On a dust-choked official road.
Two groups of people met on the narrow path.
"WHOA—"
Both sides simultaneously pulled on their reins, halting their horses.
"Sir! Those three women are the ones who were kidnapped!" Song Youcai exclaimed, recognizing them at a glance—they were the women knocked unconscious and slung over the four men's saddles.
Pei Shaoqing immediately ordered, "Surround them!"
"Yes, sir! HYAH!"
The dozens of Jing'an Guards behind him spurred their horses forward, encircling the four men. Some drew the longswords from their waists, while others unslung the Breaking Gang Crossbows from their saddles.
As everyone knows, you have to be fully armed to collect taxes.
The four surrounded men all had grim expressions.
"Everyone drop your weapons and back off! Or I'll kill her first!" the middle-aged scholar in the lead roared, his eyes wide as he grabbed the throat of the woman on his horse.
