Chapter 660: Chapter 659: Do As You Please

Zhu Yu met his gaze, and immediately understood. Without another word, she took the water pouch and gulped down several mouthfuls.

The talisman brothers were chatting and laughing as they added more wood, making the campfire burn brighter. Soon, the fire started, branches and logs cracking under the flames, sending curls of blue smoke rising, spreading with the evening breeze.

Before long, there was a rustling of branches and leaves from nearby in the forest, followed by several heavy thuds, sounding like something heavy had fallen from a height into the bushes below.

On ordinary days, Fu Lu was not as composed as the rune. But today, he performed quite well, listening keenly until he confirmed there were no more sounds. He stood up joyfully: "Master, Second Master, it seems all is well! Shall we bring them over?"

Lu Qing nodded and gestured to them: "Go ahead."

The talisman brothers sprang up from the fire and dashed toward the forest.

Soon, they returned. The rune was dragging one person behind him, Fu Lu was dragging another, and carrying a third on his shoulder.

The two skillfully dragged the captives into the clearing and used ready ropes to bind them securely.

"Master, they’re all tied up. What should we do next?" Fu Lu seemed quite excited, having felt stifled recently, his muscles almost feeling rusty, eager for a chance to move.

Unfortunately, Lu Qing’s reply was bound to disappoint Fu Lu. He merely pointed to a spot near the campfire: "Just leave them there. There’s no need to pay attention. Once the drugs wear off, they’ll wake up naturally.

After observing secretly for so long, we’re tired. Let them sleep as long as they can."

Zhu Yu glanced at him: "Are you really that kind?"

Lu Qing didn’t pretend in front of her, laughing softly: "The purpose of a fisherman using small fish isn’t to eat the small fish, but to use them as bait to catch big fish.

It’s still early, not yet the time to lure big fish. There’s no harm in waiting a bit longer."

The talisman brothers tossed the three captives onto the ground not far from them, returned to the fire, and took out a handful of powder, tossing it into the flames. The fire flickered, and the blue smoke that was rising decreased significantly.

"Master, I’ve added the antidote, no confusing smoke. They should wake up on their own soon." The rune settled those matters, organizing Fu Lu to grill some flatbread over the fire.

The four of them leisurely finished their meal, and by the time night fully enveloped them, the three captives began to stir awake.

Upon awakening, finding themselves bound, they were first puzzled, then tried to wriggle free, glaring at Lu Qing’s group and cursing.

"You despicable people! Traveling the martial world, not using honorable means but using confusing smoke! Shameless! Filthy!" led one of them cursing loudly, "You cowardly scoundrels! Dare to untie us and compete fairly on skill?"

"Bah!" Fu Lu turned his head, spitting at the man with disdain, "You few dare speak of honor, dare call us despicable!

If you aren’t cowardly scoundrels, then why lie in wait observing us instead of confronting us directly?!"

The man had always regarded himself as a righteous gentleman, hence his vigorous cursing, completely forgetting how he was captured with confusing smoke.

Now upon Fu Lu’s mockery, he remembered, his dark face flushing crimson, although not visible in the night, but his tense tone revealed his unease.

"How is that the same! We’re mountain bandits, with fewer people, trying to win smartly, what’s wrong with that!" The man, in his panic, spoke somewhat hastily.

"Oh, you can win smartly, but we can’t? Who set that rule for you!" The rune scoffed, "And what kind of mountain bandits are you?!

No mountain bandits dawdle like you, failing to act even with such beautiful brocade boxes arrayed, preferring to perch like monkeys atop tree branches!

What are your heads filled with? Tofu? You can’t even pretend to be mountain bandits properly!"

Upon his words, the three captives’ expressions changed, they glanced at each other, the other two closed their mouths, stopped cursing, pretending not to hear the rune’s scolding.

The one who had been speaking back stiffened his neck, "Why say so much! We’re in your hands now, do as you please!"

Lu Qing listened silently to their bickering for a while, then stood, brushing off his clothes.

Their gazes instinctively shifted to him.

The leader saw Lu Qing’s appearance clearly under the firelight, feeling a sense of unease. Earlier, to avoid detection, they could only watch from afar atop branches, not seeing clearly. Now he realized, this man wasn’t just broad-shouldered and tall, but emitted an aura that made him difficult to underestimate.

Under Lu Qing’s gaze, his heart thudded, throat tightening, anxious if he could withstand the questioning.

Lu Qing walked over, squatted calmly in front of them, and scrutinized them seriously.

"From the day before yesterday, you’ve been tailing us, from following, to surveilling from the trees..." His tone carried no emotion, slowly asking, "Why? What’s your reason?"

"We... wanted loot." The man stiffened his neck, firmly clinging to this reason, refusing to change.

Lu Qing chuckled, opting for silent action, he pushed the man over, flipping him to lie face down.

The talisman brothers quickly restrained the remaining two similarly.

Lu Qing examined their hands bound behind their backs, Zhu Yu, who had been silent all the while, now feeling the situation was secure, joined to examine.

Upon closer look, indeed, they discovered some clues.