Xiao Jingyun was overjoyed to hear the news, clapping his hands and exclaiming with delight.
However, Liu Rumei was not as happy as expected. "Are you sure it was the Lotus Sect?"
"Yes, according to their informant, the Lotus Sect Leader personally led people into the mountains to follow you. Several experts from the Chu family were with her."
Upon hearing this, a hint of ferocity flashed in Liu Rumei's eyes, a chilling killing intent.
She stood up, cupped her fists towards Xiao Jingyun, and said, "Your Highness, it was this Lotus Sect Leader who hired Li Tong to kill my second brother. Please grant me permission to go up the mountain to avenge my second brother."
Xiao Jingyun's expression turned solemn upon hearing this. He glanced at Zhou Quan.
"Take a few men up the mountain with you and lend Liu Rumei a hand."
Zhou Quan was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. "That's not appropriate, Your Highness. If we all go up the mountain, who will protect your safety?"
Xiao Jingyun remained composed. He looked at Liu Rumei and then at everyone present. "I have already thought of an excellent place."
Everyone was bewildered. Where was this excellent place? Even Liu Rumei couldn't help but advise, "Your Highness, all factions are heading towards Qingniu Mountain. You should be careful. It would be best to return to the capital first."
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand. "No, I will not go back. The excellent place I speak of is Hetou Village."
Hetou Village?
Everyone present was dumbfounded. Zhou Quan said anxiously, "Your Highness, the villagers of Hetou Village, although they have a village guard, none of them know martial arts. If they encounter strong enemies, they may not be able to protect your safety."
Xiao Jingyun looked at him and gently waved his hand.
"Not so, not so. When we crossed the river, those two village girls were from Hetou Village."
Upon hearing Xiao Jingyun refer to Chen Ziyan and Huang Ying as village girls, Liu Rumei wanted to laugh but dared not.
Seeing her strange expression, Xiao Jingyun asked in confusion and surprise, "Rumei, what did I say that was wrong?"
Liu Rumei steadied herself and quickly explained, "Your Highness, those two are not village girls. They are the teachers that Chen Xiaobei hired at a great cost for Hetou Village. And they are both unmarried young women."
Hearing Liu Rumei say this, Xiao Jingyun was also taken aback. "Is this true?"
Liu Rumei nodded. "It is indeed so. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can ask tomorrow when you arrive at Hetou Village."
While Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was enjoying food and drink here, the Lotus Sect Leader and Chu Han and others were having a hard time on Qingniu Mountain.
It took them three days to climb out of the canyon. After walking for half a day, dusk began to fall. News came that they would reach a steep slope if they went further.
The Lotus Sect Leader's heart sank upon hearing that they had not yet passed the steep slope.
Chu Han was puzzled. "Sect Leader, why are you so dejected?"
The Lotus Sect Leader looked at Chu Han and said worriedly, "The iron chain bridge was occupied by Liu Rumei and her group. Do you think they would let the steep slope pass?"
"We sent so many men. They couldn't possibly not be able to hold even one steep slope, could they?" Chu Han asked in surprise.
The Lotus Sect Leader looked at Chu Han and understood his mood completely.
"If you don't believe me, you can sneak closer tonight and see for yourself."
After speaking, the Lotus Sect Leader ordered them to find a place to set up camp, specifically requesting that no fires be lit.
Chu Han, feeling unconvinced, rushed towards the steep slope under the cover of night.
From a distance, Chu Han felt that something was not right.
The steep slope was eerily silent. There was no sound, no light, and it was as if no one was there.
Was there truly no one?
Chu Han did not dare to be careless. He fumbled and picked up a small stone.
He threw it towards a patch of grass below the steep slope.
The stone landed in the grass, making a slight noise, and startled a few unknown insects.
After waiting for a while, there was movement from the top of the steep slope.
A clump of dry grass was lit and thrown down the slope.
Seeing this action, Chu Han immediately felt a chill.
If one held a torch and looked down from the steep slope, the people on the slope would be in the light, and those below would be in the dark.
But by throwing a burning clump of grass down, it meant that those below were in the light, and those above were in the dark.
This alone showed that those guarding the steep slope were no ordinary individuals.
Chu Han's admiration for the Lotus Sect Leader grew. Her judgment of the situation was remarkably accurate.
Chu Han lay in the grass until the fire died out and there was no more movement from the steep slope. Only then did he quietly get up and walk back.
He did not realize that on the steep slope, Liu Tie and Liu Ce were quietly watching him. They saw a flicker of movement.
Liu Ce gave Liu Tie a thumbs-up. "As expected, someone came to scout."
Then he stood up. "I'll go and follow them. You two stay here and guard."
At this moment, Yang Zhi, who was nearby, couldn't help but speak up.
"Steward Liu, let me go. I dare not say anything else, but when it comes to tracking, I, Yang Zhi, have never conceded to anyone."
Liu Ce pondered for a moment and nodded. "Alright. Just don't be reckless."
"Mark your path along the way. If you don't return by dawn, we will pursue you."
Yang Zhi agreed, called out to two men, and followed them down the steep slope.
Watching Yang Zhi and his men walk away, Liu Tie frowned.
"The person sent to the foot of the mountain to deliver a message should have reached the county town by now."
Liu Ce nodded. "They arrived long ago. The fact that there's no reply yet suggests that the young lady has not returned."
Upon hearing this, Liu Tie appeared resolute. "If we don't have news of the young lady by dawn, we will have to go into the mountains."
That night, Ma Biao finally reached the Dragon King River around the second watch.
Although the river was much smaller than when Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei had crossed, it was still surging.
Looking at the turbulent river, Ma Biao pondered for a moment and made up his mind.
"You all cross first. I'll cover the rear."
The others, not understanding his intention, carefully crossed the Dragon King River first.
Ma Biao held up two torches and looked at the bridgehead for a long time before finally making a decision.
He first took out a dagger and cut the two ropes above.
Then, he placed the two torches on the two ropes below. The consequence of his action was that the torches would burn through the ropes in no time.
Amidst everyone's astonishment, Ma Biao leaped into the air, covering more than ten feet upon landing. With only three or four leaps, he crossed the Dragon King River.
As he landed, he heard a crackling sound. The ropes were burned through, and a dazzling burst of flames erupted. As the ropes fell into the river, the flames disappeared.
Ma Biao instructed everyone to untie all four ropes and find a place to hide them.
Someone asked in confusion, "Military Advisor Ma, why don't we take the ropes with us?"
Ma Biao smiled calmly. "Perhaps someday, we will return. If these ropes are still here, I can rebuild this bridge."
The others then suddenly understood.
However, after hiding the ropes, Ma Biao still showed no intention of descending the mountain.