Chapter 75 Soaring Flames: Xue Rongyue must have known.
The night was like thick ink that couldn't be dissolved in an inkstone, flowing heavily and shrouding the mountain village in a heavy gloom.
As dusk settled, the mountain wind stirred restlessly, causing the high-hanging flag to flutter wildly. In the distance, the wind rippled through the air, revealing a continuous range of mountains, while nearby stood a fortified village. Beams of fire flickered on the battlements, and several bandits, with machetes at their waists, patrolled the village.
"...The time is almost up."
Ji Dian leaned against the door frame, gazing at the majestic mountains in the distance. His brow furrowed slightly, and he sighed heavily, deep in thought.
A candle was lit inside, its faint light insufficient to extinguish the darkness of the night. The tiny glow swayed precariously in the wind, nearly going out several times.
Qin Jin stood by the window, his elbow resting on the windowsill, casually looking at his right hand.
The orange-red firelight cast a hazy golden edge on one side of his eyebrow, softening his originally sharp and rugged features. The light and shadow created a clear boundary on his handsome face, and the flickering flames reflected in his deep eyes, obscuring many hidden and turbulent emotions, leaving only a absent-minded look.
"Aren't you going to let go?"
Xue Rongyue tilted her head, her lips slightly upturned, and her gaze slowly moved from their tightly clasped hands to his face. Even after three or four hours, her teasing words were still vivid in her mind.
With his well-defined knuckles pressed against his brow, Qin Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the ripples that kept rising in his heart, as well as... the embarrassment of being seen through.
Xue Rongyue must know.
Qin Jin's breathing was slightly heavy and disordered, so he must have known that he was deliberately not letting go.
The mocking gaze was imprinted in his mind, and the heat rushed uncontrollably to his neck and ears. Qin Jin had forgotten how he answered at the time, but he was sure that the excuse he came up with must have been very clumsy. Xue Rongyue's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but were not, had already exposed him without any politeness.
The soft, boneless hands seemed to still linger in his palms. Qin Jin felt as if a feather had brushed against the most sensitive and itchy spot on his heart. Even with his knuckles clenched into a fist, he still couldn't stop the tingling sensation from spreading up and down from his palms.
His dry, tight throat made him cough involuntarily. Qin Jin's gaze fell on his right hand, which was held up in front of his eyes. His restless heart made his right hand stiffly move towards the tip of his nose inch by inch.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he hesitated, then lowered his head to smell the faint fragrance that might linger on the knuckles of their clasped hands.
Ji Dian: "......"
After waiting for a long time without receiving a reply, Ji Dian turned around and witnessed everything. Completely dumbfounded, he covered his mouth and coughed heavily twice.
Qin Jin suddenly realized what was happening and froze on the spot.
His strong, muscular back instantly tensed, and feeling the piercing gaze on his side, he closed his eyes and forced out a few words through gritted teeth: "We're all brothers, can we pretend we didn't see anything?"
Before Ji Dian could even begin to negotiate, he preemptively said, "You can choose any weapon from my private treasury."
Upon hearing this, Ji Dian swallowed the words he was about to say and crossed his arms, saying, "You said it yourself."
Qin Jin said, "I said it."
"Alright then." Ji Dian turned around with a pretentious air, not forgetting to add, "I specially went to the Taoist temple to get you some exorcism talismans. Remember to carry them with you at all times. In your current state, it's really... hard to say."
Seeing him turn away, Qin Jin's tense body relaxed slightly. He gripped the windowsill with both hands, facing the cool night breeze, and exhaled deeply.
“Actually…” Ji Dian hesitated before speaking again, “I didn’t even realize what was happening just now.”
"......"
Qin Jin froze again.
Ji Dian innocently spread his hands: "You're too guilty, brother. So guilty that I've figured it out. Your sneaky behavior just now must be related to Xue Rongyue, right?"
Qin Jin: ""
Taking advantage of the situation, Ji Dian made an outrageous demand: "I want to choose three items, or I'll tell Xue Rongyue, not anyone else."
Although he didn't know what to tell, Ji Dian was confident that this attempt to take advantage of the chaos would succeed. The weapons in Qin Jin's private treasury were priceless treasures that ordinary people rarely saw.
"..." The veins on the back of his hand bulged powerfully. Qin Jin gritted his teeth, finally giving in and closing his eyes. "...Take it!"
It is pronounced "挑" but actually means "roll".
"You've finally met your match." Ji Dian couldn't help but burst into unrestrained laughter.
***
Achoo!
Xue Rongyue sneezed unexpectedly, frowned, and muttered softly, "Someone must be talking bad about me."
"It's windy tonight, my lady, you shouldn't stand in the wind." Jingnu brought over a cloak and draped it over Xue Rongyue, then handed her a cup of hot tea.
Xue Rongyue took the teacup, her gaze sweeping over the bandits standing not far away without revealing her expression: "How are the arrangements going?"
"Everything is fine."
Jingnu lowered her voice and said, "There are nine bandits secretly watching over the lady. Four of them were sent by Prince Qin and Prince Ji, and they are the ones watching over her right now, so there's no need to worry. As for the other five, Luo Zhen has been gambling and having fun with them a lot lately, so they are not so wary of him anymore. They have agreed to continue gambling tonight, and the game has already been set up."
"Once things get chaotic outside, Luo Zhen will tie up these five bandits."
Xue Rongyue asked, "Has the message been sent out?"
Jingnu nodded: "The message has been sent out. The men guarding the foot of the mountain have already gone up the mountain overnight, and the men guarding the outer perimeter of the stronghold have also begun to move towards the east side of the stronghold as instructed by Prince Qin. Don't worry, my lady, everything is prepared. We will definitely rescue Lady Zheng safely."
The noisy evening breeze swept past Xue Rongyue and then went away. Her skirt, lifted by the wind, left ripples in the night, and stray hairs fell casually on her cheeks.
Xue Rongyue nodded, raised her eyelids, and looked at the tallest house in the mountain stronghold not far away: "Have you kept an eye on it?"
Jingnu's heart skipped a beat, and she nodded. After hesitating for a moment, she finally couldn't help but ask, "My lady, it's dangerous on the mountain. Why risk your life at this time? Your safety is the most important thing. Why not wait until things settle down before trying to find out what Prince Qin has to say? Now that you and Prince Qin have such a good relationship, he probably won't hide anything from you."
"no."
Xue Rongyue shook her head and said calmly, "There are so many bandits in the mountain stronghold. It's not easy to wipe them all out in one fell swoop. Qin Jin and Ji Dian must have reinforcements. Once the reinforcements arrive, we don't know what the situation will be like. Since it concerns my brother's whereabouts, and I've been in this bandit's den for so long, there's no reason for me to back down at the most critical moment."
Upon hearing the words "brother's whereabouts," Jingnu knew she couldn't persuade him anymore. She sighed softly, lowered her head, and pondered repeatedly how much poison powder and fumes she had secretly brought up the mountain.
No matter how perilous the situation, she had to ensure her wife's safety; she didn't care about anything else.
I only hope that everything goes well for Prince Qin and Prince Ji, and that my wife will be in less danger.
Amidst the persistent wind, a muffled rumble could be faintly heard, like muffled thunder exploding in thick, dark clouds. A damp, cold chill clung to the layers of branches, and the flickering lights, appearing one after another from near to far, danced uneasily. Patrolling bandits passed by the gate, their footsteps rustling softly on the mud and gravel ground. They joked and laughed unrestrainedly, only to have their laughter suppressed by the howling wind.
At the beginning of Hai hour, several beams of fire shot into the sky from all directions of the mountain stronghold.
The mountain stronghold was thrown into complete chaos.
Black smoke, mixed with the glow of fire, billowed up into the sky, obscuring the thick, dark clouds floating over the distant mountains.
The fire was fierce, almost swallowing the sky, and spread outwards uncontrollably. Shouts, noises, cries for help, and footsteps rang out wildly at this moment. Even though she was a little far away from the fire, Xue Rongyue seemed to feel the waves of heat coming from it.
"My wife."
Luo Zhen rushed in with a grave expression, not even having time to wipe the sweat from his face: "Those bandits have all been drugged and tied up to the treetops. They've been given a full dose of drugs, and their mouths have been gagged."
"Go," Xue Rongyue said calmly. "After rescuing Shuman, go down the mountain immediately and hide in the place we agreed upon beforehand."
Upon hearing this, Luo Zhen was unwilling to take a step: "My lady, you have sent all your men to rescue Madam Zheng, and you are only taking Jingnu and two guards with you. I am really uneasy. Why don't... why don't you let me go with you? There are plenty of people to rescue Madam Zheng, so one more won't make a difference."
Xue Rongyue said, "Your safe rescue of Shuman puts my mind at ease. With no worries, I will naturally be safe and sound."
Her tone was unquestionable as she waved her hand: "Go."
Seeing her resolute attitude, Luo Zhen looked helpless. After hesitating for a moment, he had no choice but to obey and leave: "Then please take care, my lady."
Luo Zhen left in a hurry, and about fifteen minutes later, Jingnu quickly pushed open the door and walked in. She had changed into a more comfortable Hu-style dress. After entering, she nodded to Xue Rongyue: "Madam Zheng has been rescued from the dungeon, and Luo Zhen is preparing to take her down the mountain."
Jingnu, covered in sweat and panting heavily, said, "The fire has already spread, and many soldiers have rushed up the mountain. Sure enough, those few people fled to the back of the mountain."
Setting down her teacup, Xue Rongyue stood up, her fingertips tracing the long whip hanging at her waist, and nodded slightly: "Let's go."
As soon as he finished speaking, two guards leaped from the rooftop, and the four of them fastened their cloaks and stepped out of the house amidst the chaos.
The fire started in the granary first. By the time Luo Hongfang saw this, it was too late. He watched the flames raging in the distance with a pounding heart. Then he saw Ji Dian leading dozens of bandits, looking furtive, heading towards his house. He immediately pounded on the windowsill.
Although he was stupid, with such a huge change happening before his eyes, even before the government troops had stormed into the mountain stronghold and before everything had settled down, he knew that something was wrong. His pair of sinister, upward-slanting eyes narrowed, and he stared at Ji Dian's departing figure with a sinister look. His eyelids twitched violently, and his eyes, reflecting the firelight, burst forth with intense hatred: "As expected... as expected!"
He gritted his teeth, but it was too late to say anything. The bandits protecting him hurriedly kicked the door open and breathed a sigh of relief when they saw him standing there unharmed.
Liu Ge, who was in charge, strode forward and said anxiously, "Boss, we can't delay any longer. The fire has spread, and that Ji guy is leading people to search for you everywhere. If the stronghold collapses, it may block the tunnel, and then we really won't be able to leave!"
Luo Hongfang didn't delay any longer. He grabbed the gold and silver treasures that he had prepared beforehand and wrapped in cloth, patted Liu Ge on the shoulder, and promised in a deep voice, "Thanks to you, otherwise I would have really fallen into their trap! When I make a comeback in the future, I will definitely share wealth and glory with you!"
Liu Ge sighed, "If it weren't for you, Boss, I would have died fighting with wild dogs for food long ago. It was you who took me in and gave me a way to live, allowing me to eat and drink well. I have long regarded you as my own brother, and I would protect you even if it meant going through fire and water."
"Boss, this is not the time to talk, we have to go," Liu Ge said. "If we can't find you in the house, Ji Dian will definitely send people to search everywhere. Let's leave quickly before the fire spreads here and before they can find us!"
Carrying his gold and silver treasures, Luo Hongfang strode past the bookshelves and into the depths of the room.
This was a library he had specially commissioned to be built. Although the room was not large, it was crammed with books. If it were placed in another bandit's den, it might seem particularly out of place and strange. However, thanks to his former status and usual demeanor, his men, though reluctant, did not cause any trouble when he ordered the library to be built.
Although this place is not usually guarded, most of the bandits are illiterate and would not come here, let alone discover the secret passage hidden there.
Reaching the last bookshelf, Luo Hongfang squatted down, pulled out one of the books, and placed it on the top shelf. Immediately, a "click" was heard, and a bottomless black hole appeared on the floor behind the screen.
Luo Hongfang strode over, threw the gold and silver jewelry he was carrying into the ladder, and then climbed down: "Let's go! Once we leave this place, someone will come to meet us!"
Having said that, he nimbly climbed down the ladder, and his figure quickly disappeared into the black hole.
Liu Ge watched Luo Hongfang climb down the ladder quietly. His hand, which was resting on the broadsword at his waist, slowly tightened its grip on the hilt. A barely perceptible cold light flashed in his lowered eyes. He curled his lips and then took the lead in climbing down the ladder.
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