Weapons clattered as they fell to the ground.
Luo Jie’s people quickly kicked the weapons behind them. Ruan Ning swept her soft sword, pointing at a leading jailer: “You, go and open all the cell doors!”
The jailer, shocked and unarmed, complied.
Luo Jie escorted the jailer, opening each cell door. The prisoners, initially unaware, heard Ruan Ning’s call: “Run quickly!”
They sprang into action, rushing out. The bailiffs and jailers, defeated, could only stand in silence. This incident was significant, and the magistrate was in trouble.
At this moment, Ruan Ning smiled and pointed inside the cell doors: “Now, you go in.”
The cell doors locked again, imprisoning the jail’s previous overseers. Ruan Shixin dragged County Magistrate Li, with Luo Jie supporting him and Ruan Ning covering the rear. Just as they were about to leave, a male voice abruptly warned: “Watch out!”
In the red lantern’s glow, a sharp arrow flew toward Ruan Ning’s back.
As she approached the mountain, Ruan Ning lightly drew her soft sword across County Magistrate Li’s face, waking him with a howl. He opened his eyes to see Ruan Ning’s half-smiling face: “Magistrate Li, no need to pretend. I know you’ve been awake. We’re about to enter the mountain, so you can go now.”
County Magistrate Li struggled to respond: “Miss Ruan, you should think carefully.”
Once we enter the mountain, you’ll be opposing the imperial court and become a criminal…”
Before he could finish, Ruan Shi Xin grew impatient. He stomped on Li’s leg, causing him to scream and fall to the ground with a broken leg, writhing in pain.
“Surnamed Li, I, Ruan Shi Xin, enjoy fighting tough men and don’t like killing weaklings. I’ll spare your life this time. Hurry and roll away!” Ruan Shi Xin cursed.
County Magistrate Li wanted to escape, but after being terrified for nearly a day with injuries and a broken leg, he could barely move and could only crawl a few steps, praying to escape these bandits.
Ruan’s men quickly disappeared. Li breathed a sigh of relief and was about to use a branch as a walking stick when a man emerged from the grass, causing him to black out.
