Li Feilong's cold gaze swept over Chen Fangzhi. The fists hanging by his sides were tightly clenched, with blue veins bulging.
It was obvious that he was trying hard to hold back his anger.
"I'm asking you, who on earth was the one who took my son away back then?"
Ye Zhinan watched coldly from the side. She originally thought Chen Fangzhi would show a bit of guilt, but unexpectedly, he straightened his back and stared at the three people beside him.
He was still being stubborn even when facing death. It seemed he really wouldn't shed a tear until he saw his own coffin.
"It was the officials from the government. They drove up the mountain with ease and were extremely familiar with the terrain. I suspect now that it was them who took Xiaohu away back then."
"Rubbish!"
Li Feilong casually picked up a wine jar and smashed it on the ground. The broken tiles scratched Chen Fangzhi's face, leaving streaks of blood.
He stared at the person in front of him in disbelief, covering his wound painfully. The submissive look on his face gradually disappeared.
"You're really getting old and muddled. A few casual words are enough to make you doubt your brother. I'm afraid I can't stay on Fushou Mountain any longer."
A few tears welled up in the corners of Chen Fangzhi's eyes, showing great grievance.
What a male version of a scheming person.
Qin Yihuai walked up to him and took out a packet of anesthetic from his waist. Besides that, there was also a small, unremarkable strip of cloth.
"If I'm not mistaken, this strip of cloth should have been torn from Xiaohu's body."
When he passed by Chen Fangzhi on his way up the mountain, he faintly smelled the odor of anesthetic on him.
Even though it wasn't strong, it seemed to have seeped into his body, making people feel dizzy when getting close.
He had heard from others before that some people would test poisons on themselves. After repeated training, they could become immune to all poisons.
At the same time, their blood and breath could also turn into the most dangerous poisons.
He didn't want to think in that direction at first, but now it seemed that Chen Fangzhi might be that kind of person in the legend.
"As for the anesthetic you carry with you, I guess you were worried about losing control, so you prepared it in advance to avoid future troubles."
Chen Fangzhi's eyes flickered, and he tried hard to defend himself.
But he opened his mouth and found he couldn't say anything.
The matter was so clear. He didn't know where he had slipped up and could only stare angrily at Qin Yihuai.
"How on earth did you know?"
This time, before Qin Yihuai could speak, Ye Zhinan cut in.
"Your biggest problem lies in the sandalwood scent on your body. Old - mountain sandalwood is extremely rare. Once it gets on you, it lingers for a long time. And in the entire northern border, the only one who can afford to burn incense is the county magistrate in the yamen."
Ye Zhinan and Qin Yihuai glanced at each other. They didn't say a word, but understood what was on each other's minds.
They had each noticed Chen Fangzhi's slip - up on their way up the mountain. It was just that the situation was urgent and they couldn't say it out in time.
They could only secretly write messages on their palms to communicate while Ye Yingfeng was chatting and drinking with Li Feilong.
"So you've known all along?"
"It was just a guess. We had to stir up the grass to scare the snake so that the snake would come out of its hole."
A proud look appeared on Qin Yihuai's face. He wasn't afraid of scaring the snake at all.
Because the person he wanted to catch wasn't Chen Fangzhi, but the county magistrate behind him.
Qin Yihuai strode forward and bowed respectfully to Li Feilong.
"I really had some selfish motives when I came here this time, but more for the livelihood of the common people. Please forgive me, the leader."
The county magistrate had served in the northern border for many years and was like a local tyrant.
He extorted and embezzled in various ways, making the common people dare not speak out against him. The incident back then was also related to him.
It's just that he was very good at self - preservation. He had cleared himself completely and pushed the former prefect into the fire pit.
"According to the years of service, he should have become the prefect. Unexpectedly, Prefect Shen got the position first. I'm afraid he harbored resentment and provoked the conflict between the mountain bandits and the common people in order to force him to step down."
Shen Beiting had been in office for three years. Every time he collected taxes, there were always problems. If there was another problem this time, he might be spared the death penalty but would surely be severely punished.
Li Feilong let out a long sigh, turned his back, and didn't respond.
Chen Fangzhi thought he was suspicious. He crawled towards him on all fours and grabbed tightly onto his trouser legs.
"What they said isn't true. The county magistrate was thinking about the livelihood of the people. He abducted Xiaohu just to light the fuse and improve the relationship between you and the government."
You?
A sneer curled up on Li Feilong's lips. He had regarded Chen Fangzhi as his own brother, but in his eyes, he was just an outsider.
Ye Zhinan rolled her eyes helplessly. His way of thinking was really strange.
At this critical moment, instead of trying to clear himself of the relationship with the county magistrate, he still wanted to speak well for him.
This was clearly rushing head - on into danger.
"Come here, tie him up in front of the stockade gate as a warning to everyone!"
Chen Fangzhi mumbled something, but the people in the front hall couldn't hear him anymore.
Qin Yihuai stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Li Feilong's back, waiting for his choice.
"Tell me, what do you need my brothers to do?"
Li Feilong's expression softened. Ye Zhinan was extremely happy. She couldn't hold back the smile on her lips, and her eyes were full of joy.
Qin Yihuai had already prepared. He took out a piece of paper from his bosom, on which his plan was written densely.
Ye Yingfeng handed the city defense map to Li Feilong and patted his shoulder.
"The ambition back then wasn't realized. Now it's time for you to make up for your regret."
Ye Zhinan watched the actions of the three people, and a look of confusion flashed in her eyes.
Then she gradually understood.
It seemed that while she was sleeping, these people were secretly plotting something big behind her back.
"The land deeds will be returned to you, but don't be in a hurry to cultivate. We need to set up a decoy."
The three of them huddled together, whispering. Ye Zhinan only caught a general idea.
She didn't understand matters related to war. She was more concerned about the health of the men, women, and children in the stockade.
She poked Qin Yihuai's arm, and he immediately understood. He changed the topic and started talking about medical treatment.
"My younger brother noticed that the people in the stockade have been suffering from malnutrition for a long time. He wants to prescribe medicine personally for treatment. If the leader trusts us, please give him a chance."
Li Feilong met Ye Zhinan's gaze. His eyes sized them up playfully and finally he laughed heartily.
"Of course I agree to having a free doctor come. It's just that there are many people in the stockade. Brother Qin, don't be stingy."
Ye Zhinan's face instantly turned red when she was inexplicably involved with Qin Yihuai.
She waved her hands repeatedly, but seeing Qin Yihuai's calm expression beside her, she felt she was being over - sensitive.
She cleared her throat and pretended to be calm.
"It's only natural for an elder brother to care about his younger brother. It's also my duty to treat the sick and save the injured. The two don't conflict. Please rest assured, the leader."
Li Feilong just smiled and didn't say anything more. Instead, he called a woman to take Ye Zhinan out.
"Please come this way."
The woman was wearing red clothes. She seemed hot - tempered and straightforward. She put her arm around Ye Zhinan's shoulder and was extremely affectionate.