Chapter 334: Chapter 72 Marchioness_1
"Brother, lower your voice. If the master hears you, he’ll make you pay."
"I’m not afraid. Our master’s wealth is almost ruined. He can’t even afford to pay guards anymore. If he doesn’t pay me soon, I’m going elsewhere. I’d prefer to be a coachman at the Marchioness Mansion. Haven’t you seen how arrogant their coachmen are? They act as if they’re nobles too."
"Alright, brother, stop complaining. They’re treated better than us. The Marchioness is rich! It’s a dog-eat-dog world."
Upon hearing this, Ah Dai turned to the group. "It seems that the Marchioness is hosting a banquet. All those coaches are brought by guests."
Yan Shi thought for a moment, then said, "Since there’s a banquet, security will be tighter. Let’s wait until the guests leave. The guards will surely loosen up, and then we can sneak in to find our man."
Zhuo Yun nodded in approval, "That’s a good idea. Let’s wait."
A hint of delight flashed in Yan Shi’s eyes as he glanced at Zhuo Yun and then turned his gaze back towards the mansion. The four of them quietly waited in the tree.
Two hours passed, stretching into the depths of the night. Yan Li was the first to grow restless. As he prepared to suggest they act now, the mansion’s doors suddenly opened. A bustling group of laughing men and women, all drunk and dressed lavishly, staggered outside. Hearts lifted among the four. The nobles left the mansion under the watchful eyes of their guards, climbing into their carriages and leaving. The mansion fell back into silence. The guards extinguished half of their torches, and the patrols seemed fewer. In a low voice, Yan Shi said, "Let’s move."
The four slid down from the tree quietly, pulling over their prepared black coats, and stealthily slipped into a corner outside the wall. Ah Dai proposed, "I’ll go in first," and after signifying the others, he floated like a leaf, landing atop the fence. Seeing no guards around, he waved to the others and gently descended into the mansion grounds.
Yan Shi and his brother joined Ah Dai, followed by Zhuo Yun. However, a squad of guards started moving towards them. They hurriedly hid behind a pile of bushes. After the guards passed, they exhaled in relief. However, as Yan Li was about to move, Ah Dai pulled him back. Startled, he looked at Ah Dai.
Ah Dai pointed to the ground. Yan Li looked down, only to see a thin line with small bells attached to it. Ah Dai had noticed this trap while the guards were walking by, using the light from their torches.
In a low voice, Yan Shi said, "The Marchioness has indeed set up quite a few traps, we need to be careful."
Ah Dai sent a message to Yan Shi: "Elder brother, the guards here don’t seem very strong. Why don’t we storm in? They can’t stop us."
Before Yan Shi could reply, Zhuo Yun intervened: "No, brother, you need to calm down. I want to rescue our people as much as you do, but have you forgotten the lessons from Dark City? The Marchioness has great influence; she can easily call in soldiers from the city. If we make a fuss and alert the authorities, we’ll be in big trouble."
Ah Dai reluctantly agreed: "Alright, sister, I’ll listen to you."
Yan Shi smiled faintly: "Besides, with such a vast fortune, the Marchioness must have hired experts to protect the place. While these outside guards might not seem like much, we don’t know what lies within the castle. We must be careful. It’s best if we can rescue the Elves unknowingly."
A cold gleam flashed in Ah Dai’s eyes, "Hmph, everyone in the Empire of Sunset City is no good. Who knows how many people this Marchioness has harmed?"
Feeling Ah Dai’s aggressive aura, Yan Shi frowned slightly with worry, "Alright, let’s move. Ah Dai, take the lead and be careful."
With Yan Shi’s warning noted, Ah Dai moved towards the direction of the castle, carefully avoiding the traps hidden amongst the elegant flora. It took them half an hour to reach the riverside. There stood the castle looming high.
Pointing at the towering castle, Ah Dai said: "Big brother, look, there’s a light on the top floor. I guess that’s where the Marchioness lives."
Following Ah Dai’s direction, Yan Shi saw a faint light gleaming from the highest room in the castle while the rest was in darkness. He nodded, "That must be it."
"I’ll go up and take a look. You guys keep a watch from below," Ah Dai suggested, shrugging off his outer coat, revealing the black Giant Spirit Snake Scale Armor underneath.
Without a better plan, Yan Shi agreed: "Be careful. If you’re discovered, don’t hesitate to retreat. We can figure out a new plan later."
