The bandit leader laughed wildly and ordered all the things to be moved back to the village, including Shen Xining and Chun Xing.
Chun Xing kept sobbing all the way, but she still tried to look fearless and comfort Shen Xining.
"Miss, don't be afraid. They are just a group of bandits. They will be punished by God. Besides, Deng Yan would not dare not save us. What he said just now was just an excuse. Miss, don't worry."
Shen Xining held Chun Xing's hand tightly, his eyes dim. He simply bandaged the wound on his leg, but now he could no longer feel the pain. He was afraid that he would be disabled.
As for going to the mountain village, Shen Xining had no idea what the outcome would be.
At this time, on the other side, Xie Zhaoan arrived at the canyon and saw the traces of discarded weapons, feeling uneasy.
"They should have passed here today. Has anyone seen them ahead?"
"Reporting to Mr. Yue, the signal station ahead did not see them passing by, but logically speaking, they should have arrived. This place is often roamed by bandits. Could it be that they encountered robbers?"
Just then, a carrier pigeon arrived.
Xie Zhaoan took the letter, glanced at it, and his expression became depressed.
"Mr. Yue, I saw Deng Yan and his group on the way back, but I didn't see anyone in the carriage. Miss Shen and her maid were nowhere to be seen. I think they must have encountered difficulties on the way!"
"Are you going to stop Deng Yan and his group?!"
"Stop it."
Xie Zhaoan narrowed his eyes and clenched the jade flute in his hand.
"There is only one bandit group here. Deng Yan and his group would never be so stupid as to kill Shen Xining and his servant. The only possibility is that they sold Shen Xining to the bandits in order to save their lives."
The followers were horrified.
"Miss Shen is in danger of losing her life! Besides, she only has two daughters, and they will probably become concubines..."
Before he finished speaking, Xie Zhaoan's horse had already galloped out, and the followers behind him quickly mounted their horses and followed him, secretly praying in their hearts that Shen Xining would not get into trouble, otherwise, what would happen if Xie Zhaoan's important event was delayed? However, the followers were stupid and did not notice that Xie Zhaoan's expression was completely different from before, as if there was a little more worry
After an unknown amount of time, Shen Xining and his servant were thrown out of the carriage and imprisoned separately. Chun Xing held Shen Xining's hand tightly, unwilling to separate. Shen Xining patted her hand and could only signal her not to rush. Now they had no capital to negotiate terms, so they could only be patient for the time being.
"Miss... ... "
Then, Shen Xining was thrown into a room. Red lanterns and red quilts were hung in the room. Although it was simple, it was considered a wedding decoration. Shen Xining looked at the decoration and pursed her lips. She needed to think of some way.
She poured the lamp oil on her dress and clenched the fuse in her hand. If they couldn't reach an agreement, she wouldn't mind dying together. As a girl of the Shen family, she would never get involved with bandits.
I don’t know how long it had been, Shen Xining was nervous, but also a little drowsy. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, with a loud noise, followed by a man’s deep voice.
"What a deep bond between master and servant! Your maidservant has been beating non-stop since she was locked up, until your subordinates got impatient and stabbed her, causing her to faint!"
Shen Xining's face looked ugly. She glared at the man and said in a cold voice.
"I've heard about the rampant bandits among the people, but I didn't expect them to be so rampant now. They openly make deals with officials in public."
The man crossed his legs on the chair, looking quite like a bandit.
"Why shouldn't I? Isn't the world in such a mess right now because of the government's inaction? If the government had taken action, why would the floods here be so severe? Why would we have to go up the mountain and live a life of fighting and killing?"
"What if I can help you stop living this life of violence? What if I can cure this flood?"
The man looked at her with a hint of suspicion in his eyes, which Shen Xining thought meant something was possible. She pursed her lips and whispered in a seductive tone.
"I came here today to control the flood in the south. If you don't trust me, you can just follow me. If I can't control the flood, I'll let you handle it. How about that?"
Oh!
The man sneered.
"Why should I believe you? The flood control workers in the south have come one after another, and all of them have put a lot of money in their pockets, and then the matter is completely over!? I must have been kicked in the head by a donkey to believe the words of you corrupt officials!!!"
As he said that, the man picked up the wine on the table and took a sip. Then he picked up the wine glass generously, pinched Shen Xining's chin, and poured it down before she could react.
Shen Xining was released and fell to the ground, his body limp and powerless. The man's voice was loud and his tone was fierce.
"I know what's wrong with you ladies. You'd rather die than surrender. I hate forcing women like that! Today I must see you begging me in person!"
Shen Xining frowned. The feeling inside her body made her feel uncomfortable, and she clenched her fists.
"I also told you that although I am a bandit, I am still a good bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor. I will never do anything that goes against morality."
"Since you are so principled, isn't it against your principles to tie my master and my servant up the mountain today?"
"Pooh!"
The man stood up straight and stabbed the big knife in his hand into the table fiercely, and the table instantly broke into pieces.
"It's all because of you guys. I don't know how many people have been ruined. How dare you talk to me about principles now? I'm going to make people like you pay the price today!"
It seems that there is no way to reach an agreement. Shen Xining clenched the fire seal in his hand and closed his eyes. If that's the case, then this is the only way.
However, when her fire fuse was about to be lit, the door was kicked open again. Before the bandit leader could react, the man kicked him to the ground with a cold expression. He stepped on the bandit leader's head and slowly walked towards Shen Xining. Shen Xining was tortured to the point of having a blurry look in her eyes. She tried hard to open her eyes and see the person in front of her clearly, but she couldn't open her eyes no matter what.
It was not until he was picked up and his nostrils were filled with that familiar smell and the cool pine scent permeated his nostrils that Shen Xining's spirit relaxed.