Chapter 118: New Grievances Added to Old Hatreds

"Brother Che, don't be so tense. I'm just playing. What a pity to miss such a pretty young lady."

The man's voice was cold yet carried a hint of ease as he turned to speak to a towering fellow.

"Biaozi, if you want to play, I won't stop you."

Che Che Hongda's voice was like the chill of wind blowing, cold and unpredictable.

"But don't forget Lord Huang's instructions. This is the person he specifically ordered us to bring back. You and I both know what the consequences would be if we angered Lord Huang because of this."

The three words "Lord Huang" were like a flash of lightning, instantly dampening Biaozi's desire.

He sighed helplessly, then sat back in his original spot, somewhat displeased.

Just now, he seemed to be hesitating, but upon hearing Lord Huang's name, he was completely suppressed.

Liu Liu Yifei had by then escaped the kidnappers' encirclement. She asked anxiously, "The Lord Huang you mentioned, is he Zhu Zhu Tianxiang's uncle?"

Her voice was filled with unease and confusion, for apart from Huang Huang Chaoran within the provincial capital, she truly could not think of anyone else who would make a move on a girl like her who sought no conflict with the world.

Che Che Hongda finally agreed to answer directly: "You heard it all, so there's no need to hide it from you anymore—indeed, this mission was ordered by Lord Huang. Young lady, the day you caused Lord Huang to be dismissed from office, Young Master Zhu is still in prison. The faces of both the Zhu and Huang families have been utterly shamed. Think about it, if it were you, could you just let it go?"

Young Lady Liu pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "In that case, tell me, what does your Lord Huang intend to do with me?"

Che Che Hongda sneered, "This, we do not know. Lord Huang only ordered us to bring you to him intact. As for how he intends to deal with you, that is his business. But I guess..."

Young Lady Liu immediately pressed, "But what do you guess? Speak quickly!"

Che Che Hongda laughed without speaking, and only after a long while did he open his mouth: "But having caused such a huge disturbance, even if I were Lord Huang, I would absolutely not forgive you easily. Young lady, you must be prepared for anything."

After hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei could not hide her fear in her heart; she knew that given Huang Huang Chaoran's temperament, she would hardly escape this calamity this time.

She thought of Jiang Jiang Mingyu, hoping he would arrive soon to save her from this dire situation.

Che Che Hongda seemed to see through her thoughts and sneered coldly, "Relying on your Lord Jiang to save you? I think if he is smart, he should stay quietly in the city; best not to come and die."

Liu Liu Yifei's face changed abruptly, and she refuted urgently, "Lord Jiang is not afraid of you; he will definitely come to save me!"

Che Che Hongda laughed heartily, "Just because of him? I'd like to see how capable he is. Although the heavy snow has stopped, you heard this howling wind. Before long, all our traces will be wiped out!"

"You!" Liu Liu Yifei trembled with anger at his words, yet was momentarily speechless.

"Even if Jiang Jiang Mingyu has heaven-reaching methods, it is impossible for him to know exactly where we have taken you."

"Enough talk. Rest well; in a while, we must hurry to the provincial capital."

"By then, all your questions will be answered, whether you are willing or not."

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Liu Liu Yifei was as if he were looking at prey about to be at the mercy of others.

There was mockery, there was amusement, but there was no pity and no sympathy.

Che Che Hongda was right; at this moment, Liu Liu Yifei was calling out Jiang Jiang Mingyu's name over and over in her heart.

Ever since Jiang Jiang Mingyu clashed with Huang Huang Chaoran at the Inspector's residence for her sake last time, she had developed an inexplicable dependence on Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Precisely because of this, she always used the name of Liu Ximen as a pretext to go to the county yamen to find Jiang Jiang Mingyu, whether there was business or not.

Even in this situation, she still believed that Jiang Jiang Mingyu would definitely bring Zhang Zhang Jiani to rescue her.

"Lord Jiang will definitely come to save me; he will not let me fall into your clutches!" Liu Liu Yifei glared at Che Che Hongda, her eyes full of despair and fear.

Che Che Hongda sneered, "Lord Jiang? I'd like to see how capable he is! When he comes knocking, he will surely meet his end!"

"Young lady, just wait quietly for the good show; by then, I will let you see what living is worse than death!" Biaozi also chimed in to threaten Liu Liu Yifei.

"You!" Liu Liu Yifei was enraged by his arrogant attitude, yet felt deeply powerless.

About an hour later, Che Che Hongda looked at the sun overhead and said, "Time is up; let us continue on our way."

Just then, a sound of hurried horse hooves suddenly came from behind, accompanied by a cold voice: "Do you think you can still leave?!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered his men, "Come, arrest this gang! Be careful; do not harm Young Lady Liu!"

Hearing the voice, Che Che Hongda turned his head and saw Jiang Jiang Mingyu galloping towards him, with several dozen cavalrymen behind him.

And the warhorses of these cavalrymen were the ones previously captured from the Other Xi Xia people, which could be considered a small trump card for Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Che Che Hongda was extremely shocked and muttered to himself, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, how did you catch up so quickly?"

Immediately, he raised his voice and ordered his men, "The enemy is numerous and we are few; take the hostage and leave quickly!"

He knew clearly that even without today's incident, as long as Jiang Jiang Mingyu saw his face, his path would inevitably lead to death.

After all, it was he who had poisoned Jiang Jiang Mingyu at the Shangmu County Yamen back then.

Just as a ruffian reached out to grab Young Lady Liu, a feathered arrow whizzed past, striking him squarely on the back of his hand.

It turned out that Zhang Zhang Jiani, by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's side, had taken action.

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had finally arrived, Liu Liu Yifei's face immediately lit up with joy: "Lord Jiang, Zhang Jiani, I am here."

Young Lady Liu saw the familiar Lord Jiang and others arriving, her face filled with joy, and she called out loudly.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said coldly, "Release Young Lady Liu, and this official can grant you a quick death."

Seeing no hope of escape, Che Che Hongda could only slowly turn around and said with mockery, "Lord Jiang, we meet again. What fate."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered in response, "So it is you. No wonder I felt familiar. Last time you failed to poison me before this official's eyes, and this time you kidnapped Young Lady Liu. Do you truly think of me, Jiang Mou, as a sick cat?"

"I guess all of this was instigated by that Lord Huang behind the scenes?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked coldly.

Che Che Hongda's face darkened, and he snorted, "Lord Jiang indeed sees clearly through the smallest details. Correct, this entire affair was done on Lord Huang's orders."

Immediately, he swept his gaze across the surrounding cavalrymen and continued, "But do not be too arrogant. The hostage is still in my hands. If pushed to the limit, I can also die with you; by then, everyone will perish together."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked with a smile, "In that case, why did you not harm Young Lady Liu within the Shangmu territory? This official guesses that if she lost even a single hair, Huang Huang Chaoran would not let you go. Am I not right?"

Che Che Hongda said with a stern face, "Circumstances forced me to take a risk; I can also gamble my life. By then, even if Lord Huang finds out, he can only accept it."

Having said this, he suddenly drew the long blade at his waist and grinned savagely, "I will say this one last time: clear the way. Today I must take people and leave this place. If you speak another word, Young Lady Liu's life cannot be saved!"

As soon as the words fell, he had already held the cold blade across Young Lady Liu's neck, unstoppable in momentum.

So-called concern leads to chaos; under such circumstances, the usually calm Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but lose his composure slightly.

He glanced casually at Tu Tu Kesiluo, "Do not act rashly; this official will let you leave."

Then, he spoke to the surrounding cavalrymen again, "Clear the way and let them go."

Zhang Zhang Jiani immediately grew frantic: "You dog official, what are you doing?"

"If Liu Yifei is taken away by them, it will be dangerous; we cannot let them go."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's voice was almost devoid of temperature: "Be silent. This official's decision is made; do not speak further."

Zhang Zhang Jiani glared fiercely at him, but since all the soldiers were Jiang Jiang Mingyu's men, he had no way to stop them.

Seeing the cavalry part the road, Che Che Hongda's rough lips curled: "Lord Jiang understands after all."

"Very well, the hour grows late; we shall meet again."

As he spoke, he grabbed Liu Liu Yifei's arm and was about to roughly shove her into the carriage.

Just as Che Che Hongda lowered his guard and prepared to flee, several streaks of cold light suddenly shot from Tu Tu Kesiluo's hand without warning.

Deathly wails arrived unexpectedly; then Che Che Hongda discovered that the only living soul beside him was Liu Liu Yifei.

Zhang Zhang Jiani, who had just been glaring at him with fury, seized the opportunity, darting forward three zhang in a single leap.

Taking advantage of Che Che Hongda's daze, she yanked Liu Liu Yifei, who wore an expression of despair, back.

The event happened too fast; in the blink of an eye, aside from the few involved, no one had yet reacted.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: "You are Che Che Hongda, are you not?"

"Now, with new grievances added to old hatreds, let us settle the score properly."

Che Che Hongda's face turned deathly pale, his whole body trembling; he finally realized he had fallen into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's trap.

"Lord Jiang, this is a breach of faith! We had an agreement!" he shouted, his eyes wide with rage, his words incoherent.

"I never place trust in villains," Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied coldly.

He had long seen through that Che Che Hongda would inevitably take Liu Liu Yifei away, so he set this trap to capture him.