CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: THE SCHEMING SECOND MASTER IS A FORMIDABLE TALENT

Pei Shu’er reviewed the map in her mind, combining it with the mountain path they had previously taken.

She realized that the path out was indeed hidden and unexpected.

No wonder they couldn’t find a way out before.

The two looked around and discovered that there were no other paths here.

As for the cover above, it was a downward mechanism,

If they tried to rush upwards, they definitely wouldn’t make it out.

Tang Zan leaped up and knocked on the cover.

Ling Niang’s voice came from above.

"How do I get you out?"

Tang Zan said, "There’s a raised floorboard under the bed. Press it."

Ling Niang pressed it and the mechanism opened, revealing Ling Niang standing at the cave entrance.

She looked anxious, "Hurry up, the Big Master is coming back soon."

After the two got up, they didn’t dare linger and crawled out through the back window.

It was dinnertime again, and Pei Shu’er and Tang Zan had to prepare dinner for the bandits.

As they approached the kitchen, they heard a commotion outside and hurried to see.

They heard a few bandits on the lookout tower shout, "The government officer is attacking the stronghold, everyone prepare!"

Pei Shu’er and Tang Zan exchanged glances, realizing they had a chance to rescue people.

At this moment, the bandits surely couldn’t manage those who were imprisoned.

Then they saw the Second Master signaling to them.

"Tall one, Shorty, go to the stronghold gates and fend off the enemy."

Tang Zan: "..."

Pei Shu’er: "..."

This Second Master, he’ll end up getting castrated sooner or later!

Pei Shu’er glanced outside the stronghold gates and saw Lu Qing leading the exile group at the entrance.

Everyone held torches, looking fierce.

Lu Qing said, "Tell your Big Master to come out."

The Big Master and Third Master stepped out simultaneously, with the Third Master whispering behind with a fan covering his lips.

Only then did the Big Master slowly step out, seeing the government officer and the exile group.

The Big Master suddenly laughed heartily.

"I’ll give you a chance, come into our stronghold, and I guarantee you’ll live well; we accept both government officers and exiles."

As soon as he said this, there was a dismissive laugh from outside, clearly disdainful of being associated with them.

The Big Master was amused by the outlaws’ reactions.

"You think the bandits are nothing now because you haven’t been to the exile land."

"When you get there and see the perpetual snow, enemy incursions, no crops can be planted, and your lives can’t be guaranteed, you’ll realize the bandits are your best place."

Some outlaws, unaware of the truth, looked disdainful.

But those who knew about the exile lands began to hesitate.

That’s truly a barren land, with half the year being cold, where even people can’t survive, let alone crops.

Moreover, outlaws have a few identities there.

One is as a laborer, who never has a moment of rest and barely gets enough to eat.

One is as a servant, with no control over their freedom or life, subject to the master’s will.

And there are those assigned to the military, who have it easier if they’re of high status and renown.

The Third Master continued whispering in the Big Master’s ear, and the Big Master spoke according to his words.

"I know most of you are thinking of going there to redeem yourselves, but can you really survive there?"

"I’ve seen many batches of outlaws like you, but this is just the beginning of the harsh conditions; once you leave this place, the real hardship begins, and you’ll want to come back."

Lu Qing’s face turned ashen, "Everyone, don’t be bewitched by these bandits; these people are hiding here, living a life of ignominy, seeing the end of their life."

The Big Master laughed heartily.

"Life of ignominy? At least we’re alive, which is better than being dead, don’t you all agree?"

The vast majority of the outlaws were persuaded; they had survived against the odds, even if they had fallen from wealthy lives to becoming bandits.

But now they were all outlaws; who’s nobler, the bandits or the outlaws?

Just as everyone was hesitating, the Big Master, taught by the Third Master, spoke again.

"Oh, you all came here probably knowing you can’t get out of these mountains, which is why you attacked the stronghold to get the map."

"Rest assured, as bandits here, you’ll never be found by the court’s people."

"It’s only because you chased us into these mountains this time, otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten in."

He let out a few proud laughs.

Lu Qing was just about to speak when suddenly a strong wind blew through, extinguishing the torches.

The Big Master’s hearty look faded, replaced by a cold expression.

"Release the arrows!"

It seemed this was the moment he had been waiting for.

Pei Shu’er glanced at the Third Master, noticing him standing to the side with a brazier in his arms, appearing as if detached from the world.

She had previously wondered why someone like the Big Master, who spoke so little, would suddenly say so much.

It turned out he was waiting for this gust of wind.

And the one who knew about the wind was probably the Third Master.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been whispering so much in the Big Master’s ear.

When she read, she knew ancient skilled people could observe the stars and predict the weather.

But someone as precise as the Third Master, down to the minute, she was seeing for the first time.

This Third Master was truly capable.

After sensing her gaze, the Third Master looked over at her.

His eyes were as calm as a precise machine, calculating everything, including human nature.

This is a terrifying person.

Pei Shu’er quickly diverted her eyes, looking toward the stronghold entrance.

Tang Zan pulled Pei Shu’er to the side, trying to protect her from accidental harm.

During the arrow-releasing, some outlaws even raised hands to surrender.

"We are willing to join the stronghold."

And they were all somewhat skilled individuals.

With this, Lu Qing’s initially advantageous team quickly found themselves at a disadvantage.

"Anyone who dares to surrender, I shall kill them!"

Lu Qing gritted his teeth and cut down some of the betraying outlaws.

But more outlaws ran towards the bandits, and he simply couldn’t stop them.

Once this round of arrows was nearly expended, Lu Qing’s side had been forced back fifty meters, with some outlaws killed.

Only then did the Big Master speak.

"Follow me out of the stronghold to kill the enemy!"

The stronghold gate opened, and the bandits streamed out.

Tang Zan pulled Pei Shu’er behind him.

"Stay behind me and don’t go far."

This was now a real hand-to-hand battle, with many experts still in the stronghold.

Pei Shu’er’s modern combat training was suitable for one-on-one fights.

But in such a chaotic battle, it was hard to guarantee her safety.

Pei Shu’er nodded and followed closely behind Tang Zan.

She realized for the first time how tall Tang Zan really was, tall enough to feel like he could shelter her from the world.

Stop it! Stop it!

Such thoughts shouldn’t exist.

The villain’s actions are because the plan has not yet succeeded; she is an indispensable part.

The greatest mistake one can make is being self-indulgent.