Hou Lao Liu anxiously shouted, "Big Bandit Leader, if we just give the people away like this, who will ever take us at Wugong Ridge seriously again?"
Big Old Black stood up and walked around the room, his hands behind his back. After a few moments, he slightly shook his head.
"Forget it, let's just take this as us hitting a wall. Give them the people and avoid more trouble. Don't forget, we still have a big matter ahead."
At that moment, a man with a dark face spoke slowly, "Big Bandit Leader, I have an idea, but I'm not sure if I should speak up."
Big Old Black looked at him. "Yang Chun, if you have something to say, say it. Stop hemming and hawing."
"Big Brother, earlier you said we were about to do something big. Well, we're heading to Qingniu Mountain and we're short a guide."
As soon as he heard this, Hou Lao Liu immediately smiled. "Yes, yes, Yang Chun's right. That kid Yang Dazhi is not efficient. Who knows if he even finished the map? We might as well have Chen Xiaobei fill in the gap."
Yang Chun looked at Hou Lao Liu.
It seemed Hou Lao Liu still feared Yang Chun, as he immediately stopped talking.
Big Old Black nodded, looking at Yang Chun. "Afterward, take the person down, and casually test his attitude. But we can't rush this. You understand what I mean, right?"
Yang Chun nodded. "Don't worry, Big Brother. I'll go now."
At this time, Chen Xiaobei was sitting under a tree, feeling quite uneasy.
Although he had temporarily frightened Xiong Fei with the threat of the official government encircling him, he wasn't sure whether Big Old Black would fall for the same tactic.
While he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a commotion coming from the mountain.
Then, Chen Qiaoer's crisp voice rang out.
"Brother, brother."
Hearing the shout, Chen Xiaobei jumped up in surprise.
Ahead, on the rugged little road, he saw Cui Hongyu holding Chen Qiaoer as they came down. Not far behind them, several bandits followed.
The leader was a man with a dark face, looking young, and even had a smile on his face.
Chen Xiaobei quickly took a few steps forward and immediately embraced both Chen Qiaoer and Cui Hongyu.
"Husband!"
Cui Hongyu spoke just two words before she could no longer speak. Tears streamed down her face.
When she was taken up to the stronghold, she had already lost all hope. After all, in this era, for a beautiful girl to be taken to a bandit stronghold, the outcome was predictable.
But she hadn't expected Chen Xiaobei to arrive so quickly. Not only had he come to save her, but she also didn't expect him to actually succeed.
Chen Qiaoer, with a tearful voice, hugged Chen Xiaobei's neck and said, "I thought you didn't want me anymore, brother."
Chen Xiaobei reached out and gently pinched Chen Qiaoer's nose. "Silly girl, you're my family. How could I ever not want you?"
He then turned to look at Cui Hongyu. "You're also my family."
At this moment, Yang Chun couldn't wait any longer and gently coughed.
The sound of the cough caused Cui Hongyu to blush immediately, and she hurriedly pulled away from Chen Xiaobei's embrace.
Only then did Chen Xiaobei look up at Yang Chun, who was smiling and seemed to have no ill intentions.
"Brother Xiaobei, I apologize. This matter was decided by my subordinates without my knowledge. Our big bandit leader was unaware of it."
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, "I don't believe your nonsense. If your big bandit leader didn't know, then I must have seen a ghost."
But now, he couldn't be bothered to argue.
As long as he could rescue Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiaoer, whatever else happened didn't matter.
"Brother Xiaobei, our big bandit leader said that he will come personally to apologize another day. Don't pretend you don't know me when that happens."
Chen Xiaobei assumed this was just a formality and didn't pay much attention. "No need for apologies. We'll meet again."
After saying that, he picked up Chen Qiaoer, took Cui Hongyu by the hand, and turned to leave.
Chen Xiaobei's brothers, Chen Xiaobo and Chen Xiaowen, who had been secretly watching from a distance, were completely dumbfounded.
That's it? Just like that, they let them go?
This was unbelievable—just a few words, and the bandits released them so obediently?
Chen Xiaowen scratched the back of his head and couldn't help but sigh. "They just let them go like this? What were the bandits even trying to accomplish?"
"Right, weren't we supposed to give them two big coins?"
Chen Xiaobo couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think these guys care about two coins?"
Chen Xiaowen nodded. "That's true, but still, brother Xiaobei, that was way too easy."
Chen Xiaobo didn't say anything, but he too was deeply shocked.
He had heard all kinds of rumors about these bandits. On dark and windy nights, killing and looting were common occurrences.
Yet in front of Chen Xiaobei, they were as docile as kittens.
Chen Xiaobei said a few words, and the bandits obediently let them go. It was truly astonishing.
Even Chen Xiaobei himself felt like he was dreaming. Is this really happening?
He had just used a few words to scare these bandits off. The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed.
County Town.
Liuhouse.
Dungeon.
Zhao Lao Er was tied to a cross-shaped iron rack.
In front of him, Liu Rumei's gaze was cold, like two sharp swords ready to kill at any moment.
"Zhao Lao Er, how have I treated you?"
"Why did you tell my father about Liu Tie's injury?"
Zhao Lao Er glanced at Liu Rumei and sighed softly. "Miss, I was just reporting everything that happened here to the king, as it is."
"You know very well that if I make another mistake, my father will have my second brother replace me."
Zhao Lao Er sighed again. "Miss, you should return to the royal palace. These matters should be left to the men to handle."
"No, I want to use my own strength to help the Crown Prince through this difficult time." Liu Rumei's eyes were filled with determination.
"Miss, Prince Xiao Jingyun's position as the Crown Prince is already precarious. They say a wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. You should make your decision soon."
"Zhao Lao Er, I'll tell you this: If you tell my father about Liu Tie's injury, I won't blame you. But if you choose to betray the Crown Prince, don't blame me for being ruthless."
After saying this, Liu Rumei raised her hand, and a short knife appeared in her palm. Then, with a swift motion, her figure blurred.
Zhao Lao Er felt a flash before his eyes, and the next moment, the ropes tying him were cut clean through.
Liu Rumei stood there with her hands behind her back and coldly said, "Leave now. Whether you return to the capital or wander the world, it's your choice."
Zhao Lao Er looked at her resolute figure and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
"Miss, take care. I'm leaving."
After saying that, he turned and left.
No sooner had he left than Liu's steward entered.
"Miss, are you just letting him go?"
Liu Rumei nodded. "After all, he hasn't yet sided with the enemy."
"By the way, when will the people from Tianzhu Kingdom arrive?"
"They left half a month ago. They should be arriving any day now."
"Good, make sure everything is arranged properly. We must not let anything slip."
…
By the time Chen Xiaobei and the others returned to Hetou Village, night had already fallen.
Several village guards saw that Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiaoer had returned and couldn't help but cheer in joy.