Chen Xiaobei struck a flint, lit a stone bomb, and threw it directly at Sima Wushuang in the distance.
Sima Wushuang and Daoist Jueding reacted quickly. Upon seeing figures on the steep slope, they retreated almost simultaneously. After only a few steps, they heard a thud as a stone landed at their feet, emitting wisps of smoke.
In an era without gunpowder, they were baffled by this object.
Exchanging bewildered glances, Daoist Jueding was the first to recover.
He tugged Sima Wushuang. "Run!"
As soon as he spoke, a muffled bang echoed, and the stone bomb exploded.
However, this stone bomb was crudely made. It merely shattered into several pieces, lacking lethal force but possessing a terrifying effect.
A cloud of smoke instantly enveloped the area, startling them into yelps as they sprang over ten feet away.
Meanwhile, the guards at the bottom of the slope, ambushed, had four or five men fall. The remaining few retreated in panic, vanishing into the smoke.
When the smoke cleared, everyone was covered in soot.
Sima Wushuang fared the worst, his face so blackened that his features were unrecognizable.
Having never encountered such a thing, they fled like whipped dogs, not even pausing to wipe their faces, scrambling back the way they came.
On the steep slope, seeing Sima Wushuang and his group escape, the crowd erupted in cheers again.
Suddenly, someone pointed down and shouted, "Look, there's another one alive."
Following the direction of the finger, they saw someone not far from the stone bomb's explosion, clutching their leg and crawling laboriously on the ground.
Chen Xiaobei beckoned and led two others down. Su Dan Novel Network.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei approaching, the man's face contorted in panic. He shouted, "Spare my life, spare my life!"
His face was smudged with soot from the explosion, making him unrecognizable.
One of his legs was dragged uselessly, clearly broken.
"What happened to your leg?" Chen Xiaobei asked, pointing.
"I don't know. I was running, and suddenly I felt something hit me, and it just... broke."
Chen Xiaobei looked down and searched the area. Indeed, the stone bomb had been blasted into two large halves by the gunpowder.
A large chunk of rock had fallen onto the path. So, it was a piece of rock that had broken his leg. It seemed this stone bomb wasn't entirely without effect.
The effect of this stone bomb was more akin to a stone grenade.
However, this was an unexpected bonus.
At this point, a village guard approached Chen Xiaobei and whispered, "Xiaobei, village head, what should we do with this guy? Why don't we just finish him off?"
Chen Xiaobei looked at the blackened face and a thought struck him.
Right, Liu Ce had asked him to create a fake Sima Wushuang to send down the mountain. Here was a perfect candidate!
With this idea, he instructed two village guards, "Tie him up and gag him, don't let him blabber."
The two guards immediately stepped forward and, in a flash, bound the man securely. Then, they tore off a piece of cloth and stuffed it into his mouth.
After a considerable effort, they managed to get the man up the steep slope.
Chen Xiaobei said to Ma Xiaogang, "Those scoundrels are down to five or six, and they probably won't be back for a day or two. I'll go down the mountain and take this fellow with me. I'll leave things here to you."
Hearing this, Ma Xiaogang burst into laughter. "After being beaten by us twice here, they probably won't dare to come back."
Chen Xiaobei said sternly, "We can't be careless, especially at night. Make sure no one sneaks up."
"Don't worry. We have three sets of sentries. We guarantee no one will get through."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and called for four village guards to make a makeshift stretcher. They carried the man and prepared to descend.
Considering the time, if they started now and maintained a fast pace without rest, it was possible to reach the foot of the mountain before dark.
However, four people wouldn't be enough for that. After some thought, Chen Xiaobei called for one more, making a total of six people, so that two could rest while the others took turns.
Just then, Ma Biao also returned to Hetou Village.
After reporting his findings to Liu Rumei, Liu Rumei was also puzzled.
"There have never been any rumors of the Lotus Sect leader interfering in court affairs for years. Why have recent events all been attributed to him?"
Liu Ce said solemnly, "Miss, could it be that the Princess has sided with the Imperial Tutor?"
Liu Rumei shook her head. "Judging by her recent actions, the Princess doesn't seem to be helping the Imperial Tutor. It's more like she's instigating conflict between the Crown Prince and the Imperial Tutor."
"The Princess wants us to destroy each other so she can benefit in the process."
"Miss, shouldn't we quickly convey this news to His Highness the Crown Prince?" Liu Ce suggested again.
Liu Rumei shook her head. "Finding a few Lotus Sect members lacks persuasive power."
"Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince is already surrounded. Adding or subtracting one more doesn't matter much."
After speaking, she looked up at the sky. "It's already the second day. Will Chen Xiaobei bring us a surprise?"
Meanwhile, at Chen Xiaobei's home, Huang Ying was engrossed in making gunpowder.
Cui Hongyu and Shen Ziyan watched her with great interest, one on each side.
Huang Ying became impatient with their watching and complained, "Hey, stop watching and lend a hand!"
Shen Ziyan replied with a smile, "But we don't know how."
Huang Ying then looked at Cui Hongyu. "You're Xiaobei's closest person, you must know how."
Cui Hongyu deliberately spread her hands. "Alas, your Xiaobei's confidante doesn't know either."
Speaking of which, she deliberately emphasized, "Alas, it seems your Xiaobei still favors you."
This statement clearly carried a hidden meaning, hinting at something.
Shen Ziyan immediately understood. She was quite surprised that Cui Hongyu harbored such thoughts.
But they were all good sisters, and there were some things she couldn't say. She could only glare at Huang Ying again and say, "Sister Huang Ying, why don't you just become his disciple? Become Xiaobei's disciple."
Before she could finish, Cui Hongyu immediately and directly objected, "No, no, wouldn't I then become Sister Huang Ying's master's wife?"
Just then, Chen Qiaoer, who had been silent beside them, suddenly spoke, "Don't you call me Auntie?"
The three looked at each other. After a moment of stunned silence, they burst into hearty laughter.
Huang Ying put down what she was holding and stood up, feigning anger. "You little imp, watch me spank your bottom."
Chen Qiaoer, frightened, turned and ran, with Huang Ying chasing close behind.
Shen Ziyan took the opportunity to say to Cui Hongyu, "Sister Hongyu, I think it's better for Huang Ying to leave soon."
Cui Hongyu frowned. "Why?"
"Sister, haven't you noticed a change in her attitude towards Chen Xiaobei recently?"
Cui Hongyu smiled gently. "So what? I don't mind."
"You." Shen Ziyan was speechless.