As the man hesitated, he heard his subordinate's voice from outside.

"Second Master, the First Master has requested your presence at the Dragon Tiger Hall. He says he wants to discuss how to deal with the government troops!"

"I'm coming right away!"

The man concealed his resentment, turned around, and strode out.

"Phew..." Liu Yingying finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But the brain wasn't idle.

The bandits outside had just called the man "Second Boss," but they never expected him to be the second-in-command on West Vulture Mountain.

Also, the bandits said they were going to discuss how to deal with the government troops...

So that means the government has really taken action this time?

Liu Yingying was overjoyed. If the government could intervene, the chances of these hostages on the mountain returning alive would be much greater!

And she also needs to ensure her own and everyone else's safety as much as possible before that happens.

About half an hour later.

The second-in-command hadn't returned yet, but he sent someone to bring Liu Yingying to the Dragon Tiger Hall.

When Liu Yingying walked in, she discovered that the vicious bandits were actually holding a victory celebration banquet here.

Her gaze swept across the room discreetly.

Sitting in the hall was a man around forty years old, who looked much like Li Kui. He was having women on his left and right, eating meat and drinking wine in large bowls.

The person seated slightly below him was the second-in-command, who, however, had no woman beside him.

However, the spot on the right is empty...

"Come here, sit here!" The second-in-command beckoned to her with an arrogant look.

Could she refuse? Obviously not!

Liu Yingying secretly rolled her eyes and sat down beside him.

Her appearance also caught the attention of the head of the gang.

"Second brother, your tastes have changed... Yesterday, we brought up several young girls from the mountain, why did you have to pick this middle-aged woman?"

Haha... middle-aged woman... I thank your whole family!

Liu Yingying cursed inwardly.

Then the second-in-command spoke up: "Brother, you don't know this, but if someone gets used to eating sweet and delicious dishes, it's nice to try something spicy once in a while!"

Upon hearing this, the leader looked her up and down again, and Liu Yingying felt very uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Hmm, not bad, this woman is indeed quite attractive, but she's a bit old... But I'm glad you like her, second brother!"

Upon hearing this, the second-in-command glanced at Liu Yingying, picked up his wine glass, and directly changed the subject: "Come on, big brother, we've had a very fruitful trip down the mountain this time. Let me toast you!"

Then came another round of boisterous toasting and drinking.

It was clear that everyone present was in high spirits, showing no sign of distress at being surrounded by government troops.

Liu Yingying sat quietly to the side. The second-in-command didn't speak to her, so she tried to act as if she were invisible, but secretly she looked everyone present up and down.

She noticed that every bandit with even a little status was accompanied by one or two young women.

They were smiling, trying to please the men beside them.

But if you look closely, you'll find that these women are actually not willing to serve these bandits.

They were originally respectable women, but now they've been kidnapped to this bandit's den and reduced to prostitution...

Just as everyone was indulging in a life of debauchery, the leader suddenly smashed the chopsticks in his hand.

"Smack!"

"Did they change the cook on the mountain? Why is there so much salt in this roast lamb leg? Are they trying to kill me with salt?"

Seated on his seat, the leader's face was grim, and his murderous aura was palpable.

Apart from the second-in-command who remained calm and composed, everyone else below was trembling with fear.

Soon, the cook in charge of roasting the lamb leg was brought in and knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

"Boss, spare me... spare me!"

The leader rested his chin on his hand, squinted at him, and slowly said, "Do you know how much evil you've committed?"

"ah?"

The cook was taken aback by the seemingly random sentence.

The other bandits, however, wore expressions of anticipation, as if watching a good show.

The leader continued, "Everyone knows that this is a famine year, and food is scarce, let alone fresh lamb legs. The brothers on the mountain slaughtered an entire village to bring back just this one lamb... and you put so much salt in it. How am I supposed to enjoy it?" His tone was already filled with bloodlust.

Upon hearing this

The cook's face turned ashen.

He wasn't the first head chef on this mountain; his predecessor was beheaded in public simply for cooking one dish wrong...

At this moment, the head of the gang drew a large knife, stood up, walked down the steps, and came to the cook.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he waved his right hand.

"Snap!"

The cook's head flew off, and blood spurted out like a fountain.

The women who were serving drinks were terrified, but dared not make a sound, and simply covered their mouths tightly with their hands.

The men, however, were already used to it and continued eating and drinking as usual...

Witnessing all of this.

Liu Yingying clenched her fists under the table.

She only hated this cannibalistic world!

I hate these heartless beasts!

I hate myself for being so powerless!

"By the way, you still haven't told me your name?" the second-in-command suddenly asked, his expression full of mockery.

Liu Yingying lowered her eyes, concealing the murderous intent within them, and replied in a completely emotionless tone, "Liu Yingying!"

Remember this name!

Because I will be the one to personally send you beasts to hell!

"Liu Yingying..." The second-in-command stroked his chin, savoring the three characters. "It's a good name. From now on, I'll call you Xiao Ying."

"Whatever makes you happy!" She forced a fake smile.

At this moment, the head of the gang had returned to his seat. After coldly glancing at the cook's corpse, he asked, "Does this man still have any family members on the mountain?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yingying felt a bad premonition rise in her heart again.

"Reporting to the chief, the cook's wife and children are also on the mountain; the little one is not even a year old yet!"

"I've heard that the meat of this infant in swaddling clothes is better than that of any beast in the world. I was originally planning to use this infant as the main dish on your birthday, Master!"

Liu Yingying gasped again; they actually wanted to eat a human infant...

How despicable! How hateful!

Just then, someone else suggested with a wicked grin, "Boss, you don't know this, but the cook's wife is actually just over sixteen, quite beautiful. We've all kept her for you, haven't touched her..."

"Oh, in that case, bring that cook up here so I can have a good look at her!"

The head of the gang gave the order, and soon the cook was brought in.

She was busy in the kitchen and had no idea what was happening when someone came to her and said that the head of the household wanted to see her.

She was a little scared. She remembered that her husband had also been taken away about an hour ago, and now they were coming to take her away too. She was afraid it wasn't a good thing...

As she entered the hall, she immediately noticed the headless corpse on the ground.