"Yes, in the western suburb. We only saw a mirror-making shop named Muji, and there was nothing else. We also asked the shopkeeper if he had seen Yeheng, but he said he hadn't. It's likely that Yeheng went out in the direction of the western suburb, but we just don't know where he went."
"That's troublesome. We have no idea where he is. We don't know whether to continue searching in the capital or outside the palace."
"Another thing is that Sima Tianhai's reinforcements have arrived in the capital. The commanders are Hong Ying and Bai Yue, the ones who tortured you."
Wei Shuxuan looked at Xin Zizhao in surprise. "How do you know that?"
"Of course, Bai Yue sent me a message. It's estimated that they will mingle into the Ge family's army soon and then get into the palace. We need to be on high alert these days. And you, don't run around, okay?" Xin Zizhao said, looking at Wei Shuxuan with a bit of helplessness at the end.
"Okay, I know. I'm still more worried about Yeheng."
On the other side, after three days' journey, Xin Yeheng finally arrived in Quan'an Town. He asked his three personal attendants to rest in the inn, while he went out alone to inquire about the Kura trees.
Although Xin Yeheng felt a bit tired, he was eager to complete his task as soon as possible. He put down his burden and walked out of the inn. Seeing a peddler selling wooden products on a pole, he walked over. Just as he was about to ask directly, he thought it might not be appropriate, so he pretended to look at the wooden products and started a conversation with the peddler. "These wooden products are so exquisitely made. I wonder how much each one costs?"
"Sir, the small ones cost three copper coins each, and the big ones cost eight copper coins each. Feel free to pick one."
The peddler was quite enthusiastic. Xin Yeheng picked up a big wooden horse and examined it carefully. "Boss, what kind of wood are these made of? They feel quite nice to the touch!"
"To answer your question, sir, they are made of beech wood. Beech trees are the most famous here. You look like a foreigner, so it's normal that you don't know."
"Really?" Xin Yeheng smiled. "I heard that there is another kind of famous tree in Quan'an Town, called the Kura tree. Do you know it?"
"Hey, the Kura tree!" The peddler's face changed as soon as he heard it. "Sir, let me tell you, that's a very evil tree. I advise you not to get close to it. We don't dare to get close to it either. And you can rest assured that we are all honest merchants. We will never sell things made of this kind of wood to you."
"Hahaha. I like your integrity. I'll buy this wooden horse! By the way, boss, do you know where the Kura tree is? I'm leaving here soon. I'd like to go and take a look at this evil tree."
"Sir, remember not to get close to it. Just take a look from afar."
The peddler repeatedly warned Xin Yeheng while wrapping up the wooden horse for him. Xin Yeheng took the wooden horse from the peddler and gave him eight copper coins. The peddler took the money and told him, "The Kura trees are in the southern suburb of our Quan'an Town. Few people go there. Remember not to get close to them."
"Are there many Kura trees there?" Xin Yeheng asked the peddler.
"Not many. Just a small patch. Fortunately, it's just a small patch. Otherwise, we couldn't even go to the southern suburb. Welcome to come again."
After finding out the location of the Kura trees, Xin Yeheng planned to go there tomorrow evening. He didn't need much, just some wood. He would prepare things today and go to the southern suburb with them tomorrow evening.
At night, thinking that he was about to get the wood of the Kura trees, Xin Yeheng felt a mix of excitement and hesitation. Although these two emotions were a bit contradictory, they didn't stop him from taking action.
He had a good rest in the inn for a day. In the evening, Xin Yeheng had more energy to cut down the Kura trees. He had initially planned to call his attendants, but thinking about the toxicity of the Kura trees, he gave up. He didn't want to drag others into this. He would do it alone.
In the evening, the sky was filled with colorful clouds, and the blue sky was dyed red by the setting sun. Xin Yeheng rode his horse alone to the southern suburb. The southern suburb was full of trees, which made it a bit difficult for him to tell them apart at first. But his intuition told him that these weren't the Kura trees. He walked deeper into the forest and found a small clearing ahead. It was strange that while the trees outside were so dense, this place was bare.
Xin Yeheng took out several black cloths, which he would use to cover his nose and mouth. They might not be able to protect him from the toxins of the Kura trees, but at least they could give him some psychological comfort. He really hoped that he could live a bit longer. Not much, just until he got rid of Sima Tianhai. After that, if God wanted to take his life, it could do so at any time.
With this thought in mind, Xin Yeheng walked deeper into the clearing and saw a small patch of trees. There weren't many, probably only about a dozen. There were no other living things around these trees, and they happened to grow in a shady place. No matter how the sun shone, it couldn't reach the Kura trees. The soil around them was moist. These dozen or so trees should be the Kura trees.
After confirming his target, Xin Yeheng took out the things he had prepared, an axe. The trunks of the Kura trees weren't very thick, about as thick as two men's arms. Xin Yeheng chopped a few times and felled a Kura tree. He only cut off a part of it and then took out the black cloth to wrap the cut wood tightly. Then he rode his horse and left the southern suburb.
After staying in Quan'an Town for another night, in the morning, Xin Yeheng told his three attendants to leave and they were going back to the palace.
In the palace, thanks to Bai Yue's tip-off, Ge Zian had made marks in the Ge family's army early on to prevent friendly fire.
"Bai Yue said he would act tonight," Xin Zizhao told Wei Shuxuan. "Listen carefully. You and I will each lead a team of elite soldiers to encircle and suppress Hong Ying and Bai Yue."
"Okay, leave it to me."
Xin Zizhao looked at Wei Shuxuan, who was patting her chest, with some concern. "Don't act recklessly, okay? You must follow our plan, okay?"
"Okay, I won't cause any trouble."
Hong Ying and Bai Yue, who were hiding in the palace, were waiting for the night to come.