It was only at this moment that a few people finally understood why Shao Ping Bo wouldn't worry about them escaping. But what they couldn't grasp was why Shao Ping Bo would treat them like this. They hadn't done anything to him yet, had they?
Niu You Dao didn't bother explaining anything to them. He simply walked over to the chopping block and stooped down beside it. From the floor, he lifted a board, revealing a hidden opening underneath.
The kitchen was quite spacious, as was the inn itself. One side of the inn extended over the water, while the other rested on the bank.
The opening in the floor happened to be right where the water flowed beneath. This allowed the cooks to dispose of all their waste directly into the river.
In truth, Niu You Dao had noticed this covered opening long ago. He just hadn't shown any indication, so as not to arouse suspicion, nor had he dared to approach it casually.
"Alright, go now. Quickly and quietly leave." He lifted the lid and called out to everyone.
Black Peony and the others slipped silently into the water one after another.
Niu You Dao quickly replaced the lid and moved to the door. He wanted to see if any disturbance would arise. That's why he sent Black Peony and the others out first. If Black Peony and the others were discovered, he, being in the kitchen, could still figure something out.
Confirming that nothing was amiss, he swiftly moved to a corner where a wooden barrel stood.
He opened the lid and saw kerosene inside the barrel. Taking a gourd ladle, he began pouring kerosene onto the walls and all around the room.
After dousing the area, he soaked a rope in the kerosene. One end of the rope he tossed onto the floor, while the other he extended towards the waste disposal hole. Niu You Dao blew on an igniting stick and lit the end of the rope that was lowered through the opening. Then, he quietly slipped into the water himself and vanished.
The rope burned, and the flames climbed rapidly along it. Soon, the fire engulfed the entire kitchen, igniting everything in its path.
Tang Yi was still his wife, and Shao Ping Bo actually dragged him here to cook for them? Had he lost his damn mind?!
Of course, Niu You Dao wasn't one to be easily humiliated. So, if he wasn't going to cook for them, he would at least prepare a burned-down kitchen instead.
At first, some people outside smelled something and thought it was normal. Something interesting must be cooking in the kitchen. However, they soon noticed something was wrong; there was far too much smoke for mere cooking.
Immediately, someone rushed to the kitchen to find out what was happening. It was then that he saw the entire kitchen ablaze.
The man kicked open the door, and immediately, a strong gust of wind carried powerful tongues of flame outward. The cultivator instantly flashed backward. Now, even the people outside realized that the kitchen was on fire.
"Fire! Fire!" someone yelled loudly.
The innkeeper, for his part, was completely hysterical. His inn was built entirely of wood, and the wood had even been coated with tung oil for moisture protection. Now, because of the fire, truly nothing would be left of the inn!
Shao Ping Bo, who had been conversing with several generals, also noticed the thick smoke. Tongues of flame began to spread everywhere. People were already coughing from the smoke.
A cultivator approached him:
"Senior Young Master, the inn is dangerous! Please leave the inn!"
Shao Ping Bo shouted, "What happened?"
The cultivator replied, "The kitchen caught fire."
"That kitchen?" Shao Ping Bo was astonished.
A strong wind blew by the river, so the fire spread rapidly in all directions, and the smoke enveloped more and more space.
The cultivator urged, "Senior Master, the fire is getting out of control. Please leave this place."
Shao Ping Bo coughed, waving away the smoke, and quickly began to depart.
Inside the inn, the smoke was even thicker. Everyone coughed and could see nothing. It was fortunate that a cultivator was pulling Shao Ping Bo along. After a while, a ventilation hatch was opened, and large quantities of smoke began to dissipate. Only a small part of the inn was already engulfed in flames.
As soon as they exited the inn, Shao Ping Bo coughed twice, looked around, and asked:
"Zhang San was in the kitchen, how are they?"
A cultivator replied, "Senior Master, they are cultivators after all, and this fire should pose no difficulty for them. Moreover, they were at the source of the blaze. It's unlikely they couldn't put out the fire."
Shao Ping Bo looked at the kitchen and immediately narrowed his eyes. He then glanced at Tang Yi and the others. A cold glint appeared in his eyes.
He said in a cold tone:
"They must have escaped via the river. Find them!"
Guards were stationed everywhere on the bank, so it was impossible to escape that way. They had only one path.
As soon as Tang Yi and the others heard that Niu You Dao was likely the instigator of the arson, they were stunned. Tang Yi now understood what Niu You Dao had meant when he pointed to the forest. He likely wanted her to help him if they were discovered.
"Understood!" Several people followed his command.
Tang Yi waved her hand and beckoned Tang Su Su and Su Po. They immediately ran along the river in one direction.
Since they headed in that direction, the other cultivators went in another, so as not to impede each other.
Shao Ping Bo noticed Tang Yi personally heading off in pursuit. He clasped his hands behind his back and said to the two cultivators standing nearby:
"You two personally follow her. If you see her, Zhang San, or any of the others, kill them all. Leave no one alive!"
One cultivator responded:
"Senior Master, that's Steward Zhuge's man. Won't this cause us problems?"
Shao Ping Bo gave that cultivator a cold glare. If Zhang San had prepared the dish, he would have let him go afterwards. However, he noticed the strange expressions on Tang Yi's face and the others. How could he easily let Zhang San go now?
Who would have thought this fellow would set the kitchen on fire and flee? Why do such a thing? There was only one reason: he was worried he wouldn't be able to escape later!
But where had Shao Ping Bo given himself away? He had remained calm and shown no signs, yet someone had apparently seen right through him!
Tang Yi and the others were unlikely suspects. He had long since understood their natures. It was definitely someone from Zhang San's group. But who? He couldn't pinpoint it precisely yet.
He was deeply disturbed by the fact that someone had seen through him. He even felt a sense of danger. He said in a serious tone:
"I will take responsibility for what has happened. Kill them!"
"Understood!" Two Jin Dan cultivators soared into the air, following Tang Yi.
It was already dusk, and the rays of sunset cast down upon the river and the inn. Only, within the inn, the fire raged.
It illuminated everything around it.
"Senior Young Master, this is my inn! Senior Master, this is my entire livelihood! My whole family depends on this inn!"
The innkeeper rushed over and began sobbing on his knees. Of course, this inn wasn't his entire fortune, but he wept, hoping that Shao Ping Bo would compensate him for his losses.
Interrupting his thoughts, Shao Ping Bo cast a cold glance at the kneeling innkeeper, then took a sword from the belt of one of his commanders.
"Whoosh!"
The innkeeper's eyes widened, and his hands clutched at the sword plunged into his heart. His lips trembled, and he looked up at Shao Ping Bo, who regarded him with indifference.
Shao Ping Bo pulled out the bloody sword and returned it, then threw back his cloak and departed.
The commander sheathed the sword and followed Shao Ping Bo.
"Regarding military supplies, there's no need to appeal to the provincial city anymore. I've already made every effort to have supplies dispatched from the capital to us. They should be sent to Beizhou in a few days. Once the supplies arrive, distribute them sparingly. Reselling is strictly forbidden; otherwise, the supplies will vanish into thin air. Last year, Beizhou suffered a drought, and this year, floods. The common folk are suffering. It's difficult even for the Prince to help Quanzhou right now.
"Of course, we are situated between the Zhao, Han, and Yan Kingdoms, so our military strength must be paramount. The Prince must not neglect his subordinates. They must not starve. Therefore, provisions must be distributed to them first and foremost. For if anything should happen, they will be the first to calm everyone.
"Also, explain to everyone that Beizhou is our base. Chaos must not be allowed here, nor should the lives of the common people be burdened. If robberies and banditry appear, they must be eliminated immediately. Otherwise, the common folk will flee from here. And who then will till the lands? I? You? If the people leave, everyone will suffer.
"Without people, Beizhou will only worsen this year. Misfortune will follow misfortune. Therefore, oversee affairs diligently. No one is permitted to enrich themselves during this disaster. During a calamity, people must be sent to provide timely aid. Send people to monitor officials. No one is allowed to embezzle government resources. If a violation is noticed, execution may precede investigation. You yourselves must be vigilant. Whoever dares to exploit the turmoil, I will disregard your connections. If discovered, I will execute you immediately! I warn you well. I recently executed a group of people, so do not cross my blade. Otherwise, no one will save you.
"Once we weather this disaster, everyone will immediately be better off! Beizhou is our homeland, Beizhou. You must understand that this is for your own good!" Shao Ping Bo spoke as he walked.
"Understood! Lord speaks truly!" the group of commanders following him replied.
Niu You Dao emerged from the river onto the bank. In the forest, Black Peony and the others called out to him:
"Lord Dao, over here!"
Niu You Dao turned his head and saw a thick plume of smoke. He involuntarily slapped his own head. They could have escaped stealthily. Why did he have to set the inn on fire? He realized that he had succumbed to emotion and acted irrationally.
He quickly slipped into the forest and, waving his hand, said:
"Quickly, quickly, let's go!"