Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 496 - 495: Leading the Way

Zhu Yu watched from behind, her heart racing. She saw several more children emerge, all wearing the robes of the children at the Great Priest Mansion, stubbornly stepping forward to block and prevent the Protectors from disturbing the High Priest’s secluded cultivation.

The Protectors showed no mercy, beating them up as soon as they saw one.

Although the children of the Great Priest Mansion had the advantage in numbers, their frail bodies were not those of trained fighters. They relied solely on brute force to block the way, and the result was predictable. Even with more people, they could only hold off for a moment before succumbing to the brute force of these burly men, scattered and defeated.

Zhu Yu glanced at Lu Qing, who, from her gaze, seemed to guess her doubts. He shook his head slightly as an answer.

When they came to scout earlier, they didn’t know this alley led to the Great Priest Mansion. They just sensed something unusual since they were watched as soon as they entered.

And it was obvious that those watching them weren’t these children, who were clearly not the foundation.

So who was watching them in the dark that day? Was it the person who threw the brass pendant into their room at night?

Zhu Yu silently speculated, cautiously stepping over a child unconscious on the roadside, careful not to accidentally step on anyone.

The talisman and Fu Lu had stayed with Lu Qing and Zhu Yu. The Protectors from the Fanwang Mansion were adept at bullying children, something that filled the two of them with unspeakable disgust, and they hadn’t even lifted a hand.

Ever since they were young, following Lu Qing for years, no formidable opponent scared them, but such bullying behavior—they simply couldn’t do it. Unless Lu Qing ordered them, they couldn’t bring themselves to harm a few frail children.

In this manner, passing countless children knocked unconscious, they finally reached the gate of the Great Priest Mansion.

The gate seemed unremarkable. If not for the Protectors from the Fanwang Mansion leading them straight here to find someone and encountering those blockading children, Zhu Yu might have thought it was just an unnoticeable backdoor of some household.

She had thought this High Priest, with overwhelming authority and relying on King Fan’s support, would have orchestrated grand displays and arrangements at the Fanwang Mansion, and at his own residence, it would be the same.

But looking at it now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Standing in front of the Great Priest Mansion, there were five or six children dressed similarly to those earlier, though seemingly younger, perhaps only eleven or twelve years old. These children stood resolutely at the door, but their eyes betrayed a hint of fear.

Zhu Yu quietly sighed, lowering her eyes, feeling a bit guilty about watching these children getting beaten by those brutish Protectors.

Indeed, the leading child stepped forward, saying sternly, "The High Priest is in secluded cultivation, and all unrelated personnel must not disturb!"

Before he could finish speaking, the leading Protector reached out, grabbed the child, and forcefully flung him aside like a rag, leaving him unable to do anything but moan after hitting the ground.

A moment later, the Protectors kicked open the gate to the Great Priest Mansion. The group entered directly, leaving those bruised and swollen children outside.

The exterior of the Great Priest Mansion was plain, but inside, while not quite luxurious, was indeed remarkable.

Zhu Yu realized it was like a jar with a narrow mouth, once inside, it opened up dramatically, revealing a spacious area.

There were a few servants within the Great Priest Mansion doing menial work. They were not skilled at martial arts and likely hadn’t anticipated anyone breaking in. Scared at the sight of the ferocious Protectors from the Fanwang Mansion, they cautiously avoided them, fearing getting into trouble by accident.

The Protectors, apparently unfamiliar with the Great Priest Mansion, seemed confused and lost without direction. Hence, they grabbed a nearby servant, demanding he lead them to where the High Priest was in seclusion.

Initially terrified, the servant immediately waved his hands upon hearing they wanted to find the High Priest’s secluded place: "No, no, gentlemen, you must not!

My master says that during his seclusion, no one must disturb him, or he might experience a spiritual deviation, which would be disastrous!

Please, gentlemen, wait a few more days. My master has been in seclusion for a long time; he might exit seclusion any moment..."

Before he could finish, the Protector’s blade was already drawn, resting on his shoulder, shocking the servant into a tremor, with his unfinished words catching in his throat.

"Will you take us there or not?" the Protector impatiently asked, shifting the blade, "If you don’t take us, I’ll cut you and find someone else if needs be. Why so much nonsense!"

"I’ll take... I’ll take... I’ll lead..." the servant stammered, trembling all over, terrified. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Though his master’s instructions were important, with a blade at his throat, the servant couldn’t afford to care so much. Hastily, he led everyone to where the High Priest Yishaen was in seclusion.

They twisted and turned through the sprawling Great Priest Mansion, finally arriving at a secluded corner of the estate.

This was a small independent courtyard, separated from the main court by a stretch of water. A curved bridge connected both sides over the water, leading to a moon gate at the other end, painted black with celestial constellations carved on it, each star marked by a tiny colored gemstone, exuding a mysterious and profound aura.

Stopping at the moon gate, the servant carefully avoided the sharp blade, turning around shivering, with a quiver in his voice, "Gentlemen... this, this is where the master is in seclusion..."

He hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something but fearing angering the others and endangering his life, so he pursed his lips, saying no more.

The leading Protector slowly sheathed his blade and then smiled broadly at the servant.

The servant, seeing this, felt relieved, thinking his life was no longer in danger, and immediately relaxed, showing a smile of relief.

It was then that the Protector suddenly kicked him, sending the servant flying off the curved bridge.