Pei Shu’er said, "Ling Niang, if you’re willing to escape, then let’s collaborate."
Ling Niang, however, shook her head, her eyes full of cold hatred.
"Rather than escaping, I want revenge. I want to see the Big Master dead, the bandit fortress destroyed, only then will I leave."
Pei Shu’er nodded, "Alright, then you help us get the map, or find out where the Big Master hides it from him, then I’ll go look for it."
Ling Niang was momentarily stunned, then shook her head with a laugh, looking at Pei Shu’er with some disappointment.
This didn’t seem like a very reliable partner.
"How could he ever tell me? Don’t you know how cautious he is? He keeps a dagger under his pillow at all times."
"Moreover, he doesn’t care much if others leave. But if I leave, he’ll stop at nothing to find me, and I wouldn’t be able to escape even with wings."
After saying this, the sorrow on her face became even more pronounced.
Then she turned away, not wanting to engage with Pei Shu’er anymore, thinking they couldn’t escape.
Pei Shu’er tapped Ling Niang’s shoulder, and when Ling Niang turned to see the medicine bottle with a puzzled expression, Pei Shu’er finally spoke.
"The pink incense is for the Big Master, it’s colorless and tasteless, and the Big Master won’t even know he’s been hit by it; it can make him tell the truth. The green bottle is the antidote, just take one pill beforehand and you’ll be fine."
Ling Niang looked at Pei Shu’er, and the previously somewhat empty look in her eyes now held a rare gleam.
For the first time, she felt she could leave this cage, and for the first time, she felt she could contend with the Big Master.
It seemed that this person could be a reliable partner. At the very least, she’d never heard of such strange medicine before.
When Pei Shu’er packed up the trays and was about to leave, Ling Niang suddenly spoke up.
"As a token of my sincerity for collaboration, I’ll tell you a secret no one knows."
Pei Shu’er paused and turned to look at Ling Niang.
Ling Niang said, "The three leaders and their fifteen trusted aides always wait ten days after changing cooks. Once they see no one else in the fortress is affected, only then do they eat. Otherwise, they’d rather cook for themselves."
"These people are masters with inner strength."
Hearing this, Pei Shu’er froze on the spot.
She now felt cold all over.
If not for Ling Niang’s words, she would have thought her drugging plan a big success.
After all, the bandits’ meals were all eaten completely.
She might have struck three days later.
She would think the people in the fortress were all poisoned, losing their combat abilities.
With Tang Zan as a mighty force, they would have certainly rescued everyone.
They could even set a fire to cause chaos among the poisoned, increasing the rescue’s success rate.
Only now did she realize her thoughts were too naive.
She hadn’t expected others to guard against them.
So Pei Shu’er shouldn’t have made such good meals for everyone like Zhao San...
It was all because she was too good at cooking.
After leaving Ling Niang’s place, Pei Shu’er took the porridge she had prepared for the prisoners downstairs.
Pei Shu’er added some anti-inflammatory and cold and fever medicine to the porridge, so everyone could consume it without being noticed.
When Pei Shu’er distributed the food to each cell, she realized Liu Xu and Tang Qingning were nowhere to be found.
Pei Shu’er’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Yinxing.
"Where’s the War Princess?"
Yinxing didn’t know Pei Shu’er’s identity and shrank back a little.
"Taken away by people from the Second Master."
Pei Shu’er’s heart skipped a beat again. Was the Second Master back in action so soon?
The drug wasn’t strong enough.
Tang Zan’s face was also grim as he hurried outside.
Pei Shu’er followed behind Tang Zan, leading him to the Second Master’s room, guarded by two bandits at the door.
Tang Zan and Pei Shu’er circled to the back of the house. He picked up Pei Shu’er and leaped onto the roof.
Pei Shu’er’s eyes lit up. It was the legendary Qinggong!
Once they reached the rooftop, Tang Zan set her down, then crouched carefully, lifting a tile slightly.
The two immediately saw the greasy-headed Second Master, a lewd grin on his face, looking at Tang Qingning and Liu Xu with obvious desire.
He walked over and stood before Liu Xu, standing as tall and imposing as a mountain, despite his fat build.
Liu Xu appeared especially delicate beside him.
"Heeheehee, War Princess, you’re finally mine."
The Second Master lifted Liu Xu’s chin, about to press his thick lips onto Liu Xu’s face.
Tang Zan picked up a stone, ready to hit the Second Master.
Pei Shu’er hastily blew some knockout smoke, which she had purchased on a previous shopping trip at the market.
As soon as she blew the knockout smoke, Liu Xu and Tang Qingning collapsed immediately.
Though skilled in martial arts, the Second Master sensed something wrong as he teetered on the brink of collapse.
Pei Shu’er blew another dose of the smoke.
The Second Master finally fell completely.
Pei Shu’er found herself once more in Tang Zan’s embrace, their hearts racing.
With a gentle leap, they landed safely by the rear window.
Tang Zan opened the window and jumped inside with Pei Shu’er, without alerting the guards at the door.
Pei Shu’er gave the Second Master some hallucinogenic drugs. Tang Zan dragged him to the bed for a night of sweet dreams.
Pei Shu’er quickly administered some antidote to Liu Xu and Tang Qingning, bringing them back to consciousness.
Their faces were very grim, as the two hugged each other sobbing softly.
Pei Shu’er comforted, "Mom, it’s alright. We’ll take you both away shortly, claiming it was on the Second Master’s orders."
Anyway, the Second Master wouldn’t have any memory of it now.
When he awoke, Pei Shu’er would subtly manipulate him, causing his dazed mind to believe the version Pei Shu’er presented.
When the Second Master awoke, Pei Shu’er and Tang Zan stood nearby, as he frowned.
Pei Shu’er gave the Second Master a thumbs up.
"Second Master, you’re amazing, those two women passed out from your doing."
The Second Master’s mind went blank for a moment, then, recalling something, he looked satisfied.
"Those two women were quite thrilling."
Pei Shu’er sycophantically said, "Well then, Second Master, shall I take these two away now?"
The Second Master nodded, "Alright, but keep a close watch on them. Don’t let anyone else touch them."
It was his first time feeling so satisfied, of course he couldn’t forget these two, wanting to keep them for his own enjoyment before letting others have a turn.
Pei Shu’er smiled and nodded, "Yes, Second Master."
As they took the two out, the guards had already changed, "Shorty" and "Big Tall" looked puzzled.
One asked suspiciously, "When did you two get in?"
Tang Zan coldly swept his gaze over the man, "We’ve been inside for a while."
The guard sensed Tang Zan’s intimidating demeanor and didn’t dare ask further.