Stepping out of the room, she grabbed a brother from the stronghold and asked, "Where is the person in this room?"
"He... he was called away by the Chief."
Xue Zi Ning's body trembled. Without time to think, she hurried towards the Chief's courtyard.
There were guards at the entrance. She suppressed the anger within her and stepped forward, saying, "I want to see the Chief."
"Brother, the Chief has ordered no one to disturb him and to see no one."
Xue Zi Ning's gaze turned cold. She touched the silver whip at her waist. Just then, a voice came from behind, "It's a good thing I also need to see the Chief."
"Second Chief..." The gatekeeper looked at the Second Chief, hesitating to speak.
"Go ahead!" The Second Chief stepped forward and said.
"Yes." The guards had no choice but to push the door open and enter.
Shortly after, the sound of a shattered bowl came from inside. Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and kicked open the room door.
"Brother Shugen..." Her wrist was grabbed, stopping her from moving forward.
Xue Zi Ning turned back to look at the Second Chief and said coldly, "He is my brother. I absolutely will not allow anyone to harm him."
The Second Chief was slightly stunned. A hint of unconcealable embarrassment appeared on his handsome face. "He will be fine."
With that, he walked past her.
Xue Zi Ning narrowed her eyes and followed closely. Suddenly, sounds of fighting came from within. Her heart grew more uneasy, and she quickened her pace towards the interior.
By the dim candlelight, she saw Xue Yan pinned down. The anger in her heart surged.
"Chief..." The Second Chief spoke first.
The Chief looked up. Upon seeing the Second Chief, a trace of mockery flickered across his face. "What are you doing here?"
"Chief, release him." The Second Chief stood before him and said coldly.
Xue Zi Ning saw Xue Yan's pale face, her hands bound, and her outer garment gone.
"Chief, you can be unruly, but he is a brother of the stronghold," the Second Chief said.
The Chief sneered, pointing at the disheveled Xue Yan, "Don't you see she is a woman?"
The Second Chief glanced at Xue Yan. "I see. So, what does the Chief intend to do?"
"Of course, I'll try the taste first." The Chief smiled somewhat wickedly.
Xue Zi Ning's hand tightened around the soft whip at her waist. "Did you forget that the Chief was supposed to rescue Big Fellow tonight?"
"I certainly remember. If you hadn't disturbed me, I would have finished my business." The Chief's expression was very displeased.
"Chief, there's no need to rush," the Second Chief said, stepping forward and helping the Chief up.
Xue Zi Ning quickly went to help Xue Yan, finding her hands ice-cold. She regretted it deeply, wishing she hadn't left Xue Yan alone.
If anything happened to Xue Yan, she would never forgive herself.
Xue Yan seemed to sense her worry. Although still fearful, she shook her head, as if to say she was fine.
"Is this your sister?" The Chief walked over, seeing Xue Zi Ning, and asked.
Xue Zi Ning did not deny it. She bowed and cupped her hands. "I beg the Chief's forgiveness. My brother and I, for convenience while traveling the martial world, disguised our sister as a man. However, we sincerely wish to join here. I beg the Chief to take us in."
The Chief laughed heartily. "Naturally, you can. However, let your sister be my wife!"
Xue Zi Ning looked up and saw a probing look in the Chief's eyes.
"I beg the Chief to release my sister. She is not suited to be the Chief's wife," Xue Zi Ning refused outright.
The Chief's face suddenly darkened. "Do you know who you are speaking to?"
"I do. Chief, my brother and I came here to follow the Chief and live a life of luxury. It's not for me to sell my sister and gain wealth and status."
The Chief said furiously, "I am giving you face, and you are ungrateful."
Xue Zi Ning heard this and looked up at the Chief. "If the Chief does not agree, then I can only take my sister and leave."
The Chief sneered, "Do you think you can leave my stronghold?"
Xue Zi Ning's gaze turned cold. The silver whip in her hand made a slight rustling sound. At this moment, the Second Chief spoke, "You all go down."
The Chief looked at the Second Chief, who said coldly, "Get out."
Xue Zi Ning pulled Xue Yan out of the room. Neither of them spoke the entire way. Back in their room, she hugged Xue Yan. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you here alone."
"Your Majesty, don't worry. Am I not alright?" Xue Yan comforted her.
Xue Zi Ning released her and looked at her pale face, filled with remorse. "What if something had happened?"
Xue Yan's face turned even paler. At that moment, she had already thought that if her body were defiled, she would find Xue Song. If Xue Song was still alive, she would divorce him. If Xue Song was no longer alive, she would follow him in death.
The children were grown, and Your Majesty could help take care of them.
Seeing Xue Song's silence, Xue Zi Ning was thankful for the first time that she had returned promptly.
"Xue Yan, promise me you won't do anything foolish again. No matter when or where, I am here..."
Xue Yan looked at her for a long time and then nodded. "I won't."
Xue Zi Ning breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "I have already discussed it with Gu Chang An. Tonight, we will coordinate from the inside and outside to eliminate them."
Xue Yan nodded, a faint darkness in her eyes. "The Chief is mine to deal with."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Alright. After I interrogate him about where Xing Chen is, I will hand him over to you."
"Okay," Xue Yan said.
Xue Zi Ning and Xue Yan waited as time slowly passed. Finally, midnight arrived.
Sensing unusual sounds outside, Xue Zi Ning got up and went to the window. Indeed, there were people moving outside.
After a while, several people arrived at their door. About half an hour later, everything quieted down, but the people at the door had not left.
Xue Zi Ning returned to the bed and said in a low voice, "It seems the Chief has already become suspicious of us."
Xue Yan said, "He probably became suspicious the moment he discovered I was a woman."
"Now, we wait for the fireworks." Xue Zi Ning said.
She and Gu Chang An had agreed that fireworks would be the signal.
But after waiting for a long time, no fireworks appeared. Xue Zi Ning frowned. Had something happened to Gu Chang An, hindering his progress?
"Your Majesty, has something gone wrong?" Xue Yan also realized that something was amiss.
Xue Zi Ning's expression turned much colder. She went to the window and opened it a crack. To her surprise, there were people behind them as well.
Suddenly, there were footsteps outside the door. Then the door was opened, and someone walked in, saying, "The Chief wants to see you."
Xue Zi Ning and Xue Yan exchanged glances. Hadn't the Chief and the others gone to rescue Big Fellow?
While contemplating, they arrived at the Chief's courtyard. Xue Zi Ning looked up and saw the person sitting beside the Chief. Her gaze turned cold.