcast.
A few little stars were nothing.
They were happy to spend the money.
When Qiao Chi executed his final move, ‘Serpent Seeks the Moon,’ pinning Xie Jinchi helplessly to the ground, the live-stream erupted with multiple firework effects.
Lu Zhao suddenly discovered a new path to wealth: Perhaps Popularity Value didn’t always require her to exert effort personally.
If she were to ascend the throne as emperor in the future, she would need ample manpower.
The handsome Qiao Chi before her was indeed promising material.
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the youth standing ramrod straight under the glaring sunlight, as if seeing countless gold coins beckoning to her.
Xie Jinchi, whose vital point was threatened, quickly invoked his father when realizing he was outmatched, snarling viciously: “This is Liangzhou territory! If you dare harm me, my father will never let you off!”
Qiao Chi pressed his silver spear forward, slicing Xie Jinchi’s neck.
Blood trickled down his neck, thick and reeking of iron.
Xie Jinchi reached up to touch it, shrieking in terror as all his arrogance instantly evaporated. He begged repeatedly: “Spare me, hero! I was stirring up trouble for no reason – just go on your way!”
Qiao Chi snorted disdainfully, unwilling to waste words. With a single spear strike, he knocked Xie Jinchi unconscious. As he prepared to strike again, Qiao Bing promptly grasped his shoulder to stop him: “Don’t take lives! Our mission comes first!” Xie Jinchi was right – given the Liangzhou Governor’s temperament, he would never rest if his legitimate son were killed.
Pursing his lips, Qiao Chi finally withdrew his silver spear. The Qiao family attendants knocked out the remaining Liangzhou guards and tied everyone together.
Lu Zhao was escorted back into the carriage.
Outside, Qiao Bing lowered his voice to scold Qiao Chi: “You’re too impulsive! Even if he wanted to arrest someone, you should have let him. I carry the Emperor’s personal token – the Liangzhou Governor would show some respect. What could have happened? You could have later brought the Seventh Prince into the city alone for treatment and regrouped with us…”
Qiao Chi retorted indignantly: “The Seventh Prince said the mining site is secretly manufacturing weapons. The Liangzhou Governor is ambitious and long since stopped respecting the imperial family. Today’s encounter with Xie Jinchi’s tyranny proves it. Even with the Emperor’s token, I fear it would be useless…”
“Still making excuses!” Qiao Bing fumed. “If the Liangzhou Governor wants to conceal his weapon manufacturing, he’ll still exercise caution around the imperial family. Using such force right after fracturing your right hand – do you want to lose that arm? We emphasized repeatedly before departure that the Seventh Prince’s safety comes first. Don’t forget our mission is to safely return Consort Mei and the Seventh Prince to the palace!”
As the carriage curtain fluttered in the wind, Qiao Chi hung his head and listlessly acknowledged the reprimand, though his profile still radiated defiance.
Lu Zhao slowly remarked: “If you don’t uproot the weeds, they’ll grow back with the spring breeze.”
Either don’t act at all, but since they had already taken action, they might as well kill everyone to eliminate future troubles.
If they cleaned up properly, the Liangzhou Governor might not trace it back to them.
But if they didn’t kill them, given Xie Jinchi’s nature, he would certainly seek revenge once free.
There would likely be numerous troubles ahead.
The Qiao father and son were still too principled.
Such temperament easily leads to disadvantages in officialdom.
Of course, to maintain her proper image, Lu Zhao naturally wouldn’t advise them to kill everyone.
Moreover, she wasn’t eager to meet Consort Mei too soon.
Perhaps with Xie Jinchi and others causing delays, Consort Mei might not survive – then her identity would be firmly established.
The freshly scolded Qiao Chi soon returned to the carriage, which began moving again.
He sat with arms crossed, leaning against the carriage wall, sulking with a dejected expression.
Seeing him like this, Lu Zhao proactively praised: “Your spear technique is impressive.”
Qiao Chi looked up at these words, his eyes shining like stars, his voice filled with pride: “I began martial arts training at three, and by five I could already wield a silver spear. None of the noble youths in Zhongdu City were my match!” After speaking, he subtly rotated his injured wrist.
Lu Zhao noticed his small movement and chuckled lightly: “So you’re this impressive, yet it’s this right wrist hindering your performance. Once we enter the city, I’ll prepare a prescription for bruise medicine. Have it filled and apply it. In less than ten days, your right hand will be fully recovered.”
Qiao Chi expressed surprise: “You know medicine too?”
Lu Zhao: “In my years wandering abroad, I learned about some medicinal herbs. Though they’re folk remedies, they’re highly effective.”
After hesitating for two breaths, Qiao Chi proactively apologized: “My apologies earlier for not believing you.”
Lu Zhao shook her head: “It’s fine. You were just anxious to continue our journey.”
Qiao Chi couldn’t help but think more favorably of her and pressed further: “How did you discover someone was following us?”
Lu Zhao: “Probably a self-preservation instinct developed from being pursued. Naturally makes one’s senses more acute than ordinary people’s.”
Qiao Chi automatically interpreted this as referring to the ten years she and Consort Mei spent wandering while being pursued. Now thinking about it, the Seventh Highness was also a victim. He shouldn’t have transferred his resentment toward the Qiao family’s implication in General Zhenguo’s case onto the Seventh Highness.
Qiao Chi looked at her and suddenly called out: “Seventh Highness.”
Lu Zhao raised her head to meet his gaze. He pressed his lips together, as if mustering great courage before saying: “My nanny told me that the bitterness and sweetness in one’s life are predetermined. However much suffering you and Consort Mei endured before, that much sweetness awaits you in the future.”
Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow: “Is that so?”
Qiao Chi nodded solemnly.
Lu Zhao: This tsundere temperament is really quite easy to handle.
Just smooth his feathers a little, show some vulnerability, and he opens his heart.
Author’s note: