Liu Tie was also alerted. He led his men to guard the tent, watching these people rush past them cautiously, scattering in all directions along the crossroads.
After the group had gone far, Liu Tie shook his head in confusion, "Strange, these people look like soldiers."
"Why did so many of them suddenly run off?"
Upon hearing Liu Tie's words, Chen Xiaobei's heart stirred, "Brother Liu, do you think something unexpected happened in Jizhou City?"
Liu Tie nodded, "It must be."
"They look like Zhu Meng's subordinates. Could it be that Jizhou City was captured and they were scattered?"
"That would be great. If Jizhou City is taken, the war will be over," Chen Xiaobei sighed with emotion.
As the two were talking, another dozen or so strong men rushed over.
Someone saw the two tents by the roadside and suddenly walked towards them.
Before Liu Tie and Chen Xiaobei could speak, the newcomers' eyes turned cold. They directly drew their sabers from their backs and swung them at Liu Tie.
Seeing that the other party resorted to violence without a word, Liu Tie was not one to tolerate it. His body flickered, and he appeared behind the man, raising his hand and striking him squarely on the back.
The man spat out a mouthful of blood, dropping his saber with a clang.
Then, his body swayed twice before he collapsed on the ground.
The man clutched his chest, gasping for breath, looking at Liu Tie with an incredulous expression.
Perhaps he never imagined that he would be crippled in a single encounter.
Liu Tie picked up the saber from the ground and placed it at the man's neck, sternly asking, "Tell me, who are you?"
The man's eyes showed fear as he began to beg, "Spare my life, good sir, spare my life! We had no choice. We wanted to borrow some silver from you to make our way home."
Hearing this, Liu Tie frowned, "Who are you?"
"I am Zhu Meng's subordinate. We were scattered when we broke through last night. I just want to go back to my hometown in Tianzhou."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei quickly interjected, "What's the situation in Jizhou now?"
"I don't know anymore. Anyway, we are scattered. Zhu Meng has already broken through and left. When we fled, we saw the Crown Prince's men beginning to enter the city."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Tie exchanged a look and couldn't help but smile.
They never imagined that the battle for Jizhou would end so quickly.
Liu Tie sighed, reached into his怀, and took out a few pieces of silver, tossing them in front of the man.
"Take it and go back to your hometown."
The man looked at Liu Tie with gratitude, then knelt on the ground and kowtowed respectfully. He then picked up the silver and stumbled away.
After he left, Liu Tie put his pinky finger into his mouth and let out a loud whistle.
Hearing the whistle, the guards Liu Tie had brought immediately emerged from the tent.
"Everyone, stay alert. There may be many rogue soldiers coming today."
Suddenly, Chen Xiaobei's heart jolted. Since these people dared to come and demand money from him and Liu Tie, would they do the same if they encountered Cui Hongyu on the road?
With this thought, he quickly tugged at Liu Tie's arm and simply explained his worries.
Liu Tie pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly.
"Brother, what you say makes sense. If they encounter these vicious soldier-ruffians on the road, it might really be hard to say."
"In that case, I'll take a few people to meet them."
Chen Xiaobei, however, shook his head firmly, "Brother Liu, I should go. After all, this is my family matter." Su Dan Novel Network
"No, it's too conspicuous for you to go. Since they could kidnap Cui Hongyu, they probably recognize you," Liu Tie stated his reason.
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment and finally agreed, "Alright, then I'll trouble you, Brother Liu."
As they spoke, Huang Ying also emerged from the tent.
"Brother Xiaobei, I'll go too."
Chen Xiaobei turned to look at Huang Ying and nodded gently.
"Huang Ying, be careful on the road. And if you encounter these soldier-ruffians, don't be too polite. Just kill them if necessary." Chen Xiaobei's tone also became firm.
In times of war and chaos, one could not subdue these people without being ruthless. Only by resorting to extreme measures would they be intimidated.
Huang Ying smiled and said, "Brother Xiaobei, don't worry. Their trifling skills are no match for me!"
Soon, Huang Ying, Liu Tie, and others rode away. Seeing them leave, Chen Xiaobei's heart was in his throat again.
Huang Ying and Liu Tie's group spread out over a long distance, nearly three li apart, with Huang Ying at the forefront.
Liu Tie did not argue with her, as this was Chen Xiaobei's family affair.
Huang Ying whipped her horse and rode swiftly. In a short while, she had left Liu Tie and the others far behind. Seeing this, Liu Tie couldn't help but shake his head, thinking she was an impatient girl.
Huang Ying rode for over ten li. Ahead, there were a few pedestrians in twos and threes, some coming this way, others going the opposite direction. However, she did not see the carriage Liu Tie had mentioned.
Perhaps it hadn't arrived yet. Huang Ying urged her horse forward again and rode another twenty li.
There was a patch of grass by the roadside ahead. Huang Ying dismounted, letting her horse graze, and took a drink of water, waiting for Liu Tie and the others there.
Just then, she heard the neighing of a horse in the distance.
Immediately after, a carriage appeared by the roadside in the distance. Yes, it was indeed a carriage.
Seeing the carriage, Huang Ying became excited. An idea struck her. She quickly walked to her warhorse, tethered it to graze, and deliberately turned her back to the main road.
This way, by slightly shifting her position as the horse moved, she could observe the occupants of the carriage without revealing herself completely.
It had to be said that Huang Ying's experience in the martial world was of great help to her.
The carriage soon approached. Huang Ying glanced at it and saw Chen Sanqiu.
It was him. Although she didn't know his name well, Huang Ying was certain that he was from Hetou Village.
The appearance of someone from Hetou Village here clearly confirmed their analysis: the kidnapper of Cui Hongyu must be someone they knew.
Sitting next to Chen Sanqiu was Liu Xiaobao. Huang Ying didn't recognize this person, but looking at his sharp, cunning features, she assumed he was no good.
Huang Ying's mind raced, and she reached into her waist, pulling out two flying needles. With a slight flick, two cold glints shot rapidly towards Chen Sanqiu and Liu Xiaobao.
Since she wasn't sure if these were the ones who kidnapped Cui Hongyu, Huang Ying didn't aim for a fatal blow, targeting only their arms.
Chen Sanqiu and Liu Xiaobao, who were driving the carriage, felt their arms go numb, and then they couldn't lift their entire arms.
"Xiaobao, why do my arms feel so heavy?"