Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

Time returns to the present.

After listening to Ah Fu's story, Ji Nuan asked Ji He to bring him some food. "Stay here and recuperate. The Chen Mansion is probably in chaos right now."

She then turned to Ji Shan and said, "Brother, after daybreak, go to the Chen residence and tell Madam Chen the general situation. Tell her to wait at home. I will rescue Chen Yu and the others."

Ji Shan looked worried and advised, "Little sister, those bandits are more brutal than man-eating beasts. It's too dangerous for you to go alone."

Ji Nuan frowned slightly, "Brother, Chen Yu is my friend, I have to go save him. And I suspect that what happened to his family may be related to me. Don't worry, I will definitely come back safely."

After saying this, she strode to the stable and soon brought out a horse. She jumped on it, whipped it, and galloped away.

Song Jinbai quietly arrived in Qingyun County at midnight. Without taking time to rest, he hurried to the inn to meet Song Zhu.

In the flickering candlelight, the two figures looked particularly solemn.

Song Zhu was confused. He had just returned to Qingyun County from the provincial capital and currently had no new intelligence clues. He didn't understand why the adults would appear here at this moment.

He asked respectfully, "Your Excellency has taken the trouble to come to Wangyun Mountain so late at night. Is there something urgent that you need to instruct your subordinates to do?"

Song Jinbai's gaze was as sharp as a torch, and he asked in a deep voice, "Did a merchant caravan encounter misfortune near Wangyun Mountain today and be robbed by the bandits from Jinfeng Village?"

Song Zhu nodded and said, "It is true. A little after the hour of Yin, a fierce fight broke out at the foot of Wangyun Mountain. According to reports from our brothers over there, bandits killed many people and robbed a caravan of fifty or sixty people."

Song Jinbai thought, it is indeed so.

Those bandits were simply colluding with Xu Qing in order to obtain the Chen family's property. Although Chen Yu has been captured now, his life should be safe in the short term.

He asked, "Who among your men has infiltrated the bandits?"

Song Huai: "My Lord, it's Song Shiqi."

"Go back and contact him. Tell him to make preparations early and cooperate with us in rescuing people tomorrow night."

"Yes, my lord."

～～～～～～～

It's the end of time.

With his agility, Ji Nuan easily avoided the small bandits who were deployed in layers on Wangyun Mountain and approached the mountain stronghold quietly.

Outside the village gate, there are special people on guard, and nearby, there are patrolling bandits constantly shuttling back and forth, forming an impenetrable security network.

The reason why Jinfengzhai has been able to stand firm for so many years is not only because of the possibility of someone tipping off the enemy, but also because of their own caution and vigilance.

Ji Nuan was completely unfamiliar with the layout of the village, so she did not act rashly. Instead, she found a secluded place and released the little white mink.

"Woo woo woo..." The little fairy summoned me, does she need my help?

The little white mink kept rubbing Ji Nuan's chin, looking like it couldn't get enough of the intimacy.

Ji Nuan felt the warmth of the little white mink, and an expression of enjoyment appeared on her face. She narrowed her eyes and asked softly, "Jixiang, do you still remember the young man who hunted wild boars with me?"

The little white mink raised its head, its eyes sparkling with intelligence, "Woo woo..." The one that was targeted by the big flower snake?

Ji Nuan was amused that it had learned to tease him, "That's him, you still remember him so clearly?"

"Woo woo woo..." Of course, it was only a short time ago, how could I have forgotten? I'm not like that silly tiger cub!

"Yes, yes, you're the smartest!" Ji Nuan smiled and gently rubbed its little head with her index finger. "Now, I want to ask you to go to the mountain stronghold ahead and find that person. He's been captured by bandits, and I don't know where he's being held."

"Woo woo woo..." You wait here, leave this little thing to me.

"Thank you, Jixiang!" Ji Nuan warned, "Those bandits are very cruel. Be careful and don't let them find you."

The little white mink rubbed her affectionately twice, then jumped down and disappeared in an instant.

Ji Nuan slipped into the space villa and had a simple lunch to replenish her energy.

Soon, the little white mink hurried back and lay on Ji Nuan's shoulder, "Woo woo woo..." He was injured and trapped in the cave.

Ji Nuan was extremely anxious when she heard this and hurriedly urged, "Take me there quickly."

The stronghold was built close to the top of the mountain. Little White Marten led Ji Nuan to the top of the mountain. Although there were a few bandits defending here, they were much more lax than the guards in other places. At this time, they were all gathered together to play dice.

Ji Nuan took the opportunity to easily pass through their defense line and quietly went down from the top of the mountain to the back of the mountain stronghold.

It was dinner time and there were not many bandits hanging around in the mountain village. Ji Nuan cleverly avoided them and finally arrived at the cave where Chen Yu was imprisoned.

The bandit guarding the cave was engrossed in his meal, completely unaware of what was behind him. Ji Nuan quickly approached from behind and struck him squarely on the back of the neck with a precise palm. The bandit collapsed onto the low table.

The entrance to the cave was tightly locked with a wooden fence. Ji Nuan used a thin hairpin to pry open the lock, then opened the fence door and slipped in quietly.

Deep in the cave, the remaining dozen or so guards were leaning against the damp and cold stone wall, some sitting or leaning, with dejected looks on their faces.

Chen Yu was now lying on a pile of thin hay, his face pale and covered in wounds, his eyes tightly closed. Master Chen sat next to him, his eyes full of worry.

At this moment, the light at the cave entrance flickered with the sound of footsteps.

Mr. Chen raised his eyes and met Ji Nuan's gaze who had quietly entered.

He immediately became alert and asked in a low voice, "Who are you? What do you want to do here?" Everyone in the cave was badly injured, and he was the only one who was slightly injured. However, he had no strength to resist.

Ji Nuan looked at his face and found it resembled Chen Yu to some extent. "You are Uncle Chen, right? Don't be nervous. I'm Ji Nuan, Chen Yu's friend." Ji Nuan said softly, trying to ease Mr. Chen's nervousness.

"Nuannuan?" Master Chen was stunned when he heard this. He had heard his son mention this name several times, but he had never expected this girl to be so bold. "Why are you here? Do you know that this is a bandit camp and very dangerous for a little girl like you?"

Ji Nuan ignored his preaching and said, "Of course I know. I'm here to save you."

"How many people did you bring with you?" Mr. Chen was surprised when he heard this, and a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart. He thought, since this girl dared to break into the mountain stronghold, she must have brought a lot of people with her.

Ji Nuan: "It's just me."

"What?" Master Chen couldn't believe his ears, and the other guards were also surprised.