"I saw clearly—it’s Tong Bahe, that old scoundrel! Last time, he escaped with his explosives after we tried to take them. Now, somehow, he’s teamed up with that woman. It’s strange!"
"Tong Bahe’s men?" Ruo Wen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That old fox isn’t to be trusted. If he brought two hundred men, there are surely more hidden nearby!" He paused for a moment before giving his orders. "Eagle, take a team to check the surrounding hills, especially near the granary. I’m not falling for one of his tricks. The rest of you, stay on guard and be ready for a surprise attack. Mang Hu, Cheng Xiang, Wolf Head—you’re with me. Let’s go meet them."
"Yes, Chief!" The men quickly responded and followed Ruo Wen outside.
"He’s coming!" Tong Bahe said anxiously as Ruo Wen’s figure drew nearer. He glanced nervously at Huang Bei Shuang.
"The arrow’s already nocked. There’s no turning back now," Huang Bei Shuang said with disdain, though her heart was also pounding. Facing Ruo Wen took immense courage, and with Qing Yun not by her side, she felt even more uneasy.
As she thought about it, her brow furrowed. When had she started relying on Qing Yun so much? But there was no time to dwell on the thought. Across the field stood a line of bandits, with Ruo Wen at the center. Huang Bei Shuang’s gaze immediately locked onto him.
"Well, well, look who’s here. Old Tong? Long time no see! What brings you here today?" Mang Hu, standing beside Ruo Wen, mocked Tong Bahe with a grin.
"I say, Mang Hu, do we even need to ask? Old Tong clearly has a death wish, coming here to get himself killed," Wolf Head added mockingly.
Ruo Wen made no move to stop their rude remarks. Instead, his face remained inscrutable, his sharp eyes fixed on Huang Bei Shuang. He couldn’t understand why, but every time he looked at her, a fierce, uncontrollable stirring welled up inside him, filling him with both anxiety and desire.
"Ruo Wen, let them go. This is just a needless plunder for you. I’ll give up the jewels and food if that’s what you want," Huang Bei Shuang said, locking eyes with him. The two stood in tense silence for a long time.
"You don’t seriously think a small group like this can force me to back down, do you? Don’t think for a second that you’re the only one with explosives—mine are much bigger!" He stepped aside, revealing rows of cannons aimed at them. Tong Bahe’s men visibly flinched.
"Ruo Wen, take a look at me. I’m standing here alone. Do you wonder where Qing Yun might be right now?" Huang Bei Shuang maintained her composure, her voice steady, betraying no fear.
"What are you trying to say? I know that old fox didn’t bring all his men. You’re just a distraction, aren’t you? Trying to divert my attention while the rest set up an ambush," Ruo Wen said, but he didn’t seem entirely convinced.
As the standoff continued, one of Eagle’s men approached Ruo Wen with a report. Ruo Wen listened, his expression darkening. "So, it’s true!" he said, looking up at Huang Bei Shuang. "You’ve got about a hundred people sitting in my grain storehouse, each with a bag of explosives, like they’re guests!"
Huang Bei Shuang gritted her teeth and replied, "You’re right! You have more men, and even if we both blow everything up, it’s not certain you’ll win. But you still need food, don’t you? You kill and plunder for it. I’m not asking for much—you don’t have to lose everything."
Ruo Wen studied her for a moment, then smirked slightly. "Cheng Xiang, bring the remaining prisoners here," he ordered. He nodded toward Mang Hu as well, signaling for him to act.
Huang Bei Shuang felt a brief sense of relief but remained cautious, hoping nothing would go wrong.
"So, tell me," Ruo Wen said leisurely, "how did you figure out where our grain storehouse is?"
"In your room, I saw the map on the wall," Huang Bei Shuang replied.
"Impressive! You noticed that even in such a situation. Well done!" Ruo Wen laughed. By now, the captured members of the E’naqi tribe had been brought out. They were gaunt and worn, standing weakly between the two opposing groups.
"Why are there so few left?" Huang Bei Shuang’s anger boiled over, and she couldn’t help but shout at Ruo Wen.
"Of course, these are all that’s left!" Ruo Wen laughed maniacally. "Had you come any later, there wouldn’t even be these few!"
Huang Bei Shuang’s heart sank as she gazed at her emaciated people. Of the 150 who had started this journey, only ten guards and three maidservants remained, all of them pushed to the brink of collapse. One hundred fifty people! And now, this was all that was left.
"Release them!" Her fists clenched, her knuckles cracking from the strain.
Ruo Wen shrugged, seemingly bored, and agreed. The remaining thirteen stumbled toward Huang Bei Shuang.
"My lady, your people are back, but mine are still in there!" Tong Bahe hurriedly reminded her, nervous about how long this fragile truce would last.
Huang Bei Shuang ignored him, her fury focused solely on Ruo Wen. Her eyes blazed as she spat, "Ruo Wen, you’re not human! You’re a madman! A maniac deserving of death by everyone’s hands! You’re heartless! Where is Duo Zai? Bring her out! I want to see her, dead or alive!" She struggled to keep her tears from falling.
"Don’t push it, woman! If you anger the chief, no one will leave here unscathed!" Wolf Head chimed in smugly, stepping forward to taunt her.
0 Comments