After crossing, I surrounded the capital from the countryside

"General Lu, this journey is dangerous. Are you ready?" Xu Qingqing turned around and asked Lu Zhenting, who was in disguise, behind her.

Lu Zhenting was a burly man with a resolute face. He said in a deep voice, "Sect Master Xu, I have already made all the preparations. As long as you can rescue my family, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Xu Qingqing nodded and glanced at the fifty selected elite soldiers. They were all in high spirits, holding sharp blades, as if an unstoppable force was gathering.

"Okay! Let's go!" Xu Qingqing gave an order, and everyone responded in unison, and then set out on the journey to rescue the Lu family.

After several days of trekking, they finally found the place where the Lu family rested temporarily during their exile. It was deserted, with only a few dilapidated houses swaying in the wind.

Xu Qingqing gestured to everyone to hide on the spot.

Lu Zhenting looked around and couldn't help feeling sad. Looking at those dilapidated houses and imagining the suffering the Lu family had endured in this desolate place, his heart ached like a knife.

He pursed his lips, suppressed the grief in his heart, and walked quickly and quietly towards one of the rooms where the sound came from.

I looked inside carefully through the broken window.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Lu Zhenting felt as if his heart was hit by a heavy hammer, and indescribable pain surged in his heart.

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he didn't feel any pain. He tried hard to suppress his emotions that were about to burst out, fearing that he would disturb the Lu family members who were already suffering.

The house was dimly lit, with simple furniture and almost no daily necessities. The Lu family members were even huddled on the ground, without even a straw.

Their exhaustion and despair were deeply imprinted in Lu Zhenting's heart. He saw their eyes, empty and lifeless, as if they had lost all hope in life. The originally resolute eyes were now filled with endless emptiness and confusion, like a deep black hole, swallowing up all hope and vitality.

Their faces, which were once full of pride and self-esteem, are now withered and thin. They are pale and thin, and look haggard, as if a gust of wind could blow them down. Their clothes are tattered and ragged, and every tear seems to tell of the hardships and difficulties they have gone through.

Their once strong and sturdy bodies were now exhausted. They huddled on the ground, as if they had lost the strength to stand. Every breath seemed so difficult, and every movement seemed so weak. Their spirits seemed to have been worn down to the scraps, unable to support them in facing this endless suffering.

Xu Qingqing also had a clear view of everything in the room.

She was keenly aware of Lu Zhenting's emotional fluctuations. Seeing that Lu Zhenting was about to take action, she quickly stepped forward and gently grabbed his arm.

Lu Zhenting's body stiffened slightly, but he did not turn around. He just pursed his lips and stared at the dilapidated house with sharp eyes.

"Calm down, you can't rush in like this." Xu Qingqing's low voice was filled with anxiety. She knew very well that a calm mind was needed at this moment, not blind anger.

Lu Zhenting turned his head, his eyes flashing with determination. He pursed his lips tightly and said in a low and powerful voice: "How can I watch them suffer? I must rescue them immediately!"

Xu Qingqing took a deep breath. She understood Lu Zhenting's feelings, but she also knew that the rescue operation required careful planning.

"We need a thorough plan. Otherwise, even if you rescue them now, how can you guarantee that they will not be discovered by the mastermind and the imperial court? How can you guarantee their safety and that of the Xiaoyao Sect!"

"General Lu, I completely understand how you feel. But we must think calmly and make a comprehensive plan." Xu Qingqing's voice was soft but firm.

Lu Zhenting's mind, which had been stunned by the tragic situation of the Lu family, slowly calmed down and he was pulled away by Xu Qingqing.

Xu Qingqing spread out the map, pointed at the mark on it, and analyzed: "First, we need to send people to investigate the enemy's distribution. Only with this information can we formulate an effective rescue plan."

"Looking at the state of the Lu family just now, we still need to prepare enough food, water, and medicine in case of emergency. After all, they have been tortured for a long time and their bodies must be very weak."

"Also, we need to consider how to safely take them away from this place. The power of the mastermind behind this must be quite strong, and with the court's wanted warrant, the route and method of retreat are very important."

A gleam of light flashed in Lu Zhenting's eyes, and he added: "That's right, we can't just consider rescue, we also have to consider various emergencies that may occur. We need to develop multiple plans in case of emergency."

The two continued to discuss, their conversation became more and more in-depth, and their tone became more and more determined. They knew that this rescue operation was related to the life and death of Lu's family and the safety of Xiaoyao Sect, and they could not be careless or careless.

Finally, it was decided to launch the rescue operation tonight.

After formulating a plan, Lu Zhenting, with Xu Qingqing's permission and instructions, continued to observe the Lu family to prevent the escorting officers and soldiers from causing any irreparable harm to the Lu family again during this period.

The two escorting officers were chewing on dry food outside the house, cursing, "These Lu family members are really lucky. They have come all this way, and not a single one of them died."

"That's right. We followed his orders. We've been beaten and starved. Now we're almost at our destination, but he's not dead yet. How can I report to his superiors? Do I have to dirty my hands?" Another soldier agreed, frowning.

"Well, if it doesn't work, give some money to the local thugs before leaving. Are you afraid they won't die?"

Lu Zhenting listened to the conversation between the two men, and his hatred for the mastermind reached its peak. His eyes were red with anger. He forced himself to suppress the urge to execute the two men on the spot and tried hard to control himself.

Suddenly, the door of the house was opened.

A woman came out, it was Lu Zhenting's wife.

Her eyes were filled with endless sorrow and despair. She walked to the escorting officers, knelt on the ground with her hands clasped together, and begged: "Please, give me some food, my child... He is really hungry, he... He is about to starve to death, please..."

However, the escorting soldier glanced at her coldly and kicked her away, cursing, "Eat shit! You only know how to eat! I don't have any extra food for you! It's better for you to starve to death!"

Mrs. Lu was kicked to the ground, the pain made her almost unable to breathe. But she was more distressed about her starving son. Tears welled up in her eyes and she cried helplessly: "My child, my child! Why are you so cruel..."