Seeing Luo Linhao go out, Yang Qingtong also wanted to follow and play outside, but Yang Qingrui was not interested.
He had been holed up at home reading books lately or practicing boxing to strengthen his body because he was preparing for this year’s Cultivated Talent exam. Although he was already an elementary-level scholar, to become a Cultivated Talent required passing three consecutive examinations, and only by passing the final institutional exam could he earn that title. His body had to be in top condition for the three consecutive exams, and he was unwilling to be negligent for even a day.
So, it was only Luo Linhao and Yang Qingtong who went to town with the young manservants and guards.
The town was indeed bustling that day, not only because of the market but also a lantern display. Luo Linhao had thought it was just a single family’s lantern display, but in fact, it was a collaborative event organized by many families.
Walking on the main street of Wangquan Town, one could see colors everywhere, even during the day, when the lanterns had candles burning inside. Lighting lanterns during the daytime did have its own charm.
However, lanterns weren’t particularly attractive to boys, but Luo Linhao and Yang Qingtong still bought several to take back home, not just for their sister but also for the unborn nephew.
Perhaps he really had been cooped up at home for too long, because Luo Linhao found himself wandering the unremarkable streets for ages, even feeling like he hadn’t browsed much when noon came around. He then grabbed Yang Qingtong and headed for a feast at the Gather Tower.
Shopkeeper Li of course recognized Yang Qingtong, and he had seen Luo Linhao once or twice; he naturally wanted to provide them with the best service, and when the two were about to leave, he stubbornly refused to accept payment. Left with no choice, they had to stuff the silver back into their money bags.
As they had promised Yang Chuxia, they would return to the village after noon, and Luo Linhao was a man of his word. After eating, he accompanied Yang Qingtong to the shop of the Four Treasures of Study, bought some rice paper and a few brushes, and prepared to head back to the village.
The manservant’s carriage was ready, and as soon as the two got on, they headed back.
But just as the carriage left Wangquan Town, trouble arose.
In front of the carriage, some black-clothed men suddenly appeared.
The number wasn’t large, eight or nine, but looking at Luo Linhao’s side, there was one guard, one secret guard who had popped up from goodness knows where, plus four manservants, as well as Yang Qingtong and Luo Linhao—they actually had a comparable number of people.
Of course, that was only on the surface, because at least three of the four manservants knew no martial arts. The only one who knew some had clumsy skills.
As for Yang Qingtong, his skills were also clumsy; he practiced martial arts only to exercise his body. Luo Linhao was not bad in comparison, but counting the effective fighters, there were only three of them.
The other side didn’t know their situation, but the guard did, so he told the manservants to rush the carriage and get Luo Linhao and Yang Qingtong back to the village.
But the guard had misjudged Luo Linhao’s willingness to comply.
Luo Linhao had been fuming ever since he heard about these black-clothed men and had been itching to teach them a lesson. Now that he had encountered them, why would he leave?
"It’s you Li Family bastards again, coming here and not thinking about leaving," he snarled.
He drew the flexible sword from his waist and charged forward first, prompting the guard and secret guard to follow suit.
Meanwhile, the manservant and Yang Qingtong, knowing they couldn’t match the martial skills of these men, wisely chose not to add to the chaos.
It was unclear whether the martial skills of this group of black-clothed men were too weak, but three against nine was somehow manageably successful, and soon all foes were swiftly dispatched.
Just as Luo Linhao was about to step over the bodies and return to the carriage, one of the black-clothed men who was not dead lunged at him. He raised his sword to strike at Luo Linhao.
Yang Qingtong shouted from the carriage in shock.