Chapter 66

The Yucheng Army had disappeared, and inexplicably, Nan Yi had sent a piece of clothing to him. Song Mu Chuan instinctively felt there was a connection.

Recently, every strange event seemed to involve Nan Yi. Perhaps she was the crucial clue? Maybe she knew something and sent a message to the Yucheng Army to evacuate, which would explain everything. She had been pursued by the people from the Guīlái Hall on Tiger Kneeling Mountain; it probably wasn’t just a coincidence.

She had already been involved in the Yucheng Army’s affairs, but at this moment, Song Mu Chuan had no time to think about all the intricate details.

Seeing Song Mu Chuan staring at the piece of clothing for a long time, the hunter asked suspiciously, “Sir, is there something unusual about this clothing?”

Song Mu Chuan replied softly, “This clothing was delivered to me at the fourth hour of the afternoon. If we work backwards, the boatman must have received it from her around noon, and set off from the Tiger Kneeling Mountain crossing. After she handed over the clothing, she immediately went to find the Yucheng Army and persuade them to leave. By the time the Yucheng Army departed, it shouldn’t have been later than the third or fourth hour of the afternoon. During this time, the Qi soldiers had already reached Tiger Kneeling Mountain. Even if they didn’t directly clash, the Yucheng Army wouldn’t have gone too far—they should still be near their original camp.”

The hunter paused, then realized, his gaze turning to the map as he traced a small area with his finger. “A group of about a hundred people, in such a short time, wouldn’t have moved out of this area.”

“Currently, the Qi soldiers are like headless flies, searching aimlessly in the mountains. If we could find the Yucheng Army’s location, it would give us an edge. Based on your assessment, where might the Yucheng Army be hiding?”

After thinking for a while, the hunter said, “If the Qi soldiers can’t find the Yucheng Army on the surface, they’re likely underground...”

He pointed to a specific location on the map. “There’s a dry underground river passage here. It could accommodate that many people. It’s hidden, and not many people know about it.”

“But if the Qi soldiers start searching the mountain, the Yucheng Army won’t hold out for long. With so many people, their food and other needs will become an issue. They’ll leave traces while moving, and sooner or later, they’ll be exposed. Once that happens, it’ll be a bloody battle,” Song Mu Chuan furrowed his brow. “If we want to preserve the Yucheng Army without losing a single soldier, we’ll need to use some clever tricks...”

A plan gradually formed in his mind, but there was still one key element that he couldn’t figure out.

Song Mu Chuan closed his eyes. Perhaps... he could take a risk and use that piece on the board...

Yan.

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Nan Yi had indeed arrived at the crossing first. She had asked the boatman to deliver a piece of clothing to Lord Song at the ship office, giving him a cover story to say that it had been left behind at the workshop. She promised a reward of a silver note for completing the task. The boatman had never seen so much money and immediately agreed, ensuring his silence.

Nan Yi didn’t dare to send too much information, afraid it might leak. Although the piece of clothing was subtle, Song Mu Chuan would certainly find it suspicious. If someone investigated even slightly, they’d find that the boatman came from Tiger Kneeling Mountain and would deduce that she was there.

Although she didn’t know the exact purpose, Nan Yi felt it was right to let him know. Since he was with the Bingchu Si, surely the Bingchu Si could help the Yucheng Army.

With this lucky thought in her mind, Nan Yi began to doze off in the stifling cave.

She hoped the heavens would be on her side, but if they weren’t, she’d have no choice. Her mind flitted over countless thoughts, unable to reach a conclusion. Eventually, Nan Yi fell asleep, her breathing even.

Meanwhile, the Yucheng Army soldiers remained tense and uneasy. Most of them merely rested with their eyes shut, but only a few managed to actually fall asleep.

Ying Huai watched Nan Yi, who was fast asleep, and couldn’t help but think to himself: this woman really is something—she can sleep even in such a situation. She’s so calm... The women in the Xie family are truly no ordinary people.

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As night fell, an eagle flew overhead, soaring above the Lidufu. The streets gradually quieted down.

A sedan chair passed by. Xu Kouyue lifted the curtain and looked out. A yellow lantern hung at the entrance of the neighborhood.

“Stop for a moment.”

The bearers of the sedan chair halted, though the Qi soldiers accompanying her hesitated and said, “Lord Wanyan ordered us to send you directly back to the residence.”

“Lord Wanyan has had a rough day, and I want to visit the local god statue to pray. There’s no one else around, what’s the harm in stopping for a moment?”

The Qi soldier thought for a moment and then nodded. The bearers set the sedan chair down.

Xu Kouyue walked up to the god statue, took the incense left by previous visitors, lit it, and bowed devoutly. She then placed it in the incense burner.

The night had deepened, and with her back to everyone, no one noticed that as she inserted the incense, she quietly rummaged through the ashes, finding a small, thin bamboo segment.

Xu Kouyue hid the bamboo segment in her sleeve and turned around as though nothing had happened, returning to the sedan chair.

As the curtain closed, she breathed a sigh of relief, her heart pounding like a drum.

This was something Xie Que Shan had entrusted her with. If she saw a yellow lantern hanging at the entrance, she was to search the incense burner in front of the god statue. There, she would find a bamboo segment hidden inside, which she was to bring back to him.

She couldn’t help but ask him, “Who exactly are you?”

He had only replied, “Princess, I saved your life. Consider this a repayment of the favor.”

She hadn’t asked again. She had committed it to memory, and sure enough, the yellow lantern was hanging at the entrance.

That night, as Xie Que Shan drank his medicine, he found the bamboo segment stuck to the bottom of his bowl.

When the room was empty, Xie Que Shan took the bamboo segment and removed a piece of paper hidden inside.

It contained information from the Bingchu Si. He hadn’t been wrong—Song Mu Chuan had indeed contacted him.

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This night was an ordeal for everyone. But the one who couldn’t sit still the most was someone who wasn’t even part of the game yet.

Taking advantage of Wanyan Jun still being at the military camp, Gu Sha sneakily came to “visit” Xie Que Shan, actually hoping to gather information about the Yucheng Army.

This operation had been tightly sealed by Wanyan Jun, and Gu Sha had not been notified. The military camp was divided into two factions: one was led by Gu Sha, who had brought his men south in search of the Ling’an King and had stationed them in Lidufu, fiercely loyal to him. The other faction was the army that had traveled directly from Da Qi with Wanyan Jun, and they had a larger number.

Normally, the army was under Gu Sha’s command, but once Wanyan Jun intervened, Gu Sha became a mere figurehead, with only his personal guards available to command.

Wanyan Jun had originally employed a strategy of quick decisive action, but now, unable to exert any force, he heard that the Yucheng Army had completely vanished, prompting Gu Sha to hurriedly try and take credit for the victory.

“If the Yucheng Army escapes, staying here in Lidufu would feel like a sword hanging over our heads, and we won’t even be able to sleep peacefully. I want to contribute, but do you have any good suggestions, sir?”

Xie Que Shan looked surprised. Just as he was about to speak, a violent cough overtook him, making him appear as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

“Escape? How could that be?”

“It must have been Wanyan Jun’s reckless advance that startled them. Now it’s a mess. They missed their chance, and with night falling and the mountain roads treacherous, they can only stop to rest and wait until morning to act. There’s still a lot that could change overnight, and I’m anxious about it.”

“Even Wanyan Jun couldn’t handle this. Look at me now, how can I have any advice?”

“Xie Que Shan is always one to devise brilliant plans. Wanyan Jun hasn’t come to consult you and even locked you up here under the guise of you recuperating. To me, it seems like he doesn’t trust you at all.”

Gu Sha’s praise mixed with criticism seemed to please Xie Que Shan on the surface, but inwardly, he knew that Gu Sha was lowering himself just to pull him into his camp and gather useful information.

Gu Sha’s self-assuredness played right into Xie Que Shan’s hands. Although the Qi Army seemed united, there were actually undercurrents and hidden motives within it.

Xie Que Shan sighed in agreement, “After all, the Yucheng Army has close ties with my second sister. It’s only natural that Lord Wanyan doesn’t trust me.”

Gu Sha slapped his thigh with a sense of righteous indignation, “Wanyan Jun is greatly underestimating us. Xie Que Shan, what kind of person are you? With the enemy looming, of course, you would put the interests of the court first. We worked so hard together in Tiger Kneeling Mountain searching for King Ling’an and took control of Lidufu, and now Wanyan Jun arrives and doesn’t consult with us at all, instead riding roughshod over us to take the credit. How can we tolerate that?”

Xie Que Shan looked dejected, but inside, he couldn’t help but smile. He appreciated Gu Sha’s performance, knowing the words were forced but enjoyed watching him perform.

Gu Sha lowered his voice and leaned in closer, “But I know, Xie Que Shan, you’re still concerned about your family. That’s natural and understandable. How about this — you and I team up to find the Yucheng Army’s hiding place, and the credit will be yours. I’ll make sure to protect Lady Gantang, what do you say?”

Xie Que Shan feigned hesitation, “But, General Gu Sha may have some misunderstandings about me. My guess might not be something you’d believe.”

“Ah, it’s my petty mind. You nearly lost your life to gather intelligence about the Yucheng Army. How could I not believe you?”

After thinking for a long while, Xie Que Shan quietly said, “The Yucheng Army was originally stationed in an abandoned Taoist temple in a valley. From what I remember… there’s an underground river near that temple.”

Gu Sha suddenly had an epiphany, “That’s the place where Pang Yu is hiding—”

Xie Que Shan’s eyes were dark as he spoke with a calm expression, “Exactly.”

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With this vital clue, Gu Sha immediately returned to make preparations. He secretly withdrew his personal guards from the camp and dispatched them for a night raid on Tiger Kneeling Mountain.

The inn where the well was located had been abandoned after all the staff were killed. Gu Sha’s scouts entered through the well and found traces of human activity and heard loud voices inside. Delighted, they concluded that the Yucheng Army was hiding there and immediately returned to report.

However, these developments were promptly relayed to Wanyan Jun.

While waiting in the rear to claim the spoils, Wanyan Jun had other plans in mind.

To him, an ambitious and capable subordinate was less valuable than a mediocre and obedient one. Gu Sha’s reckless behavior and eagerness to take credit greatly displeased him.

Perhaps tonight… he could kill two birds with one stone.