Chapter 118: New Grudges, Old Hatreds

“Big Brother Che, don’t be so tense—I’m just having some fun. Such a pretty little girl, it’d be a shame to let her go.”

The man’s voice was cold yet casual as he turned to address a towering figure.

“Biaozi, if you want to play, I won’t stop you.”

Che Hongda’s voice was like a chilling wind—icy and unreadable.

“But don’t forget Master Huang’s instructions. He specifically ordered us to bring this one back. You and I both know what’ll happen if we anger him.”

The words “Master Huang” struck like lightning, instantly dimming Biao’s desire.

He sighed helplessly and sat back down, visibly disgruntled.

Just moments ago, he had hesitated—but hearing Master Huang’s name crushed him completely.

Liu Yifei, having escaped the kidnappers’ circle, asked anxiously: “The Master Huang you mentioned—is he Zhu Tianxiang’s uncle?”

Her voice trembled with unease and doubt; aside from Huang Chaoran in the state capital, she couldn’t imagine who else would target a quiet girl like her.

Che Hongda finally gave a direct answer: “You heard it yourself—no point hiding it anymore. Yes, we’re acting on Master Huang’s orders. Little girl, the day you got him dismissed from office, Master Zhu has been rotting in prison. The Zhu and Huang families have lost all face. Tell me—if it were you, could you just let it go?”

Miss Liu fell silent for a moment, then spoke calmly: “If that’s the case, tell me—what does your Master Huang intend to do with me?”

Che Hongda sneered: “That’s not our concern. Master Huang only told us to bring you to him unharmed. What he does with you afterward is his business. But I’d guess...”

Miss Liu pressed urgently: “What do you guess? Say it!”

Che Hongda laughed without answering, then finally spoke: “But after causing such a commotion, even if I were Master Huang, I’d never let you off lightly. Little girl, you’ve always gotten what you wanted—now prepare yourself for the consequences.”

Hearing this, Liu Yifei could not suppress her fear. She knew Huang Chaoran’s nature—this time, she had no chance of escape.

She thought of Jiang Mingyu, hoping he would arrive soon to rescue her from this hell.

Che Hongda seemed to read her thoughts and sneered coldly: “You’re counting on your Lord Jiang to save you? I’d say if he’s smart, he’ll stay put in the city—and better yet, don’t come here to die.”

Liu Yifei turned pale with rage: “Lord Jiang would never fear you! He’ll come for me!”

Che Hongda burst into laughter: “Him? I’d like to see how much power he really has. The snow has stopped, but you’ve heard the howling wind—before long, all our traces will be wiped clean!”

“You!” Liu Yifei trembled with fury, speechless.

“Even if Jiang Mingyu has heavenly abilities, he can’t possibly know where we’ve taken you.”

“Enough talk. Rest up—we need to reach the state capital quickly.”

“By then, all your questions will be answered—whether you like it or not.”

His gaze at Liu Yifei was like that of a hunter watching prey about to be slaughtered.

There was mockery, amusement—but not a trace of pity or sympathy.

Che Hongda was right: at this moment, Liu Yifei was silently calling Jiang Mingyu’s name over and over in her heart.

Ever since Jiang Mingyu had clashed with Huang Chaoran in the Inspector’s mansion to defend her, she had developed an inexplicable reliance on him.

That was why she kept using Liu Ximen’s name to visit the county office, finding any excuse to see Jiang Mingyu.

Even now, at this desperate point, she still believed he would come with Zhang Jiani to rescue her.

“Lord Jiang will come for me—he won’t let me fall into your hands!” Liu Yifei glared at Che Hongda, her eyes filled with despair and terror.

Che Hongda sneered: “Lord Jiang? I’d like to see how much power he really has! When he comes looking for you, he’ll end up dead!”

“Little girl, just sit back and watch the show,” Biao added, stepping closer to threaten her. “You’ll see what true suffering means!”

“You!” Liu Yifei was enraged by his arrogance, yet felt utterly powerless.

About an hour later, Che Hongda looked up at the sun and said: “Time’s up. Let’s keep moving.”

At that moment, a rapid clatter of hooves came from behind, accompanied by a cold voice: “Do you really think you can still leave?”

Jiang Mingyu ordered his men: “Capture these men! Be careful—do not harm Miss Liu!”

Che Hongda turned and saw Jiang Mingyu galloping toward them, followed by dozens of cavalrymen.

These cavalry horses were the very ones Jiang Mingyu had seized from the Western Xia—his small but potent advantage.

Che Hongda was stunned, muttering: “Jiang Mingyu—how did you catch up so fast?”

He immediately shouted to his men: “Outnumbered! Take the hostage and flee!”

He knew full well—even without today’s incident—if Jiang Mingyu recognized his face, he was already dead.

After all, it was he who had poisoned Jiang Mingyu in the Shangmu County Office.

As one of the bandits reached for Miss Liu, an arrow whistled through the air and struck his wrist.

It was Zhang Jiani, standing beside Jiang Mingyu.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu finally arrive, Liu Yifei’s face lit up: “Lord Jiang, Jiani—I’m here!”

Miss Liu, seeing her familiar Lord Jiang and others arrive, cried out joyfully.

Jiang Mingyu spoke coldly: “Release Miss Liu. I’ll give you a quick death.”

Che Hongda, seeing escape was impossible, slowly turned, sneering: “Lord Jiang, we meet again. What a coincidence.”

Jiang Mingyu returned a cold laugh: “So it’s you. No wonder you looked familiar. Last time you tried poisoning me in front of me, now you’re kidnapping Miss Liu—you really think I’m a sick cat?”

“I suspect all this was orchestrated by that Master Huang behind the scenes?” Jiang Mingyu asked coldly.

Che Hongda’s face darkened. “Lord Jiang, you’re as sharp as ever. Correct—this entire operation was ordered by Master Huang.”

He scanned the surrounding cavalry and added: “But don’t get too confident. The hostage is still in my hands—if you push me too far, I’ll take you all down with me.”

Jiang Mingyu smiled: “Then why didn’t you kill Miss Liu back in Shangmu? I suspect—if she lost even a single hair, Huang Chaoran would kill you. Am I right?”

Che Hongda growled: “In an emergency, I’m willing to risk my life. Even if Master Huang finds out, he’ll have no choice but to accept it.”

With that, he drew his long blade, grinning savagely: “I’ll say this once more—clear the path. I’m taking her out of here. Say another word, and Miss Liu dies.”

Before the words left his mouth, he pressed the cold blade against Miss Liu’s throat, poised to strike.

In such a moment, even the usually calm Jiang Mingyu faltered.

He glanced at Tukesiluo: “Don’t act rashly—I’ll let you go.”

Then he ordered the cavalry: “Make way. Let them leave.”

Zhang Jiani exploded: “You corrupt official—what are you doing?!”

“If they take Yifei away, she’s doomed—we can’t let them go!”

Jiang Mingyu’s voice was utterly cold: “Silence. My decision is final. No more talk.”

Zhang Jiani glared at him furiously—but all the soldiers answered to Jiang Mingyu. She had no power to stop him.

Seeing the cavalry part, Che Hongda’s rough lips curled into a smirk: “Still, Lord Jiang understands.”

“Time’s wasting. Until we meet again.”

He grabbed Liu Yifei’s arm and shoved her roughly toward the carriage.

As Che Hongda lowered his guard, preparing to flee, Tukesiluo suddenly unleashed a flurry of glinting projectiles—without warning.

Dying screams erupted. Che Hongda realized: only Liu Yifei remained alive beside him.

Zhang Jiani, who had just moments ago been furious, seized the opening and lunged forward three zhang in an instant.

While Che Hongda was stunned, she snatched the terrified Liu Yifei back.

The events unfolded too swiftly—before anyone else could react, it was already over.

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “You’re Che Hongda, right?”

“Now, new grudges and old ones—we’ll settle them properly.”

Che Hongda turned deathly pale, trembling violently—he finally realized he had walked into Jiang Mingyu’s trap.

“Lord Jiang, you’re breaking your word! We had an agreement!” He glared wildly, speechless with rage.

“I never make promises to monsters,” Jiang Mingyu replied coldly.

He had known Che Hongda would try to take Liu Yifei away—he had set this trap to capture him.