Chapter 130: Been Discovered

Lao San and Lao Wu... were defeated.

Lao Er's voice was low.

The authorities have already handled their corpses.

The man drew a deep breath; the night wind filled his lungs, yet it could not dispel the chill in his heart at all.

Understood.

His tone was calm, with no detectable emotional fluctuation.

Lao Si has already gone to arrange the carriage; we'll try to leave the city together.

Lao Er added.

The man finally turned around; moonlight fell on his face, his features sharp, his eyes deep as a pool, making his thoughts unreadable.

What can we do?

He looked at Lao Er, his tone still calm.

Lao Er fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.

I don't know; this kid Jiang Xiaomu is too sinister.

Our every move is within his calculations; now Lao San and Lao Wu are dead, we...

"Shut up!" the man shouted, cutting him off.

We're not at the end of our rope yet! What's there to panic about?!

Lao Er was cowed by his aura, not daring to speak further, merely lowering his head and waiting for his orders.

The man walked back and forth with his hands behind his back at the broken temple gate, brows furrowed.

Jiang Xiaomu's target is us.

He spoke slowly, his tone composed.

He set this trap solely to lure us out and then wipe us out in one sweep.

So what should we do now?

Lao Er asked cautiously.

The city gates are surely under lockdown; forcing our way through won't work.

The man muttered to himself, his mind racing as he analyzed the current situation.

Boss, what if... we scatter and break out?

Lao Er made a tentative suggestion, his voice as faint as a mosquito.

The man gave a cold chuckle.

Scatter and break out? Do you think the authorities are vegetarians?

Now the whole city is on a manhunt; splitting up will only make us easier to catch.

Then... what should we do?

Lao Er grew more panicked, beads of sweat the size of beans appearing on his forehead.

The man fell silent for a moment, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes as he said:

The chances of successfully leaving the city are too slim; better to... first deal with Jiang Xiaomu to eliminate future trouble!

Upon hearing this, Lao Er couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

Although Jiang Xiaomu is not a county official, he is full of tricks.

This time they have fallen into his hands, suffering heavy losses.

If we can get rid of him, it would also be venting some spite.

But... boss.

I've heard that Jiang Xiaomu is skilled; how are we to strike?

Lao Er was somewhat worried.

Huh, skilled? No matter how skilled, there are always weaknesses.

The man curled the corner of his mouth into a sinister smile.

How are the arrangements on Lao Si's side?

The carriage is ready, parked in the small grove outside the city.

Lao Er quickly replied.

Tell Lao Si to keep watching the city gate and inform us immediately if an opportunity arises.

The man ordered:

Lao Er, come with me.

Where to?

Lao Er asked doubtfully.

To get some money. The man curled the corner of his mouth into a sinister smile.

We're practically penniless now.

……

At the Jin Zhuangyuan Jiulou, Jin Buhuan sat alone in a private room, savoring fine food and wine.

Boss Jin, long time no see.

A cold voice suddenly sounded behind him.

Jin Buhuan snapped his head back, seeing the man and Lao Er standing at the doorway; his face instantly turned ashen.

What... what do you want?

Don't be nervous, Boss Jin; we're just here to catch up.

The man walked slowly and leisurely to the table, sat down, and poured himself a cup of wine.

"By the way, lend me some money to spend."

Jin Buhuan forced himself to stay calm.

"I... I don't have any money right now."

"No money?" the man snorted coldly and slammed the table hard.

"Do you think we're fools? Jin Buhuan, you're filthy rich—how could you have no money?"

"I really have no money..."

Jin Buhuan's voice trembled.

The man stopped wasting words, drew his long sword, and pressed it against Jin Buhuan's throat.

"Boss Jin, I advise you to be sensible and avoid physical punishment."

Jin Buhuan was terrified out of his wits and quickly said:

"I'll pay, I'll pay! How much do you want?"

"Not much—just five thousand taels."

The man said lightly.

Jin Buhuan felt the pain acutely, but to save his life he could only grit his teeth and agree.

……

Meanwhile, Lao Er and Lao Si took turns following Jiang Xiaomu, closely monitoring his every move.

Jiang Xiaomu seemed unaware of the approaching danger, still leisurely strolling the streets and occasionally chatting with street vendors.

"This kid is really bold."

Lao Si hid at the street corner, watching Jiang Xiaomu's back, and whispered:

"Don't be careless; be careful not to let him notice you."

Lao Er reminded him.

"Don't worry, my tailing skills are top-notch; he'll never notice me."

Lao Si said confidently.

Jiang Xiaomu deliberately walked into a deserted compound.

However, at that moment, he suddenly stopped, turned his head, and looked toward the direction where Lao Si was hiding.

Lao Si's heart jolted; he quickly shrank back, held his breath, fearful of being discovered by Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu stood still, listened quietly for a moment, then curled his lips in an amused smile.

"Come out already—you've been following me for so long, aren't you tired?"

Lao Si shrank his neck, silently cursing his bad luck.

Jiang Xiaomu's voice rang out again, laced with teasing.

"Stop hiding—I know you're right there. Come out, let's talk."

Lao Si gritted his teeth, realizing hiding was no option, and stepped out openly.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled, turned his head toward the opposite roof, and called out loudly:

"Lao Er, come down too—don't hide; the sun's blazing, it's hot."

As his words fell, a figure leapt down from the roof—it was Lao Er.

His face darkened; he clearly hadn't expected to be discovered as well.

"Well done, Jiang Xiaomu—you actually found us!"

Lao Er said through gritted teeth.

Jiang Xiaomu spread his hands, wearing an innocent expression.

"Gentlemen, what are you talking about? I'm just out for a stroll."

"Cut the nonsense!" Lao Si roared, raising his iron rod.

"Today we'll settle old and new scores together!"

Jiang Xiaomu stopped feigning ignorance, curling his lips in a cold smile.

"Just what I wanted!"

He clapped his hands; the doors of several civilian houses suddenly opened, and a group of yamen runners rushed out with weapons, surrounding Lao Si and Lao Er.

"You..."

Lao Si and Lao Er's faces changed drastically; they hadn't expected Jiang Xiaomu to have set an ambush in advance.

Jiang Xiaomu sneered:

"Gentlemen, I advise you to surrender peacefully to avoid physical punishment."

Lao Si and Lao Er exchanged a glance; it seemed they would hardly escape today.

But they were no pushovers—both were desperate outlaws, naturally unwilling to surrender easily.

"Let's fight!"

Lao Si roared and charged forward.

Lao Er followed closely behind, and the two fought desperately with the many yamen runners.

Although the yamen runners were numerous and strong, Lao Si and Lao Er were battle-hardened desperadoes.

They were highly skilled and ruthless, and the yamen runners soon suffered heavy casualties, with wails of pain continuing.

"Constable Captain Pei, aren't you going to act?"

Jiang Xiaomu stood to the side, watching coldly.

A burly man stepped out of the crowd—none other than Xian Ya's Constable Captain, Pei Dongyong.

He drew his waist saber, a flash of light gleamed in his eyes.

"Two ruffians, dare to cause trouble here!"

Pei Dongyong roared angrily and joined the melee.

Pei Dongyong's martial arts were superb; with a steel saber he wielded it with tiger-like vigor, fighting as one with Lao Si and Lao Er.

The three exchanged blows, blades flashing, for a moment the outcome was undecided.

Although Lao Si and Lao Er were skilled, they were outnumbered, and gradually several wounds appeared on their bodies.

Although Pei Dongyong fought two against one, his momentum did not wane; instead he grew braver with each clash, his saber technique fierce, every move lethal.

Lao Si made a careless mistake, and Pei Dongyong's saber struck his shoulder, blood spurting out.

He grimaced in pain, his movements slowing.

Seeing this, Lao Er rushed forward to shield Lao Si, but Pei Dongyong kicked him in the chest, sending him flying; he crashed heavily to the ground, spitting blood.

"Lao Er!"

Lao Si saw this, his eyes nearly splitting.

Pei Dongyong pressed the attack, swinging his saber at Lao Si.