Shen Ziyan was stunned for a long time, and finally sighed deeply.
"Alas, Sister Hongyu, I understand your feelings, but Huangying is so carefree, she might not understand your intentions."
Cui Hongyu smiled, "Yes, this matter cannot be forced."
The sky soon darkened. At this time, Hetou Village was once again in an uproar. Chen Xiaobei had returned, and he was carrying someone.
As Chen Xiaobei walked, he introduced to the villagers that this was the enemy they were going to deal with on the mountain. He also said that this person was a leader of the enemy named Sima Wushuang.
After he had spoken a few words, the village guards swarmed around, reporting the spectacle of the firecrackers they had seen. Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart completely relaxed. Since they could see it, the rest would be easy.
Liu Ce received the news and was overjoyed. Half of the plan had succeeded. He immediately began to make arrangements.
Soon, this Sima Wushuang was sent to Liu Rumei's courtyard.
According to the plan, Liu Rumei was to interrogate him alone, and it seemed that some torture was involved in the interrogation process, as Sima Wushuang's screams were constantly heard from the courtyard.
After the second watch. Liu Rumei's courtyard suddenly became lively. Ma Biao, leading a few people, hurried out with a horse-drawn carriage and disappeared into the darkness.
Not long after they left, a black figure flashed at the entrance of Hetou Village and also left the village.
Not long after he left, two more black figures followed.
Ma Biao, escorting the carriage, turned onto the official road and headed straight north towards the county town.
The black figure followed at a moderate distance.
However, to his surprise, after walking about ten miles, Ma Biao suddenly stopped.
He stopped and did not move again. The black figure hiding in the darkness seemed a little impatient.
But impatience was useless.
If Ma Biao didn't move, he could only hide in the shadows nearby.
Time passed by little by little.
It wasn't until the east began to show the pale belly of a fish.
The black figure finally lost patience, walked out of his hiding place, pretended to be passing by, and slowly approached the carriage.
When he got close to the carriage, he was instantly stunned.
It was a carriage, but it was empty.
Wooden stakes were driven into the ground, and the horses were tied to them, so the carriage remained stationary.
However, after a few snaps of his fingers, the black figure seemed to understand something and ran back.
As the sun rose, Liu Ce returned with his men.
Upon seeing Liu Rumei, his face could not hide his joy.
"Miss, it has been investigated."
Liu Rumei frowned, "Did you see who that person was clearly?"
Liu Ce nodded.
"I saw him clearly. It was Liu Ming."
Hearing this name, Liu Rumei seemed quite surprised, "I never thought it would be him."
"Miss, does he seem to have sensed something? Should we cast the net?"
Liu Rumei nodded, "No hurry. Keep a close eye on him and see who he contacts."
"What if he tries to escape?"
"If he escapes, then you, Liu Ce, will never show your face to me again."
Liu Ce naturally understood the gravity of Liu Rumei's words and immediately bowed and retreated.
Chen Xiaobei still got up early today.
While making breakfast, Cui Hongyu discussed with Chen Xiaobei that she wanted Chen Xiaobei to stay home today and that she would go to town to deliver vegetables.
But Chen Xiaobei refused. He smiled and said to Cui Hongyu, "I've thought about it. From now on, if I don't have time to deliver vegetables and fish, I'll let others do it. You're not allowed to go."
"But delivering it once is five copper coins, so we..." Cui Hongyu was obviously reluctant.
Chen Xiaobei smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. We'll earn less, but I don't want you to be exposed to the public, and I can spend more time with you."
This sudden display of affection made Cui Hongyu blush.
(Editor, aren't you, a single dog, blushing?)
Cui Hongyu also knew that although Chen Xiaobei said he wanted to spend more time with her, he must have other work arrangements. He was simply not the kind of person who only cared about his wife, children, and a warm hearth.
However, Chen Xiaobei's words still brought her a trace of joy. "Alright, we'll need a male laborer in a couple of days. I think you should just go."
Looking at Cui Hongyu's serious expression, Chen Xiaobei knew that he couldn't dampen her enthusiasm for work, so he said with a smile, "Okay, then tell me what you need me to do."
"Brother Lidong's Yongye field also needs watering. Yesterday, some of us sisters were discussing who would be suitable to go, and I think you are the most suitable."
Chen Xiaobei agreed without thinking, "Okay, I'll go and tell Dachun later to arrange for someone to go to town to deliver vegetables. I'll go with you to water then."
While Chen Xiaobei was busy making arrangements, on Qingniu Mountain at this time.
Jueding Daoist and Sima Wushuang, along with the remaining four or five people, hurriedly returned to the iron chain bridge.
Sima Wushuang regretted it deeply. Why did he have to guard this broken place, the iron chain bridge? As a result, his throat for descending the mountain was seized, and he was on the verge of being trapped to death.
Fortunately, Jueding Daoist was much calmer than him.
After a simple meal and a short rest, Jueding Daoist took out the mountain route map again and studied it carefully.
After a long time, he slowly raised his head, a look of relief on his face.
"I've got it. We can try from here."
Upon hearing this, Sima Wushuang's face showed an eager expression. "Oh, Daoist, tell me quickly, where are we going?"
Jueding Daoist pointed to the route map and slowly said, "At this position, the route map turns into the valley here, leading to the iron chain bridge and to the mountaintop."
"Yes, yes, we've taken this road several times, so there won't be a mistake."
Jueding Daoist nodded, "If we don't turn into the valley from here but continue forward, according to my calculations, we should be able to reach the dragon's eye."
"This vast Qingniu Mountain can't possibly only have one way down, can it? If we keep going forward, we'll get out, it will just take a little more trouble."
Jueding Daoist's words rekindled everyone's hope. Sudan Novel Network
Everyone walked forward continuously. As the sun began to set, they arrived at a small hill.
From afar, they could hear the sound of flowing water and birdsong.
Jueding Daoist stood there, listened for a while, and couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh.
"A good place, a good place."
Indeed, the scene ahead that came into view made everyone feel suddenly enlightened.
What appeared before their eyes was a clear spring.
The spring water gurgled and flowed into a small pond nearby.
Beside the pond, more than a dozen white birds were resting. Each bird was larger than a goose. Seeing people approaching, they neither ran nor panicked. They tilted their heads and stared at them, as if they had seen something rare.
From this, it could be seen that this place was rarely visited, and even these birds had never seen humans.
Sima Wushuang raised his hand, and several cold lights shot out.
At this moment, the birds finally sensed the danger and wanted to take flight, but it was too late.
Three birds fell to the ground with a cry, kicked a few times, and then lay still.
Seeing this, Jueding Daoist couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in his heart.