The Lotus Cult Master arrived on the street, where soldiers were still patrolling back and forth. However, they showed no interest in a mere subordinate like him, not even sparing him a second glance.
She meandered her way to the back door of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
The paste on the seal of the back door was still wet, indicating it had been freshly applied.
It was a narrow alley with few passersby. The Lotus Cult Master slowed his pace. After the two people in front of him had left the alley and he was sure no one was around, he sprang into the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, landing silently.
Tian Wen, pursuing the Lotus Cult Master, reached the alley and, seeing the trail had gone cold, quickly deduced what had happened.
The Lotus Cult Master must have entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. In hindsight, it was a good idea.
Tian Wen pondered for a moment and then followed, leaping over the wall.
The Lotus Cult Master was hiding in the kitchen, feasting heartily.
The soldiers had only taken people away; they had barely touched anything else, and the kitchen supplies were perfectly preserved.
When the soldiers had come to arrest people, the kitchen had already started cooking, so many of the dishes were still warm.
He had barely taken a few bites when he heard a thud in the courtyard. The Lotus Cult Master immediately became alert and hid by the doorway.
Upon seeing the approaching person, the Lotus Cult Master was surprised. He saw only Tian Wen, disguised. This was the first time he had seen Tian Wen looking like this.
Tian Wen cautiously made his way towards the main building of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
Once inside the building, Tian Wen began to call out, "Cult Master, it's me, Tian Wen!"
He called out "Cult Master" several times. The Lotus Cult Master finally understood and, after a moment's thought, grabbed a bowl and threw it out into the courtyard, smashing it to pieces.
Tian Wen, on the first floor, was startled by the noise. He peeked out from the window and saw fragments of a bowl on the ground. He immediately understood that the person was in the kitchen.
Tian Wen hurried towards the kitchen, muttering, "Cult Master, Cult Master, it's me, Tian Wen."
The Cult Master waved a hand at him. Seeing this, Tian Wen relaxed, stopped shouting, and quickly entered the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen, Tian Wen cupped his fists and said, "Cult Master, I apologize for following you without your permission. Please forgive me."
The Lotus Cult Master nodded. "I know everything. I've also seen your portrait."
Since everything was known, it was easier to discuss matters.
"Cult Master, what are your plans next?"
The Cotton Cult Master frowned and said, "There are experts among the enemy. I contacted the princess via carrier pigeon, and they tracked it to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. So, I cannot stay here any longer. I must leave the city tonight."
Tian Wen knew that with the Lotus Cult Master's skills, leaving the city would not be a problem.
However, his own Qinggong was nowhere near that level. It would not be easy for him to leave the city.
But the situation turned out to be unexpected. The Lotus Cult Master smiled calmly. "Since you've encountered this, I can't abandon you. I'll take you with me tonight."
"But before we leave, you have to do something for me."
Hearing that he would be taken along, Tian Wen was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, Cult Master. Tell me what you need me to do."
"Go to the Ma Family Courtyard and deliver a message to Ma Han and the others. Tomorrow night, outside the North Gate, I will meet them and help them leave the city together."
Tian Wen was taken aback by this.
"Cult Master, today isn't over yet. Wouldn't tomorrow be too uncertain?"
The Lotus Cult Master chuckled. "Just do as I say. Tell them, tomorrow night, at the third watch, not a moment earlier or later."
Helpless, Tian Wen had to climb back over the wall and head towards the Ma Family Courtyard. At the entrance to the alley of the Ma Family Courtyard, he found it swarming with soldiers, who prevented any unauthorized personnel from approaching.
It was clear that the soldiers must have discovered that some of their comrades were missing.
Since he couldn't deliver the message, Tian Wen had to return.
Upon hearing his report, the Lotus Cult Master sighed in resignation.
"I've implicated them all. I hope they can get through this."
At this time, Wang Heng himself was leading his men, searching house by house. The disappearance of more than a dozen men was no small matter.
Wang Heng entered the Ma Family Courtyard and scanned the surroundings. It was spacious and housed over a dozen sturdy men.
Wang Heng's eyes immediately narrowed.
In terms of numbers, more than a dozen soldiers were missing. Here were more than a dozen strong men. If they knew martial arts, it would not be difficult for them to deal with over a dozen soldiers, one-on-one.
Wang Heng waved his hand, and the soldiers behind him immediately spread out and began a thorough search.
They searched the area but found nothing. After receiving the report, Wang Heng could only lead his men away with a sigh.
As he left, he said to the person beside him, "Keep an eye on this household. They are the most suspicious."
Meanwhile, on Qingniu Mountain.
After lunch, Chen Xiaobei and his group found a sunny spot and took a nap. After resting, they would have to prepare to descend the mountain.
Chen Dachun came over and chatted idly with Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, everyone has brought too much. We won't be able to move very fast like this."
Chen Xiaobei looked around. Everyone's belongings were bulging, with several large bundles weighing over a hundred catties combined.
In those days, although villagers often worked hard and were physically strong, carrying over a hundred catties on mountain paths for two days was clearly impossible.
However, it was even more impossible to expect them to abandon these things.
After all the effort they had put into finding them, why would they throw them away?
Chen Xiaobei recalled how they had transported provisions up the mountain: first to a steep slope, and then to the next station by relay.
An idea flashed in his mind. "Yes, since that's the case, let's bring even more. Go and tell everyone to first move the current belongings to the steep slope and store them in the tents. Leave a few people to watch them, and the rest can come back for more trips."
"But, but..." Chen Dachun was a little surprised.
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly.
"There are no buts. Didn't you hear Qi Chong say they won't be back for at least three to five days? We'll set a limit of five days. Within five days, we'll transport all the belongings down, and there won't be any problems."
Chen Dachun gave him a thumbs-up. "Good, we'll do as you say."
Upon hearing that they could transport more back, the villagers cheered. They forgot about their nap and immediately started working.
Meanwhile, at the foot of Qingniu Mountain, the atmosphere suddenly became tense. The few village guards who had stayed behind rushed into Cui Hongyu's house. "Miss Hongyu, a lot of soldiers have come down from the mountain."
Although Cui Hongyu held no official position in the village, she was Chen Xiaobei's wife, so the villagers habitually sought her out when something happened.
Fortunately, there was someone else with her: Huang Ying. Since most of the villagers had gone up the mountain, her adult literacy class had no students.
The two exchanged glances. Cui Hongyu turned to Chen Qiaoer and said, "Qiaoer, go play at Brother Dachun's house for a while. I'll come to pick you up later."