Xiao Yu immediately drew the short blade from his waist at these words, the edge flashing coldly in the damp rainforest. "A-Qing, take five men and follow me into the forest! The rest of you, form a circle with your torches!" Before his voice had even faded, several guards had already grabbed burlap sacks and hurried after him.
Shen Qing watched her husband's figure disappear into the vine-interwoven dense forest through a gap in the bamboo curtain. Nian'an's tiny hand gripped her collar, emitting a faint whimpering sound. Lowering her head, she gently kissed the crown of her daughter's head, her fingers quietly reaching into the brocade pouch at her waist—where emergency calming incense powder was hidden.
A few rustling sounds came from overhead. Shen Qing jerked her head up to see the palm leaves on the carriage roof bulging strangely, a dark red pattern faintly visible between the leaf gaps. The blood in her entire body froze instantly—those were the scales of a giant python's belly!
Chapter 52