Chapter Forty-Nine: Su Meng is Captured by Bandits

Ma Xue’e sat inside the carriage, chattering excitedly all the way. The carriage, of course, was the one left to them by Xiang Yinglong, but the driver was no longer Xiang Tong as it had been when they went to Heishui County; now, it was Ma Qingyun.

To avoid suspicion, Luo Changning rode outside the carriage. Thus, Ma Xue’e was the only one inside, but even so, she continued to talk to the two men outside.

“Haha, just thinking about the helpless expressions on Gao Ba and his son’s faces makes me want to laugh…”

“I wonder when we’ll get to visit Qingyin County. When we do, I’ll definitely find Bo’er and have him take us to all the fun places, eat all the delicious food.”

Bo’er and Luo Changning had become friends back in Heishui County, promising to visit each other’s towns whenever they had the chance.

As they passed the Gaosheng Restaurant, they stopped the carriage, and Luo Changning went in to buy several packets of pastries.

Chrysanthemum crisps, hibiscus cakes, sunflower biscuits, locust flower cakes—all favorites of Su Meng.

When they arrived at the Su family’s small courtyard, Ma Xue’e lifted the curtain and jumped down, only to find the front gate locked.

For some reason, Luo Changning felt a sudden pang of unease.

He’d been restless since morning, as if something unexpected was about to happen. Now, seeing the locked gate, that feeling grew stronger.

He furrowed his brow, took out the key, and opened the door.

As soon as the door swung open, a large brown figure lunged toward the three of them.

“Ah, Big Dumb Bear, let go of me! You’re so heavy, you know how fat you are! You need to start dieting—from today, no more meat!” Ma Xue’e panted, trying to push the bear away.

Ma Qingyun stood by, coldly commanding, “Let go.”

The bear immediately released Ma Xue’e, looking at them with pitiful, anxious eyes, as if it wanted to say something but couldn’t.

“What’s wrong, Big Dumb Bear? Did something happen?” Seeing its anxious state, Ma Xue’e realized something was amiss and hurriedly asked.

The bear grabbed Ma Xue’e’s hand with its paw and ran toward the courtyard. Ma Qingyun and Luo Changning exchanged glances and quickly followed.

The bear’s destination was clearly the backyard, and at last it stopped in front of Su Meng’s room.

Luo Changning felt another jolt of unease. He pushed the door open with a bang, only to find the room silent and empty.

Ma Qingyun’s face also changed, his usual calm and indifference replaced with worry.

“Could Aunt Su have met with trouble?” Ma Xue’e’s eyes reddened with anxiety.

Finding no one in the courtyard, the three hurried to the Su family clinic, not even bothering to close the door behind them.

The bear wanted to follow, but Ma Qingyun’s cold glance made it stay behind as the guardian.

The three drove to the clinic. As they reached the intersection, they saw a servant looking around.

Spotting Luo Changning outside the carriage, the servant rushed up.

Ma Qingyun reined in the horses, stopping the carriage firmly.

The servant, face full of worry, said, “Young master, something’s wrong—the manager has disappeared!”

Luo Changning’s expression changed. He jumped down and grabbed the servant’s collar, demanding, “Explain yourself—what do you mean the manager has disappeared?”

Faced with Luo Changning’s fury, the servant paled.

Forcing himself to speak, he said, “This morning, the manager came to the shop, took some medicinal herbs, and went home. But when the steward went home for lunch, the manager wasn’t there. The steward’s wife said the manager hadn’t returned after leaving in the morning. The steward knew you’d be back today, so he sent me to wait here and inform you. Everyone else at the clinic is out searching for her.”

Indeed, when people are anxious, their minds often grow muddled. Waiting at the Su family’s courtyard or the city gate would have notified them sooner, but concern for Su Meng’s safety made them forget.

Hearing this, Ma Xue’e jumped out of the carriage, her face full of worry.

“How could this happen? Aunt Su hasn’t gotten into trouble, has she? Let’s hurry and look for her!”

At her words, the group—including the servant—split up to search for Su Meng. The servant went with Luo Changning, Ma Xue’e with Ma Qingyun.

On the way, Luo Changning’s face was pale and grim. He knew Su Meng had no friends in Qingyang County and rarely went out. Apart from shopping or visiting the clinic, she never went anywhere else—not even to the Luoyang Martial Arts Hall.

Now, his aunt had been missing all morning; she must have encountered trouble. Luo Changning and the servant visited several stalls and shops where Su Meng often bought things, but found no trace of her.

Luo Changning’s anxiety and helplessness grew, his eyes reddening and veins standing out.

It’s said a man doesn’t shed tears unless truly heartbroken. Luo Changning felt he was on the verge of crying.

Of the two most important women in his life, besides Su Qin Qin, there was Su Meng. He had already lost his mother; he could not let his aunt come to harm.

Just as he was sweating with worry, two people approached—it was the Ma siblings.

Ma Xue’e’s face was sweaty, mouth half open, breathing hard.

Seeing that they hadn’t found his aunt either, Luo Changning’s face showed disappointment. He was about to speak when Ma Qingyun, his face grim, interrupted him.

“I’ve heard that the bandits and pirates of Annan Dao are known for keeping to their rules and never harming locals. Is that true?”

Luo Changning’s mind raced, something flashing through it, but he couldn’t grasp it.

He nodded, “Yes, Annan Dao’s bandits and pirates generally stick to their rules.”

Ma Qingyun snorted, “That’s not always the case. One person keeping rules doesn’t mean two will, and two doesn’t mean everyone will. There are always exceptions.”

Luo Changning’s face changed as the thought that had been flickering in his mind became clear.

He exclaimed, “You mean my aunt might have been taken by bandits!”

Ma Qingyun said nothing, but his expression showed he believed it.

“What do we do? We have to rescue Aunt Su!” Ma Xue’e stamped her foot.

Luo Changning was deeply worried for his aunt’s safety, but he knew that the bandits of Tianmen Mountain were numerous—over five hundred, including underlings. The chief was of an innate martial cultivation. The three of them could never storm the mountain.

Besides, if they alerted the bandits, his aunt’s situation would become even more dangerous. If she became their hostage, they’d be helpless.

So he said, “We don’t know for sure if Aunt was taken by the Tianmen Mountain bandits. Let’s sneak to the foot of the mountain and investigate whether any women have been brought up recently.”

Ma Xue’e replied, “Let’s go, then!”

Luo Changning nodded and instructed the servant, “Go back to the clinic and wait. If Zhongbo or Qing Gu appear, tell them we’re investigating at Tianmen Mountain and have them meet us there.”

“Yes, young master,” the servant said, grateful: at least the young master didn’t ask him to go to the mountain. If those vicious bandits found him, he’d surely lose his life…

He was just a servant at the Su family clinic, usually tasked with cleaning, serving tea, and other chores. He had neither the loyalty nor the courage to die for his employer!

His steps grew faster, afraid Luo Changning would change his mind and want him to go. If that happened, he’d rather quit his well-paid job than set foot on Tianmen Mountain.

He cherished his life—he was getting married in three months, and didn’t want to die and leave his bride for someone else. If that happened, he’d have nowhere to cry, and his grave would be covered in green grass, a disgrace to his ancestors.

But enough about the servant’s inner thoughts.

Luo Changning and his companions summoned their martial arts skills and rushed toward Tianmen Mountain.