Severed ties and living in a dilapidated house? No worries, the poor thing has a space.

She paid no attention to what the man said, as if she had everything under control.

She nodded slightly to Xin Jiyan, signaling him to lead his people away from the area.

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Yu's figure disappeared into the vast darkness like a gust of wind, leaving only the sound of horses' hooves fading into the distance.

The man, being carried by Xin Jiyan like a chick, seemed to have forgotten the pain he was in.

He tilted his head back slightly, his gaze fixed on Xin Jiyan's cold and stern face, and asked tentatively in a low voice, "Can...can you let me go?"

Upon hearing this, Xin Jiyan stopped and glanced at the carriages parked on the road outside the woods.

Then he turned back and stared at the spot where Fang Yu had just disappeared, his eyes flickering, as if he were secretly confirming something in his mind.

Xin Jiyan expressionlessly tossed the man she was carrying onto the ground, then slowly squatted down.

He lowered his head slightly, appearing calm, but a hint of cunning glint was hidden in his eyes.

The light was fleeting and easily missed without careful observation.

His lips unconsciously curled into a greedy smile as he asked, "What's in it for me if I let you go?"

The man pursed his lips, which were already as dry as a desert, with difficulty, and his eyes quickly swept over the water pouch hanging at Xin Jiyan's waist, his intentions were all too clear.

Seeing this, Xin Jiyan understood immediately and reached out to untie the water pouch from his waist. After unscrewing the cap, he held the pouch to the man's mouth, watching him swallow large gulps of water.

After the man had drunk his fill, he let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had been parched and then received a refreshing rain; he seemed much more energetic.

He leaned comfortably against the thick tree trunk behind him, scrutinizing Xin Jiyan from head to toe with an extremely contemptuous gaze.

"I see you're nothing more than a lowly servant. You probably earn three taels of silver a month at most. If you release me now, I guarantee you'll live a life of plenty for the rest of your days. How about it?"

The man said arrogantly.

Xin Jiyan's face showed a serious expression. His brows were slightly furrowed and his eyes were half-closed, as if he was really weighing the pros and cons.

But at the same time, he also looked the man he had captured up and down.

A moment later, Xin Jiyan suddenly sneered and questioned, "With your current state of being unable to even take care of yourself, what ability do you have to promise me a life of wealth and glory for the rest of my life?"

"Do you know who I am...?" The man suddenly became agitated, but as if realizing something, he abruptly stopped speaking, barely swallowing the crucial information back.

He pressed his lips together forcefully to calm himself down before changing his words, saying, "You don't need to worry about that. As long as you let me go, I will definitely keep my promise."

Xin Jiyan slowly stood up, as if he hadn't heard what he said. He reached out and gently lifted the man by the back of his clothes.

Then, he replied in a leisurely and unhurried tone, "Then I will let you go when I see the silver."

Upon hearing this, the man being carried turned red with rage and struggled desperately, shouting, "Hey! ...If you don't let me go, how am I supposed to raise the money for you?"

No matter how much he shouted, Xin Jiyan seemed not to hear him and continued to steadily carry him forward.

After walking for a while, Xin Jiyan stopped again without warning.

Looking from behind, all you can see is his tall figure standing there quietly, as if he is thinking about something important.

Silence fell over the surroundings, with only the man's heavy breathing and the occasional chirping of insects mingling together.

Just when the man thought that his words had moved Xin Jiyan and made her reconsider whether to let him go first, Xin Jiyan finally spoke again, breaking the silence.

He said calmly, "Since you have the ability to trick ordinary people into following you in this highway robbery, then you must also have the ability to get money. So... you know what I mean?"

When she said the last few words, Xin Jiyan turned around and playfully raised her eyebrows at the man, her eyes clearly showing her full trust and expectation in the man's abilities.

The man's mouth, which had been wide open, was now forced to slowly close, and his eyes, which had been darting around, narrowed as he began to rapidly consider all the possible scenarios that might happen next.

Not long after, he suddenly seemed to have come up with a brilliant idea, and could no longer contain his joy, his lips curving into a slight smile.

He was secretly pleased with himself!

He thought that if he boasted, Fang Yu wouldn't be able to get enough food to fill everyone's stomachs, and that when the people were tormented by hunger and cold, they would eventually be unable to bear it any longer.

At that time, with just a little persuasion using his silver tongue, these simple-minded and extremely stupid refugees would surely obey him without question.

In this way, whether it's leading them away from this hellish place, returning to Yinzhou, or even heading straight for Yunjing, it will become incredibly easy.

At this moment, the night was already deep, and most of the exhausted people had closed their eyes and fallen asleep, with only a few soft snores occasionally heard.

Inside the carriage, Li Shi and her daughter Fang Xin were not sleepy at all. They kept looking out the window, waiting for Fang Yu to return.

Even though Fang Xin knew Fang Yu's abilities, she would still worry about her sister in this unfamiliar, desolate place.

Xin Jiyan, who had been standing guard beside the man, noticed the situation and walked towards the carriage.

After stepping out of the carriage, he first raised his hand and gently knocked on the door a few times, then said softly, "Madam, Second Miss, I will wait here for Miss Fang to return. It's getting late, you should both get some rest."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xin quickly turned to look at Li Shi and softly comforted her, "Mother, my sister will be alright. With Xin Jiyan here guarding her, those people won't cause any trouble. Let's rest first."

Fang Xin herself was fine not sleeping, but she was worried about her mother's health.

Li looked with concern toward the place shrouded in the deep night, the very direction Fang Yu had left in.

She pursed her lips slightly, pondered for a moment, and finally nodded gently in agreement: "Okay."