A Shocking Dream

Chapter 172

The door slammed, and a gruff roar echoed: "Listen up, everyone inside! We're under order to search. Open the door and don't try to cause trouble!" Lin Wunian and Kankan exchanged a glance, their eyes briefly meeting, a tinge of unease and wariness. Kankan took a deep breath, suppressing her panic. She reached out and slowly unbolted the door. The hinges creaked, as if trembling in anticipation of an unknown fate.

The door opened, and the leading guard, a massive figure, stood like a towering mountain blocking the entrance, radiating an intimidating aura. His face, thick with flesh, twisted into a fierce expression the moment he entered, its deep wrinkles as if carved by a knife. His triangular eyes glared like a falcon, his cold, mission-driven expression at first, but when he glanced at the two people inside, he was visibly taken aback.

Lin Wunian, clad in a plain silk gown, was graceful, like a plum blossom standing still amidst the frost and snow, her brows cold and eyes clear, radiating an inviolable purity. Kankan, in a tight black dress that perfectly outlined her delicate curves, her black hair tied high, her skin white as snow, her eyes as bright as stars in the dark night, radiating a heroic and playful spirit. The guards were clearly unprepared for such an otherworldly appearance, their eyes suddenly filled with astonishment, and they surveyed her with unbridled abandon, their gazes like a sticky spider web, entangling both of them uncomfortably.

"Hmph, you've got two beautiful girls hiding here." The guard grinned, revealing his yellow teeth, his words frivolously breaking the brief silence. Lin Wunian's brows furrowed slightly, disgust building in her heart, but she suppressed her anger and spoke softly, "Sir, we sisters have always been good sisters, resting here to recuperate. I wonder what has disturbed you all, and why you've mobilized so many people?" His voice was soft, an attempt to dispel the other's concerns with gentleness. Qianqian quietly approached Lin Wunian, who protected her behind him.

The guard withdrew his gaze and regained his cold and stern demeanor. He weighed the broadsword in his hand, making a muffled "clang" sound. "Stop talking nonsense. The higher-ups have received a secret report saying that remnants of the rebels are hiding here. They need to be investigated one by one. You'd better tell the truth and don't play tricks!" As he spoke, he strode into the room. Several guards followed behind him. The small space in the room was instantly filled with a solemn and murderous atmosphere.

"Since it's official business from above, you can check it out as you like. But apart from the sick person on the bed, does this big brother think that there is someone hiding in the room that I can see the end of at a glance?" Lin Wunian said as he walked to the bedside and gently tucked the corner of the patient's quilt, his eyes full of concern and pity.

The guard leader frowned, but remained vigilant. "Hmph, we'll know if there are any Tibetans after we search." With a wave of his hand, several guards dispersed and began to search the small room carefully. Tables and chairs were moved, boxes were opened, and clothes were turned over in a mess.

Lin Wunian stood beside the bed, watching all this quietly.

"If you are so rude and hurt innocent people, you will have a hard time explaining to your superiors." Lin Wunian couldn't help but remind them.

The head of the guards snorted coldly, "If there really is a traitor, you will be held responsible."

Lu Yao was on high alert, waking up the moment the guards entered the room. She was afraid of implicating Lin Wunian, so she didn't dare act rashly. She half-closed her eyes, observing the movements within the room through the gaps between her dense lashes. Her heartbeat raced uncontrollably, yet she managed to maintain an even breathing pattern, as if still in deep sleep.

The conversation between Lin Wunian and the guards came clearly into her ears. She was well aware that her current situation was delicate and any carelessness could bring disaster to Lin Wunian.

When she heard the guards searching, her heart instantly leaped into her throat. If they discovered her here, not only would her life be in jeopardy, but Lin Wunian would also be dragged into an abyss of no return. Her fingers curled slightly beneath the quilt as she nervously pondered a response.

At this moment, Lin Wunian quietly approached the bedside and seemingly casually pulled the quilt over her, actually reassuring her. Lu Yao felt a warm feeling in her heart, and at the same time, she became even more determined not to let him fall into trouble because of her. She quietly reached under her pillow, where she found a dagger for self-defense. Although small, it might be of unexpected use in a critical moment.

"Sir, we didn't find any place where people were hiding." The guards who were searching replied one by one.

"Who is the person on the bed and what disease does he have? The waiter clearly said that there were only two people staying in the hotel, so why are there three now?" The leading guard asked, his eyes full of suspicion. He leaned the long sword on the ground, making a dull sound, as if adding more pressure to this cramped space.

Lin Wunian raised his eyes slightly, his expression calm. "Sir, the person in the bed is my brother. He caught a cold a few days ago, and his condition has worsened. Now he has a high fever and is unconscious. The two of us originally wanted to seek medical treatment here and recuperate for a while, but we didn't expect to be raided like this. As for what the waiter said, perhaps he was negligent. My brother is ill and bedridden, and has rarely been seen. It's possible that he was mistaken."

The leading guard listened but did not give up. He walked slowly to the bedside and looked at Lu Yao's face. "Your brother? He looks pale, but he doesn't look like he has an ordinary cold." As he said that, he reached out to feel Lu Yao's pulse.

Seeing this, Lin Wunian hurriedly stopped him, "Sir, my brother is extremely weak now and can't stand it. I hope you can show mercy."

The guard leader flung his hand, pushing Lin Wunian away. "How dare you stop me? Are you hiding something?" Lin Wunian stumbled, nearly falling. Meanwhile, Lu Yao, lying on the bed, was terribly anxious. She knew that if the guard took her pulse, they would reveal a flaw. Although she was disguised as a man, someone who had practiced martial arts for a long time had a slightly different pulse pattern than an ordinary man. Furthermore, she had internal injuries, making her pulse pattern even more unusual.

Just as the guard's hand was about to touch Lu Yao's wrist, a sudden commotion erupted from outside. Then, a waiter-like figure hurried in, his face filled with anxiety. "Sir, sir, something's wrong! I just realized I made a mistake. The guest in the next room is familiar with this young master and has been caring for his sick brother. I just went to check on him and found him missing. It suddenly dawned on me. This is truly my fault. Please forgive me, sir!"

The head guard frowned, stopped what he was doing, and turned to examine the waiter. "Are you telling the truth? If you dare to lie, I will not let you off easily!"

The waiter nodded repeatedly, "Sir, I would never dare to lie. I have worked in this shop for many years and have always been honest and upright. You can go and ask around."

The guard leader pondered for a moment, his gaze darting back and forth between Lin Wunian and Lu Yao on the bed, as if trying to determine the truth of the matter. The atmosphere in the room froze instantly, and both Lin Wunian and Lu Yao held their breath, fearing that the guard leader would not believe him.