When they finished their pleasantries, Li Dong sidled up to Chen Xiaobei and said in a low voice, "I've already spoken with Da Yong, and he knows why we're here."
Chen Xiaobei nodded in approval. Li Dong's approach was flexible and cleverly maintained his dignity in front of Da Lao Hei while also letting Chen Da Yong in on the truth.
Since both sides had been appeased, the next step was easy: to get down the mountain quickly.
As the saying goes, "The heart longs for home." They reached the Mountain God Temple just after noon, and upon arrival, Chen Xiaobei suddenly didn't want to leave.
He wanted to visit Gourd Valley again, but there were too many people, especially with Da Lao Hei's men present.
Fortunately, Li Dong, ever observant, seemed to understand everything. During the noon break for lunch, he approached Chen Xiaobei and asked in a low voice, "Are you thinking of going to Gourd Valley?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded slightly. "Yes, it's been a while. I should go and see it."
Li Dong chuckled. "That's easy."
"Just do this and that in a moment."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and quietly asked the village security team member Chen Xiaobo to stay with him.
After eating their fill and resting briefly, Li Dong called everyone to continue their journey.
Suddenly, Chen Xiaobei clutched his stomach. "Ouch, my stomach suddenly hurts."
Li Dong feigned helplessness. "Then we'll wait a bit before leaving."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand. "No, no, you all go ahead. I'll catch up later. Otherwise, the villagers will be waiting impatiently."
Chen Xiaobo seized the opportunity and stepped forward. "I'll stay with Xiaobei. You guys go on ahead."
Da Lao Hei smiled at this scene. It was clearly an act for everyone to see. He didn't know what Chen Xiaobei was up to, but then again, whatever Chen Xiaobei did was irrelevant to him; he had fulfilled all the requests.
Li Dong, of course, went along with the charade, urging everyone to hurry back.
Only when everyone was out of sight did Chen Xiaobei, accompanied by Chen Xiaobo, head to Gourd Valley.
After a tour of Gourd Valley, Chen Xiaobei was relieved. Everything was as usual, and the markers he had left were untouched, indicating that no one had entered the valley for a long time.
"Brother Xiaobei, do you want to pick some more to take back?" Chen Xiaobo clearly had his hopes set on it.
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. Just as he was about to speak, a sudden thought struck him. These weren't from his own property; it was natural for anyone to pick them. With that in mind, he smiled and said, "Ah, if you need some, take a few. I have plenty at home, so I won't pick any."
After speaking, Chen Xiaobei found a stone to lean against and closed his eyes, pretending to take a nap.
With Chen Xiaobei's permission, Chen Xiaobo was overjoyed. He circled around a few times and eventually dug up two ginseng roots and picked two lingzhi mushrooms.
Seeing his performance, Chen Xiaobei felt gratified.
He wasn't greedy.
That was the most valuable quality.
Chen Xiaobei suddenly remembered the matter entrusted to him by carpenter Zhang. As he walked down the mountain, he asked Chen Xiaobo, "Brother, carpenter Zhang is taking two apprentices. Xiaowen has already gone to learn. Do you want to go too?"
Chen Xiaobo looked surprised. "No way, how could Xiaowen afford the tuition?"
Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that carpenter Zhang charging tuition was common knowledge in the village.
Or rather, only he was unaware.
One could imagine the plight of the former Chen Xiaobei, who lived a life of idleness.
He didn't even know such ordinary things.
As soon as Chen Xiaobei entered his home, Cui Hongyu rushed to meet him, looking anxious. "Husband, what's wrong? I heard your stomach was unwell."
Chen Xiaobei gave a sly smile. "That was a lie. I deliberately fell behind to take a trip to Gourd Valley."
Cui Hongyu glared at him playfully. "How did you learn to lie?"
Chen Xiaobei suddenly felt a wave of love, a genuine concern from Cui Hongyu's heart.
Chen Xiaobei pulled Cui Hongyu into his arms and remained silent for a long time.
It was Chen Qiaoer who finally broke the silence.
She came over with a bowl of water. "Brother, have some water."
While he was drinking, Cui Hongyu told Chen Xiaobei that no one had been arranged to go into the mountains to pick fruits today.
Chen Xiaobei instantly understood Cui Hongyu's meaning. She had been prepared to go into the mountains to look for him at any moment.
"It's alright, it's alright. We'll go into the mountains to pick them early tomorrow morning. We can deliver to Old Wu in the county town first, and then to Xiao Jia Town. There's still time."
"By the way, tell me, was the delivery today smooth?"
Cui Hongyu nodded. "Everything went smoothly. Sister Liu helped me deliver it."
Chen Xiaobei was still a little surprised. This change in address indicated a significant development in their relationship.
He supposed that building a good relationship with Liu Rumei wouldn't hurt.
...
Meanwhile, Da Lao Hei and his men, including Yang Chun, had returned to Centipede Ridge.
Upon entering the Hall of United Gathering, Da Lao Hei urgently shouted, "Quickly, quickly prepare a feast! I'm starving."
However, this time Da Lao Hei had a table set up in his own room. He wanted to discuss matters privately with Yang Chun, Xiong Fei, Hou Liu, and a few others.
Of course, for these common thugs, it didn't matter as long as they had food and drink.
The feast was laid out, and after downing two cups, Da Lao Hei looked at the men and asked, "Tell me, where do you think is the best place for us to make our move?"
Xiong Fei chuckled. "What's there to say? Of course, it's the Chain Bridge. Even with wooden planks laid down, the Chain Bridge isn't easy to cross. If we hold the bridgehead, we kill one who comes, and a pair who come."
Yang Chun, however, shook his head. "Brother, although the Chain Bridge is easy to defend and hard to attack, I don't think it's the best choice."
"Oh? What do you mean?" Da Lao Hei was a bit confused.
Yang Chun took a sip of wine, looked at everyone present, and said unhurriedly, "Brother, the Chain Bridge is too far up the mountain. It takes a day's journey to get there."
"I'm worried that Liu Yuanwu won't travel that far."
As soon as Yang Chun said this, Da Lao Hei was initially stunned, then grinned and laughed. "Hmm, Brother Yang is right. What if Liu Yuanwu is just a spoiled brat, and only goes up the mountain for a stroll? He'd be lucky to reach the Mountain God Temple."
Yang Chun shook his head. "That's unlikely. Brother, do you remember that steep slope? The one that's almost a sheer drop, where you need ropes?"
"How could I forget? That slope is like it was cut by a knife."
Yang Chun nodded. "We'll ambush them there."
No matter who it was, they would have to descend along the ropes.
So, if we just shoot a few arrows from hiding, wouldn't that solve the problem?
Hearing Yang Chun's plan, Da Lao Hei slammed the table, startling Hou Liu.
"Excellent, excellent! This idea is brilliant."
"Even if Liu Yuanwu is incredibly powerful, he'll still have to slide down the ropes. When he's dangling in mid-air, killing him will be easier than killing a chicken."
He then raised his wine cup. "Let's drink until we're satisfied."