Ma Gu, who had always pretended to be honest, felt a sudden surge in his heart and forced a smile, "What could it possibly be?"
Guard Pang spoke solemnly, "I ask you to escort Mrs. Wei and Young Master Wei to a safe place. Once the task is accomplished, the Wei Family will surely reward you handsomely."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward Guard Pang.
Ma Gu, breaking out in a cold sweat, replied, "Lord, you must be joking. Even you can't ensure their complete safety, how could I, a mere practitioner of the Muscle Bone Realm, possibly be capable of escorting Mrs. Wei and her son?"
Having heard the Silver Moon Guards' conversation earlier, Ma Gu knew someone was pursuing them from behind. He barely had time to escape, let alone dare to get involved in such a matter.
"You have no choice because those people are already nearby. With their capabilities, you won't make it out of these woods without our help. These people are merciless killers, and for them, killing you would be as easy as lifting a hand!" Guard Pang declared.
Ma Gu's face stiffened.
This was exactly what he feared.
The pursuers who could drive a whole squad of the Silver Moon Guards into such disarray must be extraordinarily powerful.
If he encountered them, he feared they would kill him without a second thought.
In the county, Ma Gu had witnessed just how unreasonable those people could be.
Now that they had left the constraints of the county, he feared they would be even more reckless.
"Lord, even if we have to split our forces and take Mrs. Wei and Young Master Wei along a different path, wouldn't any of the Silver Moon Guard be more suitable than me?" Ma Gu asked in confusion.
"If it were before, yes, but now it's not possible," Guard Pang shook his head. "We have lost too many men earlier, and we can't spare any to protect Mrs. Wei."
Thinking of this, Guard Pang felt a pang of pain.
Had they not suffered heavy losses during the initial ambush, the Silver Moon Guard could have still formed the Silver Moon Battle Formation and spared some men.
He would never have entrusted the safety of Mrs. Wei and Young Master Wei to an outsider.
Without the support of the Silver Moon Battle Formation and facing so many powerful enemies, they couldn't possibly delay for much time.
"Now, you only have a chance to escape if you agree to help and let us hold them off," Guard Pang said with a piercing gaze, looking directly into Ma Gu's eyes, "Ma Gu, brother, what do you think?"
Ma Gu met his gaze for a while, then finally gave a bitter smile, "Just as you said, Lord, I have no choice."
"Brother Ma Gu, then I entrust the safety of Mrs. Wei and Young Master Wei to you!"
Upon hearing Ma Gu's agreement, Guard Pang suddenly knelt on one knee and pleaded.
The other Silver Moon Guards, as well as Mrs. Wei and her son, were all shocked to see Guard Pang kneeling.
Ma Gu was even more deeply moved.
A powerful practitioner of the Internal Organ Realm was kneeling and pleading to him, a minor practitioner of the Muscle Bone Realm—a scene he could never have even dreamed of.
Looking at the entreating expression on Guard Pang's face,
Ma Gu felt a surge of boldness rising within him.
"Don't worry, Lord Pang, even if it costs me my life, I will ensure the safety of Mrs. Wei and her party!"
Thinking back on the lofty words he had spoken two days ago, Ma Gu, now stuck in a muddy pit, wished he could slap himself.
Why did he have to act tough? Now he was probably really going to risk his life.
That day, after he had agreed to escort Mrs. Wei and Young Master Wei,
that squad of Silver Moon Guards had taken the initiative to strike, forming a battle formation and entering the woods, turning the tables on their pursuers.
Due to the commotion they caused, all the enemies in the woods were soon drawn there.
Meanwhile, Ma Gu, carrying Mrs. Wei and leading Young Master Wei, quietly moved in another direction.
However, they hadn't gone far before he realized they were surrounded by enemy forces from the outside and couldn't escape.
With no other choice, he changed direction and headed deeper into the mountains.
Fortunately, during the years he had spent in the market, he often hunted nearby in his spare time, and was quite familiar with the local geography.
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Thus, by taking advantage of the terrain, he was barely able to shake off their pursuers.
But as a result, he and the others could only temporarily hide deep in the mountains, not daring to venture out.
He had no idea what had ultimately happened to the squad of Silver Moon Guards.
After a long wait in the pit, seeing that there was still no movement in the woods and the sky was gradually darkening,
Ma Gu didn't spot any enemy, but instead, saw a plump rabbit pass by in front of him.
Hungry after two days, he couldn't resist. He sprang up, stunned the rabbit, and grabbed it.
After catching the rabbit, he didn't linger any longer. After covering up the traces of the pit, he carried the rabbit and quietly proceeded in a certain direction.
He stayed concealed all the way until he arrived in front of a hidden cave.
"Who's there?" a vigilant voice came from inside.
Ma Gu shook his head, feeling helpless at Young Master Wei's reaction.
If it had been an enemy, his single remark would have given away their position.
But considering that the other was a pampered scion of the Wei Family, he couldn't really say much.
"Ma Gu, you're back?" Young Master Wei exclaimed with surprise as he emerged from the cave.
"Yeah, how is Mrs. Wei?"
"Mother is still unconscious, and her forehead is very hot. Ma Gu, do you have any ideas?"
As he spoke, Young Master Wei's face grew worried.
"I don't have a way," Ma Gu shook his head. "Your mother's wound hasn't healed, she's lost a lot of blood, and has been infiltrated by external pathogens. It's similar to your condition before. I'm not a doctor; I can't heal her wounds."