Chapter 106: Layout

Although his father's injury had already healed, he still insisted that he was not ill. However, Ji Huo still used the pretext of his father having just recovered from a severe wound to forcibly keep the entire Flying Bear Army stationed in place on the Li Jiang Plain for three days.

Although the old man claimed his brain was already messed up, spouting nonsense about how wonderful the new emperor was, his other wits were still intact. He pointed at Ji Huo's nose and cursed, "You little brat, do you know how much grain ten thousand troops would consume if they stayed here for a day? How much national silver it would cost? Say it out loud and it could scare you to death!"

Ji Huo would not listen. He insisted on his filial excuse—that his father was ill and unable to recover—and that if the old man had the guts to kill him, he would keep the army detained by force. Other generals stood in the middle, each glancing at the other. One was the current marshal, the other the future marshal, unsure which side to take.

Only Lü Shui vaguely sensed that something was amiss, though he could not pinpoint why.

At such a time, siding with the Second Young Master was always the correct choice.

Lü Shui cleared his throat and said, "Marshal, the Second Young Master's words are not without reason. Why don't we rest in place for three days?"

The other generals exchanged looks. Lü Shui was one of the few among them with a clear head, and since he had spoken up, it was probably wise to follow him.

Thus, Lu De Shui chimed in as well. "Marshal, although this battle was not long, it can be said to have been fraught with danger. The soldiers also need rest and recuperation."

The other soldiers voiced their agreement one after another.

"This..." Ji Xiao Xiong looked at them, somewhat bewildered. He had seen the soldiers outside all fine and healthy. Where did they need rest?

What exactly was wrong with these men? He had only been unconscious for a short time, yet now they all seemed to have formed an alliance with this little brat.

So many people advising, with some justification.

If they rested for three days, it would waste a considerable amount of Zhou grain, and he also wanted to return to the capital soon to see the new emperor and inform him that as long as he, Ji Xiao Xiong the bear, remained, the Zhou rivers and mountains would stand like bronze walls and iron ramparts, impossible to breach.

Just as Ji Xiao Xiong hesitated indecisively, Xia Ning Chang, who had been doing nothing and silently eating fruit, blinked, then quietly rose. Her body swayed unsteadily, as if she would collapse at any moment.

Ji Huo's eyes brightened. He appeared instantly at Xia Ning Chang's side, supporting her arm, and roared loudly in concern, "Xia girl, what happened?!"

His voice was deep and commanding, instantly overpowering the rough old men chattering away.

"Ji Gongzi, this concubine is fine." Xia Ning Chang reached out to lightly touch her forehead, her voice soft and weak. "It is probably because I injured some vital energy saving Marshal Ji earlier. It is nothing serious and will not delay the army's journey. This concubine just needs a moment's rest and will be fine."

Ji Huo glared at his father, saying nothing, his eyes filled with intertwined pain, anger, and guilt.

Ji Xiao Xiong shrank his neck, as if he had done something wrong, his eyes flickering with guilt as he coughed weakly. "In that case, Xia girl, please return to your tent to rest. Order the army to rest for five days. Daily drills are to proceed on schedule; no slacking."

"Yes!" The generals all cupped their fists in unison.

That night, Ji Huo slipped out of the Flying Bear Army camp.

"Big brother!" Qian San Shi shouted excitedly. "I missed you so much!"

Ji Huo surveyed Qian San Shi. The boy still appeared rather young and tender, the youngest in the Thirty-sixth Gang, with poor strength. Thus, Ji Huo had only assigned him to develop intelligence work in some quiet place.

Although the Li Jiang Plain was a battlefield, for the common people it was not a dangerous location. This boy had come here to watch, and in a few years he had gained substance, much to the envy of many in the Gang.

Ji Huo smiled and patted his shoulder, saying seriously, "I have an important task for you."

"Big brother, is it killing and arson, or poisoning? These years I have collected quite a few good things. They are guaranteed to leave no trace." Qian San Shi said excitedly.

Ji Huo coughed, pretending not to hear, and replied, "Go to the Shen Jian Mountain Villa. Enter through the back gate and invite the Sword Saint senior to come to the capital."

Qian San Shi immediately looked stunned. He hurriedly said, "Big brother, the Sword Saint has long been in seclusion. How could I possibly have the face to see him?"

"You can first find the Sword Saint's great disciple Hou Bai Xi and tell him that I sent you," Ji Huo continued.

"But even if I can see the Sword Saint, he may not come out of seclusion," Qian San Shi said with a mournful face, feeling that the task was quite difficult. You know, the Sword Saint had not stepped out of the Shen Jian Mountain Villa for ten years seeking a breakthrough. Could one sentence from big brother make him come out? This face was far too effective.

Ji Huo was firm. "As long as you can see the Sword Saint, deliver a message for me, and he will definitely come."

"What message?" Qian San Shi asked curiously.

Ji Huo said softly, "There is a chance to beat my father openly. Are you coming?"

Qian San Shi blinked. "Can this work?"

"It will definitely work, and the Sword Saint will definitely rush to the capital without hesitation!"

The next day, the Second Young Master had delivered the letter. The soldier sent it out of the city, and no one opened it during the process. Xiao Hong Tang had seen it with his own eyes.

Xiao Hong Tang bounced over, saying in a milky voice, "Big brother, big brother, Mr. Wen gave the letter to a soldier, and the soldier sent it out of the city. No one opened the letter in between. I saw it myself!"

Ji Jun Hong nodded, thinking, "It seems he was only bewitched. His daily behavior is unaffected. Perhaps it is because Mr. Wen is not an ordinary person. There may be defection, but before the monsters issue the order, extreme reactions should not occur."

"If that is the case, it is much more convenient."

Ji Jun Hong took twenty to thirty letters from under the table and handed them to Xiao Hong Tang. "Xiao Hong Tang, be good and have Mr. Wen send these out. For safety, secretly follow him to watch if he peeks at them. Guaranteed, these letters can be sent outside the capital. If this is accomplished, before your father returns, you can skip school."

"Really?!" Xiao Hong Tang's eyes lit up.

"Yeah." Ji Jun Hong smiled and nodded.

Xiao Hong Tang hugged the letters and ran out skipping, calling back, "Leave it to Xiao Hong Tang!"

Ji Jun Hong smiled. "Still so easy to coax."

He stood up and slowly walked toward the main street.

In just a few days, the capital seemed to have changed.

The people were all emaciated, their faces black, eyes dull and lifeless, swaying dazedly along the streets or repeating mechanical movements, as if bewitched.

Ji Jun Hong saw a butcher cutting meat. As he sliced, one stroke severed a finger. The butcher did not notice; the knife continued chopping, and after several strokes, the entire palm was cut off.

However, such a scene did not attract the attention of passersby, as if unnoticed.

Ji Jun Hong lowered his eyes. These days he had observed on the streets daily and had once intervened to save a child thrown into the river while washing clothes.

But he found that even after saving them, whether the child or the woman, they showed no reaction.

Thus, Ji Jun Hong gave up.

"Met again, Eldest Young Master."

A dry voice came from behind.

Ji Jun Hong turned and saw the National Preceptor standing there.

The National Preceptor's face was pale, with purple tint in his eyes. On his neck was a suppurating claw mark, maggots wriggling in the rotting flesh.

Ji Jun Hong smiled gently. "National Preceptor going for a stroll again?"

The National Preceptor smiled and cupped his hands. "After eating, a hundred steps walk, live to ninety-nine!"

Ji Jun Hong pointed to the scenes on the street and asked, "National Preceptor, what do you think of the capital now?"

"The momentum of Great Xing!" the National Preceptor said without looking.

Ji Jun Hong smiled and nodded. "Ji also thinks so."