CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123: WHO DID THIS?

"No, no! I refuse to accept this, I refuse to accept this!!"

Wuyou’s emotions were stirred up, he felt a flame burning in his chest, a fury rising!

He screamed madly, and the word "young master" pierced his heart even more. Yes, he was a young master, he should be enjoying wealth and splendor, leading a life others envy, but here he was, being ordered around like a servant, unwilling, he was unwilling!

But he was weak; faced with the colossal Heifeng Village, he could only turn his reluctance into the motivation to survive, even if it was just a humble existence!

Living is the only hope, once dead, there’s nothing left!

Luckily, he now saw a glimmer of hope!

Suppressing his hatred and frustration, he looked at Li Qingmu: "Can you really take me away? And bring these people to justice?"

"Yes! But you’ll need to help us with this matter!"

The young man grew wary once more, quickly stepping back, yet still he tentatively asked, "What kind of help?"

"The time is not yet ripe, rest assured, it’s a small favor. Just divert Sun Erniang at the right moment."

"That’s all?"

"Mhm!"

This favor was indeed simple. Sun Erniang had practically raised him, though their feelings weren’t profound, there was at least some affection. Distracting her would be easy enough.

"I can at most keep her away for a quarter of an hour."

"That’s enough."

The young man didn’t know what they intended to do, but at this point, he had no choice.

And besides, after eighteen years in the village, he’d long wanted to explore the world beyond the mountains.

After leaving Wuyou, Long Yue and Li Qingmu walked along a rugged mountain path.

It was late at night, a full moon overhead, under the moonlight Heifeng Village was clearly visible.

"Where do you think the storeroom in Heifeng Village really is? We walk around this area every night and keep expanding the scope, yet we’ve never found it."

Long Yue looked around, feeling the mountain cave might harbor something? They couldn’t directly ask about the storeroom, unless Ma Biao told them or took them there himself.

"We’ve been here for over a month and have only seen storerooms for storing wine and food, none for gold and silver!"

"Could it be there isn’t a gold and silver storeroom at all?"

Long Yue’s large eyes rolled, suddenly considering the possibility.

Li Qingmu paused in his footsteps, nodding thoughtfully.

"Clang, clang..."

"Hurry up, be quick, the chief will inspect later!"

Suddenly, a series of strong metallic clanging sounds came along with voices.

Long Yue and Li Qingmu immediately went on alert, exchanging glances, and quietly moved towards the direction of the sound.

They advanced slowly, using dense brush as cover.

Ahead, a cave appeared, with the smell of burning iron wafting out, and clanging noises echoed from inside. At the cave entrance, Long Yue saw the reflection of metal and several people patrolling, one team was transporting steel and already forged swords and spears.

These people wore armor, the earlier reflections were from this armor.

"There are sentries up ahead, we can’t go any further, let’s go!"

Li Qingmu resolutely decided, taking his little wife back into retreat.

After leaving that area, Long Yue pulled Li Qingmu into the forest, with a face full of shock, "This village is forging weapons and armor? They’re really daring, planning a rebellion?"

"They wouldn’t do it on their own, they’re likely being instructed by someone."

"By whom?"

"I don’t know, but the Young Prince probably does!" Li Qingmu said, his eyes flickering, "Yue’er, it’s about time, we should act. Next time the wine is transported down the mountain, that’s when we’ll strike!"

"Alright!"

The village’s wine was used quickly, seven days later, Li Qingmu went down the mountain again.

This time he was still accompanied, but with his intelligence, it was easy to shake them off quickly, and he soon met up with the person arranged by the Young Prince.

"This is the Soft Muscle Powder, and here’s the antidote! Remember, the master wants them alive! Don’t act on your own again! Your unauthorized killing of the Xiliang envoy has already caused a huge stir at the court. Take care as the County Magistrate of Gaoyang County...."

In the darkness, someone handed Li Qingmu two packets of powder, one large and one small, and warned him solemnly, though the tone was somewhat displeased.

"I understand."

...

Heifeng Village.

Night had fallen again, the village was lit up, filled with laughter and joyous voices, and good food and drink were served.

Today, the village had seized another cartload of goods, Ma Biao decided to reward everyone well.

"Sun Erniang, can you come out for a moment, I have something to show you."

In the kitchen, Wuyou tugged at the busy Sun Erniang, dragging her outside.

Sun Erniang was a bit impatient, but she went out anyway.

"What is it you can’t show me in the kitchen?"

"No, it’s this..."

Wuyou brought her to a secluded spot in a mountain corner and pulled out a flower crown made of fresh flowers from a nook.

"Sun Erniang, thank you for taking care of me all these years, this is for you..."

Sun Erniang stared at the flower crown in a daze, then burst into laughter, "Little thing, I took care of you so you’d help with the fire, what are you thinking? Hurry back and get to work!"

She said, giving Wuyou a push, then turned and left.

Wuyou stood there dumbfounded, watching Sun Erniang’s departing figure, looking a bit dejected, "Sun Erniang, although I know none of you see me as one of your own, I do still appreciate your nurturing..."

"Bring the wine, everyone drink to your heart’s content tonight, tomorrow we’ll go for a big score!"

Ma Biao tapped his bowl with chopsticks, laughing heartily as he spoke, then pointed at Li Qingmu, "Boy, you’re coming this time too, let’s get you some real experience, open your eyes!"

Li Qingmu and Long Yue immediately raised their wine bowls, Li Qingmu even laughing, "Alright, chief, I’ve wanted to see out there for a long time!"

Being invited by Ma Biao to come along showed he was accepted, someone beside them immediately came over to congratulate.

"Chief, let’s head straight for the Gaoyang County Government and seize that corrupt official, then drag him to death with horses!"

"Right, that official arrested the Liang Family, blocked our trade route, the people up top have already urged us several times! If we don’t deliver the goods, the boss might get angry!"

Li Qingmu, cursed as "corrupt official", was squinting his eyes, listening to their chatter, pondering.

The ones above? Who are the ones above?

No wonder the Young Prince wants them alive, seems he also wants to find out something.

"By the way, chief, when the Zhou Family asked us to rescue her daughter..."

"Together, we’ll do it all together tomorrow, let’s go wild!"

"Alright, let’s go... bang!"

One of the bandits was about to gulp down his drink when suddenly he felt weak, his fingers slipped, and the bowl fell to the ground.

"What’s wrong, how careless... bang!"

"Bang bang bang!"

The sound of bowls and cups hitting the ground kept coming, someone showed a scared expression, "Chief, I... I have no strength left..."

"Damn it, someone put something in our food, who did it?"

Ma Biao flung the large bowl in his hand out in anger, shouting furiously.