And so she followed them from afar, twisting and turning through seven alleys and eight lanes, eventually discovering that they had been loitering outside Lai Yuan's house for some time before Zhu Yougui finally led them out of the city.
Watching the two people who had left with him enter the shantytown, Li Yao had an inkling of what this group was planning.
The reason the refugees were difficult to deal with was because they could turn into bandits anytime, but even more terrifying was that they might collude with the locals.
Judging from Zhu Yougui's actions today, were they planning on robbing Lai Yuan's house?
She couldn't be certain, but she had to be vigilant.
So she went to the county office, and when Magistrate Song heard about this, he took it very seriously.
Harsh punishments in chaotic times.
This matter had to be made an example of, otherwise if someone successfully committed robbery, it would lead to other refugees imitating them, and Baichuan County would fall into chaos.
Magistrate Song immediately recalled Captain Zhang and had people lying in ambush around Lai Yuan's house. He personally oversaw the operation, waiting for Zhu Yougui and the others to walk into his trap.
In the dead of night, the entire Baichuan settlement was quiet and tranquil. Over a dozen black silhouettes leapt over the wall and swiftly gathered outside Lai Yuan's house.
But before they could even scale the wall, several dozen torches suddenly lit up around them. Captain Zhang charged out with his runners, and in an instant, pinned over a dozen people to the ground.
After tearing off the cloths covering their faces, Captain Zhang frowned deeply: "What's going on here? How come Zhu Yougui isn't among them?"
"What?"
Magistrate Song was shocked. He suddenly realized something was wrong.
"Hurry, hurry to He Wan village!"
...
He Wan village. Over a dozen pitch-black silhouettes stealthily lurked near Li Yao's home.
"Boss Zhang, you really are amazing. This scheme of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west is truly ingenious," Zhu Yougui said in a low voice. "All those dogs from the county office must have been tied up at the Lai estate, so we can carry out our plan with ease."
Zhang Gu ignored Zhu Yougui's flattery.
From beginning to end, his target had been Li Yao.
Over ten days ago, when refugees had started flooding into Yizhou Prefecture, he had received this mission from Prefect Hu - to infiltrate Baichuan County by posing as a refugee, and be sure to take Li Yao's life.
He didn't know why Prefect Hu was so fixated on a common woman, but that didn't stop him from doing his utmost to complete the task. So he had secretly gathered a bunch of bold refugees, and found Zhu Yougui from He Wan village.
Now that all the men from the county office were tied up over at Lai Yuan's place, he could of course easily have his way in a small village like He Wan.
"It's about time," said Zhang Gu. "Remember to be quick later - leave no one alive."
"Roger!"
The dozen or so refugees following him were also desperados. Gripping their long sabers tightly, they swiftly leapt over the wall around Li Yao's home.
The yard was deathly still, not a single light on, which made them want to laugh.
To think that such a wealthy household didn't even keep a dog - they were just asking to be robbed.
Zhang Gu brought his men to the main house's door, and just as he was about to force the door bar open, a loud shout came from behind: "Grab them, quick!"
The crowd was shocked and hurriedly looked back to see silhouettes emerge from the other houses.
Torches were swiftly lit, illuminating the yard as bright as day.
In the bright firelight, Zhang Gu discovered there were actually over a hundred villagers, each one holding sickles, carrying poles, and wielding hoes!
It was a trap!
The dozen or so men who had come with Zhang Gu were scared witless, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
"Follow me and break out!" Zhang Gu bellowed. Wielding the steel saber in his hand, he charged at the crowd like a ravenous wolf.
He was a battle-hardened veteran with dozens of lives under his blade. He didn't take these villagers seriously at all.
Where his blade went, none could stop him.
But the villagers weren't fools either. They didn't give him a chance to get near, instead throwing stones at him from afar.
Two fists were no match for four hands. Although Zhang Gu did his utmost to dodge, he was still struck several times.
He glanced back at Li Yao's room. He knew tonight's plan was a complete failure.
They had to retreat.
Zhang Gu shouted loudly to force back the villagers in front of him, then swiftly fled over the wall.
But the others lacked his capabilities. Beaten bloody by the stones flung at them, they were quickly pinned down and tied up.
After leaping out of the compound, Zhang Gu ran straight for the hills.
But he didn't get far before a silhouette blocked his path.
"Stop right there!"
Zhang Gu looked up to see it was just a brat, no older than thirteen or fourteen. He let out a cold snort and swung his saber down.
Seeing Zhang Gu's descending blade, Wang San'er's heart pounded wildly.
Although he had been beaten every time he sparred with Mother, he knew his life was never actually in danger.
But this time was different. This time, it was a life or death struggle!
What's more, his opponent was a vicious desperado.
With the blade almost upon him, Wang San'er had no time to think. He raised the iron rod in his hand to block.
Clang!
Zhang Gu stumbled back, his heart shocked.
He had expected his blow to be unblockable, but unexpectedly, this brat who looked no older than thirteen or fourteen had easily deflected it with raw strength.
No, it wasn't raw strength, but because he was using an iron rod!
Zhang Gu felt a little disgruntled. Which family's kid was this, to be running around with such a thick iron rod in the dead of night?
But now that he knew, he had countermeasures.
He immediately displayed extremely swift footwork, preparing to rely on his agility to face his opponent.
Seeing his foe suddenly accelerate, Wang San'er also pushed off forcefully with his feet, using the evasive moves Mother had taught him to dodge Zhang Gu's attacks while looking for chances to counterattack.
The clear ringing of metal on metal rang out as the two exchanged over a dozen moves in an instant.
By now, Zhang Gu was drenched in cold sweat.
He had once been a captain, invincible with his steel saber and nimble footwork. But today, he was actually evenly matched with a little brat.
Just then, a voice sounded from the side: "You're fighting too conservatively."
Zhang Gu stumbled back in fright, looking in horror at the shadowy figure. His heart shuddered with shock.
When had this person arrived?
And based on the voice, it seemed to be a woman!
"Mother, let me try a little longer," said Wang San'er. "I feel one more move and I can take him down."
Zhang Gu: ...Take me down in one move?
How arrogant!
Does this kid really think I'm so easy to subdue?
"Ha!"
Zhang Gu roared and charged down the mountain like a fierce tiger, his saber viciously hacking down at Wang San'er.
"Perfect!"
Wang San'er didn't retreat or dodge in the slightest. He raised his iron rod to block the saber, then spun his body, swinging the rod in a circle before slamming it at Zhang Gu with full force.
"I'm done for."
Zhang Gu hadn't expected the rod's speed to be so fast. He had no time to evade, taking the blow head-on.
Bang!
The iron rod squarely struck Zhang Gu's waist. Several ribs instantly shattered, and his entire body was whipped back violently.
The agony made Zhang Gu's mind go blank, but he could still make out the voices speaking.