Chapter 1004: The Snake is Out of Its Hole

Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Tang informed Tang Jinghong about the stronghold, and Tang Jinghong immediately sent troops to raid it. They seized 3,000 kilos of grain, 500 large knives, and over 200 kilos of medicinal herbs—a substantial haul.

In a heavily guarded room, the First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, and Fourth Elder sat with grim and heavy expressions, the atmosphere oppressively tense.

The First Elder, thinking of his captured son, felt increasingly burdened. “What should we do next?”

The Second Elder sighed helplessly. “The opponent is too strong…”

The Third Elder glanced at the others, angered. “We must find a way to deal with this person, or we’ll lose face entirely.”

They were now hiding, unable to go out, with their comrades captured by the enemy.

The Fourth Elder agreed with the Third Elder. “We can’t let this continue, or we won’t be able to live peacefully, let alone maintain the organization.”

The First Elder looked at them. “Do you have any ideas? As long as we can rescue Gu Mao’an and deal with the enemy, I’ll cooperate.”

The others fell silent.

After a while, the Second Elder asked, “Do we know any of their weaknesses?”

The Third Elder added, “Before we find their weaknesses, we should identify who they are. Only then can we effectively deal with them.”

The Fourth Elder agreed. “But we only know their name and nothing else. How do we investigate?”

The First Elder said, “We need to find a way.”

The three turned to the First Elder, reluctant to take risks themselves, leaving the First Elder to take the lead.

Seeing this, the First Elder felt powerless. Whether in marriage or friendship, everyone looks out for themselves in times of trouble. “Fine, I’ll handle this.”

The three elders sighed in relief, preferring to avoid capture and leaving the First Elder to bear the burden.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The First Elder wrote a letter in his study and sent it through a monkey to his trusted confidant—caution had reached this level. The confidant would then deliver it to Chu Tang.

In wartime, emissaries are not harmed. Chu Tang didn’t trouble the First Elder’s confidant but did ask a few questions.

Learning that the First Elder used a monkey to send messages left him speechless—such extreme precautions?

Chu Tang opened the letter, which read: “Who are you? What do you want? But no matter who you are or what you want, if you release Gu Mao’an, you can name your terms.”

After reading, he handed the letter to Zeng Huo. “Take a look.”

Zeng Huo read it and couldn’t help but laugh. “The First Elder has become so humble. He used to be so arrogant.”

Chu Tang said, “Times change. You’ll get your chance to be arrogant later.”

Zeng Huo folded the letter. “What’s next?”

“I’ll write a reply to the First Elder.” Since the snake was out of its hole, he intended to capture it. Chu Tang went to the study and wrote on a piece of paper: “We will meet soon.”

He handed the letter to Zeng Huo. “Give this to the emissary.”

“Yes.” Zeng Huo took the letter and left.

Chu Tang summoned two parrots. “Follow the letter bearer. When you find the First Elder, return and report to me. Oh, and there might be a monkey involved. Pay attention.”

“Got it.” The parrots flapped their wings and flew away.

The confidant, sweating nervously, left the Tao residence and hurried back.

The parrots followed him, observing as he moved through a house and then into a bamboo grove, where he handed the letter to a waiting monkey.

The confidant checked his surroundings, ensuring no one followed, and breathed a sigh of relief. Mission accomplished.

Unbeknownst to him, the parrots watched from a tree.

The monkey took the letter and ventured deeper into the forest. Eventually, an impressive estate came into view. “So, this is the place.”

Perched on a tree, the parrots saw the monkey deliver the letter to an elderly man and then flew back to report.

Chu Tang, upon hearing their report, chuckled. Did they think hiding in the remote mountains would keep him from finding them? They underestimated him!

The First Elder opened the letter and read its single sentence, leaving him uneasy. He burned the letter in agitation, hoping to find some peace.

After burning the letter, the First Elder paced his room anxiously. What should he do? Chu Tang would eventually find them. What should he do?

He needed to find a new hiding place quickly.

But what about Gu Mao’an? Should he abandon his son? The First Elder felt torn, unable to make a right decision, overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts.

The Second Elder entered. “First Elder, our stronghold at the Shu City market was raided. Everyone was captured, and all our supplies were taken.”

The First Elder felt a wave of despair. “Who did this?”

The Second Elder sighed. “Tang Jinghong.”

The First Elder was confused. “How did he know about our stronghold?”

The Second Elder shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve sent someone to investigate. We should have news soon.”

The First Elder, troubled, suddenly thought of someone. “Where is Mu Xiao?”

The Second Elder frowned. “He didn’t return after delivering the letter to Chu Tang. Could he have betrayed us?”

The First Elder said, “Betraying us would endanger his family’s lives. He wouldn’t dare.” Little did he know, Mu Xiao had indeed betrayed them, exploiting their assumptions.

The Second Elder still doubted Mu Xiao. “If he did betray us, how did Tang Jinghong know?”

The First Elder, worried, said, “What’s important now is to protect our other strongholds.”

“With the stronghold raided, how do we protect them?” The Second Elder said. “We can only raise their alert levels. But Tang Jinghong has left Shu City for Liang City. Shu City is safe for now.”

The First Elder nodded. “But we must closely monitor Tang Jinghong. If this continues, our Yun Organization will crumble without a fight.”

The Second Elder agreed. “You’re right.”

They seemed to have overlooked Chu Tang!

Chu Tang gave the parrots some caterpillars to eat and then had them lead him to the First Elder.

Following the parrots, Chu Tang entered the forest, venturing deeper until he noticed a group of people. What were so many people doing in the deep mountains?

He decided to follow them. The First Elder could wait—he wouldn’t escape.

Silently, Chu Tang followed.

The group headed deeper into the forest, their purpose unclear for now.