Ji Yinshu thought that Zhao Huai’s reaction was really too strange!

But she just couldn’t understand why.

After Ji Yinshu and Wei Yi were taken away, Zhao Qing questioned Zhao Huai.

“The bones were destroyed by someone. It happened in the stronghold, which means the murderer is among us. Why won’t you continue investigating?”

Zhao Huai said, “My decisions don’t require your questioning. No matter who threw the bones into the jar, I’m not pursuing it anymore.”

“Do you really think she sprinkled the bone-crushing powder?”

“Whether it was or not, I said we’re not investigating anymore.”

“Then since you’re not investigating, are you going to kill them?” Zhao Qing questioned, his temper flaring.

“So many of my brothers died. They risked their lives with me for so many years. I need to avenge them. What bones? What bone-crushing powder? Get lost, all of it! And you too—you’d better not push me. Don’t forget, you’re my prisoner now.”

Zhao Huai’s reminder carried a warning.

Zhao Qing understood clearly that he was in the tiger’s den, like a grasshopper on Zhao Huai’s string, struggling to break free.

But he couldn’t let anything happen to Ji Yinshu. The truth about Jiu’er’s death still awaited her investigation.

The two locked eyes!

Their opinions diverged!

It looked like they were about to come to blows!

Fortunately, Zhao Huai restrained himself. With a sullen expression and heavy breathing, he left…

Zhao Qing was also extremely displeased. His cold, condensed gaze rolled toward the pile of shattered bones on the table, growing deeper and deeper.

Then he went to the firewood shed!

By this time, the sky had gradually brightened.

Morning light squeezed desperately through the gradually opening door into this cramped firewood shed.

Ji Yinshu’s eyelids fluttered a few times before she finally adjusted.

Wei Yi also moved his head from her shoulder, turned over, and leaned against the haystack behind him. Finding himself with nothing to do, he grabbed some dry grass from the ground and began weaving something in a methodical manner.

Without looking up!

Zhao Qing’s tall figure gradually loomed over them, standing before Ji Yinshu.

He didn’t want to beat around the bush anymore and asked directly, “That skeleton—is it Jiu’er?”

His voice slightly low.

Ji Yinshu lifted her eyelids to glance at him.

She uttered a few words, “Very likely.”

“Then let’s open the coffin.”

“You’re willing?”

“Yes.”

Very resolute!

Ji Yinshu stammered, “I’m not forcing you.” She quickly added, “You and Zhao Huai are blood brothers after all. No matter what, Zhao Huai won’t take your life. But I’m different, so you don’t need to offend him to help me.”

“I just want to understand what happened with Jiu’er.”

Zhao Huai made no attempt to hide it.

Ji Yinshu just smiled faintly.

Silence.

At this moment—

Anxious footsteps came from outside, all running toward the stronghold’s exit.

“Quick, quick, quick! Someone’s attacking the stronghold!”

“Quick, quick, quick…”

Attacking the stronghold?

Ji Yinshu’s keen nerves instantly tensed as she looked outside.

Hearing the commotion, Zhao Qing turned and went out.

The firewood shed door was slammed shut.

Wei Yi dropped the crooked, poorly woven dry grass from his hands and moved close to Ji Yinshu’s ear, saying with delight, “Shu’er, has Brother Jingrong come?”

She shook her head.

Logically speaking, it wasn’t very likely!

Muruo should have conveyed her message. Anyone with even a bit of rationality wouldn’t choose to attack the mountain.

Thinking of this, she grew uneasy again and walked to that shabby window, craning her neck to look outside.

Her heart gripped with anxiety!

At this time, at the county magistrate’s residence in Shanhuai County.

Muruo had prepared a bowl of medicine and pushed open Jingrong’s door.

As he set down the medicine, he said, “Drink the medicine first.”

No response!

“Jingrong?”

There was no one in the room.

The bed curtains in the inner room were drawn down. Muruo moved over inch by inch.

Standing by the bed, he pulled them open—

Inside was completely empty.

Muruo wasn’t surprised, just sighed and shook his head.

“What a stubborn stone.”

Jingrong, who had quietly left the county magistrate’s residence, was at this very moment outside High Mountain Stronghold!

On horseback, his body graceful, his brocade robe elegant, one hand pulling the reins, one hand gripping his sword.

Even with his injuries, it was difficult to conceal the innate nobility and imposing presence in his bones.

The main gate of High Mountain Stronghold was tightly closed. The fortress walls were densely packed with bandits—some holding sabers, some wielding bows and arrows, just waiting for the order to shoot Jingrong dead with a volley of arrows!

Zhao Huai came up wearing those tiger-skin high boots, looking down from his superior position at Jingrong alone outside.

He gave a mocking laugh, propped one foot up on the earthen wall, and pressed his elbow on his knee.

Just like a street thug!

“I haven’t even sent you a message yet, and you’ve delivered yourself to my door? What’s this? Just you alone? The great Prince Rong of the Great Lin Dynasty doesn’t have anyone by his side.”

This provoked a round of laughter!

Clearly they had no fear whatsoever of his princely status.

Jingrong looked on coldly.

Enduring the wound on his chest, his thin lips parted slightly, “I’ve come for the people.”

“For the people?” Zhao Huai’s arrogance was rampant as he rolled up his sleeves and pointed at Jingrong. “You killed thirty or forty of my brothers. I haven’t avenged that yet, and you dare come asking me for people? Don’t you see where you are? This is my High Mountain Stronghold, not your prince’s warm, comfortable bed.”

“Roar…”

Another round of laughter.

Zhao Huai continued, “However, grudges should be settled with their source. If you can produce ten thousand taels of gold, I can release those two people inside. Otherwise, I’ll reunite you all in the netherworld.”

“Gold, silver, and treasures—I can give you all of it. What I want is the safety of those two people inside.”

“You’re not in a position to set the terms.”

“If you harm them in the slightest, I will raze High Mountain Stronghold to the ground.”

Jingrong’s eyes narrowed slightly as his hand tightened on the sword hilt.

His words were absolutely not empty threats!

Zhao Huai shouted, “Do you have that capability? Right now, with just one order from me, forget about getting your people back—you’ll die here too.”

Jingrong said, “You can try.”

It was like a naked declaration of war!

“Bring me my bow and arrow.” Zhao Huai beckoned with his hand.

Someone immediately brought Zhao Huai’s bow and arrow.

Though the craftsmanship of the bow wasn’t refined, it was extremely powerful. The bow limbs were made from hundred-elm wood, the bowstring from raw cowhide, full of resilience.

The center of the entire bow was wrapped with a piece of dark leather that had worn down a layer from years of use.

Zhao Huai nocked an arrow and drew the bow taut.

Aiming at Jingrong.

“If you can dodge this arrow of mine, I’ll open the gates of my High Mountain Stronghold and welcome you in for a few drinks.”

Zhao Huai’s rough, powerful arm muscles bulged as the arrow in his hand was like a fierce beast, quenched with flames.

As his sinister eyes narrowed and tightened bit by bit, the bow limbs grew tenser and the bowstring was drawn to its limit.

Ready to release—

The arrow body rapidly left the bow, shooting toward Jingrong.

Facing the arrow shooting toward him, Jingrong showed not a trace of fear.

Those eyes bearing cold light reflected an icy chill inch by inch, as if determined to freeze and break that arrow.

Zhao Huai was smugly pleased, thinking he was about to kill Jingrong.

Who would have known—

The arrow body seemed to be obstructed by some force. Just as it was shooting toward Jingrong, it suddenly changed direction and struck a large tree behind him.

The force was tremendous, penetrating straight through the tree.

Everyone was stunned!

Seeing this, Zhao Huai immediately leaned half his body out, staring with incredulous eyes, thinking he had seen wrong.

Impossible!