The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 427 Threat (4)_1

Chapter 427: Chapter 427 Threat (4)_1

"No need, we just came back from outside. We’ve been busy all afternoon and haven’t even had the chance to eat dinner. We don’t want to bother you." Ma Erlang seemed reluctant to interact with Ma Zhicai and the men accompanying him.

Ma Zhicai was annoyed and cursed Ma Erlang in his heart. He imagined that Ma Erlang must be afraid that he would steal his job, deliberately obstructing him. Thus, he became even more eager to engage with these men. "That’s perfect, I haven’t had dinner either. How about I treat you to a meal?"

Upon hearing this, an urgent look spread across Ma Erlang’s face. As the men were distracted, he kept signalling Ma Zhicai, urging him to go inside the house.

Ma Zhicai was focused on the accompanying men, ignoring him completely.

Ma Erlang was left flustered and helpless as he watched from the side.

"Go to the main house," one of the men suddenly instructed.

"That works, my own place is rather humble," Ma Zhicai tried to demonstrate his genteel demeanor. He noticed from their accents that they did not seem to be local merchants. They were all dressed splendidly, making it obvious that Ma Erlang had hitched his wagon to wealthy patrons.

"Let’s go." The men’s faces hardened at Ma Erlang’s apparent reluctance. Ma Erlang shrunk back in fear, sighed, and chose not to speak anymore.

Meanwhile, Ma Zhicai confidently strode alongside the men towards the main house.

The main house was remarkable, with lavish decorations. Ma Zhicai admired the grandeur as he walked in, envy glittering in his eyes.

The men exchanged a glance. As soon as Ma Erlang entered, they immediately shut the door.

"You--" Before Ma Zhicai could fully take in his surroundings and sit down, a sharp dagger was placed against his neck.

Ma Zhicai acted like a scholar in the presence of villagers, but in reality, he was even more timid than a rabbit. The sudden presence of the sharp dagger at his throat petrified him. He prided himself on his intelligence and knew that the person holding the dagger wasn’t joking.

The dagger’s blade must have been sharp, since Ma Zhicai could feel its chilling presence pressing onto his forehead.

"Friends, don’t-- don’t do this, let’s talk things over," his voice trembled out of fright, "I don’t know anything, I beg you, let me go? Uncle, tell them something."

Seeing that his pleadings had no effect on the men, a trembling Ma Zhicai turned to beg Ma Erlang.

Ma Erlang would have preferred to kick Ma Zhicai out, or leave him to his fate. He thought back to how many hints he had given him earlier, which the latter chose to ignore, rushing into the main house. And now, he was calling out for his Uncle’s help.

"Uncle, say something." Ma Zhicai’s plea for a reply went unanswered. Fear had him on the brink of collapsing. However, due to the dagger at his throat, he managed to stay on his feet.

"Master, he is my nephew, my own blood relative. He wouldn’t betray you." Although Ma Erlang desired to abandon Ma Zhicai, he couldn’t disregard their familial bond entirely.

"He’s seen your face and our relationship. We can’t let him leave." One man immobilized Ma Zhicai with a pressure point strike before withdrawing his dagger, rejecting Ma Erlang’s plea for mercy.

Ma Zhicai couldn’t move or speak. Hearing the man’s words, he was so panicked he almost wet himself.

"You should know what’s important. If you mess up our plans, you won’t be able to escape either." Another man glared at Ma Erlang threateningly.