IDWBE -Chapter 355 Knowledgeable

As for the northern frontier, they definitely wouldn’t go there again.

They didn’t know exactly where it was, but they knew how cold it was—supposedly ten times colder than Jinling City.

To them, Jinling’s weather was already extreme. Ten times colder than that in the north—what kind of cold would that be?

They couldn’t even imagine it.

From their bones, they felt fear. They would rather live in poverty their whole lives than earn that deadly money.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the tribesmen from Lian, Kuo, and Qian, among others in the forest, began shouting in agreement.

Their thoughts were much like Kang Bao’s.

Once the cold came, no matter what, they would never stay in Ankang.

Han Dongsheng smiled and said, “Old Kang, even if you don’t think for yourselves, think of your children. You’ve spent half your lives in the forest—do you want your kids to grow up there too? Otherwise, why did you leave the mountains in the first place? If there’s no ambition, a lifetime in the forest isn’t so bad.”

The tribes had been in Baiyun City for several years, and many had learned the official language.

Han Dongsheng’s words were understood by them.

Gradually, they accepted the idea that children must learn literacy and etiquette—only beasts go uneducated.

They had to let their children study, dress neatly, and no longer live like them—hiding in the forest, struggling for two meals a day.

“I understand.”

The usually taciturn Li Shuai spoke for the first time.

His official language wasn’t perfect, but Han Dongsheng and the others could barely understand him.

Han Dongsheng said, “It’s even better if Li Shuai understands.”

Li Shuai ignored him, jabbering to the tribesmen, who then erupted into a thunderous roar.

Zhu Ruorong curiously asked Kang Bao, “What did Li Shuai say?”

Kang Bao replied, “Li Shuai said that once this grain escort mission is over, the elderly, weak, and children will ride elephants back to Baiyun City, while all the able-bodied men stay behind.”

“I see.”

Zhu Ruorong suddenly understood.

Looking at the gradually setting sun, he said, “Brothers, we need to hurry—earlier we go, earlier we return.”

The supply team had orders to deliver provisions to Liangshui River within a month, or risk losing their supplier status and being punished under military law.

Wang Xiaoshuan blew his whistle, and the supply caravan continued northward.

“The north is different from other places. Be careful, and don’t fall behind.”

This time, Tao Yingyi led the way.

He regretted not having a chance to be the vanguard in the army.

The moon was bright.

The monk had already reached Chuanzhou territory.

He inquired along the way, but the locals had never heard of a place called Chunshan City in Chuanzhou.

He remembered that Prince He had said that every noble sect was located in famous mountains or rivers, in strategic places. So he began asking which mountains in Chuanzhou were the highest, which waters were the swiftest.

Exhausted, he finally stopped beneath a large rock.

After eating some dry rations, he sat cross-legged among the stones, closing his eyes to rest—but unintentionally, strange words he had never seen or learned began to surface in his mind:

“All limbs and body parts are set in position, using the sun and moon as eyes, circulating through three hundred sixty joints, eighty-four thousand hair follicles, preventing lustful evils from erupting and causing sores.”

He recited them involuntarily.

By the time he opened his eyes, the sky was bright.

Looking down, his arms and legs were covered with red, swollen mosquito bites.

The whole night had passed without him feeling a thing.

He had no mirror, so he didn’t dare imagine what his face looked like.

Fortunately, he was a monk and considered the body insignificant.

After some thought, he didn’t care.

But Lin Yi cried.

He had lain in the garden during the night, and the swelling on his face still hadn’t gone down.

“Though I don’t rely on my looks, how can I face anyone like this!”

Lin Yi looked at the swollen corners of his eyes in a bronze mirror, helplessly muttering, “Life here is unbearable!”

The mosquitoes in Ankang City might not compare to Sanhe, but they could not be underestimated.

“Prince,” Mingyue said sympathetically while applying ointment, “it’s better to go inside earlier at night from now on.”

Lin Yi waved his hand, indicating she needn’t continue, took the tea cup from Zixia, sipped lightly, and said, “The palace relies solely on Xiao Xizi. Even he can’t handle it alone. You should enter the palace too. If anything goes wrong, just arrest them—no need for pleasantries.”

Mingyue said, “Prince, you overrate me. I have no such ability. I will stay here to serve you.”

“I won’t go either,” Zixia shook her head, “I can cook and make tea for you, but I can’t handle any other tasks.”

Lin Yi was about to speak when Mingyue’s delicate fingers began massaging his forehead, and Zixia started kneading his feet.

It felt good.

He realized he truly couldn’t do without them.

So he abandoned the idea of letting them enter the palace.

Lin Yi closed his eyes, hearing Mingyue whisper, “Prince, Pan Duo has arrived.”

“Mm.”

Lin Yi didn’t even raise his eyelids, keeping them closed.

“Prince,” Seeing Mingyue nod at him, Pan Duo quickly reported, “Qiu Zhenxian ran out of the city but was caught by my men. How should we deal with him, please instruct, Prince.”

“My father spent a lifetime building his reputation, and I never thought he’d fall for these alchemists’ nonsense,” Lin Yi said calmly. “No need to rush to kill him. Send him to the palace to accompany my father.”

He feared his father might do something reckless if he couldn’t find Qiu Zhenxian.

“General Yuan Qing and General Shen Chu combined their forces, leading 100,000 troops across Liangshui River. Bodu shrank back, hiding at Liangmatai,” Pan Duo continued, “Shen Zhan’ao led the charge, but was struck in the chest by an arrow and is barely clinging to life.”

Lin Yi lifted his head and looked at Pan Duo. “Are you sure it wasn’t you?”

“D-dare not!”

Pan Duo shivered and knelt, “Without Prince He’s orders, how could I act on my own?”

“What about your shopkeeper? He’s supposed to be settling in Sanhe—after sending so many letters, why hasn’t he come?”

Lin Yi asked irritably.

“The shopkeeper said the north is damp and cold, and his legs couldn’t handle it. He asked for your forgiveness, Prince,” Pan Duo replied.

“Hmph. Let him take a boat—give him two months. If he still doesn’t come, I won’t be polite,”

Lin Yi sighed. “People’s hearts aren’t what they used to be—they’ve started threatening me.”

“Prince, you misunderstand,” Pan Duo said awkwardly, “Our shopkeeper says he loves freedom and cannot be bound by official duties.”

“Plenty of nonsense,” Lin Yi snorted coldly. “In any case, deliver my message. Also, send word to Shen Junru—recruit soldiers in Wuzhou again. These Wadan people, we’ll overwhelm them with sheer numbers.”

“Yes, sir.”

Pan Duo retreated carefully.