Remember "Bookworm" in one second.

  The three civilian ships following the official ship were not large, just ordinary civilian ship style.

  The boatman in charge of rowing was exceptionally robust and strong, and the "passengers" sitting in the cabin were all middle-aged men, each with strange-shaped packages by their side.

  Long packages contained long guns, slightly shorter ones held long knives. There were also weapons such as soft whips and iron clubs.

  As long as no one boards the ship and checks inside the cabin, it looks normal from a distance.

  These three civilian ships did not sail in parallel, with about two miles of waterway between each ship. Mixed among the boats coming and going on the river, they were completely inconspicuous.

  The first boat had the most people, with over twenty sturdy men. The crippled beggar and scar-faced man were among them, led by a man with a tiger's back and bear's waist, with a pair of triangular eyes, who was none other than the second-in-command of this gang of water bandits.

  "Second Master, are we really going to take the risk and do this?" Scarface asked somewhat uneasily: "There are quite a few guards on that official ship. What if..."

  The lame beggar burst out laughing and hastily said, "What if? Knife Scar, your guts are getting smaller and smaller. There are at most twenty guards on that official ship, plus the boatmen, there won't be more than forty people. We have seventy people here. Besides, we don't plan to board the ship and kill people. As long as we draw our knives and subdue them, we can grab the person and leave. This kind of thing is something we're used to doing!

  Of course there are risks. However, what they're doing is just the kind of thing where you lick blood off a knife and rob people, being timid and fearful won't accomplish great things!

  The second master nodded in agreement, glancing at the crippled beggar: "The cripple is right. If you want to make a big fortune, there's no way to avoid taking risks. The first master has already been urged several times by someone, saying that he lacks good 'goods' in his hands. There is a noble leader on the side of the barbarians who has offered a high price of 200 war horses for an exceptionally beautiful woman."

  The bandits in the cabin all lit up their eyes.

  Two hundred war horses!

  Transported into the pass and sold, at least there are 700,000 to 800,000 taels! Following the usual practice, the first master and second master take away one-third, and the remaining people share equally, also having nearly 1,000 taels.

  After finishing this job, it's enough for me to spend money on food, drink and entertainment for one or two years!

  Thinking of this, one by one emotions surged up, and seven mouths and eight tongues said: "Scar, you coward, if you don't dare to take action, then stay behind and watch the boat."

  "Alright. We'll follow Second Master's lead on this one."

  "To eat meat and drink wine is to live a happy life, but if you don't take some risks, how can that be?"

  Scarface was ridiculed by everyone, and he shrank his neck and didn't dare to speak.

  The second master saw his subordinates clenching their fists and rubbing their palms, feeling quite satisfied. Thinking of the glimpse at the dock during the day, he felt restless again.

  There have been many beautiful Peugeot girls before, but one as lovely and charming as today's is unprecedented. Such a stunning beauty would not be a problem to sell even if the price were higher than 200 war horses.

  Unfortunately, in order to sell at a high price, it has to be a virgin who hasn't been touched by anyone.

  It's just that people were kidnapped and he could only stand by and watch...

  Thinking again, after doing this, I can get a large sum of money. At that time, what kind of beautiful woman can't I want?

  "Everyone, calm down for a moment." The second master collected his thoughts and said in a deep voice: "What we're doing is a matter of beheading, one careless move and everyone's life will be over. So before taking action, I have to say the rules again."

  "First, no one is allowed to move without my order. Second, do not kill people, do not be greedy for the gold and silver on the ship, act quickly, grab people and retreat swiftly. If anyone disobeys my command..."

  The second master sneered and a fierce glint flashed in his triangular eyes: "My knife doesn't recognize people."

  The rioters who were shouting just now all responded in unison, and the cabin suddenly became much quieter.

  The lame beggar, relying on his own merits, asked boldly: "Second master, the night is long and dreams are many. Why not take action tonight? To avoid being followed all the way and arousing the suspicion of the guards on the official boat."

  "The second master said without thinking: 'Wait a minute. We have three ships. Take turns to follow up and observe the movements on the ship, wait until we understand the specific situation on the ship before taking action.'"

  ......

  Two days later.

  The sky was getting darker, and the boatmen had been rowing for a whole day, all of whom were extremely tired. There were still dozens of miles of waterway to the next dock, and there was no way to catch up with the docking schedule.

  The leader of the boatmen went to report to the chief of the guards: "......Tonight, we can only moor by the shore and rest."

  Having traveled so many days on waterways. Such a situation has also occurred.

  The boat sailed to a place where people rarely visited, and the riverbank was desolate. Except for one or two civilian ships passing by occasionally, no signs of human habitation could be seen.

  The leader of the guards nodded and replied: "I'll go inform Master and Madam, you let everyone get a good rest."

  Ling Da Ye knew about it and only instructed one sentence: "Let the guards work hard at night and take turns keeping watch."

  This is just a precautionary measure. Who would dare to have the audacity to attack an official vessel?

  The sky quickly darkened.

  Everyone had their own dinner and chatted for a while before returning to their cabins to rest.

  Bai Yu lit the candle holder. Ling Jingxu held a book and read it softly to Ling Xiao.

  "Ah Shu," Ling Xiao suddenly furrowed his beautiful eyebrows and said in a low voice, "I've felt jumpy all day today, like something is going to happen."

  They say twins have a spiritual connection, it turns out it's true.

  Ling Jingxu was restless all day, and unexpectedly Ling Xiao was the same.

  "Don't think nonsense, this road is safe and sound, nothing will happen." Ling Jingyu pretended to be relaxed and cheerful as she comforted Ling Xiao, but her eyes swept over the bamboo tube by the pillow.

  This was what she had specifically instructed Bai Yu to ask the boatman for. If something unexpected happened on the boat, as long as they opened the bamboo tube's lid and threw it out with force, a soaring flame would erupt from inside the tube. Even thirty miles away across the water, it could still be seen.

  This is a distress signal when an official ship encounters danger. As long as any ship sees such flames, it must rush to the rescue in the shortest time, regardless of what kind of ship it is.

  When an official boat goes out, it will necessarily be equipped with several such bamboo tubes.

  Actually, most of them didn't have the chance to use it. The old boatman had stored half a basket of such bamboo tubes. Therefore, when Bai Yu went to ask for one, he got it without much effort.

  Ling Jingxu still had a sharp dagger hidden under her pillow.

  But don't tell Ling Xiang about this, or he'll get even more nervous.

  "You've never been on a long trip, nor have you lived on a boat, so you're probably feeling a bit anxious and having some wild thoughts." Ling Jingxu softened her voice: "It's getting late, why don't you go back to your cabin, wash up and get some rest?"

  Ling Xiao responded with a low "en".

  After sending Ling Xiao away, Ling Jingxuan also simply washed and slept.

  It's probably because I'm too tense mentally, even the faint sound of the breeze blowing against the window sounds like it's ringing in my ears.

  Ling Jing had a rare case of insomnia and didn't fall asleep until after midnight.

  She didn't know how long she had slept when Ling Jingxu was suddenly awakened.

  ......(。)

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