The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1494: East Village

"Furthermore, an ambush has been meticulously prepared within East Village. Should they foolishly charge in, they will inevitably walk right into our carefully laid trap," Ye Shikai stated with composure. "Take your men and make preparations for immediate departure."

"Understood." Luo Li swiftly mounted his warhorse, leading his contingent towards the blacksmith's shop.

"Everyone, remain vigilant," Ye Shikai instructed the villagers gathered behind him. Despite the imminent danger, a profound sense of calm settled over him, especially after receiving the latest intelligence confirming the robbers had indeed plunged into East Village, now transformed into a 'Death Trap'.

East Village.

"How peculiar, there isn't a single soul to be seen."

"Second Master, didn't you suggest earlier that perhaps these villagers had all fled in fear?" inquired a robber, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Today is unlike any other. In past raids, villagers would typically barricade themselves indoors, but now, an unnerving silence prevails. Not even the usual sounds of chickens and ducks from the yards are audible." The robber's Second Master moved towards the facade of a dwelling.

"Hmph, someone, force the door open for me."

"Yes, sir."

A few robbers hoisted a hefty stone from nearby and shattered the locked wooden door. Second Master, along with his men, advanced inside, their eyes rapidly surveying the interior, only to find it devoid of any occupants.

"Second Master, there's no one here."

"Proceed with the search; ascertain if there are any valuables within." Second Master commanded, and a contingent of robbers promptly began ransacking drawers and cabinets. However, this particular home was undeniably impoverished. Following a thorough examination, their findings were limited to a handful of worn-out garments.

"Second Master, this family is destitute, yielding nothing of value, only these threadbare clothes, riddled with patches."

"Perhaps they absconded with all valuables. Bah, it seems these villagers have truly fled. Our boss is being excessively cautious." Second Master scoffed, turning to exit. "Brothers, fan out and search every corner; let's see if anything worthwhile can be found."

"Yes!"

"Very well, brethren, let us proceed."

Ten minutes elapsed.

"Let's investigate over there." Three robbers approached a residence that was conspicuously larger than the surrounding homes, evidently belonging to a more affluent family.

"Quickly, break down the main entrance. This must be a substantial household; there's bound to be wealth within."

"Right away, right away."

One of the robbers procured a stone and smashed through the primary door, allowing the trio to surge inside.

"Curious, there doesn't appear to be anything of value here either."

"Didn't expect this household to be poor as well," one robber grumbled ceaselessly, his gaze sweeping the vicinity, shifting from the main hall to the overhead beam, and then... a look of sheer astonishment gradually dawned upon his face.

"It's... it's the Qin Army."

*Swoosh.*

An arrow descended swiftly from the beam, impaling the robber's forehead. He was granted no chance to cry out before he fell lifelessly.

*Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.*

Abruptly, a figure leaped from the beam, followed by several others clad in dark attire.

"Xue San, the General's strategy is truly ingenious. These fools haven't a clue how they met their end."

"Indeed. These bandits are blinded by greed. Quickly, dispose of the bodies before they are discovered. Our objective is not these petty thugs; the General has entrusted us with a far more significant mission," Xue San declared with calm resolve.

"Understood."

"Yes, sir." Several squad members efficiently relocated the corpses to a rear chamber, subsequently securing the main entrance, awaiting the arrival of the next 'unfortunate soul'.

"Xue San, since the General has commanded us to apprehend or eliminate the robber leader when the opportunity arises, why are we squandering time with these low-ranking ruffians? If we continue to delay, what about the General's wedding banquet?" a squad member questioned.

"You display a lamentable lack of foresight. These are merely the advance scouts dispatched by the robbers. I happened to overhear their earlier discussion; their leader is merely a 'Second Master'. The General intends to eradicate this entire nest of thieves, not just slaughter a mere hundred or so," Xue San elucidated.

"Ah, I see. Then why have they not yet entered for us to capture them all in one fell swoop?"

"It appears the robber leader possesses some modicum of intelligence. Were he a drunken and inept general, he would stand no chance against them," Xue San mused, shifting the focus. "Alas for them, they have encountered our General. They've chosen an auspicious day to ensure their lives conclude here, serving as a wedding gift for the General."

..................

Two hours hence.

"Old Second, what is the situation? Why have you been lingering at the village entrance for such an extended period?" The primary robber leader, accompanied by his remaining forces, gradually entered the village, observing Second Master and his retinue positioned before a dwelling, seemingly anticipating something.

"Boss, I’m not sure why, I sent the brothers to search everywhere, and now we’re missing thirty or forty of them. It’s been two hours, still can’t find them," Second Master replied.

"Forget it, whatever, maybe they’re stuck on something valuable." The robber leader cursed; if they wait any longer, it would soon be dark, and once the Qin Army’s main forces arrive, it’d be troublesome.

"Everyone, follow me into the village."

Inside a house in East Village.

"They’ve all entered the village, quickly, go and send the signal to prepare the General," Xue San said coldly.

"Yes."

Blacksmith’s shop.

"Quickly, the signal has been received, the robbers have all entered the village, go inform the General to prepare," Luo Li said calmly as he looked at the flag in the distance.

"Yes." A soldier mounted his horse and galloped toward the village.

East Village.

"How strange, why are the roads here so winding and narrow?" The robber leader frowned as he observed the village paths. East Village is situated on a small hill, although not towering into the clouds, compared to the flat West Village ground, the small paths here are naturally more rugged, with some even allowing only one or two people to pass through, making the robbers sometimes think they’ve gone the wrong way.

"Boss, the terrain here is elevated, these paths are built along the hillside, naturally making them uneven."

"This is really infuriating; everyone listen, spread out, advance through the various small paths, and gather in the village."

"Yes."

Hundreds of robbers divided into scattered teams, departing from East Village through dozens of small paths. These were the roads leading to the village center, but they were not easy to traverse, some even required a long detour.

"Lao Er, did you capture any villagers?" The robber leader asked.

"Boss, I and the brothers searched for ages and couldn’t find anyone, not even any valuables, just a pile of junk," Second Master replied.

"Anyway, at least it shows there’s no one left in the village, such a big village, there must be some leftovers," The robber leader said.