Gu Baijiang took a deep breath, looked up directly at Ming Peifeng, "Lord Ming, I must also consider my descendants. This journey is extremely dangerous, and I cannot become the sinner of the Gu Family."

It was clear to everyone in the room that even if he told the Third Prince the location, it wouldn’t resolve their current crisis.

The Third Prince was furious in his heart; this was distrust of him.

Although he also wanted the address of that hidden silver, to throw his hands up and walk away, he really couldn’t do that. Otherwise, how would he face those loyal subjects who followed him in the future?

"Is Master Gu truly so stubborn?"

Gu Baijiang said, "If Lord Ming were in my situation, what would you do?"

"I would certainly..."

Ming Peifeng gave Gu Baijiang a resentful glance; this was digging a pit for him.

If he said to reveal the location, it would seem like he had no brains as an advisor.

If he praised Gu Baijiang for his cautiousness, the Third Prince would have to question his loyalty.

Truthfully, if he were in Gu Baijiang’s position, he might not even want to bear this guilt.

He might say Gu Baijiang was too stupid, he shouldn’t have intercepted that silver, so the other princes wouldn’t target him.

This mistake led to mistakes at every step, no wonder Gu Baijiang was clinging tightly to this last thread of hope.

"Master," Gu Baijiang did not press Ming Peifeng further, knowing he had to rely on his escort, he knew when to stop.

"The guilty minister is grateful that you still remember me at this moment. Even if I’m no longer around in the future, I will instruct my descendants to be grateful for your benevolence and virtue."

Rong Ruiyuan came personally for this trip and didn’t want to return empty-handed. Now he also found Gu Baijiang to be troublesome; not helping him would make it difficult to convince others in the future. Yet, as a prince, when had he ever been threatened like this?

"Master Gu, have you thought it through?" This meant he was choosing to be an enemy.

Gu Baijiang withstood the pressure from Rong Ruiyuan, "Please, Your Highness, have mercy."

"Peifeng, see the guest out." Rong Ruiyuan turned and entered the carriage, feeling stuck with Gu Baijiang.

Those silver taels were the main foundation of his great enterprise. Otherwise, with his temper, this damned Gu Baijiang dared to threaten him, peeling off his skin and using it as grass wouldn’t be too much.

But he dared not gamble now, fearing Gu Baijiang might choose mutual destruction, or that the other waiting brothers might profit from it.

"Master, the people have been sent away." Ming Peifeng reported from outside the carriage.

"Peifeng, what do you think should be done next?"

"In my humble opinion, Master should still give him some hope.

The other lords are eyeing hungrily, it’s understandable why Gu Baijiang wouldn’t relent at this moment."

Ming Peigang wasn’t speaking for Gu Baijiang, but as an advisor, he had to consider everything for the prince.

"Yes, if not for them meddling, how could this prince be so passive." Rong Ruiyuan said through gritted teeth, "This Gu Baijiang is ungrateful indeed. Does he think I tear down bridges once crossed? If he truly handed over the items, could I not think highly of him?"

Ming Peifeng remained silent, though his heart struggled. Was siding with this master right or wrong?

Perhaps if you got the items, you would leave with your people, leaving the Gu Family here to face the wrath of the other lords – their outcome would be predictable.

"Forget it, he has been working with this prince, after all. Arrange for people to follow closely, and don’t let them make mistakes." Noticing his earlier tone was unpleasant, Rong Ruiyuan had to instruct this way.

As their carriage was about to leave, many people in black suddenly appeared around them.

"Protect the master," someone shouted, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Gu Baijiang, hearing the commotion behind him, dared not look back and even quickened his pace.

Liu Pingkang and his group, seeing this, also became alert, ordering all the exiles to gather together as much as possible.

"Master Gu, what’s happening?" Seeing Gu Baijiang return, Gu Pingkang blocked his way. Every time trouble arose, there was the shadow of Gu Baijiang; he was simply a source of major disaster.

"I don’t know either," Gu Baijiang only wanted to quickly blend into the crowd. There were no rooms to hide; he needed to find a hiding place soon.

"Then what happened up ahead? Didn’t you just come from there?"

"Boss, why waste so many words on him?" Guo Baoshu directly grabbed Gu Baijiang’s collar, "These people are here for him, throw him out and all problems will be solved."

This suggestion was met with approval from many, who shouted in agreement, "Yes, throw him out."

Life is only lived once. These weak, defenseless people didn’t want to conflict with the Gu Family; this was a matter of life and death.

Gu Kaiyuan and Bai Suihe were protected by Zhuang Datou and others, and with their ox cart parked near the escort, no one dared make a move against them.

However, Gu Kaiping and his party had no such luck, being pushed to the front.

Seeing the fierce battle ahead, Gu Kaiping’s group trembled; they didn’t want to be here, but they had no choice.

"Dad, what’s going on?"

Gu Baijiang didn’t respond but watched the two fighting sides ahead, thinking this must be aimed at the Third Prince, though he didn’t know which prince dared such a bold move.

As long as the Prince’s side didn’t fall, they would be safe.

"Mr. Liu, those are nobles up ahead, won’t you lend a hand?"

Liu Pingkang snorted at Gu Baijiang’s words, recognizing this as an attempt to push them out as cannon fodder.

"Master Gu, you seem familiar with the opposing side, why not go yourself?"

"I hope Mr. Liu won’t regret today’s decision."

"We can’t help it, our main task is to watch over you and send you prisoners to Lingnan. Other fights have nothing to do with us."

More and more people in black joined the fray, forcing Rong Ruiyuan to get down from the carriage.

As soon as he appeared, a machete came slicing towards him. A beautiful maid in the carriage was grabbed and used as a shield before she could scream; her life ended right there.

Even so, Rong Ruiyuan’s arm was still affected, leaving a long cut.

Gu Baijiang took a sharp cold breath, his heart in his throat. If the Third Prince died here, none of them could escape unscathed.

But at this moment, he didn’t dare expose the Prince’s identity, as it could bring endless trouble.

Fortunately, Ming Peifeng was there at this critical time to protect the Prince.

Bai Suihe took a handful of sunflower seeds, giving half to Gu Kaiyuan, "Do you think this Third Prince will survive?"

Gu Kaiyuan glanced at her, "Don’t you already know?"

"Knowing is one thing, but who knows if it will change? With us as variables, anything is possible."

But the next words from Gu Kaiyuan left her without the mood to even eat sunflower seeds.