With a snap of her fingers, Liu Rumei slammed her palm onto the table.
"That scoundrel Yang Zhi, if he weren't useful, I would have kicked him out long ago. I will definitely handle this matter to your satisfaction."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand, "The three villains have already fallen out with Yang Zhi and left Hetou Village."
"I've come to ask for Miss Liu's help. Could you send some people to patrol with my village guards?"
Liu Rumei was startled at first, then immediately understood. Chen Xiaobei's village guards were not skilled in martial arts. Facing the martial artists like Yang Zhi's subordinates, they were no match.
"Alright, I can send more people to patrol with your village guards tonight. In addition, I can send someone to teach your village guards some martial arts for self-defense."
Hearing Liu Rumei's arrangement, Chen Xiaobei was very pleased. He stood up and cupped his fists towards Liu Rumei, "Thank you, Miss Liu. Then it's settled. The tutor I hired is paid ten taels of silver a month. You send someone to teach my village guards martial arts, and I will pay them the same remuneration."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's offer, Liu Rumei smiled, "Alright, there's no need to mention such things between us. Tonight, let Liu Ce arrange for two people to go over. You can rest assured, the safety of Hetou Village is my responsibility."
With Liu Rumei's promise, Chen Xiaobei finally felt at ease and bowed his farewell.
As soon as Chen Xiaobei left, Ma Xiaoyi rushed in.
"Miss, we just received news from the county town that the second young master has arrived and is said to be heading to Qingniu Mountain early tomorrow morning."
Hearing Ma Xiaoyi's words, Liu Rumei looked at the map of Qingniu Mountain again.
Liu Ce, standing beside her, said in a low voice, "Miss, should we send someone to guide him?"
Liu Rumei shook her head, "My second brother is cautious in his actions and is protected by many experts. Not to mention, Ma Biao alone is not someone even you or I can defeat. Ordinary people can't do anything to him."
"But hasn't the Grand Tutor's personal guard, Sima Wushuang, arrived?"
Facing Liu Ce's concern, Liu Rumei smiled, "My second brother and my father have always intended to side with the Grand Tutor. Why would the Grand Tutor send Sima Wushuang to deal with them?"
"Sima Wushuang's target can only be True Master Taiping."
"If True Master Taiping is killed, the Crown Prince will have to find someone else to seek the dragon脉 and dragon eyes. By then, it will be too late."
"I believe the Grand Tutor's people will soon arrive at Qingniu Mountain as well, but we don't even know which expert they have invited. Alas."
Liu Ce cupped his fists and said in a deep voice, "Apart from True Master Taiping, the only ones who can be compared to him are Wuji Zi and Jueding Daoist."
"Wuji Zi is seriously ill and has been bedridden for many years, so he can't possibly come. I think the Grand Tutor is very likely to invite Jueding Daoist."
Liu Rumei's expression turned grave, "Yes, Jueding Daoist not only has profound Daoist magic, but his martial arts are also unfathomable."
"If it is truly him, and he joins forces with Sima Wushuang, none of us combined would be their match."
"Miss, it's all speculation. There's still time, and besides, the second young master has brought many experts. As long as we have the advantage in numbers, we have a chance to win."
Liu Rumei nodded, "Let's take it one step at a time. Keep a close watch on the movements in Qingniu Mountain."
Meanwhile, Yang Chun, Da Lao Hei, Xiong Fei, and others accompanied Li Tong to quietly enter Qingniu Mountain.
They proceeded all the way, and before dawn, they passed the steep slope and lurked in the dense forest.
That morning, Chen Xiaobei still woke up early. He first packed some apples and filled a water vat with dozens of fish brought by the villagers. Today, they would split up: he would go to the county town, and Chen Xiaobo would go to Xiaojia Town.
With two new carriages, logistics were much easier.
Chen Xiaobei finished tidying up and was about to leave the village when he saw Chen Dayong, a village guard, rushing towards him.
"There are many people outside the village, all on horseback and carrying weapons. They say they want to go into Qingniu Mountain."
Chen Xiaobei hurried to the village entrance upon hearing this and saw dozens of people dressed uniformly in black, the only exception being a young gentleman in brocade robes.
Ma Biao stepped forward, cupped his fists towards Chen Xiaobei, and displayed his waist token.
Chen Xiaobei recognized the waist token. Liu Rumei had given him one just like it. So, they were from the Liu family. Su Dan Novel Network.
Strange, since they were from the Liu family, why were they unfamiliar?
Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists in return and said, "I am the village head of Hetou Village. What can I do for you, sirs?"
Ma Biao was very courteous. He pointed to the distant Qingniu Mountain, "Oh, Village Head Chen, we are merely borrowing a path through your village to Qingniu Mountain. We would appreciate your assistance."
"No problem, no problem. To enter the mountain, you don't need to go through our village. I'll send someone to guide you around the back of the village." Chen Xiaobei turned to Chen Dayong and others and said, "Dayong Ge, take them to the foot of the mountain."
Ma Biao, however, frowned slightly and had a thought. He cupped his fists again towards Chen Xiaobei and said, "Village Head Chen, could you please send someone to guide us into Qingniu Mountain? I will surely reward you handsomely."
Although they were from the Liu family, and they seemed unaware that Liu Rumei was staying in the village, Chen Xiaobei became wary.
"Sir, I apologize, but although we live at the foot of the mountain, usually only a few hunters dare to roam nearby. The rest dare not go deep, so I'm afraid I can't help you."
Ma Biao was about to say more when Liu Yuanwu behind him coughed and said, "Alright, since that's the case, we'll enter the mountain ourselves."
Just as Chen Dayong was leading Liu Yuanwu and his group into the mountain.
Liu Ziming also rushed to see Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei had arranged for a squad of two people to accompany Chen Xiaobei's village guards to protect Hetou Village, so Liu Ziming saw Liu Yuanwu from a distance.
He quickly ran to report.
Liu Rumei's expression became slightly tense upon hearing this.
Liu Ce, beside her, observed her expression and said, "Miss, why not send someone to follow them? In case the second young master gets lost, they can help him."
Liu Rumei nodded, "You go personally with some people. Remember to maintain a sufficient distance and don't let him discover you."
Liu Ce took his orders and left. He knew that Liu Rumei, after all, still cherished family ties and couldn't let go of Liu Yuanwu.
At this time, Chen Xiaobei, while on his way to the county town, was pondering this matter.
Why did Liu Rumei suddenly abandon her luxurious life in the county town and come to his small mountain village?
And these newly arrived members of the Liu family seemed to have no idea that Liu Rumei was here, nor did they know about his relationship with the Liu family.
Suddenly, Chen Xiaobei slapped his forehead. He was truly foolish.
Didn't Liu Rumei have a father in the capital? And two older brothers, reportedly.
Then these people were very likely sent by Liu Rumei's father.
As for why these people didn't know him, nor Liu Rumei's presence in Hetou Village, it must be that Liu Rumei had deliberately concealed her whereabouts.
This meant that Liu Rumei likely had a falling out with her family.