98: Find a way out
Cui Moyang and others searched for traces of the rebels in the bamboo forest, killing them one by one.
Nangong and Ximen, accompanied by the Qingfeng Twins, walked through the Quarry, assessing the situation.
When they met Chu Qing, they reported their findings.
Chu Qing encouraged them, saying, “When it’s time to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, then kill!”
“Don’t be soft-hearted!”
“Kill all those who dare to resist; the rest will work diligently.”
Nangong rolled his eyes, “Qing Ge, your methods are too crude.”
“We have specialized methods for this kind of thing.”
Chu Qing said indifferently, “Whatever you want.”
“As long as it doesn’t affect the pearl output.”
Zheng Zhixiang was coming soon, and whether Shiji Mountain could be held once he arrived was still up in the air.
Even if it was held, those Quarry workers would probably be taken away by Zheng Zhixiang.
Therefore:
In the short term, acquiring more pearls was the priority.
“However... a better solution is actually to create trouble for the rebels and delay their progress.”
“I’ll go back and ask the Vice Dean if we can go to Qinghe County to target the rebels.”
More than an hour later:
Chu Qing walked through the bamboo forest.
He traversed mountains, crossing three peaks consecutively, before finding a suitable bamboo forest.
In this bamboo forest, there was a lake.
Fish and shrimp leaped in the lake, and birds played around it.
Chu Qing also saw an open space.
“This place is suitable for building a bamboo house.”
“If Zheng Zhixiang truly captures Shiji County, I can send Madam Jin here to hide.”
The three mountain peaks were dozens of miles apart.
Large groups of rebels couldn’t get in at all.
Small groups of rebels wouldn’t venture into such deep territory either.
So... it was very safe here.
Building a bamboo house was a bit difficult for ordinary people.
But for him, it was simply too easy.
Wielding his greatsword, arm-thick bamboo stalks fell to the ground one by one.
Using the existing bamboo, he built walls, erected a roof, and laid the floor.
Relying on his Golden Tendons, he easily handled the so-called manual labor.
As dusk fell, the small and simple bamboo house was finished.
“There are fish and shrimp in the lake, and drinking water; only grain, oil, rice, flour, and bedding are missing.”
“I’ll bring all of them tomorrow.”
The bamboo house by the lake became one of his escape routes.
With an escape route, Chu Qing became even bolder.
That very night, he went to find the Vice Dean.
Coincidentally:
Cui Moyang and others were also there.
When the Vice Dean heard that there were at least three to five hundred armed soldiers hidden in Shiji Mountain, his expression became solemn.
Only after hearing that those soldiers had been eliminated did he breathe a sigh of relief.
“Indeed, the intel was correct!”
“The rebels really did send troops over in advance.”
“It seems there are rebels in several other places too!”
Chu Qing’s heart stirred, and he said:
“Vice Dean, please tell us all the places where rebels might be hiding.”
“The few of us will go out and wipe them all out.”
Cui Moyang and the others were quite puzzled, but they quickly realized that Chu Qing said this to protect Shiji Mountain.
They also chimed in, “Vice Dean, where are the other possible hiding places for the rebels?”
Chu Qing thought the Vice Dean would readily tell them.
However, the Vice Dean remained silent.
Chu Qing smiled and said, “Could it be, Vice Dean, that you’re worried we’ll accumulate too many merits, leaving no rewards to give?”
The Vice Dean gave a wry smile, “How could that be?”
“I just have some concerns.”
“Please wait a moment; I’ll be right back.”
The Vice Dean waved his sleeves, soaring away like a large bird, breaking through the air.
Chu Qing and the others exchanged glances, as if understanding something:
“Could it be... the Vice Dean has connections with the rebels?”
One minute... five minutes... the Vice Dean returned, soaring through the air like a large bird once more.
Only this time, he held a box in his hand.
Opening the box, there were nine portions of nourishing ointment inside.
Exactly one portion for each person.
Everyone didn’t stand on ceremony and took one portion.
The Vice Dean then handed them a piece of paper, saying:
“These are the places where rebels might be hidden.”
“Investigate them, and if you encounter any, kill them.”
“Oh, and pay attention to the Wubao Disciples.”
“Many Fortified Manors are connected to the rebels!”
The Crowd nodded.
The Vice Dean hesitated, then added:
“Also... be careful of the Qin Family.”
“The Secret medicine Xiao Long took has been confirmed to have been brought into the martial arts academy by a member of the Qin Family.”
“They might be connected to the rebels!”
“However, the rebels also sell that kind of Secret medicine, so perhaps the Qin Family bought it.”
“In any case... be careful of the Qin Family.”
The Qin Family?
Chu Qing’s heart stirred, thinking of the expert who had met secretly with the pretty widow at the tavern.
“They ambushed me back then.”
“Then suddenly disappeared after going to the small tavern?”
“Is that small tavern a hiding place for the rebels?”
He looked at the note and, sure enough, saw information about the small tavern on it.
He smiled and said, “Everyone, let’s go to this place first.”
Chu Qing didn’t hide anything and recounted how he had almost been ambushed last time.
Nangong sneered, “Whether she’s connected to the rebels or not, she has to be eliminated.”
Mingyue gritted her teeth and said, “Anyone who dares to oppose Qing Ge is opposing our pearls.”
Cui Moyang said coldly, “Kill without mercy!”
Cui Moyang and the others were filled with Killing Intent, urging Chu Qing to quickly go and kill.
However:
Chu Qing said:
“Call those Wubao Disciples.”
Hmm?
The Crowd was puzzled.
The Vice Dean was also very confused.
The Fortified Manor might be connected to the rebels.
If they called them now... would there be problems later?
Chu Qing said with Killing Intent, “If they are obedient and honestly kill the rebels, then they can receive rewards with us.”
“If they are disobedient...”
“Their heads will be our reward!”
The young men and women nodded, their faces filled with excitement.
Only the Vice Dean looked astonished... As dusk fell:
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Figures leaped across the rooftops.
Under the moonlight:
These people were, without exception, dressed in luxurious silk and brocade.
Their faces were expressionless, holding swords and sabers, filled with Killing Intent, as they silently descended around a tavern.
Chu Qing, accompanied by Cui Moyang and others, swaggered into the tavern.
The tavern was crowded.
Some strong men were teasing the proprietress.
The proprietress was laughing, her body shaking like a willow in the wind.
When they saw Chu Qing and the others enter, the tavern fell silent.
Because this was a small, low-class tavern.
Aside from Qin Ming, no guests in luxurious silk and brocade had ever come here.
This time, nine of them came at once.
The proprietress’s heart pounded, but she forced herself to remain calm and welcomed them with a smile.
Chu Qing smiled and said, “Proprietress, we’d like to have a word with you!”
The proprietress’s heart stirred, and she smiled, “No problem!”
“Come... follow me to the backyard!”
Before leaving, she smiled at the group of men, “You all eat and drink as you please, but don’t forget to pay.”
The men chuckled, “Understood.”
After the proprietress led Chu Qing and the others away, the group of burly men exchanged glances and all tacitly stood up.
Someone pulled out a long saber from under the table.
Someone retrieved a long spear from behind the counter.
They held their weapons, filled with Killing Intent, waiting for the proprietress’s signal.
A moment later, one of the men said:
“Thirteen, I feel uneasy; release a carrier pigeon and report the information to our superior!”
“Yes!”
A man wrote a small note, then took a carrier pigeon outside, preparing to release it.
However:
As soon as he stepped out, he immediately retreated.
“Thirteen...”
Thirteen gave a wry smile, “Outside is a group of young men and women in luxurious silk and brocade.”
“They should be martial arts academy students.”
The faces of the men turned ugly.