Feng Xiaoyue's eyes flashed with surprise at Chen Xiaobei's question.
"Why would brother suddenly ask about this?"
"I just saw two acquaintances acting suspiciously and entering that courtyard. I was a bit curious."
Feng Xiaoyue nodded, "I've heard of that courtyard too. It's where people from the martial world live. They usually trade information, and sometimes they even engage in hiring assassins."
Chen Xiaobei's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a nonchalant demeanor. "Oh, I see. That's not a place for honest folk like us."
"Exactly. Brother, you should stay away from those two friends of yours in the future. We are decent people and shouldn't associate with those from the martial world."
Chen Xiaobei outwardly agreed but began to ponder.
Logically, after having two fingers severed, they should have been recuperating quietly at Sizhimian. Yet, the three of them had suddenly left Hetou Village and come to Xiaojia Town.
Furthermore, they went to this residence.
Could it be?
Chen Xiaobei suddenly had an ominous feeling.
Had the three of them fallen out with Yang Zhi?
Yes, he had to go back and confirm with Yang Zhi immediately. If they had truly fallen out, would they really hire assassins? Assassinate whom? Yang Zhi? Or...
Hu Laoqi and the others returned to the inn. The three of them ordered some food and drinks and began to imbibe in their room.
"My two brothers, are you assured now? Five thousand taels of silver can find the top assassins in the Great Cang Kingdom. It will definitely be enough to take care of Yang Zhi and those two women."
Liu Mazi chuckled, "Seventh Brother, you're truly quick-witted. We are all impressed."
Hu Laoqi laughed heartily, "Alright, no more flattery. Once we've eaten and drunk our fill, we'll head to the county town."
Cao Bei, who was sitting nearby, couldn't help but interject, "Seventh Brother, we were living perfectly fine here. Why are we going to the county town?"
"Alas, we used to live in Xiaojia Town. If Yang Zhi discovers we've run off, he might chase us here. So, we must leave as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Liu Mazi and Cao Bei instantly lost their appetite for drinking.
"Seventh Brother, now that you mention it, I really can't drink this wine with peace of mind. How about we leave immediately?"
Seeing their nervous state, Hu Laoqi had no choice but to put down his wine cup.
"Look at you two, so spineless. Fine, let's find a carriage. We'll drink again in Qingniu County town."
The three of them hastily finished a few mouthfuls of food and got into a carriage, heading for Qingniu County town.
Chen Xiaobei wandered around the county town. In the end, he bought more food and supplies, deliberately purchasing extra pork.
After all, with Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying, there were four more mouths to feed. They couldn't be shortchanged when it came to meals.
Just as he finished his purchases and was preparing to return, he suddenly froze. Wasn't that Hu Laoqi and his companions sitting on a carriage at the street entrance?
Chen Xiaobei thought he was seeing things and rubbed his eyes again.
Yes, it was indeed Hu Laoqi and the others. The white gauze wraps on their hands were too conspicuous.
That's strange. Weren't they staying in Xiaojia Town? Why were they in the county town again?
Chen Xiaobei was a little bewildered, but his curiosity drove him to see what was going on.
Chen Xiaobei followed from a distance and saw the three of them turn left and right, finally stopping in front of an inn called Bafang Inn.
Another inn? Chen Xiaobei felt suspicious, but he had no more time to linger. He had to return to Hetou Village before dark.
Upon returning to Hetou Village, Cui Hongyu was chatting with Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying. School had already ended.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei return with so much meat, the three of them were overjoyed. In these times, eating meat was a luxury only for wealthy families.
Huang Ying, in particular, waved her hand at Chen Xiaobei casually, "You do your thing. We'll cook the meal and call you when it's ready."
Cui Hongyu smiled and nodded at Chen Xiaobei, signaling that Huang Ying could handle it.
Three women could put on a show. It would be peaceful for him to just eat. Chen Xiaobei tethered the carriage and hurried to Sizhimian. He had to find Yang Zhi to get a clear answer about Hu Laoqi.
Yang Zhi and the others were also preparing food and drinks. Joy had dispelled the sorrow that night.
Dachun and his men were working diligently, and the house was being built rapidly. It had already been topped out today.
They would be able to move into the new house in three to five days. Therefore, Yang Zhi had gathered everyone for a drink to celebrate and to boost morale, which had been shaken by Hu Laoqi's escape.
Just as they were about to raise their cups, Chen Xiaobei arrived.
Yang Zhi warmly greeted him, "Brother Xiaobei, you've come at just the right time. Sit down and have a drink."
Chen Xiaobei smiled and waved his hand, "I'll pass on the drink. Brother Yang Zhi, I have something I'd like to ask you."
Yang Zhi put down his wine cup, told everyone to drink first, and then walked three zhang or so away with Chen Xiaobei.
"What is it? So secretive."
"Brother Yang Zhi, where did Hu Laoqi and the others go?" Chen Xiaobei asked directly.
Yang Zhi was taken aback, then chuckled, "They went out. Our leader agreed to it."
From Yang Zhi's brief hesitation, Chen Xiaobei knew that Hu Laoqi's departure had other hidden reasons.
However, since Yang Zhi wasn't disclosing it, Chen Xiaobei couldn't pry further. He nodded and said, "Ah, I saw them in Xiaojia Town, so I came to ask. Since your leader agreed, then I must have been meddling."
"Hey, it's not a big deal. Since you're here, sit down and have a drink." Yang Zhi quickly changed the subject.
"No, since there's nothing wrong, I'll be going back now."
Xiaobei smiled, bid farewell, and turned to leave.
As he walked back, Chen Xiaobei mused, Hu Laoqi had fallen out with Yang Zhi. This was enough to confirm that Yang Zhi's silence was merely a matter of not wanting to air dirty laundry.
Therefore, Hu Laoqi might be suspected of hiring assassins. He should start making preparations.
The biggest problem now was that the village guard team in Hetou Village, although enthusiastic and eager, had no martial arts skills. Thus, he needed to find someone for help.
Right, he should find Liu Rumei. The dozens of people she brought were all top-notch experts.
At this moment, Liu Rumei, along with Xiaoqing and Xiaohong, was enlarging and redrawing the map of Qingniu Mountain, hanging it on the front wall of the room.
Liu Rumei stared at the steep slope, her gaze unwavering.
"Liu Ce, look. If someone were to attack us while we were ascending or descending this steep slope, we would have no chance to retaliate."
Liu Ce smiled and shook his head, "Miss, you worry too much. The nearest forest is still thirty zhang away. A surprise attack is impossible."
"No, even if it's impossible, we shouldn't let our guard down."
As they were speaking, someone knocked on the door from outside. "Miss, Village Head Chen Xiaobei is here."
Liu Rumei quickly led a few people to open the door and greet him.
"Village Head Xiaobei, what brings you here?" she said, gesturing for Chen Xiaobei to sit down.
Soon, Xiaoqing served tea.
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, "I don't visit without reason. I've come today to ask for Miss Liu's help."
"Yesterday, Yang Zhi's men infiltrated the school. The two teachers we just hired were almost killed."