Chapter 261: The Scheme

Chapter 261: The Scheme

Now, he only hoped that the assassin would keep his word and take them away to complete the mission.

Qin Xiaoyao turned his head and looked at the mountain bandit who had spoken.

The bandit immediately avoided his gaze in fear, not daring to meet Qin Xiaoyao's eyes.

Qin Xiaoyao sneered and then picked up the key from the table, tossing it toward the bandit.

The bandit caught the key and quickly thanked Qin Xiaoyao.

"Thank you, hero! Thank you, hero!"

At the same time, he handed the key to his companion, who unlocked the leader of the bandits.

Seeing this, the bandit leader was immensely moved.

The muffled "uh-uh" sounds coming from his mouth grew louder.

Soon, he was freed from the rack.

Then, two bandits supported him and prepared to lead him out.

"Hold on—" At this moment, Qin Xiaoyao spoke.

Upon hearing this, all three froze.

After a moment, the bandit who had asked for the key mustered up the courage to look at Qin Xiaoyao.

"What else does the hero need?" he asked with a face twisted into a smile more painful than a frown.

Qin Xiaoyao did not rush to speak but slowly walked towards the three of them.

Terrified, they all lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact with Qin Xiaoyao.

Seeing this, Qin Xiaoyao's lips curled into a cold smile.

Approaching the bandit leader, he suddenly reached out and grabbed the man's jaw.

Then, under the terrified gaze of the two bandits, he swiftly realigned the bandit leader's jaw.

The bandit leader screamed in terror.

But upon realizing that Qin Xiaoyao was helping him, he managed to calm down.

"Thank you, madam! Thank you, madam!" he exclaimed, now able to speak.

At this point, he believed that this demoness might truly be letting him go.

The two bandits supporting their leader were surprised by his address of "madam" to Qin Xiaoyao.

Yet, they still dared not look up, merely holding their general as if they were mere tools.

Regardless of whether the assassin was male or female, she remained a demoness.

It was best to be cautious and avoid offending her.

Qin Xiaoyao's lips curled upward.

"After torturing you like this, you still thank me?" she asked with a smile.

The bandit leader was momentarily stunned.

Then he hurriedly said, "That's because I deserve it! Madam, please spare me this time... uh-uh... uh-uh... I won't dare to do it again!" he added, trembling uncontrollably.

"Uh-uh, I really can't take it anymore... please let me go..."

Qin Xiaoyao pursed her lips.

"Alright. Anyway, from now on—" she glanced at the bandit's lower body.

"—you won't be able to do much." she said with a hint of amusement.

This made the bandit leader feel like collapsing.

Even the two bandits supporting him couldn't help but want to laugh.

But they dared not, so they held back.

Feeling her husband's displeased gaze, Qin Xiaoyao cleared her throat lightly.

"Ahem—let's consider this matter settled."

Hearing this, the bandit leader and the two bandits breathed a sigh of relief.

But then they heard Qin Xiaoyao say, "However, we still need to discuss what happens next."

"Madam, please speak," the bandit leader said hastily.

"Well, I asked for ten thousand taels in silver notes to ransom you. When we go outside, you know what to do, right?" Qin Xiaoyao said.

Since they had taken the risk, she intended to collect the ransom.

"I understand, I understand! The silver notes should be offered to you, madam. Once we're outside, I'll have them hand over the silver notes!" the bandit leader said quickly.

Satisfied, Qin Xiaoyao nodded.

"Sure, since you're being so obedient, I'll tell you one more thing."

"The second-in-command outside doesn't seem to want you alive, and he definitely doesn't want me to let you go..."

Upon hearing this, the bandit leader's expression changed.

Qin Xiaoyao glanced at the bandit leader's face and continued, "You're still my hostage. If you die, his next target will undoubtedly be me."

"And since you're being so cooperative, you won't cause me any trouble once you're out, right?"

The bandit leader quickly nodded.

"So, I think we can work together."

The bandit leader was startled and looked up at Qin Xiaoyao.

"After we go out, you cooperate with me to lure the second-in-command over, and then I'll help you get rid of him."

"After that, you pay me an additional ten thousand taels in silver notes and let me and my husband leave. How about it?" Qin Xiaoyao said seriously. Her demeanor was completely different from her earlier carefree attitude.

The bandit leader paused for a moment, pondered slightly, and then nodded.

The second-in-command indeed had rebellious intentions, and now that he was injured, he would likely be targeted by the second-in-command if he went out.

Taking this opportunity to have this female demon help eliminate the second-in-command would be beneficial.

As for the additional ten thousand taels, she could worry about spending it if she survived.

As long as he could escape here, he had many brothers outside. With numbers on their side, they could kill her.

"Hmm, when the time comes—"

"Alright!" The bandit leader quickly agreed after making up his mind.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Qin Xiaoyao's eyes, and she patted the bandit leader on the shoulder.

"Alright, let's go!" She said and turned to walk out.

The two bandits exchanged glances and hurriedly supported the bandit leader to follow.

The general is going to team up with the assassin to kill the second-in-command? They had just heard such news.

What should they do next?

Of course, they would help the general.

If the general successfully eliminates the second-in-command, they would receive rewards for rescuing him.

And if the second-in-command truly intended harm, they might also be in danger later.

With these thoughts, the two bandits made their decisions.

Soon, Qin Xiaoyao and the others reached the entrance of the dungeon.

The bandits outside showed various expressions upon seeing the bandit leader appear.

Some were genuinely pleased, while others pretended to be happy, like the second-in-command.

"General!" The second-in-command shouted excitedly.

Then, noticing the bandit leader's injuries, he turned to Qin Xiaoyao and yelled, "What did you do to our General?!"

Ha, the injury on the wrist is so obvious; it's probably a severed tendon.

And there's a piece of clothing tied around the waist, covering some other injury.

Brother, being tortured like this is truly miserable.

Qin Xiaoyao saw through the second-in-command's thoughts and smirked, "Isn't it clear what I did?"

"Now that I've brought him, where are the silver notes I asked for?"

The second-in-command frowned and waved his hand.

A bandit immediately brought over a stack of silver notes.

Qin Xiaoyao's eyes lit up.

"You personally bring the silver notes over to exchange for the hostage," she said.