The brothel madam, Gui Lan, looked astonished. "Great hero, you..."
The Lotus Cult Master smiled calmly. "I told you, they wouldn't find me. Are you relieved now?"
Gui Lan nodded repeatedly. "Relieved, relieved. Then you should rest early."
She turned and left.
Watching her go, the Lotus Cult Master secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He could finally have a few days of peace.
Night had fallen, and activity began on Centipede Ridge.
Liu Kai disguised himself as Ah Xiang, and Liu Rumei had even applied light makeup for him, making them look more alike.
The little girl led ten people, quietly following behind Liu Kai.
As Liu Kai entered Hetou Village and walked only a few steps, an ambush erupted from the darkness beside him.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
Liu Kai remained composed, cupping his fists towards the soldiers. "My apologies, esteemed sirs. I wish to go up the mountain to find my master."
These words momentarily stunned the soldiers.
They exchanged glances. "Who is your master?"
"Oh, he's the doctor from Cui Family Village, named Cui Fugui. You brought him up the mountain yesterday and left me a letter, asking me to find him there."
The soldiers looked at each other, their expressions incredulous. Such a move!
Did he not know that taking someone up the mountain meant taking them hostage? And now, walking right into a trap.
However, they were unaware of this matter and had to confirm with their superiors if this was indeed the case.
"Oh, you're from Cui Family Village. I'll have to check on this to see if you can go up."
The leader of these soldiers pointed towards the large locust tree in the center of the village.
"You wait there for now."
Liu Kai went to the large locust tree, his gaze sweeping around. He saw five or six soldiers crammed into the former village defense team's duty room nearby.
These soldiers clearly noticed Liu Kai looking at them. One of them spoke up, "Hey, what are you looking at?"
Liu Kai smiled calmly, cupped his fists towards them. "Sirs, aren't you cold in there? How about we start a fire to warm ourselves?"
In early autumn, the mountain village was naturally a bit chilly. Being able to roast by a fire was something they'd welcome.
The soldier spoke and laughed, coming out of the room. They indeed started a bonfire.
Liu Kai did this for a reason.
If everyone remained hidden in the dark, it would be easier for these soldiers to spot the little girl's movements.
But if the soldiers were in plain sight and the little girl and her companions were in the shadows, the chance of discovery would be greatly reduced.
The only hardship for the little girl and her group was that they would likely freeze tonight.
Indeed, they waited until dawn broke before word came down from the mountain, confirming that Cui Fugui had a household servant named Ah Xiang and that he would be allowed to proceed after verification below the mountain.
At this point, "verification" was nothing more than a few questions.
After a night of conversation, these soldiers had developed an inexplicable sense of trust in Liu Kai. Seeing the message from the mountain, one of them seemed reluctant to part.
"Alas, Uncle Ah Xiang, you truly know the heavens and the earth. I'm truly reluctant to let you go like this."
The man spoke, wiping away a couple of fake tears.
Liu Kai smiled slightly and cupped his fists. "Sirs, you jest. What merit does Ah Xiang have to be spoken of in such a way?"
He then cupped his fists towards the other soldiers. "If that is the case, I shall take my leave."
With that, Liu Kai unhurriedly turned and headed towards Green Ox Mountain.
Leaving Hetou Village, there were two checkpoints behind Chen Xiaobei's courtyard and before entering Green Ox Mountain, with each checkpoint requiring three inspections.
Fortunately, Liu Kai had prepared meticulously. Besides the letter Cui Fugui had written for Ah Xiang, he only carried a little dry food, water, and two changes of clothes.
This dry food was enough for him for two days, which was considered ample.
Normally, he would reach the Mountain God Temple after noon, and then proceed another dozen miles to the steep slope. He would be there before dark without any issues.
Arriving at the Mountain God Temple in the morning, Liu Kai took the opportunity to rest and eat, circling the area twice. He was certain there were no enemy scouts or anything of the sort before he whistled with his little finger in his mouth.
Before long, there was a rustling sound from the distant woods, followed by several figures swiftly approaching. It was the little girl and her companions.
The little girl landed and cupped her fists towards Liu Kai. "Old steward, what are your orders?"
Liu Kai nodded, pointing towards the mountain. "According to the information I gathered last night, there will be Zhu Meng's troops twenty li further up. You should go ahead, and I will try to catch up before dark."
The little girl agreed, waved her hand, and soon led her group to disappear into the woods.
Thankfully, the leaves had not yet begun to fall, otherwise, the whereabouts of the little girl and her group would have been difficult to conceal.
Liu Kai, having eaten his fill in the dilapidated temple, rested against a tree for a while. Estimating that the time was about right, he slowly got up and hurried towards the mountain.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Green Ox County Town below had become extremely tense.
The reason was simple: the Eastern and Northern routes of the army supporting the King had arrived.
The two armies, totaling over a hundred thousand men, were stationed along the Xiao Family Town line.
The Supreme Daoist ordered the city gates to be tightly shut. No matter who challenged them, they were to resolutely defend and wait.
His strategy was clear: wait for the Great Tuguo and Great Lingguo to send troops, and when Xiao An's army's morale wavered, that would be the opportune moment for his counterattack. Su Dan Novel Network.
This decision somewhat surprised the Lotus Cult Master. She had initially thought that if no one was found for two days, the city gates would open, and she could slip out.
But to her surprise, not only did the city gates remain closed, but the sentries were visibly increased, and the patrolling soldiers on the city streets had also become more numerous.
The Lotus Cult Master immediately realized that the situation outside the city must have changed.
It was highly likely that reinforcements had arrived.
Soon, a bold idea formed in her mind, and she decided to take a gamble.
At sunset, Princess Zhaoning received a secret letter from the Lotus Cult Master.
After reading it, Princess Zhaoning was extremely excited and immediately took the letter to see Prince Xiao Jingyun.
"Imperial Brother, my master has sent word from Green Ox County Town. The atmosphere in the city is tense, and everyone is in a state of panic. This is a good opportunity for us to attack the county town."
Xiao Jingyun frowned. "Jingfeng, haven't I told you? It's not that I don't want to fight, but I don't want to cause bloodshed. Moreover, there are so many civilians in the city."
Princess Zhaoning chuckled. "My master says he wants to open the gates at night for us to rush in."
Hearing this suggestion, Xiao Jingyun was startled.
"That's not feasible, not feasible. Green Ox County Town is so small. If we don't have enough men, we won't be able to get in. If we have too many, we won't be able to maneuver. A melee would inevitably involve civilians."
"But Imperial Brother, I think this idea is feasible." Princess Zhaoning remained unconvinced.
Xiao Jingyun sighed. "Tell the Lotus Cult Master immediately not to act rashly. Wait for my orders."