Xue Zi Ning and Xue Yan were led up a mountain. Before them lay a dense forest, and they walked along a winding, muddy path. After about an hour, a stockade, nestled on the mountaintop, gradually appeared.
As they neared the stockade, cheers erupted from the surroundings, "The Second Boss is back, the Second Boss is back!"
Xue Zi Ning then realized that heads were peeking out from the dense forest, and there were people everywhere.
Xue Yan stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, there are so many people here."
Xue Zi Ning said, "Memorize the terrain."
Xue Yan nodded.
Upon entering the stockade, a short man walked over and said to the Second Boss, "Second Boss, the Chief wants to see you."
The Second Boss nodded, then turned and gestured to Xue Zi Ning and the others, "Make arrangements."
The short man nodded, "Second Boss, rest assured."
The Second Boss left, and the short man approached, "You two, follow me."
Xue Zi Ning and Xue Yan exchanged glances and followed the short man. Xue Zi Ning spoke, "May I ask your name, brother?"
The short man laughed heartily, "Just call me Xiao Wu."
"Xiao Wu, how many people are there in your stockade?"
Xiao Wu said, "Over a thousand."
Hearing this, Xue Zi Ning felt a pang of surprise. That was no small number.
"I still haven't asked your names," Xiao Wu inquired.
"Shu Gen," Xue Zi Ning replied, pointing to Xue Yan, "He is Shu Cha."
Xiao Wu was taken aback, "Your names are quite peculiar."
Xue Yan twitched his lips.
Xiao Wu led them to a room and then mentioned that someone would bring them food before leaving.
Seeing no suspicious individuals outside, Xue Yan whispered, "Your Majesty, do you intend to capture them all in one go?"
Xue Zi Ning said, "That depends on whether that general can recognize the meaning in your flying dart."
Xue Yan suddenly understood, "Your Majesty, you intend to cooperate with that general from the inside and outside?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Yes."
Xue Yan, hearing this, expressed some concern, "Aren't you afraid the general will collude with the stockade?"
"That's why we need to see one more person."
"Who?" Xue Yan asked.
Xue Zi Ning did not answer.
Footsteps sounded outside. Xue Yan stepped forward, his hidden weapon already prepared, "Shu Gen, Shu Cha, the Chief wishes to see you."
It was Xiao Wu's voice from outside.
Xue Yan opened the door. Xiao Wu said, "The Chief wishes to see you."
Xue Zi Ning stood up, "Please lead the way, Brother Xiao Wu."
Xiao Wu led them to a courtyard. It was brightly lit with candles. Xiao Wu stopped outside the door, "Wait here, I'll go in and report to the Chief."
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Alright."
After Xiao Wu went in, Xue Yan whispered, "Your Majesty, I've roughly counted dozens of people around here, and they are quite skilled."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Wu came out, "You can go in now!"
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and entered the room. The room was large and empty, with a row of bamboo chairs on either side, and nothing else.
Looking ahead, the ground was covered with animal skins. On one of the bamboo chairs lay a white fox fur, upon which sat a tall, burly figure. His full beard concealed much of his appearance, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp.
"Greetings, Chief," Xue Zi Ning lowered her head and cupped her hands.
Xue Zi Ning felt a gaze fall upon her, scrutinizing her. After about half an incense stick's time, a laugh suddenly echoed, "Not bad, not bad, a good prospect."
Xue Zi Ning was startled, and then a voice suddenly chimed in, "Chief, please don't frighten these two young brothers."
The Chief laughed heartily, "Is the Second Boss angry? Don't worry, in the Chief's heart, you are always the best."
Hearing this, Xue Zi Ning felt an inexplicable chill.
"You all may leave now!" the Second Boss said.
Xue Zi Ning quickly walked out. Upon exiting the door, she instinctively looked back and saw the Chief reaching out to touch the Second Boss's hand.
Feeling a wave of nausea, she forced herself to return to her room and drank several cups of tea before feeling somewhat better. Xue Yan beside her whispered, "What is the relationship between the Chief and the Second Boss?"
Xue Zi Ning shushed him, "Walls have ears."
She slept restlessly that night and woke up early the next day to find Xue Yan missing. She walked out of the room and found no trace of Xue Yan.
Xue Zi Ning inexplicably felt a bad premonition. She quickly went to the Chief's courtyard based on her memory from the previous night and saw the Chief and Xue Yan.
She hurried forward and cupped her hands, "Chief."
The Chief's gaze fell upon her, with a hint of scrutiny. She had felt uncomfortable under the Chief's gaze yesterday, and now, seeing the scene from yesterday, she remembered that it was the look of a beast coveting its prey.
She was the prey, and the Chief was the beast.
"Brother, why are you here?" Xue Yan walked forward. Xue Zi Ning saw that his face was pale, and his hand touching her arm was trembling.
She grabbed Xue Yan's hand and said, "I was worried when I couldn't see you. If something happened to you, how could I explain it to Mom and Dad?"
Xue Yan bit his lower lip, "I'm fine."
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and said, "Chief, my younger brother here is a bit mischievous. If he offends you, please don't hold it against him."
"Why would I? You two brothers are quite well-behaved. However, you are the one I value most…" The Chief placed his hand on her arm.
Xue Zi Ning suppressed the urge to hit him and said, "If the Chief says so, where does that leave the Second Boss? I can't compare to the Second Boss."
"Haha…" The Chief laughed heartily, then leaned in and said with a suggestive tone, "If you want, you can be the Third Boss too."
Xue Zi Ning took a step back, "The Chief is joking. I've just arrived and haven't familiarized myself with the stockade. How can the brothers here be convinced?"
The Chief laughed heartily, "What are you afraid of? Only I have the final say here."
As he spoke, his hand moved to Xue Zi Ning's shoulder and squeezed. She frowned. Xue Yan's breathing changed behind her. She squeezed Xue Yan's hand, signaling him not to act rashly.
The Chief, seeing her not resist, moved his hand downwards. Xue Zi Ning's heart skipped a beat. She had gathered people to search for Xue Yan this morning, and her belt was not tightened.
She touched the silver whip at her waist. At that very moment…
"Chief," a voice suddenly called out.
The Chief released her and turned to the newcomer, smiling, "Second Boss."
"Chief, Big Guy has been captured," the Second Boss said.
The Chief frowned and said, "Let's go inside and talk."
Xue Zi Ning looked up and met the Second Boss's gaze. The Second Boss merely glanced at her indifferently before looking away. "Your Majesty, are you alright?" Xue Yan asked worriedly.
Xue Zi Ning shook her head, "I'm fine."
The Chief seemed displeased about Big Guy's capture and discussed plans to rescue him.