Chapter 28 Eliminate sorrows Ⅲ

　　On the fifth day of the lunar month, Zhou Ge was sauntering back when a steed halted in front of him on the main road. The rider dismounted and said, "Zhou Ge, where have you been? Brother Shen is looking for you everywhere."

　　Looking up, it was the wealthy idler, Ji Yanshi.

　　"Oh... Just taking a stroll, seeing if there's anything I can help with," he replied.

　　"And?"

　　"No use for me anywhere. By the way, Ji, where are you headed?"

　　"To find Sixth Senior Sister."

　　"The message has arrived?"

　　"Yeah, it's urgent. I have to go. Keep an eye on He. Don't let her leave," he said, riding off.

　　Zhou Ge chuckled to himself. How could Miss He Muyu be so easily stopped?

　　At the gate of the prefect's private residence, Shen Huan was pacing anxiously. Seeing Zhou Ge return, he came to greet him.

　　The two entered the courtyard, updating each other on recent changes. The residents were the same as before, including Xiao Wen and He Muyu, who came to inquire after hearing of Zhou Ge's return.

　　Zhou Ge recounted the situation in the sour jujube forest, describing where the thieves had set up their temporary camp, approximately how many there were, and their divisions of labor. He didn't mention anything else.

　　The three listened, and the information aligned with what the scouts sent out by Prefect He had reported.

　　Shen Huan sensed there was more, but since his friend didn't bring it up, he didn't either.

　　He then related the changes in the mansion. Scouts had reported that He Muxian's troop had already departed for Xiyan County, and was scheduled to arrive at the crossroads of the sour jujube forest in Beici County on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month.

　　"So, Miss He already knows about Fangding Mountain?" Zhou Ge asked.

　　"My sister knows," He Muyu said.

　　"Can't we avoid trouble by taking a detour?"

　　"With the Green-headed Toad bullying us, where can my sister hide? She has to face them. Also, Shen said you and I, erm... and Fourth Senior Sister should stay in the villa. Got that?" She raised her eyebrows.

　　"Miss Er, I only said you and Miss Xiao shouldn't go out," Shen Huan clarified.

　　Xiao Wen understood that Shen Huan was protecting her. With the unresolved matters involving her and Sixth Senior Sister's families, the Xiaos couldn't publicly show their faces. Therefore, she agreed without hesitation.

　　She remained silent, watching on the side.

　　Zhou Ge asked himself if Miss He would obey her father's orders. If even He's words fell on deaf ears, what could his own words accomplish?

　　He sat beside her, also silent.

　　"Shen Dage, let me go, please," He Muyu begged.

　　"When you have your sister's martial arts skills, then you can go. Zhou Ge, stop her if she tries to sneak away," Shen Huan said.

　　"Er... I'll do my best," Zhou Ge replied.

　　That day and the following one passed uneventfully. On the seventh night, Prefect He gathered his retainers and capable scouts in the courtyard of the mansion.

　　Within the courtyard, dozens of torches burned brightly, illuminating the area like daylight.

　　In the front row stood five retainers, each wearing helmets and armor, with sharp blades hanging from their waists.

　　Behind them was a team of scouts led by Shen Huan, totaling twenty-four members. They had changed into policeman's clothes, equipped with swords bearing the eagle-head insignia, and looked majestic.

　　Zhou Ge and Miss He stood to the side, waiting for something to happen.

　　Less than two hours later, a scout reported, "Reporting! General An has set off with his men."

　　He Xin waved his hand and ordered, "Proceed to Nanlin!"

　　With the command issued, Shen Huan led the team out of the mansion.

　　Miss He was about to follow, but her father stopped her. "What are you doing? Go back!"

　　"Dad, I'm going to help Sister," she protested.

　　"You're not needed!"

　　"If you don't let me go, I'll go tell Grandpa! Zhou Ge, hurry up!"

　　Observing prefect He's behavior, Zhou Ge realized that Grandpa He clearly favored He Muyu.

　　Chuckling to himself, he thought he had finally found the key. Without another word, he chased after her out of the mansion gate.

　　He had been diligent since childhood, especially in leg training, making him adept at catching up and escaping. He quickly caught sight of the end of the team.

　　He Muyu, unlike him, was struggling to keep up despite giving it her all.

　　Breathing heavily, she called out, "Wait for me! Catch up to you in a bit!"

　　The 15 km journey wasn't far, and since he was familiar with the road, he would have arrived in half an hour if he were alone. But with He Muyu, it took longer.

　　When they arrived at Nanlin, the scout team had already set up a temporary camp and was preparing food.

　　Shen Huan saw the two of them, one looking unperturbed while the other was panting heavily.

　　"I see Zhou Ge is quite skilled in footwork," he commented.

　　He Muyu, covering her chest, exclaimed, "He's not even... human!"

　　"Er... What's the situation over there?" Zhou Ge asked.

　　"No movement. We still need to investigate. Miss He, please don't cause any trouble when the battle starts. Zhou Ge, lives are at stake. Please keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't go onto the battlefield," Shen Huan said.

　　Actually, Miss He was quite receptive to advice and was genuinely afraid of going onto the battlefield. Being able to watch from a distance was already enough for her.

　　"With Miss He's promise, I can rest assured," Shen Huan said.

　　The night passed quickly, with An General's messengers and the scout team's informants reporting on the movements in the opposite forest.

　　As the time drew nearer, Shen Huan became increasingly worried, mainly about the dispel weapons talismans. If it were just him, he wouldn't be too concerned, even if his weapon was transformed into a stick. He could still use the Mingyuan Sword Technique to break through.

　　But he couldn't do the same for everyone else. All the retainers who had led attacks on Fangdingshan shared his concern. If only someone could dispel the dispel weapons talismans now.

　　Meanwhile, He Muyu sat gloomily, also worried about the dispel weapons talismans but afraid to mention it as it might dampen morale.

　　Beside her, Zhou Ge tended to the fire and sipped his wine, appearing disinterested.

　　According to his plan, Huang Yan should have removed the dispel weapons talismans from everyone. Even if he hadn't, there was still a backup plan.

　　He poured a cup and offered it to her. "Miss He, quench your thirst."

　　He Muyu lowered her eyelids. "I'm not in the mood."

　　"I did a divination. This battle will definitely be successful," he said.

　　"You can divine?"

　　"No, but my aunt can, and she's very accurate."

　　"Since your aunt isn't here, what's the use?" She huffed and added, "You and Ji Yanshi are the same. You're both unreliable when it matters most."

　　"Hehe... hehe..." He chuckled awkwardly and then comforted her. "I've heard that Brother Ji is highly skilled and can last thirty rounds against Shen Brother. Your sister is even more impressive, right? This battle will definitely be successful."

　　"Don't overestimate him. Ji Yanshi can't last fifty rounds against my sister. He only puts on airs in front of me."

　　"Fifty rounds? That's impressive. He can be considered a skilled fighter."

　　"Are skilled fighters rare in Beici County? Why are you praising him so much?" She took the cup, downed the wine in one gulp.

　　Zhou Ge looked around and noticed a small cottage nearby, which he had visited before. He walked over and brought back a grass mat, which he spread out beside a tree. Leaning against it, he closed his eyes to rest.

　　After an indeterminate amount of time, a cool breeze blew, and when he opened his eyes, a red glow was visible on the horizon.