C29 – Fell into a Trap
“Ugh, don’t even bring it up. I nearly didn’t make it back.”
“Oh? What happened?”
“You know I had a run-in with Little Six a few days back, right?”
“Yeah, I’m aware. What’s Little Six got to do with it?”
“Well, he seemed like a straight shooter, but turned out to be a double-crosser. Little Six had been in the pocket of the Steelgrave soldiers for a while. He baited me out this time so they could nab me.”
“Luckily, I caught on before they could catch me and I took care of Little Six right then and there.”
“Cough, cough, cough! But on my way back, I ran into that bunch we’d ambushed before, the ones who got rescued by someone else. I was no match for them and they captured me.”
“They were after the location of our hideout, so they kept me alive. I managed to play them and eventually made a narrow escape. But I feared they let me go on purpose to track down our hideout.”
“So I holed up somewhere to heal and watch for any tails.”
“After several days, once I was sure I wasn’t being followed and my wounds had started to heal, I made a beeline back here.”
Min Zhenkang laid it all out for the bandit leader, coughing deliberately as he spoke to drive home the point of his injuries.
“Huh, I never would’ve pegged Little Six for that kind of guy. How are you holding up, though?”
“Big Brother, I’m on the mend, but this place isn’t safe anymore. I’m suggesting we find a new location for our hideout pronto.”
“And we should vet the recent recruits thoroughly. We can’t afford another Little Six situation—that would spell disaster for us.”
While urging the bandit leader to relocate, Min Zhenkang was also slyly inciting him to turn on his own men, aiming to spark some infighting.
“I’ve been meaning to discuss relocating with you. Steelgrave’s crackdown has been brutal lately; several hideouts have been wiped out. That’s why I scouted a more secluded spot a few days ago, planning to move our hideout there. Once the heat dies down, we can get back to our ‘business’.”
Regarding the vetting of newcomers, it’s certainly necessary. Second Brother, I’m entrusting this task to you. Make sure you root out all the suspicious individuals.”
“Big Brother, rest assured, the screening will meet your expectations. But I’m not sure where you’ve planned for our new hideout. Also, if we’re relocating, what about the treasures in our vault...?”
“Don’t worry about that. I have a way to move all the treasures.”
“Alright, I’ll get to work then.”
“Good.”
It was clear that the bandit leader didn’t fully trust his second-in-command, so to avoid blowing his cover, Min Zhenkang refrained from probing further.
After exiting the Hall of Loyalty, Min Zhenkang set in motion his next plan. By day’s end, he had eliminated nearly ten lesser bandits, significantly thinning their already sparse numbers. Among them were two sub-leaders, whom Min Zhenkang had craftily accused of fabricated crimes before executing them.
“Big Brother, everything has been taken care of outside.”
“Good, I appreciate your efforts, Second Brother.”
“It’s my duty. How are things on your end?”
“All set here. The stronghold is now empty, and we’re just waiting to move to the new location tomorrow.”
“Oh? You’ve managed to pack up all the treasures?”
“Yes, they’re all right here!” The bandit leader said, shaking his finger.
Yet, on the bandit leader’s finger was only a ring, devoid of anything else.nove(l)bi(n.)com
“Is that the Storage Ring?” Min Zhenkang feigned astonishment.
“Yes, it took quite an effort to acquire.”
Min Zhenkang hastened his steps, hurrying back to his room. Once he had taken care of everything, a knocking echoed from the door.
Thud, thud, thud!
“Who’s there? Who knocks at this late hour?” Min Zhenkang feigned irritation from being roused from sleep and bellowed at the door.
“Second in command, we’ve got trouble. Strangers have approached the outskirts of our stronghold—we appear to be encircled,” the messenger reported with urgency.
Min Zhenkang swung the door open.
“What’s the situation? How did we get surrounded?”
“I’m not sure. The boss sent me to fetch you.”
“Understood.”
With that, he made his way to the Hall of Loyalty.
“Brother, what’s happened?”
“Second brother, it looks like our hideout’s been compromised. There’s a sizable group outside. They were cautious, but our lookouts spotted them.”
“What’s our move?” Min Zhenkang inquired, feigning concern.
Internally, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. “Qigang always comes through.”
“Don’t worry. They’ve cast a wide net, but there are bound to be gaps. I’ve already scouted out a safe path. We’re evacuating immediately.”
“Good. You, quickly round up our men. We’re leaving the stronghold,” Min Zhenkang commanded the one who had come to summon him.
“Yes, Second in command.”
Before long, the stronghold’s inhabitants had assembled—about fifteen remained.
Aside from the bandit leader, who was a second-tier Martial Spirit Stage warrior, the rest were either warriors or at the Martial Spirit Stage, with the strongest among them only at the third tier.
“Brothers, this place is no longer safe. We’ve been surrounded, but we’ve found a sliver of opportunity. I’m going to lead you to our new sanctuary to establish camp,” declared the bandit leader.
“Boss is mighty!”
“Boss is mighty!”
“Boss is mighty!”
Min Zhenkang initiated the chant, and his subordinates joined in.
The bandit leader gestured for silence, and the voices ceased.
“Move out.”
Leading the way, the bandit leader headed out of the stronghold.
Min Zhenkang and the others hastened to keep up.
Min Qi, meanwhile, positioned himself in a gap, lying in wait for the bandit leader and his crew to approach. By this time, Min Qigang, having completed his task, had rejoined Min Qi.
“Uncle, are you sure this plan will work?”
“I’m not certain. All we can do now is hope it’s effective.”
Despite their progress, Min Qigang couldn’t shake off his concern.
“Hush, we’ve got company.”
Min Qi’s Spiritual Consciousness alerted him to a large group advancing towards them. He quickly gestured to Min Qigang at his side to be on alert.