After a pleasant conversation between the two brothers, Yan Ge said, “Big brother, you can stay at the inn and keep Tiantian company. I will request a leave from the General Cao on your behalf.”
Yan Su nodded, “Is he at his residence?”
“Yes,” Yan Ge replied.
Yan Su continued, “I thought so. There has been a major incident at Xiguan recently.”
“Oh?” Yan Ge was surprised, “What happened?”
Yan Su replied, “I’m not sure about the specifics, but it’s related to Yinshan Hall. Members of Yinshan Hall have visited the General’s residence several times, and both General Cao and Counselor Feng have been looking serious and in a hurry these days.”
“Yinshan Hall?” Yan Ge was puzzled.
Yan Su explained, “Yinshan Hall is a martial arts sect and the only one at Xiguan pass Though they belong to the martial world, they never disturb the people and often do good deeds within their capabilities. A few years ago, they even helped the border garrison resist the invading troops of the Mai Kingdom, which earned them considerable respect in the local area.”
“I see. Big brother, your room is next door. Until we leave, you just need to take care of Tiantian, you don’t need to worry about anything else. I think Yuchen will be back soon.”
“Alright, then I’ll go there first.”
After Yan Su left, Yan Ge waited in the room for a while, but Huangfu Yuchen had not returned yet. So he decided to bring Yan Jin back to the General’s residence.
Following Cao Zhan’s instructions, the attendants took him directly to the room outside the study.
“General, Madam Fang is here.”
Cao Zhan heard the voice and quickly opened the door, welcoming Yan Ge inside, then gestured to the attendant, “You may leave.”
“Yes.”
“Were you anxious?” Huangfu Yuchen asked Yan Ge softly.
Yan Ge nodded, “I heard from my big brother that there has been a major incident in the Xiguan related to Yinshan Hall.”
Huangfu Yuchen signaled to Cao Zhan.
Cao Zhan said, “Let me explain, Yan Guiqing. About six days ago, the daughter of Yinshan Hall’s leader, Zeng Shouli, suddenly came to seek an audience, claiming that her father, Zeng Shouli, and six of his disciples went to the ancient Yidian city of the Mai Kingdom a month ago and have not returned yet. Yidian is not far from the border, and it takes at most three days to travel from the Xiguan to Yidian. She suspects that her father and his disciples have been killed by the people of the Mai Kingdom. I couldn’t understand why she had such a suspicion, but after further questioning, she revealed that about two months ago, a secret rumor began to spread in the martial world about a huge treasure buried in Yidian. This city not only contains many rare treasures but also holds the remains of the venerable monk Xuna, who passed away a century ago in the Mai Kingdom. It is said that consuming these remains can greatly enhance one’s martial arts prowess. Not only Yinshan Hall but many other martial sects rushed to Yidian, and they all lost contact. So, she suspected that something big happened. Yinshan Hall is now short of manpower so she sought help from the official army. Upon hearing this, I immediately dispatched people to investigate. Indeed, two months ago, there were rumors of the treasure in the martial world, and many martial artists have gone missing.”
Yan Jin’s eyes lit up. ‘Treasure!’
Yan Ge asked curiously, “What kind of treasure is it? So many people believe in its existence so there must be a reason, right?”
Cao Zhan explained, “Yes. About ninety years ago, there was a ten-year-long war between the Hu Mai and Suyi nobles in the Mai Kingdom, struggling for the imperial power. The Hu Mai nobles were powerful in martial strength, while the Suyi nobles were wealthy. Both sides had their advantages, which prolonged the war for ten years. In the end, due to the sudden support of the Hebu nobles, the Hu Mai nobles defeated the Suyi nobles and caused their forces to collapse like a mountain. At that time, the leader of the Suyi nobles, Suyi Malo, seemed to have a premonition. With the protection of his subordinates, he timely withdrew along with a large number of loyal followers, and they disappeared with a large number of treasures. It is said that the Hu Mai imperial family has been searching for these treasures for years, but without any success.”
As for the venerable monk Xuna, he was a well-known monk in several neighboring kingdoms, who was said to have the ability to see the past and future. His actual age exceeded two hundred years, and after his death, his body was cremated, leaving behind a relic weighing over one or two catties. Originally, this relic was enshrined in the Xuna Temple, but it mysteriously disappeared, and no one has heard of its whereabouts since. Therefore, those martial artists believe that there is a high possibility of the relic being with the treasure.
Huangfu Yuchen said to Yan Ge, “We haven’t heard anything about this matter, which shows that our court’s involvement in martial matters is still insufficient.”
Yan Ge shook his head, “It’s not their fault. Just think about it, if you knew the whereabouts of a treasure, would you tell others? If the martial world really wants to hide something, it would be difficult for us to detect.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s expression turned serious, “If those martial artists really encounter trouble, they will either start bloody battles in the martial world to compete for power or their forces will collapse. This is not a good thing.”
“General Cao, what’s your plan regarding this matter?” Yan Ge asked.
Cao Zhan replied, “They encountered trouble within the Mai Kingdom’s borders, so even if we want to intervene, we cannot do so in the name of the official army. I planned to send some people to disguise themselves and venture into Yidian to find out more.”
Huangfu Yuchen pondered for a moment and made a decision, “I will handle this matter personally.”
“Your Majesty?” Cao Zhan was surprised.
Huangfu Yuchen waved his hand, “I have my own plan.”
Cao Zhan looked at Yan Ge anxiously, hoping he could persuade Huangfu Yuchen. After all, Huangfu Yuchen was the precious imperial emperor. It was inconvenient for him to travel in the Mai Kingdom’s territory. If anything happened, they wouldn’t be able to rescue him in time.
Yan Ge also wanted to know if the treasure’s existence was real, and if it was, they should claim it as their own. He dissuaded Cao Zhan, “General Cao, since His Majesty has decided, he must have his reasons. You don’t need to say more. If you’re still worried, prepare for any unexpected battles during our absence.”
“Yan Guiqing, this… Your Majesty venturing personally is not appropriate,” Cao Zhan wanted to persuade further but Huangfu Yuchen gave him a stern look, and he had to give up. “If that’s the case, please take care, Your Majesty and Yan Guiqing! I will make preparations immediately if needed.”
Huangfu Yuchen thanked him for his loyalty and said, “Prepare four sets of rations, water, and medical kits.”
“Yes!”
Yan Ge asked Huangfu Yuchen excitedly, “Yuchen, when are we leaving?”
Huangfu Yuchen saw through his thoughts and smiled, “After continuous travel for almost half a month, let’s rest well today and set out early tomorrow.”
Cao Zhan suggested, “The inn is crowded. Your Majesty and Yan Caiqing might as well rest in the General’s residence. I’ll have someone arrange the rooms.”
“That sounds good,” Huangfu Yuchen agreed.
Cao Zhan sent someone to inform Yan Su and several guards at the inn.
“Papa, Father, I want to go too,” Yan Jin said to Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen.
Yan Ge teased, “Didn’t you complain about being bored with all the continuous traveling recently? But now that you know there’s something exciting ahead, you don’t feel bored anymore?”
During lunch, Feng Zhun returned to the General’s residence and was surprised and delighted to find that the Emperor and Yan Guiqing had arrived. He quickly paid his respects.
Yan Ge looked at Cao Zhan and Feng Zhun suspiciously, then he noticed their embarrassed and fearful expressions. In fact, they had already been together, but due to the court’s regulations, if the border commander wanted to marry, they had to inform the court, and the official partner couldn’t stay at the border. Therefore, they had not officially married yet. If the Emperor didn’t mind, it would be considered a momentary weakness, but if the Emperor minded, it would be a crime of deceiving the monarch.
Both of them were about to kneel and plead, but seeing Yan Ge slightly shaking his head and jokingly smiling at them, they understood. The Emperor had also noticed, but he didn’t want to make a fuss about it. They felt grateful to Yan Ge and the Emperor in their hearts.
Cao Zhan said, “Report to Your Majesty, I took the liberty and inquired about the caravans heading to the Mai Kingdom tomorrow.”
“What were the results?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
“There’s a ‘Guangyuan Caravan’ leaving as soon as the city gates open tomorrow.”
“We’ll travel with them,” Huangfu Yuchen decided.
“Yes, I’ll arrange it immediately.”
The next day, at the break of dawn, Yan Ge, Huangfu Yuchen, Yan Jin, Gao Feng, and Gao Yun prepared everything and joined the Guangyuan Caravan at the city gates.
“Wait!” A woman’s voice came with the approaching sound of galloping hooves.
Yan Ge and the others initially didn’t pay much attention, but soon they felt a woman rushing towards them and stopping beside them.
The woman on the horse was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a charming appearance, bright and lively eyes, and a practical and neat outfit. She looked heroic and brave.
She stared at Yan Ge and the others, lowered her voice, and asked, “Are you the spied arranged by General Cao? I’m Zeng Zhenzhen.”
Yan Ge said, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“Stop pretending,” Zeng Zhenzhen said firmly, “I saw you coming out of the General’s residence. Bringing this child with you must be to disguise your identity as spies, right?”
Yan Ge was speechless, thinking that this little girl was quite clever. Because he was accustomed to ignoring non-hostile gazes, he didn’t notice Zeng Zhenzhen’s presence when he left the General’s residence.
Yan Ge said, “So what if we are? What if we’re not?”
Zeng Zhenzhen replied, “I’m going with you.”
“No need, taking care of one child is enough for us, and we can’t take care of you too,” Yan Ge refused.
Zeng Zhenzhen said proudly, “I don’t need you to take care of me! I just need to get to Yidian as quickly as possible. As a woman, I might encounter trouble if I travel alone, which will waste time.”
Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen calmly said to Zeng Zhenzhen, “You’re mistaken. This child isn’t here to disguise our identity; he’s really our son.”
Zeng Zhenzhen was stunned.
Yan Ge was also taken aback. Why did Yuchen suddenly bring this up? When he saw Huangfu Yuchen warning Zeng Zhenzhen with his eyes, he suddenly understood and burst into laughter.
“Let’s go,” Huangfu Yuchen called to him helplessly.
Yan Ge chuckled and followed. This man. Wasn’t he just saying a few words to this young girl? Why did he get jealous?
