Chapter 275 - 271: Mad Man, Mad Woman 35

Chapter 275: Chapter 271: Mad Man, Mad Woman 35

Ji Xiaosong released a wisp of her Divine Sense, silently probing outside the estate.

Her Divine Sense was like an invisible thread, passing through the high walls and sweeping over the streets. Soon, she could see the scene outside:

A group of armor-clad soldiers held torches, frantically smashing the doors and windows of the surrounding homes and storming inside to plunder valuables.

In the flickering firelight, the government insignia was faintly visible on their armor, yet their movements were completely disorganized, like wild beasts that had lost control.

"Father, are those government soldiers outside?"

Ji Xiaosong’s eyes snapped open, her voice laced with shock and fury. "They... they’re actually burning, killing, and looting!"

Hearing this, Wu Daniu’s expression changed drastically. The veins on his hand bulged as he tightened his grip on his broadsword.

"Government soldiers? How is that possible! How could soldiers do something so utterly depraved?"

Old Li also frowned and said gravely, "Master, something is suspicious. If these were soldiers acting under orders, they would never be so chaotic. I fear... someone is impersonating them to deliberately sow chaos!"

Wu Daniu nodded, his gaze turning frigid. "Real or fake, we can’t just stand by and do nothing. Old Li, take a squad to guard the main gate. The rest of you, follow me to the walls. Let’s see if we can rescue the people nearby!"

Wang Cuihua had been huddled in her room, clutching her Buddha Beads and muttering, "Bodhisattva, protect us..." over and over.

The sounds of fighting and screaming outside grew louder, and her heart leaped into her throat.

Finally, she couldn’t sit still any longer. Trembling, she pushed open her door, intending to find Wu Daniu and demand some answers.

Just as she reached the entrance to the main hall, she heard Wu Daniu barking out sharp commands.

Wang Cuihua instantly flew into a panic.

She rushed forward, grabbing Wu Daniu’s sleeve, her voice choked with sobs.

"My lord! What are you planning to do? It’s chaos out there, how can you go out? If something happens to you, what will become of our family!"

Wu Daniu frowned, his tone resolute. "Cuihua, the people outside are suffering. We can’t just stand by and watch. I was a military general; I cannot shrink away at a time like this!"

But Wang Cuihua clung to his sleeve, refusing to let go as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"My lord, please don’t go! We’ve finally built a peaceful life for ourselves. If something happens to you, what will happen to Wenhao and me? Those people... what do those people have to do with us? Why must you risk your life for them!"

Wu Daniu’s expression darkened, his tone growing stern.

"Cuihua! How could you say such a thing? The Wu Family is one of loyal patriots! Protecting the nation and its people is our sworn duty! How can I stand idly by when the people are in danger?"

Wang Cuihua flinched at his tone but quickly stiffened her neck, her voice a mix of stubbornness and hurt.

"My lord, don’t blame me for being selfish! I’m just a simple woman; I don’t understand your grand principles. All I know is that if something happens to you, our family is finished! Wenhao is still away from home. If anything were to happen to you now, how would the two of us survive!"

Her voice grew increasingly shrill, verging on a wail.

"My lord, just listen to me this once! Forget about what’s happening outside! We can just lock the gates and protect our own home! Those people... the government will take care of them! What does it have to do with us!"

Looking at her hysterical state, Wu Daniu felt a mixture of helplessness and anger.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said in a low voice,

"Cuihua, calm down. The people outside are lives, too. We can’t just watch them die and do nothing. Rest assured, I will be careful. I won’t let anything happen to me."

But Wang Cuihua refused to let go, sobbing even harder.

"My lord, don’t lie to me! It’s chaos out there, how can you promise you’ll be safe? If something truly happened to you, what would become of Wenhao and me!"

With that, she suddenly dropped to her knees with a THUD and clung tightly to Wu Daniu’s legs, her words choked with tears.

"My lord, I’m begging you! Don’t go! We’ve worked so hard for this peaceful life. Don’t destroy our family for the sake of outsiders!"

Her sudden kneeling caught Wu Daniu completely off guard. He tried to help her up, but she clung to him for dear life.

He sighed, his voice full of exasperation. "Cuihua, why must you do this? Get up!"

But Wang Cuihua refused to rise, her cries growing more wretched. "My lord, if you don’t agree, I won’t get up! If something really happens to you, I won’t go on living!"

Wu Daniu was getting a headache from her antics and was at a loss when Ji Xiaosong stepped forward and gently interjected.

"Aunt Wang, please don’t be like this. Father was a military general. If he doesn’t step up now, the Wu Family’s reputation will be ruined. Rest assured, the veterans are here. They will protect Father."

Wang Cuihua looked up, her eyes brimming with tears as she stared at Ji Xiaosong, her voice tinged with resentment.

"Xiaosong, how can you say that too? Your father is getting old; he can’t handle this kind of chaos. All of you keep saying it will be fine, but if something really does happen, what will become of our family?"

Seeing that Wang Cuihua absolutely refused to let go, Wu Daniu felt a mix of exasperation and anxiety.

The screams from outside were drawing closer, and the firelight stained half the sky red. He knew he couldn’t delay any longer.

He gritted his teeth and said grimly to Old Li, "Old Li, bring two men over here. Escort the mistress back to her room and keep a close eye on her. Don’t let her run off."

Old Li stepped forward at once with two guards and forcibly pulled Wang Cuihua away from Wu Daniu’s legs.

Wang Cuihua screamed and struggled, her voice piercing. "My lord! You can’t go! You can’t abandon us! My lord..."

Wu Daniu averted his gaze, unable to bear watching her. He just waved his hand. "Take her back. Look after her."

Old Li and the guards supported Wang Cuihua on either side, practically dragging her back to the rear courtyard.

As Wang Cuihua’s cries faded into the distance, Wu Daniu took a deep breath to quell his frustration and turned to Ji Xiaosong.

"Xiaosong, I’m leaving the family in your hands. Take Xiao Hua and the other women and stay in the rear courtyard. Whatever you do, don’t come out."

Ji Xiaosong nodded, her gaze resolute. "Don’t worry, Father. I’ll protect our home."

As she spoke, she quietly raised a hand. With a subtle twitch of her fingertips, a wisp of invisible Spiritual Power silently coiled around Wu Daniu and the veterans accompanying him.

It was a barrier she had secretly cast, one that could protect their lives in a moment of crisis.

Though she couldn’t intervene openly, she could at least ensure that her father and these veterans would not suffer any fatal harm.

Wu Daniu didn’t notice anything unusual. He simply patted Ji Xiaosong on the shoulder, a note of relief in his voice. "Good child. I can rest easy knowing you’re here."

With that, he turned and strode toward the main gate, a squad of veterans following in his wake.

Ji Xiaosong stood at the entrance to the main hall, watching them go.

’In everyone else’s eyes, she was just one of the women who needed to be protected.’

’If I were to act rashly, I would not only expose my own abilities but also bring unnecessary trouble upon the Wu Family.’

’Staying behind is the most appropriate course of action.’

She turned to the guard captain and said, "Captain, the estate’s security is in your hands. You must secure the front and rear gates. Under no circumstances are you to let anyone break in."