The Elixir is for You, The Poison is for Me

#523 - A cruel scholar

Lu Jing hid himself well, and soon after, the four Tartar cavalrymen rushed into the woods.

Because of the leaves blocking their view, they temporarily lost track of Lu Jing, but the sound of the horses running was still quite loud, so they followed the sound all the way.

Although these four were not particularly formidable characters, they were all veterans who had seen their fair share of battlefields. Having plundered from beyond the Great Wall to the Central Plains, and then all the way south, they possessed at least a basic level of vigilance and knew the saying, 'Never enter a forest lightly.'

However, with such a valuable steed ahead, it would be a pity to let it escape. Moreover, the person on horseback was just a scholar, appearing weak and frail. Even if he miraculously dodged their arrows, no one thought they would lose in a one-on-one fight.

Besides, there were four of them. If they were scared off by just one person, and word got out, they would never be able to hold their heads high in the army again.

Therefore, after only a slight hesitation, they chased after him.

Feng Erniang looked at Lu Jing, who was holding a tree branch under the tree, and then at the four fully armed Tartars, completely unable to guess what Lu Jing was planning to do.

Was he planning to have the horse lead the enemy away while he hid behind the tree to save his own life?

From the looks of it, this was the most likely explanation. As for why he picked up a tree branch... well, it's always good to have something to defend yourself with, right?

Although Feng Erniang couldn't see what Lu Jing could do with that tree branch in his hand.

The four Tartars on the other side were all wearing armor, even if it was just light armor, it was not something that a scholar could pierce with a tree branch, not to mention the gleaming scimitars at their waists.

With a single slash, that handsome scholar's good-looking head would probably be permanently separated from his shoulders.

As Feng Erniang was thinking, the leading Tartar had already ridden past the tree where Lu Jing was hiding.

And the second Tartar followed closely behind him, without any pause. Clearly, they had both failed to see Lu Jing behind the tree, which made Feng Erniang feel a little regretful.

She had wanted to stage a good show of a heroine rescuing a talented scholar.

Perhaps the handsome scholar below would immediately be captivated by her and insist on marrying her.

Feng Erniang didn't mind Lu Jing's pathetic combat ability. After all, she and the brothers she led were quite capable fighters. It was just that the stronghold was full of rough men who couldn't read a few words, and they were in need of someone like Lu Jing who could write and use a pen as a strategist.

While she was pondering, the third man's horse was about to pass in front of the tree.

Lu Jing looked like he was about to be safe.

But just then, Feng Erniang saw Lu Jing suddenly dart out from behind the tree, holding up his tree branch.

Not good!

At this moment, Feng Erniang could only think of the saying "throwing meat buns at a dog" to describe Lu Jing's actions.

What is this guy... thinking?

Lu Jing answered Feng Erniang's question with his actions. After leaping out from behind the tree, he thrust the tree branch in his hand towards the fourth Tartar's eye socket.

Lu Jing knew that the time he had was very short, not even a single breath. However, relying on his excellent eyesight and extraordinary composure, Lu Jing still managed to pinpoint the target's eye in such a short time.

That was also one of the few vulnerable spots on the Tartar's body that was not covered by armor. Lu Jing only needed to gently stab, and then the galloping horse would help him complete the rest.

With a 'poof' sound, the section of the tree branch pierced into the Tartar's head.

Lu Jing felt a sudden jolt in his wrist. The force was too great, causing him to lose his grip on the tree branch and be forced to let go.

Seeing that his attack was successful, Lu Jing did not retreat. Instead, he took another half step forward, and before the warhorse ran past him, he reached out and grabbed the Tartar's scimitar.

He pulled the knife from under the saddle and then flashed back behind a tree.

He chose his timing well, just as the third man was passing in front of him, and his attack was clean and efficient. The process of killing was not seen by anyone. It wasn't until the Tartar fell from his horse that his three companions noticed something was wrong, but when they turned back, they could no longer see Lu Jing's figure.

However, this scene was clearly seen by Feng Erniang on the tree and her group of subordinates.

Feng Erniang couldn't help but gasp. What a ruthless stab! She didn't expect this seemingly gentle scholar to have such a fierce side.

No, not just not the first time, but looking at his unwavering expression, even the most terrifying assassin couldn't do it.

However, Feng Erniang misunderstood Lu Jing. Lu Jing knew that he was killing characters in a book, so he didn't feel anything. He didn't even bother to take a closer look at the appearance of the Tartar who had been stabbed.

There was no need to waste any emotions on such a supporting role. He just needed to know that the guy was definitely dead.

Lu Jing hid the newly acquired scimitar in his arms, avoiding the reflection of sunlight from the blade, which would expose his position. He knew that the real battle was just beginning.

Without needing to look up, Lu Jing used his excellent hearing to grasp every move of the remaining three Tartars.

He knew that after the three men discovered that their companion was dead, they all reined in their horses, causing the warhorses under their crotches to stop.

First, they drew their weapons and nervously guarded for a while. Seeing that there was no sign of the enemy around, they cautiously dismounted and checked their companion's body.

As a result, the tree branch on the corpse made the three of them look at each other in dismay.

They guessed that someone had ambushed them, but they didn't expect that the ambusher would use a tree branch as a weapon, and successfully kill a warrior of the grasslands.

However, soon this despicable method caused the remaining three to burst into curses. They obviously understood that the ambusher used this method to show that the person's strength was not as good as theirs, at least not as good as them working together.

Moreover, the tree branch was not light, so it could not have been thrown from a distance. The murderer probably hadn't been able to run far.

Learning from their companion's mistakes, this time the remaining three did not get back on their horses. Instead, they moved closer to each other and began to search the forest.

Feng Erniang wasn't too worried that the three Tartars wouldn't find Lu Jing and instead find them. After all, before becoming righteous rebels, they were genuine bandits who had often fought wits and courage with the镖局bodyguards.