Chapter 33

Yuping Mountain is located at the border of Chuzhou and is also a must-pass route to Shouzhou. Ye Yu's caravan had passed through it many times, and everything had always been peaceful.

However, just three days ago, a group of caravans led by She Tongcheng was ambushed by a band of mountain bandits while passing through Yuping Mountain. This was not the main issue, as money is an external possession that can be earned back if lost.

But these bandits not only took all the goods but also held the people hostage.

When Ye Yu heard this news, he was struck as if by five thunderbolts, for he knew very well that Su Yueyun was also in that caravan.

The current shop had expanded to neighboring counties, and a branch was set up in Shouzhou! Recently, there had been some issues with the Shouzhou branch, so Su Yueyun had volunteered to go and handle the sales of daily necessities at the Shouzhou branch.

But she was ambushed by a band of bandits before even reaching Shouzhou. Whether it was robbery or taking hostages, the bandits were only after money, which Ye Yu did not take too seriously.

What worried Ye Yu the most was Su Yueyun's safety. The bandits were ruthless and hid in the mountains. Now that a beautiful woman had fallen into their hands, he dared not imagine the consequences.

Just as Ye Yu was anxious, Su Quanzhong rushed in with a letter, and before Ye Yu could speak, Su Quanzhong said anxiously, "Nephew, this is a letter from the bandits!"

Ye Yu's expression changed slightly, and he quickly took the letter and opened it. Indeed, it was written in neat regular script. After reading it quickly, he frowned and said in a deep voice, "This is a serious matter. I think it's best to consult with Lord Liu!"

Hearing this, Su Quanzhong, who had been sitting restlessly, stood up and waved his hands, saying urgently, "Absolutely not, absolutely not! The letter says that if we report to the authorities, Yueyun and the others will be in even greater danger!

These bandits are only asking for ten thousand strings of cash. I am willing to mortgage all the Su family's assets to ensure my daughter's safe return..."

Su Quanzhong's words made Ye Yu fall into deep thought. The letter not only demanded ten thousand strings of cash but also required him to go to Yuping Mountain in person!

This puzzled Ye Yu. If the bandits were after money, why did they insist on him going to Yuping Mountain? Was it a trap to kidnap him as well?

His thoughts raced, and Ye Yu felt something was off. Despite his efforts, he could not figure out the bandits' true intentions.

Su Quanzhong, who had already understood the content of the letter, saw Ye Yu's silence and thought he was afraid to go to Yuping Mountain.

Su Quanzhong knew that the goods in this caravan were not many, and She Tongcheng and the others were not close friends or relatives of Ye Yu. In such a situation, Ye Yu might abandon the goods and the people.

Thinking of this, Su Quanzhong pleaded, "Nephew, I only have Yueyun as my daughter. Please, for my sake, help rescue her!"

"Ah! Uncle Su, there's no need to worry. I will definitely bring Miss Su back unharmed!" Ye Yu, seeing Su Quanzhong's expression, knew he had misunderstood and reassured him.

Seeing that Ye Yu had agreed to go to Yuping Mountain, Su Quanzhong was overjoyed, "Thank you so much!"

Ye Yu waved his hand and did not speak further. He then sent people to investigate the background of the bandits on Yuping Mountain. Knowing one's enemy and oneself ensures victory in every battle.

Concerned about his own safety, Ye Yu had to be cautious. However, what surprised Ye Yu was that Guo Xiaotian was very familiar with Yuping Mountain.

After repeated questioning, Guo Xiaotian finally revealed a part of his past.

On Yuping Mountain, there was a Qingfeng Fort, and its leader was named Li Dayin, known as "Second Blade" for his bold and lecherous nature. Although he was a bandit, he had many wives and enjoyed a life of luxury.

However, despite being a bandit, Li Dayin followed the rules of the underworld. He did not harm the poor, but he would mercilessly extort and kidnap wealthy merchants and officials, and even take lives.

The authorities had sent troops multiple times to eliminate Li Dayin, but the rugged terrain of Yuping Mountain made it easy to defend and hard to attack. Over the years, they had failed to eradicate him.

Li Dayin, taking advantage of the geographical advantage, acted recklessly and did not fear the authorities. He had gathered over two hundred bandits, and although both Chuzhou and Shouzhou authorities considered him a threat, no one had the power to control him.

Thus, Yuping Mountain became a no-man's land, and the authorities of Chuzhou and Shouzhou had to tacitly accept his existence.

Initially, Guo Xiaotian passed through Yuping Mountain, and due to a lack of food, he was already weak and powerless. He was easily captured by a few bandits and taken to the fort to work as a laborer.

Bound by chains, he failed several times to escape from Yuping Mountain. It was not until a martial arts competition in the fort that his opportunity came.

On that day, Li Dayin, having successfully robbed a wealthy merchant, held a grand celebration. During the feast, his sister, Li Ping'er, proposed a martial arts competition to entertain her brother.

Li Dayin readily agreed and watched the competition with his concubines. Li Ping'er announced that anyone in the fort could challenge her.

Although she said this, everyone in the fort knew that Li Dayin doted on his sister. If anyone injured her, they would face retribution later.

Therefore, no one was willing to fight Li Ping'er with full strength. As expected, no one could defeat her.

Seeing his chance, Guo Xiaotian declared that he wanted to participate. Confident Li Ping'er, seeing Guo Xiaotian's thin and weak appearance, agreed without hesitation.

She then ordered the bandits to remove his chains and prepared to fight him.

However, to everyone's surprise, Guo Xiaotian feigned an attack and then quickly turned and jumped off the stage.

At first, everyone thought he was afraid of losing, but they soon realized their mistake. Guo Xiaotian did not stop after jumping off the stage; instead, he used the momentum to run towards the fort's gate.

By the time Li Dayin and his sister reacted, Guo Xiaotian had already rushed out like a wild horse.

With his martial arts skills, he easily defeated the drunk bandits, and no one could stop him. He had already figured out the layout of the fort, so his escape was smooth.

However, the rugged terrain of Yuping Mountain made it difficult to navigate, and it took Guo Xiaotian over ten days to escape.

After listening to Guo Xiaotian's detailed account, Ye Yu sighed and smiled, "Xiaotian, you seem quiet and reserved, but you are actually very resourceful! Since you have been there before, are you still familiar with the mountain paths?"

Guo Xiaotian shook his head, looking disappointed, "In my hasty escape, I lost my way and cannot remember the path up the mountain! Even if I knew the way, you should not take unnecessary risks, for... 'It is easy to go down the mountain but hard to go up.'"

"Of course, I know that. Otherwise, the authorities of Chuzhou and Shouzhou would not have been helpless against Yuping Mountain for so many years! However, with you by my side, I feel much more at ease going to Yuping Mountain..."

Ye Yu then asked Guo Xiaotian to select a few guards for protection, while Su Quanzhong raised the ransom money. After making the necessary preparations, Ye Yu set off for Yuping Mountain with the ransom.

...

In the Drunken Spring Pavilion, Lu Zheng lay exhausted on a naked body, a silk quilt covering only the lower half, revealing a back scratched by fingers.

The beautiful courtesan below him had just woken up. Though her eyes were still half-closed, she lay lazily, reminiscing about the previous night. She smiled sweetly until the sound of birds outside the window made her reluctantly get up, only to disturb the man beside her.

Unexpectedly, as the courtesan moved, Lu Zheng grabbed her wrist and said lazily, "Little one, why are you getting up so early? Where are you going?"

The courtesan then turned back to the bed, lying on Lu Zheng's chest and said softly, "Sir, it's already the hour of Chen..."

Lu Zheng frowned slightly, still drowsy, "It's only the hour of Chen. Today, you only need to stay with me!"

The courtesan smiled sweetly, her cheeks blushing, and gently rubbed Lu Zheng's chest, saying coyly, "Why don't you buy my freedom, then I can stay with you every day..."

Lu Zheng opened his eyes, touched Mei Qin's red lips with a smile, and comforted her, "Isn't this better?"

"Hmph! You're still thinking about Liu Qianyu! Don't forget, her heart belongs only to Lord Ye!" Mei Qin pouted, displeased.

Hearing Ye Yu's name, Lu Zheng's anger flared, and he coldly snorted, "That woman is truly ungrateful, infatuated with a cripple!"

At this, Lu Zheng's expression turned sinister, "Ye Yu, we'll see who wins in the end!"

Mei Qin, not understanding Lu Zheng's words, was about to ask but was silenced by Lu Zheng's kiss.

"Mmm..."

The two kissed for a while, and only then did Lu Zheng stop.

This bout of passion left Mei Qin panting, her chest heaving, and her breasts bouncing.

Lu Zheng then wrapped his arm around Mei Qin's waist, bringing her face close to his, and whispered in her ear, "Was last night wonderful?"

Mei Qin's face turned even redder, and she hesitated to answer. But under Lu Zheng's intense gaze and iron grip, she blushed and said, "Being tortured all night, my body is about to fall apart. What's so wonderful about it?"

Just as they were enjoying each other's company, Lu San's voice came from outside the room, "Young Master, Father has sent me to invite you back..."

"What for?" Lu Zheng, who was in a high mood, was immediately deflated by Lu San's interruption.

"Master Pan has arrived!" Lu San hesitated for a moment and then whispered.

"Oh? He's here..."

Lu Zheng sat up abruptly and began to dress. Mei Qin, understanding the situation, quickly helped him, tying his belt and dressing him.

Seeing the full and bouncing belly band, Lu Zheng's throat went dry.

But with important matters at hand, he had to suppress his desires. After a light kiss, he reluctantly turned and left the room.

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