Li Hongyi heard from her father that the current emperor of the Da Li Dynasty is an exceptionally talented and strategic leader who does not allow sects and aristocratic families to override royal authority.
In recent years, the Court has become increasingly assertive. The Demon Slayer Bureau and the Demon Suppression Army are not just for dealing with Demons; they also target the various sects throughout the Da Li World.
This time, Li Hongyi could clearly see that Li Fan was being scapegoated. He was wanted by the Court entirely because of the actions of the Chen family.
"Miss Li, are you talking about us?" Li Fan asked.
"Yes, and also that father and daughter," Li Hongyi nodded.
"What charges do those two have?" Li Fan frowned.
Li Hongyi couldn't answer this question.
She also looked down on the actions of the Chen family.
Chen Yuan feared Li Fan's background, so he had Chen Zongzhi issue a bounty, using the Court's hand to deal with Li Fan.
"Miss Li, may I borrow your horse?" Li Fan asked.
Li Hongyi looked up at Li Fan, then nodded.
Li Fan leaped out of the window, pulled over Li Hongyi's black horse, which was nearby, and with a neigh, the galloping of hooves sped away.
Li Hongyi was taken aback for a moment at this scene, then similarly leapt out of the window and dashed away.
"Miss, you haven't paid yet," the inn's waiter shouted towards the window.
"It's Li Hongyi."
"Who was that man?" someone in the inn murmured, looking outside to see in the distance, that man riding a horse, while the horse's owner, Li Hongyi, ran behind. This elicited odd expressions from many people.
Is that really Lin'an County's favored daughter, Li Hongyi?
Li Fan rode his horse through Lin'an County and arrived all the way at the west gate of Lin'an County Town, where Yang Kui and Qi would leave the city.
The exit was guarded, with pedestrians moving continuously and horses neighing. Li Fan stopped directly at the city gate, looking ahead, and sure enough, he saw the constables of the Chen family appearing here. They also located Li Fan on horseback, with a flash of ferocity in their eyes, but they did not dare to act rashly.
Li Fan had dared to kill someone publicly in the Chen family; he was daring and reckless. These disciples of martial sects, relying on their own strength, did not regard the Court's laws. They had no doubt that Li Fan could attack them.
Therefore, even though they issued a warrant, they did not dare to actually arrest Li Fan; they were just responsible for watching him.
Li Fan sat on the horse, staring at them, and those constables did not dare to meet his gaze.
At this moment, Li Hongyi came running, stopping beside Li Fan. She cast him a complicated glance. Did this guy really make her follow him all the way?
Li Fan was riding her horse!
"Miss Li." The constables greeted Li Hongyi respectfully upon seeing her. Unlike Li Fan, Li Hongyi was the daughter of Li Daoqing, who was known as the top expert in Lin'an County. Even Lord County Magistrate had to be courteous to him.
"Where are the two of them?" Li Fan asked the constables.
"You are now a wanted person by the Court. Dismount and return with us to face charges," said one of the constables.
Li Fan raised an eyebrow, exuding an aura. The constables' expressions changed slightly, gripping their long knives tightly as if facing a formidable enemy. The constable's face was unsightly, looking at Li Fan and said, "If you attack the Court's constables, it's a blatant confrontation against the Court."
As he spoke, there was a trace of murderous intent on him, and his hand holding the knife was sweating. Not long ago, in the Chen family, he had witnessed the cold-blooded means of the handsome young man before him.
Li Hongyi stepped forward, looked at the constables, and asked, "Have you seen that father and daughter?"
She was worried that the situation would escalate further. Li Fan had killed two martial artists in the Chen family, which could be considered serious or trivial.
Rivers and lakes people fight, and the Court typically turns a blind eye. Only because the Chen family and Chen Zongzhi deliberately made trouble, leading to the bounty on Li Fan's name.
But if he openly killed Lin'an County constables on the street, things would become more serious.
The constables, finding an excuse to back down, shook their heads in response to Li Hongyi's question, "I haven't seen them."
"They haven't left the county town?" Li Hongyi asked.
The other nodded.
Li Fan understood the speed of the white horse, and if everything went as usual, Yang Kui and Qi should have left the city. Unless they saw the constables blocking them.
If that's the case, they might still be in Lin'an County.
"Tell Chen Zongzhi, if you dare capture that father and daughter, I'll take his life." Li Fan pulled the reins, and the black horse reared up, neighed, then turned sharply and galloped back.
Li Hongyi glanced at the constables, then followed Li Fan.
Watching Li Fan's back, the constables' hands holding the knives trembled, veins bulging. These martial practitioners were simply lawless!
But they were also slightly frightened. Li Fan was young, with high talent, and such people are often the most reckless in their youth, often acting without regard for consequences.
Ordinary people who committed crimes in the county were often strong young men.
Li Fan rode on his horse, deep in thought. In hindsight, he should have escorted Yang Kui.
However, since they hadn't been captured by the constables, he felt somewhat relieved.
"Hey..." A voice broke Li Fan's thoughts. He turned his head to see Li Hongyi walking below the horse, droplets of sweat falling from her delicate face, her moon-like eyes quietly looking at him.
She had followed him all the way, yet this guy hadn't said a word and was still riding on her horse!
Was she to keep running?
Li Fan snapped out of it, dismounted, and handed the reins to Li Hongyi: "Thank you, Miss Li."
Li Hongyi took the reins and watched as Li Fan walked forward. She couldn't help but have an odd expression. He just left like that?
In the past, every man she met seemed eager to stay by her side.
But Li Fan, after making her run all the way, just left without a word?
She mounted her horse, her bright eyes curiously watching Li Fan's back. After a moment's hesitation, she followed up and softly asked, "Where are you going?"
"To find someone," Li Fan replied, "You should go back first, Miss Li."
Li Hongyi: "...…"
Was she that much of an eyesore?
Li Hongyi looked at Li Fan's profile, sculpted and handsome, catching herself getting somewhat mesmerized.
Did he seem younger than herself?
"Wouldn't it be faster on horseback?" Li Hongyi said quietly, as if drawn by some mysterious force.
After saying that, she regretted it a bit. There was only one horse, how would they ride?
Was Li Fan supposed to ride behind her?
Wouldn't that be inappropriate!
"Ah?" Li Fan was also taken aback by Li Hongyi's suggestion, looking up to see her, and as Li Fan looked at her, Li Hongyi felt her cheeks heat up, and she became uncharacteristically nervous.
Practitioners should have a heart like still water; what was wrong with her?
Li Hongyi pretended to be calm, her heart peaceful.
"Would it be inappropriate to let Miss Li keep running?" Li Fan asked.
Li Hongyi: "?????"
She was to keep running??
"Hyah!"
Li Hongyi pressed her legs against the horse's sides, and the black horse galloped forward, passing by Li Fan. Her face turned dark, not looking at him.
"Why is she angry?" Li Fan wondered as he watched Li Hongyi's departing figure.
Night falls.
Lin'an City under the night sky seemed like a different place from during the day, its desolation somewhat frightening.
Even martial artists were fewer in number, and those who dared to walk outside were mostly cultivators confident in their own power.
Li Fan still hadn't found Yang Kui and his daughter. Though Lin'an County Town was not large, finding two people was no easy task.
Li Hongyi hadn't truly left after midday; dissatisfied, she returned and continued to follow behind Li Fan, though she no longer spoke to him.
The sound of hooves was especially clear in the silent night. Unable to resist, Li Hongyi asked Li Fan, "How long will it take for you to find them this way?"
"Until I find them," Li Fan replied.
"Did you know them before?" Li Hongyi asked.
Li Fan shook his head.
"Last night at the Chen family, why didn't you save those martial practitioners, yet insist on saving that father and daughter?" Li Hongyi asked curiously. She found it hard to understand Li Fan.
"Save if I want to, don't save if I don't want to. Is there any reason why?" Li Fan gave Li Hongyi a peculiar look. His sister had taught him from a young age not to allow anyone to force him to do anything, including herself.
Unless he wanted to.
Since he knew Yang Kui and Qi were in trouble, he couldn't just ignore it.
Keeping something in mind felt uncomfortable!
Li Fan's candid response left Li Hongyi stunned, a kind of straightforwardness she had never encountered before.
"Miss Li, why are you following me?" Li Fan questioned.
Li Hongyi looked surprised, then turned away without meeting Li Fan's gaze, sitting up on her horse. Her voice was soft yet carried a hint of pride.
"I'll follow if I want to!"
Li Fan: "...…"