"Do you hear this Liu Rumei," she turned to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, think again if there are any other routes."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "No more, we can only go down from here."
At this time, Huang Ying spoke, "Never mind, let's just rush out."
Then Ma Biao spoke, "Everyone, please be patient, I'll go and take a look."
With that, he walked forward again, and after about two li, he turned a corner and saw an open space ahead. There were more than a dozen tents set up, and a group of people were gathered around, making a lot of noise.
Perhaps they felt that there was no enemy threat, and there wasn't even a lookout post.
In a corner nearby, there was a bonfire, with a large pot hanging over it, bubbling and steaming, presumably cooking dinner.
Ma Biao's mind moved, and he came up with an idea. He used the cover of darkness to approach within a dozen feet of the pot, then took out a small porcelain bottle from his怀, poured out a few pills, aimed, and threw them all into the pot with a swoosh.
After waiting for a while, he was sure no one had noticed, and then he slowly retreated.
Upon seeing Chen Xiaobei, Ma Biao chuckled, "Don't worry, after another incense stick's worth of time, we can go over."
Seeing everyone's skepticism, Ma Biao chuckled, "I've added some seasoning to their food, it will make them sleep soundly."
Hearing this, everyone smiled knowingly.
Estimating that the time had come, Huang Ying was a little impatient and went to check again. She returned and said excitedly, "They've all gone, let's go quickly."
Thus, they crossed the last blockade and finally arrived at Centipede Ridge.
On Centipede Ridge, Cui Hongyu had been awake for several nights, her eyes red and her body emaciated.
When she heard that Chen Xiaobei had arrived, she stood up abruptly. As she stood, her body swayed and she fainted with a thud.
The sudden situation startled Shen Ziyan.
She quickly helped Cui Hongyu onto the bed, then got up and rushed out to meet Chen Xiaobei.
As soon as she saw Chen Xiaobei, she pulled him inside without a word, not even noticing the Lotus Cult Leader who was about to speak.
Entering the room, Chen Xiaobei was heartbroken to see how thin Cui Hongyu had become.
After the pain, he slammed the table and swore to the heavens, "I, Chen Xiaobei, swear that if I don't personally kill Zhu Meng, I will not be human."
Chen Ziyan knew he was filled with immense rage, and gently persuaded him, "Brother Xiaobei, Zhu Meng is heavily guarded, and I have tried several times but could not get close. We need to plan this carefully."
Hearing the room gradually quiet down, Liu Rumei walked in. Seeing Cui Hongyu on the bed in such a state, she also shed tears of heartache.
When Huang Ying came in and saw Cui Hongyu like this, she directly started crying at the top of her lungs.
Seeing this, Shen Ziyan quickly pulled Huang Ying out of the room, "Don't cry anymore, let her sleep for a while. Sister Hongyu hasn't slept for several nights."
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard a soft voice next to her calling, "Junior Sister Ziyan."
Shen Ziyan turned around in surprise and saw the Lotus Cult Leader with a smile on her face.
"Senior Sister," Shen Ziyan exclaimed in surprise.
The two met and reminisced again. Su Dan Novel Network
At this time, the Old Ancestor, who had also heard the news, hurried over.
After hearing the Old Ancestor's explanation of the situation, Chen Xiaobei gnashed his teeth, "Chen Sanqiu, you scoundrel, the next time I see you, I'll skin you alive and flay you."
Liu Rumei stepped forward and gently patted Chen Xiaobei's arm, and persuaded him again, "Brother Xiaobei, don't be angry anymore. Let's discuss how to rescue Qiao'er."
Chen Xiaobei looked at everyone present, "You all go and rest first, we'll talk about anything tomorrow."
At this time, who could sleep? They all volunteered to rescue her overnight.
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "No, our first priority is not to rescue Qiao'er, but to transfer the villagers."
Everyone looked at Chen Xiaobei with surprise, "Transfer? Why transfer?"
Chen Xiaobei pointed to the house behind him, and then to the Old Ancestor.
"Chen Sanqiu captured Chen Qiao'er for a reward. If we remain inactive, then Zhu Meng is very likely to take more hostages to force the Crown Prince down the mountain."
"It's useless for him to capture ordinary villagers, only by capturing someone closely related to me, Chen Xiaobei, can he hit the Crown Prince's weak spot."
Hearing his analysis, everyone nodded repeatedly. The Old Ancestor, however, shook his head, "Don't mobilize, and don't bother."
"If this old bone of mine is captured, so be it."
"After Qiao'er is rescued, Xiaobei, you take Hongyu and Qiao'er and leave quickly. Once you're gone, it will be useless to capture anyone else."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "No, we can't hide anymore. The deeper we hide, the easier it is for him to capture us. We have to go out. Tomorrow, everyone will go to Xiao Family Town and stay in an inn."
As long as we blend in with the ordinary people, Zhu Meng would not dare to capture anyone again.
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumei's eyes lit up, and she admired Chen Xiaobei's method.
What Chen Xiaobei said was true. Zhu Meng still had to consider his reputation. After all, he still had to help the strategist ascend the throne. If he arbitrarily arrested ordinary people, he would naturally lose the support of the people.
If the villagers of Hetou Village all moved into the inn, Zhu Meng would not dare to capture anyone, no matter how brave he was.
Now, how to rescue Chen Qiao'er had become a difficult problem facing everyone.
Liu Ce stood up and said loudly, "I will rush to the military camp overnight, infiltrate it, and find out where Chen Qiao'er is being held."
Chen Xiaobei quickly stopped him, "Steward Liu, you've worked too hard. Please rest for a while."
Liu Ce waved his hand, "It's nothing, it's the same to rest tomorrow."
Liu Ce left with Ma Xiaoyi, and Liu Rumei also stood up.
"I have to go back to the county town overnight to get the carrier pigeons, and also check on those scoundrels from Cangying Mountain in the dungeon, lest they starve to death."
Chen Xiaobei arranged for Huang Ying to rest quickly, and he got up and returned to the room.
Looking at the sleeping Cui Hongyu, Chen Xiaobei's heart ached. He wanted to sleep next to her, but he couldn't bear to disturb her, so he simply lay down on the table next to him and decided to make do for the night.
After an unknown amount of time, Cui Hongyu slightly opened her eyes.
In a daze, she saw a shadow lying in front. She suddenly seemed to recall something, and her body shot up.
It was Chen Xiaobei, her husband whom she had been longing for, had returned.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei sleeping on the table, Cui Hongyu was filled with heartache. She quickly got up, took her outer jacket, and gently draped it over Chen Xiaobei's shoulders.
Perhaps it was due to extreme fatigue, Chen Xiaobei was completely unaware of this and continued to sleep soundly.
As daylight broke and there was movement outside, Chen Xiaobei finally woke up.