“I heard there was a grand event in the capital yesterday,” Wu Yong said, restraining Mu Fan while casting a scrutinizing gaze toward Bai Shuo, a playful glint in his eyes. “The son of the Prime Minister was to marry the daughter of the Great General. But I also heard that Miss Bai suddenly fell seriously ill, bedridden, and so the marriage was delayed.”
Bai Shuo froze, her eyes lowering as an uncomfortable silence settled in the forest.
Earlier, just before Zhang Chao left the camp, Wu Yong had called him over.
“Boss.”
“What is it?”
Wu Yong pulled something from his sleeve and presented it to Zhang Chao. “This morning, I sent the men out to search the woods again, and they found this.”
It was a jade pendant, smooth and flawless, clearly a valuable piece at a touch. Engraved on its back was a small character: “Bai.” Zhang Chao’s expression shifted instantly.
“‘Bai’? The Bai family? This kid must be…” Wei City was close enough to the capital that even a bandit like Zhang Chao knew there was only one noble family near the capital with the surname Bai—the family of the Great General.
“Boss, she’s most likely…” Wu Yong whispered a few words in Zhang Chao’s ear. “This is a big deal, well-known all over the capital.”
Zhang Chao glanced at the mountain with hesitation. “If she’s really from such a family, perhaps we shouldn’t harm her…”
“Boss, don’t be foolish!” Wu Yong lowered his voice. “All the more reason to ensure she doesn’t leave Mount Mu Xiao. If the Bai family learns we’ve captured her, the whole camp will be done for!”
“You mean…” Zhang Chao gestured with his axe, his face darkening with a vicious expression.
Wu Yong nodded. “Dead men tell no tales. However, considering her status, she must have brought along something valuable to sustain herself. Now that she’s in our hands, we shouldn’t let this opportunity go to waste.”
Gripping the exquisite jade pendant, Zhang Chao nodded firmly. “You’re right. Let’s go!” With that, Zhang Chao hurried toward the mountain, while Wu Yong’s eyes gleamed with a strange silver light.
“A guest of such high status on our humble mountain. Don’t you agree, Miss Bai?”
A jade pendant was tossed to the ground, spinning as it landed near Bai Shuo’s feet. She stared at it, her face paling as she picked it up and took a few steps back.
“Xiao Bai, you…” Mu Fan looked at her in shock, but Bai Shuo lowered her gaze, stubbornly meeting Zhang Chao’s eyes.
“Leader, please let this Brother Mu go. He knows nothing.”
Before Zhang Chao could respond, Wu Yong sneered, “I didn’t expect Miss Bai to be so loyal. Truly worthy of being from a general’s family. Rest assured, Miss Bai, we’re only after wealth and have no intention of offending the Great General’s household. Whether this young man survives, however, depends entirely on you.”
“I don’t have anything valuable on me. If the two of you like, just take this,” Bai Shuo said sincerely, holding up the jade pendant.
“You must be joking, Miss. For you to go so far as to flee your own wedding, you must be prepared to live freely for the rest of your life. A single little pendant like this surely won’t suffice as a life-sustaining treasure.”
Before Bai Shuo could respond, Wu Yong struck Mu Fan with the back of his blade. Blood spurted from Mu Fan’s mouth, staining his chest as his face turned ghostly pale.
“Brother Mu! What exactly do you want?” Bai Shuo’s eyes blazed with fury. Even a person as cautious as her couldn’t just watch someone suffer because of her.
“What else do bandits want? Gold, silver, jewels, and rare treasures,” Wu Yong replied with a smirk. “As long as Miss Bai can show us a little sincerity and satisfy our leader, we’ll release this young man right away!”
“Fine! I’ll give you what you want. You want my treasure, don’t you?” Bai Shuo shouted, clenching her hands tightly.
Wu Yong’s expression changed, and his grip on his sword loosened slightly.
“But you must promise me that if I hand it over, you’ll let him go!” Bai Shuo pointed to Mu Fan. “Not a scratch more on him!”
0 Comments