Indeed, as soon as she asked, Fu Lu grinned.

"Let me go out to buy a few short knives and then take a look at the horse market." he responded truthfully.

This answer did not surprise Zhu Yu, but it made her even more curious: "Since you want the other party to notice, why did you make it so secretive when buying coarse cloth earlier, and then openly send Fu Lu to buy knives and pick horses afterward?"

Lu Qing smiled slightly: "We personally bought a large amount of coarse cloth, cheap and inconspicuous in color and material, enough to make several suits, which was very unusual in itself.

After all, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse, even if I’ve been demoted, that person has not ordered to confiscate my home, it’s not like I’ve been reduced to buying such coarse cloth to make clothes.

If someone recognized our attire beforehand and disrupted our plan, not only would there be no show to perform, but the situation would also become troublesome.

But having Fu Lu buy short knives is different, he is conspicuous and eye-catching enough, such things can stir imagination, yet it’s impossible to prove what they’re actually used for.

He looked at horses but didn’t buy, trying to piece together a conspiracy would be far-fetched."

"True, a vague hint, most people who see it may not take it seriously, those who take the bait are naturally the ones interested." Zhu Yu agreed deeply.

Thus, the few did not discuss the matter further, by the third morning, they were fully dressed at dawn, with short knives at their waists, except Zhu Yu wore a curtain hat while the other three had no disguise or change on their faces, quietly sneaking out the front gate of Yunyin Pavilion.

They originally thought the streets outside would be cold and deserted, unexpectedly it was bustling, full of people everywhere.

Zhu Yu felt a bit puzzled, luckily an elderly lady in her fifties or sixties hurried past nearby, so she quickly stepped forward, lowering her voice to ask: "Auntie, how come there are so many people outside so early today? Why is everyone in a rush, where are they going?"

The old lady was initially in a hurry, hearing a soft voice from a young girl in a hat beside her, felt it impolite to ignore, thus spoke while walking: "You must be just arrived from outside the city, don’t know yet!

Today, over at West Market, they are executing a demon path! They say the person is incredibly skilled, outside they say his head can be cut off and put back, some say it can grow back, so he’s not afraid of the Holy Emperor beheading him, everyone got up early to go watch."

She turned to look, feeling this young girl seemed a bit frail, kindly added: "I also heard, that demon path has practiced for unknown decades or centuries, has great powers!

They say if he’s beheaded, while his powers haven’t dispersed, hurry to get some flesh, even just a little, it can cure old ailments, and women who can’t conceive will have healthy, chubby babies!

If you want to see, you’d better hurry, otherwise it might be layers upon layers of people, you’d see nothing, touch nothing!"

Zhu Yu thanked her verbally, inwardly shocked.

The rumors about Yan Daoxin are extraordinarily bizarre, just the idea of his head being able to reconnect or grow back is ridiculous, and now just a little flesh can cure all ailments!

Looking at that elderly lady, seemingly kind and gentle, speaking of this with eager anticipation.

Zhu Yu couldn’t help but sigh in her heart, fortunate that when Tang Seng traveled west for scripture, the rumor of becoming immortal by eating him only spread among monsters, unbeknownst to ordinary folk they passed.

Otherwise, I’m afraid even with Sun Wukong’s great skills, he couldn’t protect against all the folks eyeing for "just a bit is enough" along the way, Tang Seng might not have made it past Eastern Tang Dynasty before being scraped to the bone...

She slowed her pace, walked beside Lu Qing, quietly told him what the old lady had said.

Since leaving Yunyin Pavilion, Lu Qing wore a face mixed with tension behind his fierce demeanor, but after hearing Zhu Yu’s narration, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly before being pressed down hard.

"Someone’s following us, behind, not very close." he whispered to Zhu Yu, "It seems they don’t intend to harm us, just following."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu suddenly felt enlightened, the previously puzzling things suddenly cleared up.

No wonder the streets are bustling with so many getting up early to watch beheading, no wonder Yan Daoxin could be rumored as such.

Using people’s ignorance, spreading rumors in the streets, a trick they use, others naturally use too.

Clearly, someone gambled that after being punished and demoted, Lu Qing didn’t leave the Capital because he’s unwilling to give up rescuing Yan Daoxin, perhaps planning to raid the execution ground. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Thus, they spread word early outside, exploiting people’s curiosity and blind desperation, drawing them to watch the beheading, making the execution ground more lively than a marketplace.

And over the past two days, Fu Lu went out to buy short knives as per Lu Qing’s orders, verifying their speculation, hence the plan was smoothly executed and today outside became such a scene.

If Lu Qing truly intended to raid the execution ground, not discussing success percentage, just discussing the crowded scene, even if successful, escape would be difficult.

Moreover, publicly under surveillance, the Prince Xiaoyao, clearly due to the Holy Emperor’s benevolence had only suffered minor punishment, demoted to a commoner, yet not repenting, daring to attempt rescuing the Demon Monk from execution ground.

With Lu Qing’s actions, guilt would be indisputable, with countless eyewitnesses, no eloquence could clear it.

Digging traps for others, others dig pits along their path.

Everyone strives to be the yellow bird, yet in the current situation, they might anytime become the mantis, or even the most unfortunate cicada.

The four walked silently forward, mingled in the lively crowd, if not for Lu Qing and the others’ fierce expressions, from appearance they seemed no different from surrounding citizens.

And behind them, footsteps followed in shadow, always maintaining a steady distance.

Just a street away from West Market, a figure suddenly emerged from the crowded crowd, blocking their path.