How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

After the meal, Qingru and the others returned to their rooms to rest.

There are only four rooms upstairs, two on each side of the stairs. The room next to Chief Zhang's has a light on; that must be where Seventh Master lives.

The three of them went back to their room to discuss things.

"It was my mistake. I should have dressed up before coming out," Qingru said remorsefully, as she had almost caused a conflict today.

"This isn't your fault; those people were too arrogant." Guo Zixing was still somewhat indignant.

"I didn't bring any extra clothes either, otherwise you could have dressed up as a man," Chief Zhang suggested practically. Qingru's appearance was indeed too eye-catching, and besides, walking among men would have been too dangerous.

"You should stay at Boss Fan's house tomorrow. Although they have bad tempers, we have already revealed our identities, and he still has reservations about the Marshal's Mansion. It is safest for you to stay there."

Qingru opened her mouth, but realized that Chief Zhang was right. She knew neither martial arts nor how to use a gun, and forcing herself to follow them would only be a hindrance, so she had no choice but to agree.

"You should rest first. Zhang Gong and I will go to see that Seventh Master. Maybe we can find out some information."

"Okay, don't worry, I'll close the doors and windows in a bit, there won't be any problems," Qingru replied, secretly resolving in her heart that she would definitely study self-defense properly in the future, so as not to become a burden.

Guo Zixing and his companion arrived at Seventh Master's door and knocked lightly a few times. "Seventh Master, we are the diners who were downstairs just now. We have come to pay our respects."

After a splash of water, a rough, deep voice came from inside, "Go in."

Police Chief Zhang pushed open the door and entered. Seventh Master must have just taken a bath, as he was draped in a blanket and his hair was still dripping wet. The heat emanating from his body mingled with the water droplets, and his whole body was steaming. The hard, undulating surface under the blanket clearly indicated that he was a strong and muscular man.

Seventh Master still had that unshaven look, making it impossible to read his expression.

Unable to fathom the other party's intentions, Chief Zhang, adhering to the principle of "courtesy first, then force," presented the gift, saying, "I didn't bring anything fancy, just a few pounds of pastries. Please enjoy them."

Seventh Master glanced at it, and said while drying his hair, "Thank you."

The other party was lukewarm, so Chief Zhang had to speak up himself, "My name is Zhang Gong, and this is my younger brother Zhang Xun. May I ask your name, Seventh Master?"

"Zhang Qi is ranked seventh."

"I was just about to ask, Huang Laosi and Zhang Laoqi, is there any connection between these rankings?" Guo Zixing asked.

Seventh Master glanced at him, "You come to Wushan without knowing anything?"

Chief Zhang's heart skipped a beat. "Please enlighten me, Seventh Master."

"Have you seen Boss Fan yet?" Seventh Master did not answer.

"Yes, I have. I visited Seventh Master as soon as I arrived."

"Didn't he resolve your issues?"

"Even if we delay Boss Fan first, we've already come all this way, so we still have to put in the effort."

Seventh Master put down the blanket and dressed himself, saying, "The rule of Wushan is that one should not trouble two masters for one matter."

Guo Zixing frowned and said, "If..."

“I said I wouldn’t bother two people with one matter, so I won’t get involved anymore.” Seventh Master interrupted him impatiently, then said, “Unless… it’s something that Boss Fan can’t do.”

"Then it'll be hard work."

“Hey,” Seventh Master interrupted him, “Let me make this clear: if Boss Fan can’t get things done in Wushan, I probably can’t either.”

Guo Zixing probed, "We haven't even said what it is yet, Seventh Master, won't you listen first?"

“Listening is useless. Wushan is located in a remote area and has nothing but coal. You came here specifically to either seek money or to find someone.”

Chief Zhang was secretly shocked. This Seventh Master was indeed formidable; he had guessed their purpose in an instant. No wonder the coal miners were so wary of him.

"In that case, we won't bother you any longer." Since things have already come to this point, there's no point in saying anything more; let's see how things go first.

Instead of looking for someone, you should pay more attention to your girl.

"What?" Guo Zixing exclaimed in surprise.

Sergeant Zhang thought to himself, "This is bad," and immediately rushed towards Qingru.

Seventh Master darted away, kicking open the door. The room where he had just been talking with Qingru was now empty. Seventh Master's face immediately darkened.

"Huang Laosi?!" Chief Zhang exclaimed in surprise.

"Quick, after them!" Without another word, Seventh Master leaped from the second floor.

The three of them ran away as fast as they could.

Guo Zixing fell slightly behind, ignoring the cold sweat pouring down his face. All he knew was that he couldn't afford to lose Qingru again. He didn't dare to imagine what would happen to her.

If something happens to Qingru, he will surely bring his army to raze Wushan to the ground.

They ran wildly until they reached a patch of grass and finally stopped.

Guo Zixing gasped for breath and looked at Seventh Master beside him. "Seventh Master, if you are willing to help, I will definitely reward you handsomely."

"One thousand silver dollars," Seventh Master said, having run all the way here without even breaking a sweat.

"Okay," Guo Zixing would take out ten thousand or even a hundred thousand silver dollars without batting an eye, let alone a thousand.

"Seventh Master, do you know where Old Fourth Huang will take them?"

"With so many mountains in Wushan, where would he hide the person?" Chief Zhang asked.

“At the foot of Wushan Mountain, there is a row of stilted houses. There is a very special house there, which is specifically for women. Most of them went there.”

Guo Zixing immediately sensed something was wrong, and seeing Seventh Master's reaction, his heart sank to the bottom. "Is it too late?"

"It's about seven or eight li from here. Old Huang can't walk that fast, so he'll make it in time."

As he spoke, Seventh Master squatted down. "Look, the footprints are heading southwest. I guessed right."

Guo Zixing and Sergeant Zhang squatted down to examine it, and it was indeed as Seventh Master had said.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Guo Zixing urged.

"Wait a minute, you two can't keep up with me. Go to Boss Fan's mansion first and ask for help. I'll rush over to rescue them. Whether we can get them out depends on whether you can persuade Boss Fan to help." With that, Seventh Master took off after him.

Guo Zixing could only take one gamble. "I'll chase after him. Zhang Gong, go and invite Boss Fan."

"Hmm," without saying much more, the two quickly got to work.

Qingru felt dizzy and lightheaded. She was very familiar with this feeling; wasn't this the reaction she had when she was drugged by Niu Er and his wife? With a hand tightly wrapped around her waist, Qingru felt as if she were being carried on someone's shoulder, traveling through the mountains and forests.

Qingru tried to open her eyes, but found that she couldn't see anything clearly. She instinctively struggled, but the arm held her tightly like an iron clamp.

"Don't move, or I'll do you right now."

The man's voice was rude and unpleasant. He deliberately lowered his voice, but Qingru still recognized it. Wasn't that Huang Laosi's voice?

Damn it, he's still got his hands on her and actually resorted to dirty tricks to kidnap her.

I wonder if Guo Zixing and the other two have discovered this yet, or if they have caught up with me.

Qingru felt nauseous from the jolting; the mountain road was difficult to traverse, and she felt as if her internal organs were about to be shattered. The unpleasant odor emanating from Huang Laosi reached her nose, making her stomach churn even more.

"Ugh~"

Unable to hold it in any longer, Qingru vomited all over his shoulder, and Huang Laosi threw her away.

"Damn it, you bitch, this is my best outfit ever!" Huang Laosi cursed angrily. "I'll sell you after I'm done with you, and you'll have to pay me back with a good outfit."

He angrily shook off the filth on his body, feeling extremely distressed.

Qingru had no choice but to vomit again, her body reacting violently. Seeing Huang Laosi's disgusting appearance, Qingru couldn't help but vomit her stomach clean.

"Damn it, she's disgusting. She looks shiny on the outside, but she's a piece of junk." Old Huang cursed, wishing he could beat Qingru to death, but he couldn't bear to hurt her face.

He took off his water bottle and poured some water haphazardly onto Qingru, then picked her up and ran again. He slowed down considerably, though, fearing Qingru would vomit again.

Qingru felt dizzy and tried her best to breathe in the fresh air to keep her mind clear.