Chapter 424

Lu Hong shook his head: "No, I think we should be more cautious. If someone important or something valuable is hidden, Su Qiao will surely station guards—sending people in rashly will expose us!"

Lu Hong, still alert, shook his head and spoke.

Everyone agreed Lu Hong was right, and they began pondering how to investigate quietly without arousing suspicion.

They could no longer send people randomly.

They needed to assign skilled, alert individuals to pose as passersby and infiltrate.

If they truly discovered something, they would launch a surprise attack on the village to at least secure the bargaining chip.

…

While the several families were discussing matters, Sun Youxu also reported today's developments to Su Qiao.

And his other arrangements too!

Su Qiao nodded approvingly, finding his arrangements perfectly suited.

It not only confused those hiding in the shadows but also set a new bait.

"Since you've arranged for Gaojiawan, assign more people and have them stay vigilant. If I'm not mistaken, they'll send someone to test it today—if not today, then tomorrow."

Su Qiao made this judgment because "Su Qiao" had repeatedly left the city.

Those hiding in the shadows would never choose a time when they might encounter "Su Qiao" to test.

Wouldn't that be deliberately provoking "Su Qiao"'s suspicion?

So they certainly wouldn't delay!

278, reconnaissance results!

Su Qiao's guess was correct.

After a brief discussion, Lu Hong and his group immediately gathered their most capable subordinates.

They arranged for them to infiltrate Gaojiawan today.

If they discovered anything unusual, they must not act immediately—they must return first to report.

They even stationed many people nearby as backup.

If it truly was someone important, they even planned to capture the person on the spot.

That afternoon, two traveling merchants appeared near Gaojiawan.

Hmm, merchants who collected mountain goods were very welcome in this village.

The two entered Gaojiawan together.

As soon as they reached the village entrance, they sensed a shift in atmosphere.

Several gazes swept over them at the entrance.

Once inside the village, certain individuals drew their attention.

Of course, the people they noticed were all Embroidered Uniform Guard.

They were deliberately displayed for them to notice.

Otherwise, how would they be lured in?

The two "traveling merchants" were also alert and composed; though they sensed something odd, they continued conversing with Gaojiawan's villagers without revealing their awareness.

700 even genuinely purchased mountain goods.

Anyone else would have been fooled.

But these men were all Embroidered Uniform Guard, veterans of countless missions, their eyes sharper than eagles'.

They had already confirmed their identities.

The two "traveling merchants" conversed with villagers while pretending to casually stroll through the village, scouting.

Soon, they discovered a small courtyard tightly guarded by Embroidered Uniform Guard.

No villagers approached it; when they feigned curiosity and asked more, the villagers warned them away.

Instantly, they realized they had located the person they sought.

It must be inside that mysterious courtyard.

Though they desperately wanted to enter and verify themselves, they knew—with so many Embroidered Uniform Guard present, entry was impossible.

If they made any move, they would immediately expose themselves.

They had to return and report to their masters.

So they bought large quantities of mountain goods, hired village carts, and slowly left the village.

Even after Gaojiawan vanished from sight, they dared not relax, continuing forward.

Only when they reached their designated meeting point did others appear.

"Well? Did you find anything?"

The two nodded, then returned to the city before nightfall.

Inside Fuzhou City, the several family heads had not left—they waited anxiously at the Lu residence for news.

Only when a servant arrived with the report did they snap back to attention.

"Quick, bring them in!"

At Lu Hong's words, the two men dispatched to Gaojiawan entered the room.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Enough with the formalities—tell us in detail what you found inside Gaojiawan!"

Sun Yaoqing, head of the Sun family, urged impatiently.

The two glanced at Lu Hong, saw their master did not object, and began speaking.

They described how they infiltrated the village, how they purchased mountain goods, how they identified the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and more.

Every detail, no matter how small, was recounted thoroughly.

Even the heads of the families present, upon hearing their account, wore expressions of satisfaction.

Only after they finished speaking did the several family heads snap back to their senses and begin speaking in a chaotic jumble.

"It seems that courtyard is where Su Qiao is hiding people. The people are definitely inside, and they don't have many hands. If we launch a sudden attack, there's a good chance of success!"

The head of the Qian family said very quickly.

The others nodded one after another.

But Lu Hong was more cautious; he felt this matter could not be handled so rashly.

He was accustomed to thinking a bit more about whatever he did.

This was also the reason he had always remained stable and never encountered any mishaps.

"Let's consider first: if we really capture Su Qiao's important people or take the items, what will Su Qiao's reaction be then?"

Lu Hong asked another family head.

This left the several family heads stunned; they had only thought of using them as bait to lure Su Qiao.

Yet they habitually projected their own thoughts onto Su Qiao.

But Su Qiao might have other methods.

"First, he might raise the alarm and, discovering our people, hide directly in the guesthouse or within Fuzhou City, never coming out again; at that point, we would be helpless!"

The head of the Wang family thought for a moment and stated the worst possible outcome.

Sun Yaoqing also nodded and said, "Exactly, that's right. Moreover, he might even order a sweep, searching for us frantically like a madman!"

"If he really does that and finds even a trace, then we might be in terrible trouble!"

Lu Hong continued with the second scenario: "The second scenario is the best case we imagined: he rushes to save that person, we leave a letter threatening him, and he follows our demands, coming out of the city!"

At this point, even without Lu family head continuing, everyone understood what was going on.

Because Su Qiao could not be so foolish; he would certainly have arrangements, and then it would come down to a game of strategy.

But this game of strategy could level the advantages of both sides, giving them a chance to win.

"Then what about the third?"

Sun family head Sun Yaoqing continued to ask: "The third is that he is not afraid at all, ignores us, deals with other matters first, and then sorts everything out!"

"No difference from the first!"

"No, there is a difference. In the first, we still have a sliver of a way out; in the third, we would probably be truly finished."

Now everyone felt somewhat bewildered.

They felt that after taking action, their chances of safety were too low; they might all be finished then!

Su Qiao did not know their thoughts; if he did, he would certainly tell them that he would follow the second scenario!