7. Kidnapping

However ... Liu Xiu, my curiosity about him is growing stronger and stronger

In the darkness, I could only vaguely make out that it was a rather tall person. Guessing it should be Wang Chang, I crouched down and, taking advantage of the moment he was lingering at the door trying to light the fire, quickly darted in front of him and kicked out with a swift motion.

My neck is stiff, and I dare not turn my head; I can only fix my gaze on the long sword in the hands of the one called Zi Zhang. I fear that he will strike me with a sword when I am distracted.

The young man who spoke the most gently and appeared to be the easiest to talk to hesitated and said: "It is important for us to hurry on our journey. The authorities have been cracking down hard these past few days, so it is better not to stir up too much trouble."

Just as I was about to turn around to explain, suddenly a flash appeared before my eyes, and a blinding white mass rushed towards me. Instinctively, I took a step back and lowered my waist into a stance.

In the past, I used to love reading martial arts novels, particularly fond of the heroes who robbed the rich to help the poor. Now, having truly found myself in such a situation, becoming a victim of abduction, all that remains is fear and tears.

I want to go home—" I simply sat down on the ground, crying out loud, mimicking a child's tantrum, kicking my legs and rolling on the grass, "I want to go home—"

As my palm tightened, a warm hand grasped mine, leading me out of the room. I stumbled along behind him for a few steps when he suddenly stopped, released my hand, and said, "I apologize."

On one hand, I felt a twinge of guilt towards Yin Shi, while on the other hand, I was unwilling to be confined in a small room, obediently playing the role of a refined young lady, leading to an internal struggle within me

I curled my knees, buried my face in the crook of my arm, and tears finally streamed down my cheeks.

I truly want to go home, to lie on the sofa holding a martial arts novel, munching on potato chips, sipping cola, and savoring the thrilling adventures of the heroes battling for their lives, rather than lying on this dry, prickly grass, being threatened by someone with a sword.

"Who exactly are you?" I asked in confusion. Who is he? Why did he save me?

As I burst out of the gate of the building, the watchdog in the yard continued to bark incessantly, yet for some reason, the entire building was remarkably quiet. Just as I was feeling puzzled, I suddenly heard a gust of wind rush overhead, and Liu Xiu abruptly pushed me aside, catching me off guard and sending me sprawling into the torrential rain, landing clumsily in the muddy ground

My gaze fell upon that belt, and my mind buzzed. On the powder green corset belt, two opposing mythical beasts were embroidered with black silk thread. Between the two clawing beasts, one held a red fireball in its mouth, and within the fireball, a large character "Yin" was embroidered in gold thread.

Under the hood of a cloak, I was stunned and at a loss for words, but the person in front of me had already turned back with a smile and said: "In return for my heartfelt words, you can repay me with your body!"

The rain poured down relentlessly on a handsome face, perhaps due to being drenched by the rain, his complexion appeared somewhat pale. Although that infuriating smile remained, I seemed to catch a glimpse of the worry and tension behind his smile

Deng Yu led me towards the carriage, and I looked up at the shadowy figure atop the vehicle. Raindrops dripped down from the bamboo hat, and his face was taut and ashen, with thick brows furrowed tightly, and the upward tilt of his eyes revealed a hint of profound sharpness

The local sound, that cluster of white light fell onto the axle, sparking tiny embers. I focused my gaze and was immediately drenched in cold sweat, as I saw a long sword embedded straight into the wooden axle by three points, the blade trembling and buzzing.

Stinky girl

I could no longer contain myself and exclaimed: "Why are you being so good to me? I have such a bad temper, I enjoy being willful and making a fuss, and I am the best at causing trouble. Why do you have to be so good to me? Clearly... clearly I am not..."

I turned back, panting, and saw Bai Wuchang standing on the yoke, driving the cart at full speed in pursuit. In the blink of an eye, the ox cart caught up with me, and Cheng Dan leaned out from the cart, extending his left hand to reach out, and unexpectedly grabbed my waist tightly.

Clearly, I am not his sister, clearly, I am not Yin Lihua! Why, why do you treat me so well? ... Why ...

"Zizhang, show mercy with your sword!" A refreshing voice suddenly interjected from the side.

Only Cheng Dan remained silent. I noticed his expression was dark and contemplative. As I glanced at him, he suddenly stepped forward and reached out to grab me.

His fingers trembled slightly; he is Liu Xiu! So he is the Liu Xiu! I was filled with excitement, wishing I could immediately pull him back for a closer look

I have been treated so badly by Cheng Dan and the others. Since they have been captured, it would be one thing not to hand them over to the authorities, but why were they allowed to leave so easily

I shrank back a little, for I feared the sword in his hand the most. Whatever he said, how could I dare to defy it? I immediately fell silent and hurriedly wiped my tears with my sleeve, saying, "I did not cry"

The kidnappers are a trio. From their casual conversations, I have pieced together some information.

After a few more days, I gradually heard some fragments from those retainers, and I finally managed to piece the whole matter together

The events that followed naturally unfolded. Compared to the Yin, Deng, and Liu clans, the strength of the three Cheng Dan was fundamentally the difference between an elephant and an ant. The inn was surrounded, and the battle was intense... However, what I cannot comprehend is that in the end, they actually released all three kidnappers who were within their grasp

After easily passing through the farmland, I finally had to admit that I was lost after wandering through a patch of woods. I had been going in circles in the forest for quite some time, like a ghost hitting a wall, and I still could not find my way out

I was greatly surprised; he is not Wang Chang

Go! After the faint shout, I was already being taken away by him at a run

I have been kidnapped

He let go of me indifferently. My eyes couldn't help but feel warm; if he had scolded me loudly or even beaten me up, I wouldn't feel as sad as I do now

"Let’s go!" Deng Yu tightened his grip on my hand, "You have no idea how frantic your elder brother has been looking for you. If it weren't for that Ma Wu coming to extort money, the entire Xinye would probably have been turned upside down by him."

The lush green shade, the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects, all create a delightful atmosphere of early spring

I was forced to reveal the truth that I am the daughter of the Yin family. That night, Cheng Dan and Wang Chang continued to escort me south, while Ma Wu turned back to Xinye, presumably to demand a ransom from the Yin family

I felt a tremor in my heart and said with a quivering voice: "I... I am surnamed Guan, I... I am lost, I want to go home..." I originally intended to feign fear to elicit sympathy, but unexpectedly, I was genuinely terrified to the extreme, causing my voice to tremble uncontrollably, and tears began to roll down my cheeks involuntarily

I had no time to look back, rushing out of the forest in one breath. At first, I could still hear the chaotic footsteps pursuing me, but as time went on, the footsteps gradually faded away, replaced by the rumbling sound of wheels.

For the first time, I truly felt the backwardness of two thousand years ago, and I couldn't help but reminisce about the luxurious life in the Yin family. Although Yin Shi had very strict demands, at least he was quite considerate towards me, his "sister".

Heaven does not abandon me! I am so excited that I am dancing with joy

He did not turn back, smiling softly and gently: "I am Liu Xiu"

The person holding the sword is a young man in his twenties, with straight brows and eyes that glare like a wolf. Under his gaze, my heart spasmed, and that uncontrollable pounding sensation returned once more

"Very well." He smiled gently, extending the finger that I had bitten, softly wiping away the tear stains at the corner of my eye, "How could someone as unique as you not be good? How could you not be endearing..."

"Which of your eyes saw me stealing your ox cart?" In a fit of anger, I suddenly turned around, only to confront a pale face.

After all, Yin Shi and Yin Lihua are merely half-siblings sharing the same father, while Yin Xing, that heartless little rascal, is completely unreliable. As for Yin, he has maintained a decent relationship with me for over a month, but he is too young and probably does not have much say at home. Regarding the other half-brothers, Yin Xin, Yin, and so on, it is best to skip over them entirely and not even mention them.

Eh? I suspected that I had misheard. After being stunned for two seconds, I suddenly came to my senses, reached out swiftly, and grabbed his cheek, pulling his face closer to mine

Zizhang, holding a sword, jumped up from the axle of the cart and sheathed his sword: "This is the territory of Xinye. In Xinye Township of Nanyang Prefecture, besides those with the surname Yin, the wealthiest are those with the surname Deng. Let's ask her whether she is of the Yin or Deng family, and we can easily make this deal before heading to Lvlins Mountain."

The Yin mother is actually still quite young, just in her early thirties, and she is a rare beauty. Even in her illness, her wan appearance still retains a certain charm.

I opened my mouth and leaned closer to his finger, biting down fiercely. He showed no reaction and did not pull his hand away. I released my bite and put on a fierce expression, asking, "Is this acceptable?"

I took a deep breath and walked on foot for an entire morning, thinking that I must have already walked out of Xinye. However, when I inquired with a farmer working in the fields, I discovered that I was still wandering within the territory of the Yin family.

Turning his head, he saw a horse-drawn carriage parked ten meters away, with a bronze silk lantern hanging in front. In the dim light, a figure clad in a raincoat stood firmly on the yoke, holding the reins with an imposing presence.

His reaction was remarkably swift; as the sound of his garments rustled, he had already darted a step into the room. My kick missed, and as my body spun around, I followed up with a spinning kick aimed directly at his groin.

Who is it?! Before getting close to the ox cart, a stern shout erupted from behind, "Well, well, there are actually people daring to steal our ox cart! I see you must be tired of living!"

"You are the best." Deng Yu's voice gently echoed in my ears, "You are so good, so good, so good..." He repeated the word "good" more than ten times, interrupting my urge to cry and almost making me laugh. I couldn't help but glance up at him. He was intently holding a strand of my hair, wiping it, while still continuously saying "good".

I let out a scream, and in the next moment, I was thrown into the carriage, spinning in chaos. The long sword in Zi Zhang's hand was drawn a third of the way, its sharp blade pressed against my neck

Wang Chang's temperament is as gloomy as his appearance, and being around him for an extended period can make one feel an involuntary chill all over. Therefore, under normal circumstances, I would prefer to be watched over by Cheng Dan. However, compared to Wang Chang, Cheng Dan is too shrewd; he pays close attention to my every move, even if I merely turn around or say something, to prevent me from playing tricks.

Is it Liu Xiu? ... I feel somewhat relieved, fortunately it is not Cheng Dan and the others

Deng Yu! Why are you here?

By noon, my stomach was growling with hunger. I had left home in such a hurry that I hadn't brought a single valuable item with me. The roadside was desolate, and apart from the crops, there wasn't even an inn to rest at.

However, Yin Mu Deng was quite frightened, and her already poor health deteriorated further. I felt particularly guilty, and the day after I returned to the Yin family, I actually took the initiative for the first time to visit her.

Who are you

Achoo! Achoo! Ah--

I did not understand his meaning; he suddenly squatted down in front of me, and then I felt a sudden tightness around my right ankle. He gently lifted my foot. I let out a low cry, swayed my body, and hurriedly clung to his shoulder. He carefully helped me put on my shoes, and then he stood up.

How dare you mess with me! Zi Zhang jumped up abruptly, and I scrambled to my feet, clumsily getting up from the ground, and then I took off running.

Cheng Dan's expression darkened as he frowned. The white impermanence immediately interjected, "It would not be proper for us to go to seek refuge with the Wang brothers empty-handed. Now that this woman has fallen into our hands, it is a gift from heaven that we cannot refuse."

The three big men looked at each other in silence for a long while, and then Zi Zhang suddenly shouted, "Shut up! No more crying!"

On a rainy night three days later, a sudden cacophony of frantic barking erupted outside the dark and unlit lodge. I was already sleeping restlessly, and the barking woke me after just a few barks. Having been abducted and held outside, I have always been cautious, so even when I sleep, I do not remove my outer clothing

The White Impermanence laughed heartily, dispelling the gloomy aura on his face: "This young lady is quite interesting"

It seems that I accidentally stepped on a landmine! And not just one, but three of them.

He smiled broadly and said, "Have you missed me, Lihua? I didn't know you wanted to see me so much..." I exerted some force with my hand, and he immediately changed his tone, saying seriously, "It was your elder brother who sent me here."

His voice was gentle as water, and amidst the chaotic and tumultuous sound of the rain, it strangely provided a sense of comfort and reassurance. I actually forgot the crisis and foolishly extended my left hand to him

After Ma Wu visited that day, Yin Shi agreed to go to Caiyang to pay the ransom while simultaneously gathering all the guests and friends to discuss strategies. The Deng family is my maternal family, and upon hearing about this matter, they naturally would not stand by idly. As the Yin and Deng families joined forces, Deng Yu also learned of the news. Considering that the Liu clan resides in Caiyang and is familiar with the terrain, Deng Yu proposed that the Liu Xiu brothers assist. Initially, Yin Shi was reluctant to agree, but due to the urgency of the situation, most were in favor, and he did not insist further.

Deng Yu then followed and climbed into the carriage. Seeing my gloomy expression, he reached out to remove the hooded cloak from my head, took a clean piece of cloth from the carriage, and gently wiped the droplets of water from my face

The Yin family is as usual, and Yin Shi has not mentioned a word to me about the inside story of this kidnapping incident and its subsequent handling. As the saying goes, "A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit," I have indeed learned my lesson. Yin Shi is probably still quite angry; I certainly do not dare to provoke this tiger carelessly anymore.

Achoo—" I hurriedly covered my mouth, but it was too late. Suddenly, a shadow jumped out in front of me, and I nervously raised my hand to strike at that shadow.

How large is 700 hectares of land

I reached out to wipe the rainwater from my face, my clothes were completely soaked through, and I felt extremely cold all over. I shivered, my nose itched, and I couldn't help but sneeze

Get in the car! He heavily uttered these two words, as Deng Yu supported my waist from behind and helped me onto the carriage. My palm slipped, unable to grasp the damp yoke, feeling helpless when suddenly my arms and elbows were supported by someone, pulling me onto the vehicle

What should I do? As I approached Caiyang, I was taken into a building and locked in a cramped, narrow adobe room. The doors and windows were tightly shut. I bit my lip in anxiety, yet I found myself at a loss for what to do.

I cannot understand what they are truly thinking.

If this violation is seen by the coach, it would be surprising if he doesn't get so angry that he spits blood and expels me on the spot. However, now that I am fighting for my life, I can no longer care about any principles. The opponent is tall and strong, towering over me by a head, and I have no advantage in height, so I can only find a way to attack his lower body

The White Impermanence cast a skeptical glance at me: "Although this woman is dressed in a rather unconventional manner, the fabric of her clothing is quite good, suggesting she does not come from a poor family."

Liu ... ... Xiu

That person is very tall, extremely thin, with an elongated face, inverted eyebrows, and a hooked nose. All these features are not particularly significant; the key aspect is his complexion, which is devoid of any color, resembling a living version of a white ghost.

"Come with me!" He reached out to pull me, but I shrank my shoulder back to avoid his grasp. He was momentarily stunned, then said, "Please believe me, I will not harm you, give me your hand!"

In a moment of panic, I instinctively raised my hand to block, just as I was about to strike with my palm, I suddenly came to my senses, hurriedly withdrew my hands, and pretended to be frightened, guarding my chest.

Standing face to face with Yin Shi, I felt a sudden halt in my breath, and an overwhelming sense of guilt filled my heart

With a "pop!" he leaped up, pressing his palms down on my feet. I was taken aback, and my silk shoes slipped off my feet. He paused for a moment, holding onto my shoes, and I quickly retracted my foot. I didn't expect Wang Chang to be so difficult to deal with. I glanced towards the door, deciding not to waste any more time with him; escaping was the best option.

Catch her

Cheng Dan said in a low voice: "I have heard that Yin Shi from Xinye and Deng Chen are not to be trifled with. I do not wish to add unnecessary trouble. I intended to offer a kind reminder, but it is not to say that I am afraid of them!" As he spoke, he lowered his head and turned to me, asking, "Miss, what is your name?"

Just as I was rushing towards the door, I did not expect his movements to be much faster than I had imagined, and I almost crashed into his arms. In my frustration and despair, I couldn't help but curse loudly: "You bastard, always bullying women, what kind of heroes are you! All of you are nothing but dog shit!"

The person speaking next to him leaned over, reached out to stop Zhang's hand, and whispered, "Don't be nervous, it's just a little girl"

Elder brother

Their destination is Lushan Mountain, but Wang and Cheng have agreed to meet with Ma Wu in Caiyang first. Whether they will carry out the ransom or return the hostage depends entirely on whether my elder brother is generous enough.

In the darkness, although I cannot clearly see his appearance, I can feel his attentiveness and gentleness

When he reached out, I instinctively shrank back, but he pressed down on my shoulder with one hand. I felt a surge of frustration as I allowed him to wipe me down. After he finished with my face, he turned to dry my dripping long hair.

My bravado was significantly diminished by his appearance. Seeing him raise an eyebrow and reveal a very displeased expression, I hurriedly forced a smile and said, "I truly did not intend to steal your ox cart; I was merely lost. I saw a cart parked here and thought I would come over to ask someone for directions."

My ears suddenly perked up, and I listened closely; indeed, it was the sound of a cow, clearly coming from behind the thicket on the left. I stumbled over and pushed aside the tall bushes, and my eyes brightened as I saw a bullock cart standing prominently in the clearing behind the trees

You..." Wang Chang hesitated for a moment, stepping back instead of advancing, maintaining a certain distance from me. Just as I felt that his voice was somewhat off, he asked in confusion, "Are you a Yin Ji?"

At this pause, Cheng Dan had already yanked the belt from my waist with a "pop". I was taken aback, and before I could comprehend the situation, he held the belt in his hand, his gaze coldly scrutinizing me: "Cunning little girl!"

I did not know what to say, biting my lip and daring not to look at him again

"Alright. Don't be afraid, I will take you out." His hand was gently grasped again, and he led me through the eerie corridor.

I let go of my hand, and a voice suddenly shouted loudly from a distance: "Get back on the bus!"

Liu ... ... '' I opened my mouth to shout, but then thought again. In this environment where no one is approaching, perhaps standing quietly to the side would cause little trouble. If I were to shout and fail to call Liu Xiu, I might instead attract the attention of the wrongdoers, which would be disastrous. Yet, standing in the rain all the time, isn't that just waiting for death?

Because it was a sudden move, there was hardly any strength behind it. As I swung my hand out, my wrist was suddenly gripped tightly, and I was caught off guard by the person who had arrived. I was anxiously wanting to scream, but that person suddenly pulled me forcefully, drawing me into their embrace

Facing three opponents alone, I do not yet possess the confidence to retreat unscathed, especially considering that Zizhang wields a sword

Zi Zhang scoffed, "Cheng Dan, you are indeed overly timid and fearful of trouble."

The man who had been frightening with his ghostly cries approached from behind, and I could clearly hear the rustling sound of his feet on the grass: "Even if she is a woman, she intends to steal our ox cart, we cannot let her off lightly!"

A fire ignited in my heart, and just as I turned my head to unleash a torrent of curses, I saw two dark figures entangled in a fierce struggle before me. I scrambled to my feet in a panic; the rain was pouring heavily, and the light was insufficient, reducing visibility to merely one meter. At first, I squinted and could make out two indistinct shadows overlapping, but as I blinked, those shadows had vanished from my line of sight, leaving only the faint sounds of fighting and shouts amidst the rushing water.

I truly feel sorry for her, becoming a widow at such a young age. A well-behaved young lady has inexplicably been replaced by another. Although this was not my intention, seeing her in the dark, excitedly holding my hand and shedding tears of gratitude to the heavens for my safe return, I still feel a faint sense of guilt in my heart, as if I owe her something.

The heartbeat returns to normal after a few seconds; at this moment, there are assailants behind me and bullies in front of me. I do not know what to do next to resolve the crisis at this moment

Yin Shi ... ! ... I hope he is not a miser. ! I also hope that Cheng Dan and the other two have smaller appetites, and do not demand excessively; I do not have the confidence that I am worth too much money

The one who appeared to be the most virtuous, yet ultimately led me to my downfall, was Cheng Dan, a native of Yingchuan; Bai Wuchang does not have the surname Bai, but rather Wang, although his name does indeed contain the character "Chang"; he is called Wang Chang and is a fellow townsman of Cheng Dan; as for the rather domineering Zi Zhang, his surname is Ma and his given name is Wu, with Zi Zhang being his courtesy name; he hails from Nanyang, which explains his considerable understanding of the social intricacies involving the Yin and Deng families.

What kind of person is he, after all

Do not let her get away

Moo—Moo—

The kidnapping incident involving the Yin family's heiress should have been a sensational event in Nanyang, yet after returning home for several days, I have not seen a single local official inquire about this matter, nor have I heard any rumors regarding it in the community

I had just sat up from bed, groping in the dark to put on my shoes, when suddenly, with a bang, the door was flung open and someone rushed in

The local wealthy landowner! The Yin family is indeed affluent. It is said that Yin Lihua's father, Yin Lu, passed away when she was only seven years old. One can imagine the immense family estate that subsequently fell upon the shoulders of the eldest son, Yin Shi. He must possess considerable courage and ambition to bear such a heavy burden.

This ... ... is really not fun at all

I leaned against a tree, my legs weak and powerless, wanting to cry but with no tears. Had I known it would be like this, even if fate had allowed me to master all arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, I would not have dared to be so willful again

In fact, his appearance was not inherently fierce; he merely exaggerated his own dominance, somewhat deliberately trying to appear cool, and put on a tough demeanor. Regardless of whether he was merely posturing or truly capable, at least he wielded a sword, and he... That sword just now was genuinely aimed at me.

The three of them previously did not know what they had done to offend the authorities, and now they have all become fugitives, relying on robbing and plundering to make a living. However, from the tone of their speech, it seems that they only target the wealthy and are quite courteous towards the poor.