Lin Yang shook his head slightly. "I haven't found anything, but there are some clues. I've asked all the local powers in the city, and no one has made a move. There are rumors that the people who kidnapped Chen Xiaobei were outsiders, and they have already left Wannian City."
Upon hearing this, the young girl was a bit stunned. "How is that possible? The Crown Prince has already ordered a strict search of all city gates. They couldn't have taken Xiaobei brother out."
"Yes, that's what we find strange too. Logically, with such a tight search at the city gates, they couldn't have taken him away. But it's true, they've left."
After listening to Lin Yang's account, the young girl also scratched her head. "If that's the case, how do you think they managed to take him away?"
Lin Yang also looked perplexed.
At this moment, Yang Chun, standing nearby, spoke up. "Heh heh, this is simple. I think these people played a trick on us, a 'light under the lamp' deception."
Everyone looked at Yang Chun, a little unsure of what he meant. Su Dan novel network.
However, Liu Kai, standing next to him, had a glint in his eye after hearing his words. "Master Yang, are you implying that the son-in-law is still in the city?"
Yang Chun nodded. "Yes. Back when I was at Centipede Ridge, we often kidnapped people and hid them somewhere near our homes. Then we'd write a letter telling them to bring the silver to a certain place to ransom them."
"After receiving the silver, we would tell them where the 'meat ticket' was hidden. This way, it's simple and convenient. We get the money and run, without having to drag the hostage around."
After listening to Yang Chun's explanation, everyone finally understood.
Liu Rumei couldn't help but exclaim, "The ways of the martial world are so complex. We still know so little."
At this point, the young girl eagerly asked, "Brother Yang, what do you think we should do?"
Yang Chun thought for a moment and then turned to Lin Yang. "Brother, can you find out the specific identities of those people, or where they were staying?"
Lin Yang scratched his head again. "Their identities haven't been confirmed, but they've been staying at the Western Regions Inn. They left in succession around noon today. I've already taken people to search the inn, but found nothing."
Hearing this, Yang Chun nodded repeatedly. "If that's the case, then Xiaobei brother is more likely to be in the city."
"But where do we look?" Even Lin Yang was unsure.
Yang Chun sighed. "It's a bit troublesome that we haven't found any trace of them."
"Brother Lin, we need to go back to the inn. We need the innkeeper to tell us in detail what these people have been doing all these days."
Just then, a servant rushed in and bowed to the young girl. "Miss, Captain Zhou is here. He says he's acting on the Crown Prince's orders."
Upon hearing that Zhou Quan had arrived, everyone hurried out to greet him.
Zhou Quan, upon seeing them, explained the situation of the Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun receiving the letter. Finally, he reassured them, "Everyone, please rest assured, His Highness the Crown Prince has decided to take that Ding Lao San tomorrow to exchange for him. We will definitely rescue Chen Xiaobei."
Upon hearing this news, Liu Rumei's eyes sparkled with joy, and she bowed deeply to Zhou Quan.
"Please convey my gratitude to His Highness the Crown Prince."
The young girl was also very excited. "That's great, that's great! Xiaowei brother finally has news."
Only Yang Chun did not show much joy. He gestured to Zhou Quan. "We've also found some clues. The people who kidnapped brother Xiaobei seem to have already left the city, but we have a feeling that brother Xiaobei is still in the city."
This statement made Zhou Quan pause. "What do you mean?"
"I mean these people will absolutely not follow the instructions in the letter and conduct a proper hostage exchange."
"Think about it, they've already left. What will they exchange with you?"
Hearing this, Zhou Quan frowned. "What do you think they want?"
Yang Chun shook his head. He actually had an idea, but he didn't dare to say it.
Liu Kai, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow. "Could it be that they just want to silence that Ding Lao San?"
As soon as this was said, Zhou Quan couldn't help but pause.
He looked at Yang Chun again. "Are you really sure those men have left the city?"
Before Yang Chun could speak, the young girl next to him eagerly interjected, "Brother Zhou, this is the information my senior brother Lin Yang has gathered. It shouldn't be wrong, right?"
"Right, we were just about to go to the inn where those outsiders stayed to take a look. You've come just now, why don't we go together."
Zhou Quan thought it was a good idea. Going there to gather some information would also be a report to Xiao Jingyun.
The group followed Lin Yang out of the Fang Zheng's mansion and walked not far before turning a corner to arrive at an inn named the Western Regions Inn.
Seeing so many people suddenly arrive, the innkeeper became a little flustered. He bowed to Liu Rumei, who was at the front. "Esteemed lady, may I ask what brings you here?"
Liu Rumei tried her best to be gentle. "Innkeeper, don't worry. I'm here to inquire about some people. I heard that some outsiders stayed here a few days ago and left in a hurry today. Is that correct?"
The innkeeper was taken aback for a moment, then stammered, "Ah, so many people come and go here, I don't know who you're referring to?"
Before he finished speaking, Lin Yang emerged from the crowd and raised his hand towards the innkeeper.
The innkeeper's demeanor immediately changed. "Yes, yes, that's true. Those people, judging by their accents, sounded like they were from the Great Neighboring Kingdom."
Liu Rumei nodded. "Then tell me, what have they been doing these past few days?"
"They, these past few days, always went out in shifts. When two came back, the other two would go out. They were always like that from morning till night."
"But at noon today, they suddenly all went out."
"After noon, they came to check out and left in a hurry."
After hearing this, Liu Rumei nodded. Based on the timing, it seemed to match.
'At noon,' she thought, 'I was almost at the palace.'
"There were six of them, correct?"
The innkeeper nodded.
"They were all dressed in blue, their hair was a bit curly, and they spoke with peculiar accents."
"Yes, lady, do you recognize them?"
Liu Rumei shook her head. She had only a general impression from her carriage, and couldn't remember more details.
"I don't recognize them. I just want to find them. Do you know where they usually go?"
The innkeeper shook his head. "I don't know that!"
"Do you have anyone else here who is more familiar with them?" Liu Rumei pressed again.
The innkeeper still shook his head. "No, they rarely interacted with outsiders."
Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. "Oh, right. These past few days, they've been going to the restaurant opposite for meals in the evenings. Perhaps you could check there."