Xia Yunting’s gaze fell upon the group of people on the ground. A single glance was enough to confirm their numbers: nineteen. Including the messenger who had reported earlier, that made a total of twenty, all of them young men, most of whom had been rescued from the mines.
"It seems Liu Hong's family is seeking personal revenge," Xia Yunting remarked.
"This time, it only resulted in a scuffle. It didn't escalate too much. Even if the village chief is angry, he'll only offer a scolding. I fear they might escalate their actions in the future."
Xia Yunting's eyes flickered. "I have a way." He then leaned down and whispered a few words into Rong Zhi's ear.
Rong Zhi's eyes lit up. "Excellent idea."
Yu Rong was still loudly reprimanding them, his chest heaving with anger. Finally, he called out to the crowd, "Whose children are these? Take them back and teach them a lesson. Are you waiting to embarrass yourselves here?"
As soon as he spoke, the onlookers exchanged glances. After a long pause, a few people emerged hesitantly. Some were elderly, with white hair. Others were widowers or widows. It was difficult to find complete families among them.
Seeing this, Yu Rong's heart softened again. These were pitiable people who had lost their children, their families scattered. But wasn't Gu Xinlan's family also pitiable?
He wanted to scold them further, but ultimately, the words didn't come out. He simply waved his hand, "Take them away quickly, take them away. Lock them up for seven days. They are not to be released until they understand their mistake!"
The people nodded in unison and were about to lead their children away when Rong Zhi spoke, "Wait a moment, Village Chief."
"Lin girl, is there something else?"
Rong Zhi said, "Although these brothers have made mistakes, it's likely due to the hardships they endured at the mine. They merely sought revenge on the wrong people. Since everyone wants revenge, we have a method, but I don't know if these brothers dare to take it."
"What method?"
Rong Zhi glanced at the young men, seeing their bewildered expressions. He continued, "There are still many trafficker corpses at Swallow Mountain that no one has claimed. The overseers from the mine are still imprisoned. They are the truly wicked ones. Why don't we let these brothers visit Swallow Mountain and the prison? For the dead, desecrate their corpses and dismember them. For the living, beat them to vent your anger. Once they've vented their fury, they won't trouble innocent people anymore. Village Chief, what do you think?"
"This method is excellent." Yu Rong's eyes brightened. He turned and glared at the young men. "Aren't you capable? Can't you throw stones? Go! Let you throw them to your heart's content!"
The youths who had returned from the mine listened and their faces paled with terror. The abuse they suffered from the overseers was still vivid in their minds. To face them again would be a nightmare. As for the people at Swallow Mountain, although they hadn't seen them, they had heard rumors that on the day the constables took them down the mountain, the entire slope was stained red with blood, even the river turned into a river of blood.
This wasn't asking them to seek revenge; it was practically sending them to suffer.
"Village Chief, we know we were wrong. Please don't make us go, okay?" a seemingly younger one pleaded. The rest also softened their stances.
"Yes, Village Chief, we didn't intend to do anything. Auntie Wu wasn't thrown by me."
"It was Ji Dong's idea! Auntie was also hit by him!"
Ji Dong? This name was completely unfamiliar to both Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting. Yu Rong searched the crowd. "Where is Ji Dong?"
"Who is Ji Dong?" Rong Zhi asked.
"It's the one who reported to your house," the person who identified him added.
Xia Yunting glanced towards the wall outside, then suddenly leaped into the outer perimeter of the crowd. He reached out, grabbed Ji Dong amidst the throng, and pulled him out.
The crowd parted to the sides, and Ji Dong was thus held aloft like a little chick by Xia Yunting in full view of everyone.
Yu Rong saw that his face and neck were covered in scars and was startled. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing, I tripped and slid," he replied, daring not to reveal what had truly transpired.
"Serves you right!" Yu Rong pointed at him and scolded him with exasperation. "Can't you come up with any good ideas? You're always stirring up trouble! You heard what was said earlier. It was your idea, apologize to them!"
It turned out that Ji Dong had been a troublemaker in the village before. He was also one of the last to go missing among those taken away. Compared to the others, he had suffered much less.
Ji Dong, hearing that he had been exposed, shot a silent glare at the crowd. Bearing his scarred face, he dared not resist.
Just then, Liu Hong, supporting Wu Guixiang, emerged from a room. Wu Guixiang's head was wrapped in bandages, her face pale, her eyes downcast and listless.
Yu Rong kicked Ji Dong. Ji Dong stumbled a few steps and, unable to regain his balance, fell to his knees. He awkwardly said, "Auntie, I'm sorry. I was foolish and came up with such a bad idea. Are you alright?"
Wu Guixiang recognized who it was and a look of disgust flashed in her eyes. She asked, "Where is my daughter?"
"Ah?" Ji Dong's gaze flickered. "Xinlan sister, she's fine..."
"Nonsense!" Wu Guixiang spat on the ground. "You said you were going to report, but you were actually going to get revenge on my daughter, weren't you? Tell me quickly, what did you do to my daughter?"
"I didn't do anything!" Ji Dong's face contorted in panic. He pointed at Xia Yunting and said, "He's with Xinlan sister. What else could I have done?"
Hearing this, Wu Guixiang finally relaxed. Liu Hong said, "Mother, you should go back and rest. I'll handle this." With that, he helped her back inside.
After Liu Hong came out, Yu Rong asked him, "Hunter Liu, you must have heard what Lin girl said just now. Do you think this plan will work?"
Liu Hong nodded. "Let's do it that way!" He then turned to Rong Zhi. "Miss Lin, thank you."
"You're welcome. It's what I should do."
"Then you won't take them back. Lock them up first. Let them return only after they have 'taken revenge' and realized their mistakes."
Yu Rong waved his hand at the families of those youths. They had no choice but to retreat into the crowd. Although worry was etched on their faces, they were helpless.
The matter was thus resolved. Yu Rong found an empty house in the village to lock them up. However, they still needed someone to guard them. Liu Hong had to protect Gu Xinlan and look after his mother-in-law. Xia Yunting still had to help Rong Zhi treat Zhang Yajing. As for the other villagers, it was unlikely they could keep an eye on so many strong young men.
Just then, Chen Xing returned.
Chen Xing had been gone for several days after delivering a message. Xia Yunting felt that too many people remaining in Yunshui Village would be too conspicuous, so he had sent the excess personnel back to the capital, keeping only Chen Xing to report. Chen Xing brought back news.
"General, Princess of Prince Xiao's household has arrived in Changping County."
"Princess?" Xia Yunting conjured an image of a spirited woman with heroic looks and an uninhibited demeanor in his mind. "Is it Xiao Yao?"
"Indeed."
Xiao Yao had appeared at Xia Yunting's wedding and had even managed to get several young officials drunk. Because her father was considered a senior to Xia Yunting, Chen Xing had specifically mentioned her to Xia Yunting before.
"Xiao Yao is very close to Xing Jiahui. I heard from people in our General's manor that they once saw Xiao Yao entering and exiting the Prime Minister's residence. Not long after, she packed her belongings and came to Changping County. I suspect this matter is largely related to Xing Jiahui, or perhaps Xing Jie is also involved, wanting to use Xiao Yao to gather information."
While Xiao Yao posed no threat to them, she was, after all, the daughter of an old prince, someone not to be offended. Chen Xing specifically asked, "General, do you need me to send a message to Prince Xiao?"
"No."
With all matters now settled, they would be returning soon. It was unlikely they would have any further interaction with this princess.
Xia Yunting pointed at the courtyard where the people were held and said to Chen Xing, "Take them to Swallow Mountain, and then to the Ling Shui County prison. Find those overseers from the mine."
Chen Xing didn't quite understand Xia Yunting's intention. "General, have we not collected enough evidence yet?"
Hadn't the missing persons case already been solved?
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached from behind. Chen Xing and Xia Yunting turned to see Liu Hong walking over. He apologized somewhat, "Brother Xia, could you please keep an eye on them for a moment? My mother is alone at home, and I'm worried. Besides, those people don't seem very obedient."
He then noticed Chen Xing beside Xia Yunting. "Brother Chen, why have you returned?"
"I was handling some matters." Chen Xing asked, "What kind of people are locked in this courtyard? Why are they being held?"
"Many of them are people rescued from the mine. They are resentful and are venting their anger on us."
Liu Hong briefly explained the situation, including Rong Zhi's decision to have them seek revenge at Swallow Mountain and the prison.
Chen Xing finally understood. His eyes suddenly lit up. "Then leave it to me. This is what I'm best at."
He had followed Xia Yunting through life and death and had trained many new recruits. He knew best how to torment people... ah, no, how to train people's willpower.
"Ah? Best at what?"
"Nothing. Since you're busy, hurry home. I'll handle things here."
"Ah, thank you very much." Liu Hong's face showed gratitude as he quickly hurried back. Before leaving, he said to Xia Yunting, "Brother Xia, please take good care of Xinlan while she's at your place, along with Miss Lin."
"Alright."
After Liu Hong left, Chen Xing's eyes gleamed with excitement. "General, leave these people to me. I guarantee they'll be thoroughly... Hey, hey, General..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xia Yunting had already strode away, clearly having no interest in idle chatter.
Chen Xing's expression fell. The General was as cold as ever.
He turned and walked into the courtyard, looking at the group of young men whose faces clearly showed defiance. He cleared his throat.
"From now on, I will lead your training. Follow me now, to Swallow Mountain!"
"Ah?" The crowd was astonished. "Why are we leaving now?"
"I haven't eaten yet."
"Eat what? Do you think you're going there for a vacation? Hurry up, all of you, walk there!"
"Walk?"
Upon hearing the word "walk," the young men's jaws nearly dropped. If they really had to walk there, their legs would likely break. But seeing the earnest expression on the man's face, with no hint of jest, they suddenly felt a sense of impending doom.
At the haunted house, Rong Zhi had explained the situation to Gu Xinlan. Only when she learned that her mother was not in serious danger did Gu Xinlan heave a sigh of relief. She then recounted the day's events to Rong Zhi.
Rong Zhi, hearing that the messenger youth had intended to tie Gu Xinlan to a tree and beat her, was furious. "Truly a bully at home. That's all they're capable of. Weren't you scared?"
She asked with concern, seeing Gu Xinlan's pale complexion. Gu Xinlan shook her head.
"That's good. Now that your mother is injured, Liu Hong cannot take care of both of you. You should stay here for now!"
"Mm."
After seeing Gu Xinlan back to the side room, Rong Zhi noticed Xia Yunting, who had just entered.
"Why are you back? Didn't the village chief lock those people up and say they needed someone to guard them?"
"Chen Xing is here," Xia Yunting explained. Just as he was about to tell Rong Zhi about Xiao Yao, he was startled by a scream from the side room.