Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 40 Lurking
The seemingly capable and efficient older woman forced a somewhat awkward smile. It was clear that this rather spirited woman wasn't very familiar with the task, but she was quite dedicated. Her expression softened considerably, especially when Ying Jiuque gave her instructions on using that Thunderfire. The two guards standing behind Qi Zheng stared in horror at her expression, wondering if they hadn't washed their eyes and were hallucinating.

Is this still their stern and menacing vice-captain? I never thought I'd see such a gentle expression on her face. This trip was truly worthwhile, absolutely worthwhile.

Chunyu Shuang looked at the female guard under Qi Zheng's command, hesitant to speak. While it was a good thing that a skilled woman had gone to investigate at this time, human traffickers also considered looks when abducting girls; after all, good looks were an asset. But this female guard…

Of course, you can't say she's ugly, but she's dashing and heroic, which doesn't quite fit the standards of those human traffickers, right?

However, what happened next challenged Chunyu Shuang's understanding. The other woman rubbed her face, and her originally heroic and decisive expression subtly changed, transforming into a slightly heroic yet gentle and generous woman.

Ying Jiuque exclaimed "Wow!" almost clapping her hands. It turns out that you don't need makeup magic to completely transform someone's appearance.

Time was of the essence, and everyone quickly completed the setup. After the lookout gave the signal, Qi Zheng decisively released the trembling girls. A slight, panicked commotion was followed by hurried footsteps. The two kidnappers who had gone out to check returned cursing, a sense of foreboding washing over them as they looked at the wide-open courtyard gate. They went inside and, damn it! Everyone was gone! Including their companions.

Looking again at the messy footprints at the door, how could one not know that someone had run away?

"Hurry up and chase them! If we don't get back soon, the higher-ups will skin us alive. Speaking of which, tonight is really chaotic, why are there so many patrols?"

"Stop talking! I heard a commotion over there, hurry up and go after them! We at least have to find them and give them an explanation!"

Hidden in a dark corner with Qi Zheng, Jiu Que watched as the two were led to the pre-arranged direction without any suspicion. He couldn't help but glance at the supposedly retired general beside him.

It has to be said that he is indeed one of the most outstanding talents during the founding of the People's Republic of China. His ability to lure the enemy deep into his territory is truly meticulous and leaves no trace.

A moment later, the two cripples returned, dragging a tall, trembling figure back under their arms, muttering curses under their breath. But before they could even enter the courtyard, they heard hurried footsteps and orders to search from afar. They immediately turned and headed to the left. If Ying Jiuque remembered correctly, there was indeed an abandoned underpass to the left.

The group exchanged glances and remained silent. Now that things had come to this, their only hope lay with the female guard.

The waiting was undoubtedly agonizing. During this time, Qi Zheng and his men were also busy, patrolling the city and chasing away those who couldn't be brought to the light. Because of this, those who had initially harbored doubts also flocked back to what they considered the safest place—Worry-Free Cave. The deep, dark underground wasn't as cramped as everyone imagined. After three successive dynasties, the entire underground had developed into a network of interconnected passages. Some were naturally formed ditches, but many more were tunnels dug by the inhabitants for their own convenience. The underground was dark and damp; of course, one couldn't sleep in water. Most dwellings were built of wood and bamboo. However, living and traveling were certainly not as convenient as on the surface.

The two men carrying the spirited female guard were traversing the underground. Because they needed to move, they hadn't knocked her unconscious, but were simply forcing her forward with menacing expressions. The female guard—Xiao Sheng—was sobbing softly with fear, but dared not move too much lest she anger the two men behind her. However, her eyes, fixed on the darkness, shone with an unusual brightness. She was trying her best to memorize the winding passages of Wuyou Cave. She still didn't know if the two weapons provided by the County Princess Ying were as powerful as claimed, and she hoped to remember the route clearly so she could lead everyone to a siege later.

"Damn it, what terrible luck tonight! We finally found a few good ones and they all got away! We only found one, and he looks too old for the younger ones. The higher-ups definitely won't like him. Are they going to beat us up later?"

"This has nothing to do with us. Who knows what's wrong with those patrolling bastards tonight? They're running all over the capital, making quite a spectacle of themselves. You know, they've embarrassed themselves before, but never with this kind of commotion. Did some fool break into the home of a powerful or wealthy person?"

"That's hard to say. The people we've hired recently are completely useless, like spineless cowards, and they have no sense of judgment at all..."

Shh! We're almost there, don't talk.

Xiao Sheng walked quietly ahead, occasionally letting out a sob. Faint sounds came from ahead, seemingly from barely suppressed fear. They must be almost there. According to the scarred man, the traffickers down there didn't just kidnap anyone; they considered the quality of the women and children they abducted. The higher the quality, the greater the reward.

Tonight happens to be the time for our monthly quality comparison.

Sure enough, after turning five corners, the view suddenly opened up to a large open space, which was now crowded with sobbing women and children. Even their sobs were tightly muffled by covering their mouths, as they dared not shout, though it was also possible they had been temporarily rendered mute by the poison. In short, despite hundreds of people crammed together in such a large open space, they didn't make much of a commotion.

Xiao Sheng was shoved hard, falling towards the crowd in front of her. Several weeping women quickly helped her up, but dared not speak, only asking with their eyes. At this moment, several more kidnappers pushed women and children in, not only impatient but also hurling insults and occasionally threatening to hit her.

Xiao Sheng sighed and tried to urge the people around her inside. Now was not the best time; she had to wait for as many kidnappers as possible to bring people in so that she could save the most people.

Two incense sticks' worth of time passed, and a clear gong sounded, plunging the scene into silence. A chilling aura, seemingly from nowhere, swept in, and with a series of footsteps, a group of people dressed in bright clothes, incongruous with the underground world, slowly entered. They walked into a small cave connected to the large space, but situated on slightly higher ground, and looked down at everyone present.

(End of this chapter)