27 Trap (1/2)

27 Trap

Translator: YTJS_ | Editor: Perriemix

”How can I do that? Big brother, we swore to be in it together, regardless of happiness or suffering. I am not leaving! If we have to die, we will die together,” second-in-charge said.

”Who said anything about dying?” first-in-charge chided and continued in a gentle tone, ”This time, I am afraid that we could not defend this place. No matter how strong the Dragon-breaking Stone is, it cannot withstand the attack of artillery. Plus, Peng Wu, the little traitor, knew where the secret passageway is. If we do not evacuate immediately, we would be blocked and killed. None of us would be able to escape. Even if we lose Hei Feng Gang, we could always return back to Qing Long Fang and wait another day to make a comeback.

Second-in-charge was indignant. ”We've suspected many brothers in the stockade but we didn't think of suspecting Peng Wu! I don't get it! How could he betray us?”

First-in-charge sighed. ”It is hard to fathom a person’s mind.”

”That rascal! If I catch him, I would tear him into pieces,” second-in-charge cursed in rage.

”Alright, we will talk about this later. Just make some quick preparations, we will leave today,” first-in-charge said.

”What about third brother?” second-in-charge asked.

”Second brother, you and I are the real brothers. As for third brother… we cannot bring the whole stockade of people with us! There has to be someone here to keep watch, otherwise, none of us will be able to escape. Third brother would just have to count his luck!”

The more she heard, the angrier Ye Jiayao got. You f*cking pigs! You have been suspecting Chunyu since the beginning! Now that the stockade is about to fall, you only care about escaping by yourselves! You're using Chunyu as a cannon fodder to protect you.

Despite her anger, Ye Jiayao was aware that if first-in-charge found her eavesdropping, he'd kill her on the spot. She crept out of the courtyard silently before calling loudly, ”Second brother, second brother!”

First-in-charge walked out from the house, smiling eccentrically. ”It's sister-in-law!”

”Oh big brother, I didn't know you're here as well! I came to deliver food for second brother.” Ye Jiayao smiled as she met him halfway.

First-in-charge sneered slightly. ”Hand it to me. I still have some things to discuss with second brother.”

”Sure, then I shall trouble you.” Ye Jiayao handed the lunch box to first-in-charge.

After taking two steps, she turned back, and asked, ”Big brother…”

First-in-charge raised his eyebrows in question. ”What other matters concern you, sister-in-law?”

Ye Jiayao hesitated a little, saying, ”I heard from Song Qi that Chunyu went to guard Pan Long Mountain Ridge. He won't be in danger, right?”

First-in-charge smiled. ”The Dragon-breaking Stone is very resilient. It would not be so easy for the army to destroy.”

Ye Jiayao clutched at her chest, acting as though she heaved a sigh of relief. ”Then I shall rest assured.”

After seeing Ye Jiayao leave, the corner of first-in-charge’s lips raised up into a sinister smile.

After leaving second-in-charge’s place, Ye Jiayao walked briskly to look for Auntie Jiang. Although she knew some people in the mountains, she could only really trust Uncle and Auntie Jiang. She had to let Chunyu know the news of first-in-charge's and second-in-charge's plan to escape.

After hearing Ye Jiayao’s words, Auntie Jiang’s face lost color. ”Seriously?”

Ye Jiayao nodded her head earnestly. ”I heard it directly from him! We have to come up with a way to inform third-in-charge, otherwise, we would all be dead.”

Auntie Jiang hurriedly replied, ”I am getting my old man this instant.”

Ye Jiayao continued, ”Don’t let a word of this matter spread out. First, let's just inform third-in-charge secretly. We'll let him make the decision in case we arouse unrest.”

Auntie Jiang nodded her head solemnly. ”I would avoid it.”

Xia Chunyu was deploying the combat plan when he heard that Uncle Jiang was looking for him outside. He glanced at the door and couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Uncle Jiang was someone on his side that he had ever since he came up the mountains. He had previously ordered Uncle Jiang to guard the Dragon-breaking Stone’s mechanism and await his order. Now that Uncle Jiang had rushed over, could it be that something major had happened? He sent away his attendants and invited Uncle Jiang in.

Uncle Jiang whispered the news Ye Jiayao heard to Xia Chunyu.

A hint of surprise flashed pass Xia Chunyu’s eyes, and he called for Song Qi.

Song Qi entered. ”Third-in-charge, what are your orders?”

Xia Chunyu knitted his eyebrows with indecision, telling himself time and again to remain calm. This moment was a critical period. A slight change would cause a butterfly effect, a wrong move would cause defeat, so every decision he makes has to be carefully thought out.

Xia Chunyu muttered, ”Third madam said that she heard that when she went to deliver food?”

Uncle Jiang affirmed, ”That was what my old woman said.”

Doubt niggled at the back of Xia Chunyu's mind. There should always be someone guarding outside second-in-charge’s place. Would they really allow Ye Jinxuan to eavesdrop? Unless there was no one in the courtyard. That's very suspicious. First-in-charge and second-in-charge were discussing classified matters and there was no one keeping watch outside. It also just happened to be at the same time that Yao Yao was delivering food. Did they say that on purpose for Yaoyao to hear or was it really just a coincidental negligence?

If that was a trap, wouldn’t him rashly rushing over to intercept it expose his knowledge of the whereabouts of the secret passageway? If they found out that he knew of the passageway, his identity as the spy would be revealed.

However, if the news was true, allowing first-in-charge and second-in-charge to escape would cause his efforts for half of the year to just go down the drain.