But what the chief leader couldn't understand even more was yet to come. Overnight, Qingfeng Village became a fish on the chopping block, completely at the mercy of others.

"Boss, what should we do?" The others could not hide their panic. They had been committing evil deeds in Qingfeng Village for many years, but this was the first time they had been forced to such a point.

Upon hearing this, the leader's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he gritted his teeth, saying viciously, "Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to strike first."

He fixed his sinister gaze on Song Zhiyu. Given the current situation, having an important hostage was the only way for them to leave safely.

Of all the people in front of them, Song Zhiyu, who appears gentle and harmless, is the best choice.

More importantly, he could sense that everyone, including Su Jinyang, was intentionally or unintentionally protecting Song Zhiyu.

If we can capture her, we can not only avenge our third brother, but also ensure their safe departure so they can make a comeback in the future.

The leader's plan was excellent and very thorough, but he underestimated the variable that was Song Zhiyu.

"You'll all follow me later," the leader said in a low voice, a hint of determination on his face.

With these brothers by my side, even if I leave in a sorry state now, I will always have a chance to make a comeback one day.

"Boss, where is that benefactor? Why isn't he coming to help us? You've done so much for him and given him a large sum of money. He can't just abandon us and let us live or die."

Although Qingfeng Village had always been working for Prince Li, only the chief knew his true identity; everyone else simply referred to him as a nobleman.

Judging from this nobleman's methods and years of protection, they could more or less sense that this person was extraordinary and had considerable influence in the court, which was why they dared to act so recklessly.

Now that the imperial court has sent troops to attack, they have not received any prior notice. Some astute individuals already know the whole story.

"Fool!" The leader glared at the person who asked the question. If Prince Li wanted to protect them, the imperial army wouldn't have been able to attack Qingfeng Village so easily.

The leader spat inwardly, then without further hesitation, swung his broadsword at the nearest soldier.

Su Jinyang's expression hardened, and he instinctively stepped in front of Song Zhiyu. He drew his long sword and, with a flick of his wrist, slit the throat of a bandit.

"Yu'er, stay away. Swords have no eyes, don't let them hurt you." After giving this instruction, Su Jinyang picked up his sword and went to meet the leader. The two exchanged blows several times in an instant, each strike deadly and merciless.

Song Zhiyu took two steps back, then raised her hand and threw out white powder at the people who were attacking her, aiming it directly at their vital points.

In a moment, the knives in their hands fell to the ground. They belatedly covered their stinging eyes and let out screams of agony.

Song Zhiyu curled her lips into a smile. She might not know martial arts, but she knew how to use poison.

Although the leader was fighting with Su Jinyang, he was also looking for an opportunity to kidnap Song Zhiyu.

Upon seeing this scene, the leader's eyes widened in shock. He never expected that his burly subordinates couldn't even handle a little girl.

But he couldn't get away now either. Although this young General Su was young, he was very skilled and wielded a sword with consummate skill. In just a few rounds, he had already suffered quite a bit.

No, if this continues, he'll perish here sooner or later.

The leader's eyes darted around, and with a flick of his broadsword, he drew a dagger from his waist and lunged at Song Zhiyu in the instant Su Jinyang dodged.

"careful!"

Su Jinyang was also keeping a close eye on Song Zhiyu's situation. For the first time, he looked helpless. He immediately sheathed his sword and rushed towards Song Zhiyu.

Su Jinyang's back was suddenly exposed, giving the leader an opportunity. He smiled sinisterly and swung his broadsword without hesitation.

But his smugness didn't last long. It was as if the strength in his hands had been instantly removed, and he couldn't even grip the hilt of the knife.

"How could this be?" The leader stared in disbelief at Su Jinyang and Song Zhiyu, who had walked up to him. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he would die with regrets if he didn't get to the bottom of this.

Song Zhiyu shook the small porcelain bottle in her hand. Relying on her memories from her previous life, she knew Qingfeng Village like the back of her hand. "I have already poisoned the wine you drink. Combined with the aroma of these herbs, it will make people weak and unable to move."

The leader thought of the jar of wine he had drunk earlier that day. He hadn't noticed anything amiss at all, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself, "So that's how it is. I never thought that I, Xiao Yang, would one day fall into the hands of the imperial court."

He originally thought Song Zhiyu was the easiest to deal with, but he never expected that it was she who ruined his plans time and time again.

At this moment, other ministers and soldiers who had attacked from the rear also arrived and joined them.

Pei Qingyan secretly gave Su Jinyang a look, and the meaning behind their exchange of glances was self-evident.

Seeing this, Su Jinyang curled his lips into a smile, pressed his long sword against the leader's neck, and demanded sharply, "Tell me, where is the batch of government silver you hijacked a month ago?"

"It's spent." The leader shrugged laboriously, the two words floating out of his mouth.

Pei Qingyan was not angry. "But as far as I know, this batch of official silver has not circulated in the market."

After saying that, he chuckled twice and continued, "And those previous batches of military pay and provisions, they all vanished into thin air. Doesn't the chief have anything to say?"

These words clearly intended to get the leader to reveal who was behind it all. After all, the matter of the government silver was already out in the open, and there was no point in him trying to cover it up anymore.

"I……"

The leader hesitated. It was clear that Li Wang had given up on him. Did he still want to continue risking his life for him?

Pei Qingyan gave him ample time to consider. Dressed in a crimson official robe, he stood tall and elegant, his eyes exuding a cool and aloof air that inexplicably inspired trust.

The ministers who had overheard these words understood what was happening and exchanged bewildered glances.

Colluding with Qingfeng Village and embezzling government funds, the person who has the ability to protect them right under the nose of the imperial court must be someone of extraordinary status.

Unexpectedly, they overheard such a big secret while suppressing bandits. The group gave a wry smile, unsure whether this mission was good or bad.

After hesitating for a long time, the leader finally made up his mind. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "I'll say it, all these years, I've been doing this for..."

Before he could finish speaking, an arrow flew straight through his forehead, and the man's tall body crashed to the ground.

Song Zhiyu hurriedly stepped forward to check on the leader's condition, and shook his head helplessly.

The person who fired the arrow had no intention of leaving the leader a way out; the arrowhead was also poisoned, and even a celestial being couldn't save him.