Upon hearing the name Liu Rumei, her brows furrowed. "He really went up the mountain?"
"Oh, not only did he go himself, but he brought over a hundred people this time," Huang Ying complained beside her.
Hearing this, Liu Rumei's expression turned serious.
"Very well, then I shall arrange it immediately and dispatch people to Hetou Village at once."
After hearing Liu Rumei's words, Cui Hongyu also relaxed. She bowed slightly.
"If that is the case, then thank you, Miss Liu."
Liu Rumei waved her hand with a smile, "Sister, there's no need to be so polite with me."
Cui Hongyu turned and left after speaking. Watching her depart, Liu Rumei sighed.
"Alas, I truly envy you."
Despite her words of envy, Liu Rumei did not linger. She hurried to meet Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
After listening to Liu Rumei's report, Xiao Jingyun nodded.
"There should be remnants of Zhu Meng's forces on the mountain. It is extremely dangerous for the villagers of Hetou Village to go up there. You must immediately send people to Hetou Village to protect the villagers and, as soon as possible, ascend the mountain to find Chen Xiaobei and the others."
He then turned to Zhou Quan, "Divide your men in half and send them to Hetou Village to ensure the safety of the villagers."
As they were discussing this, the sound of footsteps was heard. A soldier entered the main tent and announced loudly, "Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Prince, a man named Shen Qiang has arrived outside the military camp. He claims to be part of Zhu Meng's remaining forces in Qingniu and wishes to surrender."
Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun shot to his feet.
"Oh, how many have arrived?"
"Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Prince, approximately one hundred people have arrived."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun's expression showed a hint of disappointment.
"A hundred people. Zhu Meng's remaining forces on the mountain must be more than just this small number."
In fact, there was something Liu Rumei had not mentioned.
When they descended the mountain, they had set a fire. It was estimated that the guards near the steep slopes had fled down the mountain overnight. These were likely the ones who had not managed to escape.
Soon, Shen Qiang was brought before Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
Upon entering the main tent, Shen Qiang lifted his battle robe and knelt down with a thud. "Shen Qiang greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiao Jingyun raised his hand. "Shen Qiang, why have you come to pledge allegiance to this king?"
"This is a betrayal of Zhu Meng."
Hearing this, Shen Qiang's expression turned serious. He cupped his fist and said, "When we came from Wannian City with Zhu Meng, we were unaware of the truth. Later, we realized we were to be enemies of Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"I, Shen Qiang, do not wish to engage in fratricide, nor do I wish to harm the common people. Therefore, I wish to lead my contingent to surrender and submit."
Xiao Jingyun nodded in approval after hearing Shen Qiang's words.
"Shen Qiang, you have done the right thing."
Then, his tone shifted. "How many men do you have left on Qingniu Mountain?"
Shen Qiang pondered for a moment. "Originally, about five thousand men were left behind. However, after a fire broke out mysteriously in the mountain camp, more than half of them scattered. Later, more left one by one. After I came down with over a hundred men, there were only a few dozen people left near the summit of Qingniu Mountain."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun's brows furrowed tightly.
This meant there were still thousands of scattered soldiers on the mountain. Wouldn't Chen Xiaobei be in even greater danger?
Even more anxious than him was Liu Rumei. Liu Rumei directly cupped her fist and bowed, "Your Highness, there is no time to delay. Please grant me permission to immediately head to Hetou Village."
Just then, Princess Zhaoning also stepped forward. "Brother, may I go too?"
Xiao Jingyun looked at Princess Zhaoning. Seeing her sincere expression, he instantly understood. If she didn't seize an opportunity to prove herself soon, she would have no chance to earn merit.
So be it.
Xiao Jingyun said in a deep voice, "Once you arrive at Hetou Village, you two will discuss with Cui Hongyu and must respect his opinions."
He then turned to Zhou Quan, "Dispatch all of your men."
"Additionally, send two thousand more troops."
Zhou Quan was somewhat surprised. They were indeed taking this seriously, but this was excessively so.
"Your Highness, the troops may not be necessary. A few of us heading over would be sufficient."
Xiao Jingyun shook his head.
"No, we must send more men. If the people on the mountain haven't descended yet, we must ensure the safety of the Hetou Village villagers."
In the blink of an eye, the sky darkened. In Qingniu County, the Lotus Sect Leader was still unwilling to give up. Before retreating, she wanted to speak with Ma Han again, to ensure her saviors would be brought out.
This time, the Lotus Sect Leader decided to go herself.
She turned left and right through the bluestone alleys of the county town, arriving at the alley entrance of the Ma family compound.
From a distance, she saw several soldiers with swords patrolling back and forth.
Seeing this, the Lotus Sect Leader knew that it would be impossible to enter openly. She continued forward as if nothing had happened, bypassed a secluded spot, and with a leap, landed on the rooftop.
Orienting herself from the rooftop, the Lotus Sect Leader landed smoothly inside the Ma family compound.
Ma Han and his men were about to have dinner. They had stayed indoors all afternoon.
Seeing the Lotus Sect Leader arrive, Ma Han was both surprised and delighted. "How did you come again?"
The Lotus Sect Leader waved her hand and lowered her voice. "There are people watching outside. Let's keep this brief."
"I will be leaving the city tonight. Tomorrow night, at the third watch, come to the north gate, and I will help you get out."
Upon hearing this, Ma Han smiled and waved his hand. "That won't be necessary. The imperial army searched several times today and found no clues."
The Lotus Sect Leader's expression was grave. "So many soldiers were lost. If they can't be found in one day, or two, won't they be anxious? I will cause some trouble for him tonight to distract him."
"Remember, tomorrow night, at the third watch."
After speaking, the Lotus Sect Leader turned to leave. She took a few steps and then turned back.
"Right, there are imperial soldiers on guard outside. Don't go out unless absolutely necessary."
With that, the Lotus Sect Leader leaped, ascended to the rooftop, and soon disappeared.
Watching the Lotus Sect Leader leave, a smile finally appeared on Ma Han's face.
"Brothers, just hold on for one more day, and tomorrow we will escape this suffering."
"Come, let's drink to our hearts' content."
While Ma Han was drinking merrily, the Lotus Sect Leader was not idle. She took advantage of the cover of night and returned to the west gate.
The atmosphere in the city was tense. The number of guards at the city gate seemed to have increased.
The Lotus Sect Leader smiled slightly. Such a level of defense was child's play to her.
With a flick of her wrist, several fine needle-like projectiles flew out, and three soldiers immediately collapsed.
The surrounding soldiers, unsure what was happening, crouched down to investigate. Upon discovering they were dead, they immediately cried out.
Before the first soldier could cry out for long, he also fell. Then another four or five people collapsed.
With seven or eight dead in an instant, the soldiers on the scene panicked.
Finally, someone regained their senses and immediately blew the horn.
The low horn blasts echoed, making Wang Heng's heart pound with unease. He rushed to the scene and, upon seeing so many dead, was enraged.
"Did you see who did this?"