Hou Laoliu shouted anxiously, "Village Chief, if we just hand over the people like this, who will take our Centipede Ridge seriously in the future?"
Da Lao Hei stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the room a few times. Finally, he shook his head slightly.
"Forget it, let's consider this our bad luck this time. Just give him the person. Let's avoid trouble. Don't forget we have important matters to attend to."
Just then, a dark-faced man beside him spoke leisurely, "Village Chief, I have an idea. I don't know if I should say it or not."
Da Lao Hei looked at him. "Yang Chun, if you have something to say, say it. If you have to fart, let it out. Stop hesitating."
"Brother, you just said we have important matters to attend to. It's perfect for going to Green Ox Mountain, and we need a guide."
Upon hearing this, Hou Laoliu immediately chuckled, "Yes, yes, Brother Yang Chun is right. Yang Dazhi isn't very efficient. I don't know if the map is ready yet? Let Chen Xiaobei fill this vacancy."
Yang Chun looked up at Hou Laoliu.
It seemed that Hou Laoliu was quite afraid of Yang Chun and immediately fell silent.
Da Lao Hei nodded and looked at Yang Chun. "You'll take the person down later and subtly gauge his attitude. But don't rush this matter. You understand what I mean, right?"
Yang Chun nodded. "Brother, rest assured. I'll go now."
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei sat under the shade of a tree, feeling very uneasy.
Although he had used the official government's suppression as an excuse to temporarily bluff Xiong Fei, he was unsure if Da Lao Hei would fall for it.
As he was deep in thought, he heard a commotion from the mountain.
Then, Chen Qiao'er's clear voice rang out.
"Brother, brother."
Hearing this call, Chen Xiaobei shot up to his feet.
He saw Cui Hongyu carrying Chen Qiao'er walking down the rugged path ahead. Not far behind them, several bandits followed.
The leader was a dark-faced man, who looked quite young and even had a smile on his face.
Chen Xiaobei strode forward and immediately embraced Chen Qiao'er and Cui Hongyu.
"Husband!"
Cui Hongyu managed only two words before she couldn't speak further, tears streaming down her face.
The moment she was brought to the mountain stronghold, she had already despaired. After all, in this era, for a beautiful young girl to be kidnapped to a mountain stronghold, the outcome was predictable.
But she never expected Chen Xiaobei to come so quickly to rescue her, nor did she imagine he could get her out.
Chen Qiao'er also spoke with a cry, hugging Chen Xiaobei's neck and saying, "Qiao'er thought brother didn't want me anymore."
Chen Xiaobei reached out and gently pinched Chen Qiao'er's nose. "Silly child, you are my family. How could I not want you?"
Then he looked at Cui Hongyu. "You are also my family."
At this moment, Yang Chun'er grew impatient and coughed lightly.
The cough made Cui Hongyu blush slightly, and she hurriedly pulled away from Chen Xiaobei's embrace.
Chen Xiaobei then looked up at Yang Chun, who had a smiling face and seemed to have no ill intentions.
"Brother Xiaobei, I apologize. This was done by my subordinates without my Village Chief's knowledge."
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, "I'd believe you if pigs could fly. If your Village Chief didn't know, then it would be truly a miracle."
However, he couldn't be bothered with it now.
As long as Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er could be rescued, he didn't care what happened to the rest.
"Brother Xiaobei, my Village Chief said he will personally visit to apologize another day. You won't refuse me then, will you?"
Chen Xiaobei thought it was just polite talk and didn't pay it much mind. "No need for apologies. We'll meet again."
With that, he carried Chen Qiao'er, held Cui Hongyu's hand, and turned to leave.
Chen Xiaobo and Chen Xiaowen, who were secretly watching from a distance, were utterly stunned.
They had actually gotten the people back just like that?
It was incredible. They had let people go with just a few words?
Chen Xiaowen rubbed the back of his head and couldn't help but exclaim, "They're letting them go just like that? What was the point of the bandits' trouble?"
"Right, wasn't there supposed to be a bribe of two taels?"
Chen Xiaobo next to him couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think these people lack two taels?"
Chen Xiaowen nodded. "That's true, but it's too easy for Brother Xiaobei to get the people back."
Although Chen Xiaobo didn't say anything, he was also greatly shocked.
He had heard all sorts of rumors about these bandits. Murder and robbery on dark and windy nights were common occurrences.
But in front of Chen Xiaobei, they were as docile as cats.
Chen Xiaobei said a few words, and these bandits obediently handed over the people. This was simply astonishing.
Even Chen Xiaobei himself felt like he was dreaming. Was this real?
He had bluffed these bandits into submission with just a few words. The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed.
County town.
Liu Mansion.
Dungeon.
Zhao Er was bound to a cross-shaped iron frame.
Before him, Liu Rumei's gaze was cold, like two sharp swords, ready to kill at any moment.
"Zhao Er, how have I treated you?"
"Why did you report the news of Liu Tie's injury to my father?"
Zhao Er looked at Liu Rumei and sighed softly. "Miss, I merely reported everything that happened here truthfully to the Prince."
"You know full well that if anything else happens to me, my father will send my second brother to replace me."
Zhao Er sighed. "Miss, you should return to the Prince's mansion. These matters should be left to men."
"No, I want to use my own strength to help the Crown Prince through this difficult time." Liu Rumei's eyes showed determination.
"Miss, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's position is already precarious. They say a wise person does not stand under a collapsing wall. Miss, you should make a decision soon."
"Zhao Er, I'm telling you, I don't blame you for informing my father about Liu Tie's injury. However, if you do anything that betrays the Crown Prince, don't blame me for being ruthless."
With that, Liu Rumei raised her hand, and a short knife appeared in her palm. Then, her figure flickered.
Zhao Er felt a blur before his eyes. The next moment, he felt a lightness on his body as the ropes binding him were all cut.
Liu Rumei stood with her hands behind her back and said coldly, "You may go. Return to the capital or wander the world. The choice is yours."
Zhao Er looked at her resolute figure and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
"Miss, please take care. I'm leaving."
He turned and left.
As soon as he left, Steward Liu walked in.
"Miss, you just let him go?"
Liu Lu nodded. "After all, he hasn't sided with the other party yet."
"Right, when will the people from Tianzhu country arrive?"
"They set off half a month ago. By calculation, they should be here in a few days."
"Good. Make sure the arrangements are made properly. Absolutely no leaks."
...
By the time Chen Xiaobei and the others returned to Hetou Village, it was already dark.
Several village guards cheered when they saw Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er return.