Of course, while waiting for Liu Ce was one option, Chen Xiaobei also arranged for someone to send a message down the mountain, asking Cui Hongyu to transport all the boxes of arrows from home.
Another plan was to transport more food and drink up the mountain, preparing to engage in a war of attrition with Sun Jian.
Zhang Qian also arranged for Ma Xiaogang to return with the villagers and report the situation to Liu Rumei, asking her to send reinforcements, creating an opportunity to trap Sima Wushuang. This chance had to be seized.
At this time, Liu Ce had already led his men to retreat. As agreed with Liu Rumei, they would retreat along the marked path after holding for three days.
After descending into the canyon along the ropes, Liu Ce lit a torch and burned the brown rope.
Even if Sun Jian wanted to pursue, he would have to climb down the rope himself and not benefit from their efforts.
It wasn't until noon that Sun Jian finally realized something was amiss.
He hurried to find Sima Wushuang, saying, "Great hero Sima, the situation seems wrong. I haven't seen smoke from their cooking fires since this morning."
Upon hearing this, Sima Wushuang frowned.
"This is bad. They might have slipped away through another route."
The Peerless Taoist's expression also turned serious. "Yes, let's go quickly and check."
Sima Wushuang left a few men to guard the rope bridge and led the rest of his men rushing to the other side.
With their exceptional Qinggong, Sima Wushuang and the Peerless Taoist quickly reached the Zhu Yu forest.
Seeing the mess on the ground, the Peerless Taoist stamped his foot anxiously.
"Alas, we were careless, so careless."
Sima Wushuang, however, turned to Sun Jian and asked coldly, "Didn't you say there were no other paths?"
Sun Jian was also bewildered. "Yes, I went to the mountaintop to check. All around were sheer cliffs. The only way down was the rope bridge."
The Peerless Taoist chuckled. "It's fine if they're gone. Let's go up to the mountaintop first."
Sima Wushuang stared at Sun Jian and ordered him again, "What are you standing around for? Hurry and search to see where they escaped from."
Sun Jian dared not breathe, repeatedly agreeing. He led Shi Gang and the others to quickly spread out and search.
Sima Wushuang accompanied the Peerless Taoist, proceeding together to the mountaintop.
Standing on the mountaintop, gazing at the distant setting sun, the Peerless Taoist let out a hearty laugh.
"What a good place! This Qingniu Mountain is truly a wonderful place!"
"It's lush and verdant for a hundred miles around, with beautiful scenery. It's a great place for cultivation. When the Grand Tutor's grand plan succeeds, I will build a Taoist temple here."
Sima Wushuang cupped his fists and said, "Daoist, if the dragon脉 is broken, will it affect Qingniu Mountain?"
The Peerless Taoist nodded slightly. "It will only affect the Xiao family's fortune. The scenery will not be affected."
After speaking, he surveyed the surroundings and pointed into the distance. "Look there, that is the Dragon's Eye. The entire canyon is the Dragon's Body..."
He suddenly pointed at the rope bridge and roared with laughter. "Heaven is helping me, heaven is helping me! This rope bridge is exactly at the connection between the Dragon's Head and the Dragon's Body!"
Hearing this, Sima Wushuang's eyes lit up. "Daoist, you mean..."
"I mean, we only need to destroy the Dragon's Eye, and our great task will be accomplished."
Sima Wushuang was also extremely excited upon hearing his words.
"Excellent! Once the dragon脉 is destroyed, the Great Cang Kingdom will decline in all aspects. General Zhu Meng will immediately raise an army to surround the capital, and in the name of Heaven, force the Emperor to abdicate."
"Yes. The Emperor is indulging in wine and women every day and completely neglecting state affairs. I don't think his son will be much better. The Grand Tutor will seize the opportunity to ascend the throne. You will be a founding minister then."
"We are equals."
After speaking, the two men laughed to the heavens once more.
As they chatted and laughed, they came down from the mountaintop. The sun had already moved west, and it was getting dark.
At this moment, Sun Jian hurried to meet them. "Great hero Sima, we've found it. About ten li ahead, there are traces of ropes. They slid down the canyon and escaped."
Upon hearing this, the Peerless Taoist smiled slightly. "Let them escape. Let them live a few more days. We will quickly descend the mountain, gather more craftsmen, and thoroughly destroy the Dragon's Eye to extinguish the Xiao family's destiny."
"Daoist, let's rest for another night and descend the mountain tomorrow morning."
The Peerless Taoist waved his hand. "No need. Let's hurry down the mountain. We will reach the foot of the mountain by noon tomorrow and then return to Xiao Jia Town to gather people. Then we will return as quickly as possible. The Grand Tutor is already impatient."
The arrogant and conceited Peerless Taoist clearly had no idea that Chen Xiaobei was slowly cornering them.
At this time, at the foot of Qingniu Mountain.
The atmosphere in Hetou Village suddenly became oppressive.
From Li Dong's home, sounds of crying could be heard intermittently.
Nearby villagers came to offer their condolences.
In Chen Xiaobei's home, the atmosphere was also tense. Cui Hongyu directed Dachun and the others to move out all the arrows for the repeating crossbows.
Liu Rumei had generously sent ten boxes before.
This time, Chen Xiaobei distributed thirty arrows to each person, but they had only used three boxes, leaving seven large boxes.
Hearing that all their supplies were to be moved up the mountain, Cui Hongyu knew what this meant.
She knew that Chen Xiaobei was determined to avenge Li Dong.
Cui Hongyu called Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying into the house. "Two sisters, please take care of Chen Qiao'er. I need to go up the mountain with Dachun and the others."
Shen Ziyan repeatedly shook her head. "Sister, you are without the strength to even bind a chicken. Going up will only be a burden to Chen Xiaobei."
"Two sisters, you don't know, my husband had a deep friendship with Li Dong. He is eager for revenge, and I fear he might do something rash that could put the entire village in danger."
Hearing her words, Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying exchanged glances and said almost in unison, "Then let us two go up the mountain, and you stay here."
Cui Hongyu immediately shook her head in refusal. "You two still need to teach the children to read."
Huang Ying looked at Shen Ziyan. "How about this, Sister Ziyan, you stay and teach the young children to read. I'll suspend my class for a few days."
"Sister Hongyu, I can see that with Xiaobei away, you are the backbone of this village. You cannot leave!"
"That's right. Xiaobei taught me how to make firecrackers. I'll make some tonight and bring them along. Perhaps they will be useful."
Cui Hongyu thought it made sense. No matter what, bringing everything might actually be useful.
"Alright, then you make some firecrackers tonight, and we'll head into the mountains tomorrow morning."
At this time, Liu Rumei also received Ma Xiaogang's report. After listening, she looked regretful. Ma Xiaoyi had died unjustly.
In reason and emotion, she had to avenge Ma Xiaoyi. Moreover, if Sima Wushuang could be trapped in Qingniu Mountain together, the pressure on the Crown Prince in the capital would be significantly reduced.
Therefore, she naturally had to fully support this matter.
After careful consideration, Liu Rumei decided to personally go up the mountain to assist Chen Xiaobei.
Upon hearing her decision, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong were both dumbfounded.