Observing everyone’s lethargic demeanor, Ma Xiaoyi dared not delay for a moment.
He knew their laziness was feigned, a tactic to buy time for him to thoroughly inspect the thicket.
He darted through the bushes, his hunched body moving swiftly, and finally, he made a discovery.
Ahead, amidst a pile of fallen leaves, there was a distinct pit.
It looked like the mark left by a heavy object.
Furthermore, no new leaves had accumulated in the compressed area, indicating the pressing had happened very recently. In other words, someone had been here not long before they arrived.
The only possibility for someone to penetrate so deep into Qingniu Mountain and set an ambush was Sun Jian.
Reaching this conclusion, Ma Xiaoyi felt a sense of relief. He approached Chen Xiaobei and whispered, "Brother Xiaobei, it's time to get to work. Let's finish quickly and head back. There's an ambush behind us. Don't tell the others, and try not to keep looking back."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. Hearing about an ambush made him more anxious than anyone else. He was well aware of the treacherous terrain. If someone was indeed laying an ambush specifically for him, he knew he would be doomed.
Chen Xiaobei remained silent for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, then he stood up and called out to the crowd at a leisurely pace, "Alright, alright, you've all rested enough. Get up and get to work. Let's finish quickly and head down the mountain. If anyone wants to stay on the mountain for a couple more nights, you can sleep in."
Chen Xiaobei's words were met with a burst of laughter from the crowd. They all got up and began working at the bridgehead. Ma Xiaoyi seized the opportunity to sidle up to Chen Xiaobei and whispered, "Can we find a way to go a bit further in?"
Xiaobei stood at the bridgehead, pondering for a long while, and finally nodded.
He clapped his hands towards the pretending-to-work Ma Xiaoyi, "Master Ma, come with me. There's a grove of trees ahead. See if you can get some planks from there."
Ma Xiaoyi feigned agreement, and the two began to walk forward along the mountain path, one after the other.
As they walked, Chen Xiaobei pondered. At most, they could go as far as the dogwood grove; beyond that, there would be no more timber.
After walking for more than half an hour, seeing the dogwood grove ahead, Chen Xiaobei quickly turned to ask Ma Xiaoyi, who was following him, "Did you see clearly? Anything amiss? There won't be much timber past this grove."
Ma Xiaoyi nodded slightly, deliberately raising his voice, "Brother Xiaobei, these trees are all too slender. They probably won't be much use!"
"Ah, so they're slender, but let's make do. It's much easier than carrying them up from the foot of the mountain."
"Alright then, let's cut some and use them for now."
Their exchange, a back-and-forth in harmony, sounded perfectly natural.
Although they were acting, their conversation did remind Chen Xiaobei that while the dogwood trees were slender, they were long enough. Cutting them and fixing them to the bridge would be much easier than carrying timber up the mountain.
Success was in not revealing any flaws. The two circled the dogwood grove, Ma Xiaoyi feigning to cut a few logs, claiming he wanted to take them back to test.
By the time they returned, the sun was already setting. The planks already fixed in place by the others numbered only a dozen or so, with at least half still unfinished.
Chen Xiaobei was in a dilemma about where to lodge for the night. After much thought, he ultimately decided to move away from the danger, taking Ma Xiaoyi and the others to the bridge. They retreated to the forest where they had stayed when building the rope bridge.
As soon as they left the rope bridge, Sun Jian and Shi Yan, among others, appeared stealthily.
"Big Brother, they are all mountain villagers. Why are you so nervous?" Shi Yan couldn't help but ask.
Sun Jian smiled slightly, then let out a cold snort through his nostrils, "Can you guarantee there are no spies from Liu Rumei among them?"
Shi Yan was taken aback, then cupped his fists and said to Sun Jian, "Big Brother speaks wisely. A brilliant insight, a brilliant insight."
Sun Jian chuckled at his flattery, "Alright, we must also retreat quickly. Let's put some distance between us and them. We'll wait for Brother Sima and the others to come up tomorrow."
As night fell, Hetou Village also became busy.
Liu Ce and Ma Biao arrived with their men in haste. The people who had been held in the cave today were moved. After listening to Liu Rumei's explanation, Li Dong breathed a long sigh of relief.
Regardless of the circumstances, their absence from the village was ultimately beneficial to them.
The only one unhappy was Yang Zhi.
He was reluctant to leave Hetou Village, primarily seeking revenge.
If he went to Centipede Ridge, his revenge would depend on fate.
Liu Rumei clearly saw through his thoughts. With a solemn expression, she promised him word by word, "Rest assured, if Sun Jian is captured, I will hand him over to you for disposal."
With her promise, Yang Zhi happily led his men towards Centipede Ridge.
However, the Vermilion Bird Gang had to leave their newly built houses almost immediately, and there were grumbles among the group.
But this was also good. Liu Rumei's subordinates no longer had to squeeze into crowded spaces and could conveniently move into these new houses.
Moreover, with these new houses, Liu Ce could bring more men, thus strengthening Liu Rumei's forces.
The journey from Hetou Village to Centipede Ridge took most of the night. The primary reason was that Sun Jian and his group were still blindfolded, which slowed their pace. Sudana Novel Network.
When Yang Zhi and his men entered Centipede Ridge, there was movement within the mountain stronghold.
Chen Ermao, who had been hiding alone in the stronghold all night, was already on edge and had not slept soundly. Now, hearing such a commotion below the mountain, he was even more terrified, thinking they had come for him.
He quickly found a corner to hide in.
Thanks to Yang Chun's presence, Yang Zhi and his men quickly became familiar with the stronghold and found the prison of Centipede Ridge, which was a stone cave, similar to the one in Hetou Village.
As for Xiong Fei, a separate room was chosen for him.
The doors and windows were nailed shut. With a person inside, escape would be impossible.
Lardo, on the other hand, was carried by everyone and placed in the former residence of Da Lao Hei.
Once everything was arranged, Ma Biao and Liu Ce bowed and bid farewell to Yang Zhi.
Seeing them depart, Yang Chun, who was standing nearby, spoke, "Old Fifth, I'm familiar with this place. Assign a few men to me, and I'll cook for you."
As they were speaking, there was a sudden commotion from over there, and someone rushed over to inform Yang Zhi, "Gang Leader Yang, we've captured a child ahead."
Soon, Chen Ermao was brought before Yang Zhi.
Upon seeing Chen Ermao, Yang Chun couldn't help but exclaim, "You're Chen Ermao?"
Seeing Yang Chun, Chen Ermao's fear lessened slightly. "Uncle Yang Chun, it's me, I..."
Before he could finish, Yang Chun raised his hand and patted his shoulder, "It's alright, child, don't be afraid."
Then, he turned to look at Yang Zhi and said, "This is Da Lao Hei's nephew."