Imperial City Investigative Department

Xu Ziran knew why Wu Chen wanted the wine flask, so he hurriedly said: "I brought one and will give it to you later."

Xing Yun asked curiously: "Do you still have a problem with taking a few sips?"

Wu Chen lowered his head and said nothing.

Xu Da coughed slightly and said, "Go to bed early tonight. I've wasted a lot of time today."

Xing Yun tilted his head and looked at Xu Da, but didn't ask any more questions.

……

As night fell, the sounds of snoring came one after another from the two carriages.

Lao Er and Lao Wu were on watch beside the wheel outside the carriage, and there was a figure under the tree near the river.

Xu Da slowly got out of the carriage, first waved to Lao Er and Lao Wu, and then walked gently towards the tree by the river.

Wu Chen didn't look back. He waited until Xu Da arrived and said, "I don't know how to call you out alone."

As he spoke, Wu Chen took out the small wine bottle that Xu Da had given him that night and handed it to Xu Da, saying, "Take another sip. I think it's still useful, I mean for the wound."

Xu Da was not polite this time. He took the jug and took a sip. He put the lid on and handed it to Wu Chen, saying, "Looking at you like this... I really don't dare to die."

"Stop talking nonsense! Your whole family is here!"

"As long as you are here, I won't worry..."

"No one can replace you for your family!"

Xu Da said nothing.

Wu Chen lowered his head and said, "I just regret a little. Why didn't you and my second brother have a sip? Maybe just this sip, my second brother can escape the flames."

Xu Da sighed and said: "At that time, I only knew that your blood was useful for Zhenggui. Who would have thought of other uses? Even if you wanted us to drink it, we wouldn't dare to drink it."

Wu Chen raised his head and looked at Xu Da and asked, "Do you feel that your skills are good?"

Xu Da sighed, lowered his head and said, "I am much more flexible than before, but I am still injured."

Wu Chen laughed at himself and said:
"I thought I was so powerful, and thought of all of you as a burden, and no one wanted to take care of me. But when I faced the enemy, I realized that even with all my strength and a pair of ink washers, I still couldn't do it. Destroy the enemy quickly."

"How else do you want to be awesome?" Xing Yun's voice came from behind. Wu Chen looked back and asked, "Why can't you sleep?"

"Go and try Lao Yu and Da Tou's snoring." Xing Yun walked over to Wu Chen and sat down.

Xu laughed and said, "It's indeed a bit noisy."

"I'm afraid everyone in Shuangxi Village can hear it!" Xing Yun said angrily.

Wu Chen smiled.

Xing Yun immediately asked again: "You said they were able to arrange it so carefully today. When we get to Shuangxi Village, will the arrangements be more appropriate?"

Wu Chen scratched his forehead and said:

"I was just thinking about this. I thought that with the ink wash in my hands, my skills would be much better than before. It was not convenient for me to use them in Kyoto before, but I tried it today. Alas, it is stronger. Some, but not as strong as I thought. I was still confident when I went to Shuangxi Village. Today, not only did I test that it was not much stronger, but I also found that the people from the Ghost Mandrill Gang were in the same group with them. I could deal with their various attacks by myself. I’m afraid the ghosts will try their best, and I’ll have to leave the rest to you.”

Xing Yun waved his hand and said: "Life and death are matters of fate, you just think too much! The more scared you are, the harder it is to go all out. Soldiers are proud to wrap their bodies in horse leather. What do you think we martial arts practitioners are proud of?" "Those There are not many masters in the world who think like you." Xu Da said: "Don't say they are moral in their hearts, I think they are a little crazy! What is moral and chivalrous, they just deceive young people. So that young people can work for them."

"Those people can't explain anything." Xing Yun said disdainfully: "They are all scum in the world."

Xu Da moved his arms and legs and said:

"I think Xing Yun is right. The more scared you are, the harder it will be to do anything. On the contrary, it will make things worse. It's better to let go. What is right and wrong? You can think about it after the errand is done. It's all here, then Fight with all your strength! Why fear death? It’s just a matter of turning around and starting over.”

Wu Chen took a deep breath and said, "Okay!"

……

In the remaining two days of journey, Wu Chen and his party walked very comfortably and did not encounter any sneak attacks or ambushes.

At dusk that day, the group finally arrived in Yongshan County.

Shuangxizhai belongs to Yongshan County, but you have to climb mountains and ridges to get to Shuangxizhai from Yongshan County.

Five hundred soldiers were already stationed outside the county town, waiting for Yu Shi'an to arrive before heading into the mountains.

Wu Chen declined invitations to dinner from officials at all levels in the county government. The group rested early and waited for departure after dawn.

Yu Shi'an went to the outside of the city to meet with the soldiers and generals, and spoke to encourage morale. It was already late at night when he returned to the city.

As if he knew that Wu Chen had not rested, he went directly to Wu Chen's room. When he opened the door, he saw that Xing Yun, Xu Da, and Gu You were all there, and Big Head was snoring.

Yu Shi'an came up and asked, "Didn't you find out the reality of Shuangxi Village from the people in the county government?"

Xing Yun said: "What are you investigating? These officials were all transferred after June this year. They may not know as much as we do."

Xu Da said:
"I quietly asked the county official. He said that most people in the county have never been to Shuangxi Village in their lives, and people from Shuangxi Village rarely enter the county. They only know this place, but No one’s really been there.”

Wu Chen said:
"Starting tomorrow, we have to walk on the mountain road. I don't think it will be easy. Lao Yu, you are walking behind with five hundred soldiers. If something happens in front, you can stand still. The mountain road will be difficult. We can't lose all our men on the road. Tomorrow I will walk at the front. When I hear any noise, I can eliminate the danger as soon as possible and make sure it is safe for you to pass."

Yu Shi'an thought for a while, nodded and said, "I listen to you, who will lead the way? No one has been to the county, so we can't let us look for it in the mountains by ourselves, right?"

"The leader has been prepared for a long time. There is still an official who has been there before, but he is not working in Yongshan County now. The official ordered him to come and wait here. He arrived one day earlier than us." Wu Chen said.

"Since everything is ready, why don't you take a rest?" Yu Shi'an asked in confusion.

Xing Yun snorted and asked, "You work harder than us, why don't you come back and rest? Why don't you come over and see Wu Chen to feel at ease?"

Wu Chen waved his hand and said: "Everyone, go back. Sleep until you wake up naturally tomorrow. No matter how hard you travel, you can't arrive on the same day. Just be more casual. Water will cover you, and ghosts will stop me! Go back and have a rest."

Several people just got up.

……

At the beginning of the next day, the group was ready to leave the county. The road ahead could still be used by horses or carriages, but it would not be long before they could only walk.

The five hundred soldiers led by Yu Shi'an were at the end.

Wu Chen rode at the front, and beside him was an older official named Feng Xi. He was the official who went to Shuangxi Village to discuss with the village owner to allow Li Heng's family to recognize their ancestors. . (End of chapter)