They could only retreat into the deep mountains and forests with the help of their companions.
The last two remaining were Song Lao Da and Song Lao Er, who cautiously held their long knives and kept their eyes constantly on their surroundings.
Magistrate Liu clenched his teeth again, impatiently urging, "What other demands do you have! Don't push your luck!"
Song Lao Er stepped forward, "Three thousand taels of silver, not a penny less. Deliver him down the mountain by noon tomorrow, and we'll exchange the money for the person then!"
"You!" Magistrate Liu was so angry he almost fainted, and Zhang, the clerk, quickly helped him up.
About an hour after the other bandits left, Song Lao Da and Song Lao Er followed suit and retreated.
In the deserted bandit stronghold, only Magistrate Liu and his young yamen runners remained.
The sky was overcast, a sign that a heavy rain was about to fall.
Master Zhang advised, "Sir, why don't we take the troops back? We can make further plans after we see the young master tomorrow."
Magistrate Liu flicked his sleeves and walked angrily down the mountain path.
"I, a dignified county magistrate, am actually being threatened by bandits! It's outrageous and utterly shameful!"
"My lord, patience will bring peace. We're not afraid of them, we're only thinking of the young master's safety..."
Liu Chuyu lay alone on the ground, slowly waking up.
His whole body was cold; he had been awakened by the mountain wind.
He remembers being so scared and nervous last night that he felt like he had stepped into thin air and rolled down a hillside.
Liu Chuyu shook her head and checked her injuries again.
Fortunately, apart from some abrasions on my legs and arms, I didn't feel any other discomfort.
Liu Chuyu looked around; it seemed he had already reached the foot of the mountain.
But which direction should I go to get to Changning Town?
He had never been to this place before, so he naturally couldn't tell which way was which.
Liu Chuyu limped along the path until she saw an old man carrying a load of firewood.
As if he had seen a glimmer of hope, he ran after it despite the pain in his legs.
"Uncle, uncle..." Liu Chuyu called out in a hoarse voice.
The old man stopped when he heard the sound.
Seeing that Liu Chuyu, a child, had become like this, he asked, "Child, what happened to you?"
Liu Chuyu gasped for breath and mumbled, "I fell down the mountain. Excuse me, sir, how do I get to Changning County?"
The old man happened to be going to the city to sell firewood, so he smiled and said, "What a coincidence! You're coming with me; I'm also going to the city."
Liu Chuyu was overjoyed, forgetting that she was so hungry that she was dizzy and unable to exert any strength.
He struggled to keep up with the old man, telling himself that he must persevere and make it to the city.
After walking for about an hour, the surrounding roads became more and more familiar.
Seeing the familiar scene, Liu Chuyu finally felt relieved.
The old man was a kind-hearted man. Seeing that Liu Chuyu was a pitiful child, he agreed to take him home before going to sell firewood.
Liu Chuyu gave him the address of He Tiantian's shop. Given his current condition, he should go to Aunt He's house instead.
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