Ding Youtian rubbed his forehead, not rushing to answer. He then found a high ground and squinted his eyes. The terrain became flatter as he went north, which didn't seem like the best escape route. Although he had never traveled far before, the world he had seen through Blind Liu's mouth had already formed a clear picture in his mind.

When Blind Liu was explaining the military book to him, he once said that books are dead but people are alive, and the effectiveness of all strategies and countermeasures depends on the opponent you are facing.

Jian Ning mentioned more than once when talking about the Three Kingdoms that only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle.

He closed his eyes and reviewed everything that happened last night in his mind, going over it carefully. When he reviewed the time when they turned back from the mountain stream to the original path he and Jane Ning took, his eyelids twitched.

The horse hoof prints and footprints began to disappear from there. It was obvious that they noticed that the pursuers were heading west through the grass crushed by Qiu Ge. They would not go west again, as it would be easy to run into them if the pursuers turned back. Going south, the mountains were high and the forests were dense. Although it was easy to hide, it was difficult to travel with women and children, and the large number of people along the way made it easier to expose their whereabouts.

Therefore, traveling south is not advisable.

Then all that's left is to continue heading north.

Normally, they would have abandoned the wagons in the mountain stream, luring the pursuers north, and then turned west, not heading north again. In fact, they did turn west, but because of this, if they could strike back, it would be an unexpected trick.

Recalling the past, he opened his eyes with a smile on his face. "Jincheng, quickly take your men to the mountain stream where we were yesterday and see if the carriage is still there. If not, immediately head north along the official road to catch up with us. My wife and I will go ahead."

Jian Ning was completely speechless. She had just said they would never go to that mountain stream again, and Ding Youtian had even looked at her approvingly, agreeing with her words. This falling ass not only slapped her in the face, but also slapped his own face. What was going on?

Huo Jincheng glanced at Jian Ning and took his people away as he was told.

"Won't you give me an explanation?" Jian Ning asked Ding Youtian while staring at him after they left.

"This time is different from that time. Take me in there and chase after him first. I'll tell you in detail on the way."

Jian Ning rolled his eyes at him and ordered Brother Qiu to find a place to hide first. If they didn't come back after dark, he would let it go find them. Then he carried the basket in one hand and pulled Ding Youtian into the Baicao Room with the other.

Baicaojian's strength lies in her ability to move with her mind while also being able to sense everything outside. She dragged Ding Youtian inside and they sped along. Ding Youtian explained his thoughts to her and reminded her, "Pay attention and sense. If there's another village or market ahead, you might want to stop."

Jian Ning responded sullenly, feeling a strong sense of defeat. Just then, Ma Fuquan sent a message, "No news from the little girl yet?"

[Wu Quan.] Jian Ning hadn't addressed Ma Fuquan like that in a long time. [Am I a completely unqualified SWAT officer? I don't have any counter-detection skills at all. I feel like a complete failure. I don't deserve the title of SWAT officer.]

"I was the one who picked you for the SWAT team. Are you questioning my past self? As a SWAT officer, besides possessing exceptional physical strength, being able to master a particular area of ​​expertise is already a remarkable achievement. If every SWAT officer is omnipotent, will there be room for criminals to survive?"

[If there were no criminals in the world, there would be no need for SWAT to exist, understand?]

"Captain Wu is right." Ding Youtian, amidst the grass, could naturally see the electronic screen. "My lady, there's really no need to belittle yourself. After all..." He lowered his eyelids and touched his nose. "Not everyone is Ding Youtian, and not everyone can be Ding Youtian's wife. You should be happy."

Jian Ning narrowed her eyes slightly, glanced sideways, and glanced at his face, "You are so shameless!"

After she finished speaking, she let go of Ding Youtian's hand, and walked out of Baicaojian with a flash of her body.

Unexpectedly, just as she stepped out, she heard a "bang" and Ding Youtian was bounced out by Baicaojian. He fell flat on his back without any preparation and looked extremely embarrassed.

Jane Ning couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"It's worth it for me to fall down if I can make you smile." Ding Youtian got up and dusted off his body nonchalantly. Jian Ning had been frowning ever since Ah Man was abducted. Her sudden smile was like a spring breeze blowing through the threshold, which brightened his heart.

"Fortunately, there is no one around here. If someone with wrinkles on his face heard you calling yourself a young man, they would laugh their heads off. Remember that you are now an old farmer." Jian Ning rolled his eyes at him, slung the basket of eggs over his shoulder, and walked towards the town ahead.

"The old woman is right. Wait for me." Ding Youtian imitated the way Old Ding usually walked and chased after him with his hands behind his back.

Pingyao Town is much smaller than Baisha Town. The houses and shops are just on both sides of the official road. The town is small, so there are many people and it looks quite lively. There are many breakfast shops and the shouting sounds are constant.

"Eat a bowl of hot wontons first, and then look around. If they have stayed here, that little cunning man might have left some traces." Ding Youtian tilted his head and whispered to Jian Ning.

The two found a spot at a roadside wonton shop. The wontons were sold by an elderly couple. The old man cooked the wontons, while the old woman took care of customer service, wiping tables, and collecting dishes. Seeing that the wontons would take a while to cook, Jian Ning asked Ding Youtian to watch over the basket of eggs. After asking the old woman, she learned that the stall wasn't theirs and that the house behind was theirs. Then she asked if there was a toilet.

The old woman kept saying yes and pointed her to the place. She walked through the main hall and into the backyard. There were several baskets of charcoal piled in the corner of the backyard wall. She glanced around and took a few steps forward. Suddenly, her feet stopped and she turned her head to look at the corner.

There was a circle painted with charcoal on the wooden wall in the corner, with a cross inside it. She didn't even bother going to the toilet. She fished out half a piece of silver, pulled the wonton seller into the room, and the woman, thinking she was asking for toilet paper, hurriedly said, "There's a small scraper in the toilet that works great. I guarantee you'll get it clean."

Jane Ning lost her appetite after she talked so much. She stuffed half a piece of silver into her hand and said, "Bring the money for two bowls of wontons. No need for change. I want to ask you something."

"Well, tell me, tell me. As long as I know something, there is no reason for me not to tell you." The old woman was so happy to hear that she didn't need to give change that she smiled and quickly put half a piece of silver into her arms.

"Old sister, to be honest, my daughter-in-law's two cousins ​​stayed at my house for several days. My son and daughter-in-law had a few words this morning. My daughter-in-law was very angry and took my granddaughter and her two cousins ​​away in a huff. I wonder if there are any..."

"Yes, yes, yes!" The old woman interrupted her before she finished her words, "But did she drive a carriage? Your granddaughter was born... Oh, that's not right." She glanced at Jian Ning, who was dressed like an ordinary peasant woman in coarse cloth clothes, "That's wrong. That little girl and that young lady don't dress like ordinary people. They can't be your daughter-in-law and granddaughter."

"That's right. How long have they been gone?" Ding Youtian walked in with a smile.