Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

That night, Meng Changqing led his men and, together with Lao Man, sneaked into Xunxian Town.

Meng Changqing had Lao Man walk between Xi Bei and himself, partly to protect Xi Bei's safety, and more importantly, to prevent him from escaping.

Meng Changqing held the knife in his hand, ready to decapitate Lao Man on the spot should Lao Man show any sign of trying to escape.

Xi Bei walked at the front, both wary of potential dangers around her and worried about her young master, glancing back every now and then.

But every time she turned around, she was met with the fierce look in his young master's eyes, as if he was ready to take Old Man's life at any moment.

Before entering Xunxian Town, Meng Changqing told them: "Don't put yourselves in danger during this operation. If anyone doesn't listen to advice or cooperate during the transfer, then don't worry about them."

They were walking on a very rugged mountain path, and it was their first time doing so, so the journey was extremely difficult.

Meng Changqing thought that with dozens of people in the group, even if they were very careful, they couldn't keep quiet, and they would most likely be discovered.

But to her surprise, they actually made it to their destination without incident.

Old Man pointed ahead and said, "This is my territory."

Meng Changqing and his men immediately increased their vigilance.

Xi Bei took two steps back, lightly grabbing Lao Man's arm with one hand, and asked in a seemingly joking manner, "There won't be any traps ahead, will there?"

“Yes,” Old Man said, “but don’t worry, the path I’ll take you will avoid the traps.”

Meng Changqing then asked, "Old Man, you've set up traps, so why didn't you leave anyone to guard them?"

Without hesitation, Lao Man replied, "There's a trap; ordinary people can't get in."

"Oh." Meng Changqing said to Lao Man, "Lead the way."

That night, the heavens were kind to us; the moon appeared and disappeared intermittently, and whenever the moonlight shone down, the blade gleamed with a cold light.

Xi Bei followed closely in Lao Man's footsteps, and everyone behind her was especially careful, only daring to step on the footprints left by those who came before.

Fortunately, Lao Man didn't play any tricks; he genuinely cooperated with the county government and truly wanted to leave this place.

Following Lao Man to the outside of a house, a knock was heard, and someone quickly answered from inside, "Who is it?" It was a woman's voice. "It's me," Lao Man replied.

Of course, this was just Meng Changqing's guess; he couldn't understand the conversation between the people of Xunxian Town.

The wooden door opened quickly, and the woman grumbled as she opened it, "Why are you only coming back now..."

The woman froze upon seeing the people outside the door.

"Don't be afraid," Old Man comforted her. "They are government officials; I invited them to help."

"Help?" The woman clearly couldn't understand the current situation, let alone the meaning of Lao Man's words.

Meng Changqing said, "The important matter comes first!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Old Man said to the woman in dialect, "Go find your father and tell him to tell the people in the village to pack their things and come to our house right away."

The woman put on her clothes and quickly left. Meng Changqing asked Lao Man, "Is she your wife?"

Old Man nodded.

Meng Changqing then asked, "What did you say?"

Old Man repeated himself in Mandarin, but Meng Changqing couldn't completely believe him. She lamented that things had been done hastily and that she should have brought someone who understood the local dialect.

The woman returned quickly and said something to Lao Man.

Old Man immediately translated, "My people will be here soon."

Sure enough, as the wooden doors in the village were knocked on and opened, many people carrying bundles gathered in this direction.

In the darkness, neither side could see the other's expression, and fear spread through the crowd.

Old Man greeted the group, explaining incessantly, while Meng Changqing gathered his men into a circle.

"What kind of mess is this? Are they trying to lure us in to get killed?" Meng Changqing overheard his personal guard whispering. (End of Chapter)