The fight in the woods ended, and everyone converged on the steep slope.
At this point, only four or five people were still capable of fighting on the steep slope.
Seeing themselves surrounded and attacked by so many, the intelligent ones hid behind and remained motionless, allowing themselves to be captured as prisoners.
The stubborn ones were mercilessly shot dead.
As dawn broke, the battle concluded.
Without delay, Liu Tie sent people to guard the prisoners and check the headcount, ensuring no one was missed.
Indeed, the headcount revealed that one person, Gao Xiao Jiu, was missing.
He was neither seen alive nor found dead.
Just then, Liu Ce suddenly shouted, "Brother Liu Tie, come here for a moment."
Liu Tie followed the sound and arrived on the steep slope.
Liu Ce crouched down and pointed to the bloodstains on the rope.
"Someone left from here, and they were likely injured."
Liu Tie nodded. "We've already identified him; it's someone named Gao Xiao Jiu."
Liu Ce furrowed his brows, gazed into the distance, and after a long period of contemplation, sighed softly.
"Alas, so close to success, yet it all fell apart."
Liu Tie, however, remained remarkably calm. "Don't worry, it's not a big deal if one escaped." He then added, "Should we send people to search for the young lady? According to the timeline, they should have returned by now."
Liu Ce looked helpless. "I was ambushed earlier, and I've already sent someone to inform the young lady. If she received the message, she would most likely have sought an alternative route."
Hearing this, Liu Tie frowned. "If the Lotus Cult Leader received the news, he probably wouldn't have come here either."
Liu Ce sighed helplessly. "Then our waiting here is meaningless."
Liu Tie shook his head. "It's not entirely meaningless; at least it can keep the Lotus Cult Leader here for a few more days."
"Moreover, judging by Sima Wushuang's desperate choice to leave via the steep slope, other exits are likely difficult to find."
"You mean we should proactively search for the Lotus Cult Leader in the mountains?" Liu Ce asked with surprise.
Liu Tie nodded slightly. "An offensive approach is always better than waiting passively."
"We can send small groups of people to act openly. The Lotus Cult Leader will surely make a move."
Liu Ce cautiously shook his head. "We should probably consult the young lady about this first, as entering the mountains is extremely dangerous."
Liu Tie did not insist on this matter. "Then we'll send people to Qing Niu County to check. If there's still no news of the young lady, we'll have to go into the mountains."
Meanwhile, in the capital, Duke Huguo Liu Xiangnan was having breakfast when his head steward, Liu Kai, hurried in.
"Marquis, there's a new development."
Liu Xiangnan gently put down his chopsticks and waved to a nearby maid, who then stepped forward to clear the dishes.
Liu Kai then bowed and said, "A rumor has surfaced in the capital regarding the death of the second young master. There are various accounts, but they all mention someone named Chen Xiao Bei."
"The implication is clear: this Chen Xiao Bei is the main culprit."
Upon hearing Liu Kai's words, Liu Xiangnan slammed the table. "Who is behind this scheme now?"
"According to the Azure Dragon Hall, it's several outsiders who have been spreading these rumors in various teahouses."
Liu Xiangnan stood up and nodded slightly. "The Azure Dragon Hall's intelligence is always accurate. Why would a few outsiders come here to spread such news without seeking a reward from me?"
After pacing for a moment, his brow slowly relaxed.
"If that's the case, then there's only one purpose."
"They want me to take action against this Chen Xiao Bei."
Liu Kai's eyes suddenly brightened. "Your Highness means someone wants to use a borrowed knife to kill, to eliminate Chen Xiao Bei through your hand."
Liu Xiangnan nodded. "Yes. Now I am filled with curiosity about this Chen Xiao Bei. I am eager to see how a mere village head has the courage to sign the land deed for the entire Qing Niu Mountain."
"Marquis, you mean Chen Xiao Bei is not involved in the second young master's death?" Liu Kai asked, astonished.
Liu Xiangnan paced twice and said in a deep voice, "The less he is involved, the more people will try to link him to it."
"Alright, go and tell Bai Long of the Azure Dragon Hall to find a way to silence these country folk."
Liu Kai trembled slightly. "Master, do you mean permanently silence them?"
Xiangnan waved his hand. "There's no need for such drastic measures against a few commoners. Just make them remember the lesson."
As the sun rose higher, in a teahouse in the capital, Cui San was gesticulating wildly, vividly recounting to acquaintances and strangers alike how Chen Xiao Bei had leased Qing Niu Mountain and the incident of Liu Yuan Wu's death.
At the climax of his story, he deliberately paused.
"Esteemed gentlemen and ladies, where do you think the key to this matter lies?"
"Where else could it be? Of course, it's how the second young master Liu met his end."
Cui San, however, shook his head. "No, no, you're all wrong. The most crucial point is that the village head of He Tou Village, Chen Xiao Bei..."
"Think about it. He obtained the land deed one moment, and then such a major incident occurred on the mountain the next. Could he have foreseen this?"
At this moment, a bearded man suddenly stood up. "I think you're just talking nonsense here."
"Then let me ask you, if I were to commit murder and throw the body into your house, would you be arrested and beheaded?"
Cui San was stunned by this question for a long time, and finally chuckled awkwardly. "That, that would naturally not be permissible."
"Since you committed the murder, you must bear the responsibility."
Cui San's answer drew laughter from the crowd.
Taking advantage of his speechless state, the man suddenly stood up and slapped the table. "Stop this baseless babbling and smearing the second young master's good name."
He then strode forward menacingly.
Cui San turned pale with fright and was about to flee when he was grabbed by the scruff of his collar.
The man was tall and burly, and Cui San was lifted up like a chick, flailing his limbs in terror, like a turtle being dangled by its neck in mid-air.
"Merciful hero, please spare me. Good sir, let's talk this out peacefully."
Before he could finish speaking, the man, still holding Cui San, walked to the window, flung it open with a bang, and threw him directly out of the second-story window.
Cui San felt a sharp pain in his backside, followed by a wave of numbness. He lay there, unable to move.
After struggling for a long time, he managed to sit up.
Before he could recover, a carriage slowly approached. A hand emerged from the covered carriage and pulled him inside.
As soon as he entered, a dagger was pressed against his throat.
"Kid, we're sending you out of the capital now. Do you know what the consequences will be if you dare to come back?"
Cui San instantly understood that he had offended someone.
If nothing else, self-preservation was something Cui San was naturally gifted at.
"I understand, I understand. Once I'm out of the capital, I'll immediately return to my hometown. I promise not to even look back."
"Very good. Remember your words. If I see you again, you won't be able to go home."