The Lotus Cult Leader and Chu Han, disguised as ordinary folk, mingled with the boisterous crowd.
Having never met Chen Xiaobei, they couldn't recognize him and had to rely on snippets of conversation from the villagers as they walked.
As luck would have it, Xiao Qing came running from a distance, shouting, "Chen Xiaobei, Chen Xiaobei."
Although Liu Rumei treated Chen Xiaobei with great courtesy, Xiao Qing clearly had no good impression of him and continued to call him by name.
The Lotus Cult Leader and Chu Han exchanged glances and quietly moved closer to Chen Xiaobei.
Xiao Qing arrived in front of Chen Xiaobei and, still in a flurry, asked, "Have the village protection team members who went to Longwang River returned?"
Chen Xiaobei, mistaking Liu Rumei's concern, cupped his fists with a smile and replied, "They returned last night. Please tell Miss Liu that I will thank her in person once I'm done with this."
"Did they return after hearing our notification?" Xiao Qing pressed again.
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, it was your people who went to deliver the message."
After hearing this, Xiao Qing inwardly exclaimed "Not good" and, without another word, turned and ran.
Seeing Xiao Qing's hurried departure, Chen Xiaobei sighed and shook his head.
"What's with this rash Xiao Qing?"
At that moment, Chu Han quietly took out a cowhair needle, intending to strike, but was stopped by the Lotus Cult Leader.
She lowered her voice and said, "I want to kill this brat myself."
With that, she leaped up like a bird and pounced towards Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei, preoccupied with directing everyone to quickly move supplies, was completely unaware.
However, Huang Ying, standing behind Chen Xiaobei, sensed that something was wrong, hearing a faint rustle of clothing. She instinctively turned her head.
A figure was rapidly lunging towards Chen Xiaobei.
"Not good."
Huang Ying swiftly extended her right hand and gently patted Chen Xiaobei's back.
Chen Xiaobei stumbled and lurched forward a couple of steps.
He had narrowly dodged the Lotus Cult Leader's attack.
The next instant, Huang Ying grabbed her waist, and a short saber appeared in her hand. With a series of swift movements, she delivered three strikes towards the Lotus Cult Leader.
Failing to land a hit, the Lotus Cult Leader was also quite surprised. She clearly hadn't expected such a skilled expert to be by Chen Xiaobei's side.
She retreated rapidly, evading Huang Ying's three strikes, and then looked closely at Huang Ying, only to freeze.
"Junior Sister?"
At this point, the Lotus Cult Leader, disguised as a village woman, had not been recognized by Huang Ying.
However, the voice sounded very familiar. Huang Ying, holding her dagger, pointed at the Lotus Cult Leader.
"You are..."
The Lotus Cult Leader could no longer bother with killing Chen Xiaobei. She wiped the dust from her face and said, "I am your Senior Sister Tang Lianhua."
Huang Ying immediately smiled, "Ah, it's Senior Sister Lianhua."
She was about to step forward but suddenly paused, her expression changing. "Wait, Senior Sister, why did you just attack Brother Xiaobei?"
Chen Xiaobei, still bewildered, looked at the Lotus Cult Leader, whom he didn't recognize.
The Lotus Cult Leader, Tang Lianhua, sighed and pointed at Chen Xiaobei, asking, "Huang Ying, who is he to you?"
"He's my brother, and he's Brother Hongyu's man."
Hearing this, the Lotus Cult Leader let out a slight sigh. She glanced back at the still bewildered Chen Xiaobei. "Consider yourself lucky. I'll spare you today."
Chen Xiaobei, however, was not appeased. If she spared him today, what about the future? He wouldn't always have Huang Ying by his side.
"Miss, I have no past grievances with you, nor recent enmity. Why do you attack me so fiercely?"
"Hmph," the Lotus Cult Leader spat with disdain. "You killed two of my disciples at Longwang River, and you dare speak of no past grievances, no recent enmity."
So that's how it was. Chen Xiaobei actually felt relieved.
At this point, Huang Ying beside him spoke up first, "Sister Lianhua, you have the wrong person. As they say, each serves their own master. We do not follow the same person. Deaths are inevitable when sides clash."
Upon hearing Huang Ying's words, a flicker of surprise crossed the Lotus Cult Leader's eyes. "Are you drawing a line between us?"
Huang Ying nodded. "Senior Sister, although we share a bond as fellow disciples, I now follow Brother Xiaobei. If you intend to harm him, I will never agree." Su Dan Novel Network
From Huang Ying's gaze, the Lotus Cult Leader clearly perceived something.
She couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. "Alright, I understand your feelings. I will let Chen Xiaobei go this time. Chen Xiaobei, remember this: if you oppose me again, I will show no mercy."
With that, she turned to leave. But Huang Ying suddenly called out loudly, "Senior Sister, I forgot to tell you, Sister Ziyan is also here."
Upon hearing this, the Lotus Cult Leader abruptly turned back. "What did you say? Ziyan is with you?"
Huang Ying nodded. "Yes, yes. She's gone to handle other matters. By the way, where are you staying? We'll come find you later."
The Lotus Cult Leader hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed slightly. "A person in the Jianghu drifts, with no fixed abode."
"I will find you again."
With that, she left without looking back.
Watching the Lotus Cult Leader depart, Chen Xiaobei finally let out a long breath.
He turned to Huang Ying and cupped his fists. "Thank you for saving my life."
He then prepared to bow.
Huang Ying quickly reached out and steadied him. "Hey, Brother Xiaobei, why are you being so polite with me?"
However, she only managed to hold his arm, and Chen Xiaobei unexpectedly bowed to her.
Chen Xiaobei was slightly taller than Huang Ying. As he bent forward, they were in close proximity, almost face-to-face.
Their eyes met, and Chen Xiaobei was momentarily stunned. He saw a hint of tenderness in Huang Ying's eyes.
Despite her usually carefree personality, Huang Ying was still a virgin, never having been so close to a man.
Their eyes met, and she became flustered, quickly letting go and looking away.
Chen Xiaobei also immediately realized his lapse in etiquette. "Oh dear, how impolite."
Just then, a voice called out from a distance, "Xiaobei Village Chief, come here for a moment."
Chen Xiaobei seized the opportunity to compose himself and hurried over.
Watching Chen Xiaobei leave, Huang Ying's expression became somewhat complex. "Strange, why did his gaze just now make my heart pound?"
That look made her feel as if she were drowning, unable to extricate herself.
"Oh dear, no, no, what am I thinking about? Chen Xiaobei is Brother Hongyu's man." Huang Ying muttered to herself.
She adjusted her thoughts and quickly followed after him.
Meanwhile, Liu Rumei, having heard Xiao Qing's report, frowned and immediately realized that something might have gone wrong. "Xiao Qing, take a few people and go to Longwang River again. Make sure to tell Ma Biao and the others to return quickly."
"Also, if there are any accidents and you can't return tonight, cross Longwang River directly, re-enter the mountains, and rendezvous with us near the Iron Chain Bridge."
After making the arrangements and watching Xiao Qing leave, Liu Rumei did not feel any sense of relief. At best, Zhu Meng's army would arrive tomorrow, and no one could predict the situation then.