Zisu and her group were returning to their own territory, while Xiao Jinghan and his group were heading back to the Great Jin.
"We'll stop by Qingyao to stock up on supplies," Xiao Jinghan said, looking at the fork in the road ahead.
They couldn't travel on the main road. Even though the Ghost Lord had recovered, it would still take about three days to return to the Great Jin via the small paths. They needed to prepare food and drinks for the journey.
"I want to eat the roast chicken we had last time," Yi Qing said, feeling light - hearted now that all the business in Southern Xinjiang was taken care of. They could use the Ruyi Grass to conceal the Ghost Lord's matter when they got back. It was simply perfect.
"What kind of chicken?" The Ghost Lord leaned forward, but was blocked by Xiao Jinghan. He looked rather reluctant.
The group was on their way to Qingyao when suddenly they were surrounded by a group of people who rushed out from the side of the road. Everyone quickly protected Xiao Jinghan and Yi Qing in the middle.
The leader of the other side checked a portrait and shouted, "Kill!"
Before they could even ask what was going on, the enemy had already charged at them.
The Ghost Lord was itching for a fight. He single - handedly killed most of the attackers.
"Wait a minute," Yi Qing said as she saw that he was about to kill the last one.
The Ghost Lord quickly twisted the man's neck, and the man slumped to the ground.
"I told you to wait," Yi Qing said, a bit angry at the Ghost Lord who looked so nonchalant.
They had come here without any trouble. Why were they suddenly being assassinated?
Xiao Jinghan walked over and picked up the paper that had fallen on the ground. It was a wanted poster. The person on it was him. Those who killed him would be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold.
"Tsk! If I'd known they were after you, I'd have let you handle them," the Ghost Lord said lazily.
"I think you were just dying to fight," Yi Qing said as she walked over too.
"It should be Xiang Beizheng," Xiao Jinghan said as he put away the wanted poster.
"Isn't he afraid that the emperor will cause trouble for him if he dares to attack you?" Yi Qing thought Xiang Beizheng was too audacious.
"I came to Southern Xinjiang without an official letter or travel documents. Who can prove my identity?" Xiao Jinghan's eyes darkened.
"What should we do now?" Yi Qing frowned. "Xiang Beizheng has connections with the Ping family, and the Ping family's relationship with Qiao Ye is unclear. If they join forces..."
Previously in Minnan, Ping Xinian had tried to harm her, clearly not taking Xiao Jinghan seriously. If that was the case, with this opportunity, if the three parties joined forces, they would be in a very passive position.
Xiao Jinghan also thought of this. "We'll return to the Great Jin immediately."
They could hunt on the way without supplies, but it would be more troublesome. However, as soon as they entered the jungle trying to return to the Great Jin, they were discovered. They realized that the situation was more serious than they had thought.
Anyone who discovered their whereabouts would be rewarded. Signal flares would be used to alert others of their location. If they continued to return to the Great Jin, the secret path would be discovered.
Moreover, the path was very dangerous. If they were discovered on the way, they would be in a very passive position.
"I don't think you'll be able to go back," the Ghost Lord said, looking at Xiao Jinghan and Yi Qing.
It wouldn't be a problem for Xiao Jinghan to go back alone, but it would be very dangerous to take Yi Qing with him. He didn't want Yi Qing to take risks.
"We won't go back for now. You go back first," Yi Qing said to the Ghost Lord.
"What do you want to do?" the Ghost Lord asked, looking at Yi Qing's serious expression.
"Since Xiang Beizheng doesn't want us to go back, we'll stay in Southern Xinjiang," Yi Qing said, looking at Xiao Jinghan.
Xiao Jinghan understood what Yi Qing meant. She had originally wanted to stay and help Zisu. Now that they couldn't go back, she would surely go to help Zisu.
"Okay," Xiao Jinghan nodded.
"I guess Ping Xinian and Qiao Ye will soon know that we're in Southern Xinjiang. They'll let their guard down then. It'll be a great opportunity for you to deal with Ping Xinian," Yi Qing said to the Ghost Lord.
Hearing about dealing with Ping Xinian, the Ghost Lord's eyes became deep.
"Moreover, there's something in Southern Xinjiang that I'm very curious about," Yi Qing said playfully.
They parted ways then. This time, Yi Qing didn't even take Xue Miao'er and Gan Ermei with her. Only Xiao Jinghan and a few secret guards were with her.
Yi Qing disguised Xiao Jinghan as a ferocious - looking big man with a hideous scar on his face. She also darkened her own skin, made her double eyelids look like single eyelids, looking almost like a native of Southern Xinjiang.
"How do I look?" Yi Qing showed her face to Xiao Jinghan like a treasure.
Xiao Jinghan pinched Yi Qing's face. Even though she was in disguise, her eyes still shone brightly. "Let's go."
"I didn't say anything. How do you know where I want to go?" Yi Qing was surprised.
"You want to help Zisu. I've thought about it. It's not impossible to help," Xiao Jinghan said.
"You've figured out how to explain this to the emperor, right?" Yi Qing knew him well. "But we're not going to find Zisu. We're going to the Heyan family."
Xiao Jinghan frowned slightly. "Heyan Mulei?"
"Who's that?" Yi Qing asked curiously.
"Probably the current head of the Heyan family," Xiao Jinghan replied.
"Do you know anyone from the Heyan family?"
"No. I've just heard of them."
"Why?"
"Back then, the deposed emperor interfered in the affairs of the Southern Xinjiang families and almost provoked a war between the two countries. It was because of the Heyan family. Heyan Mulei was born to a concubine. He was an attendant on a diplomatic mission to the Great Jin. For some reason, he was favored by the deposed emperor. They had a good private relationship, and the deposed emperor even supported him to inherit the Heyan family."
"When did this happen?" Yi Qing didn't expect it to be related to the deposed emperor.
"About twenty years ago. At that time, the deposed emperor was just an ambitious prince."
"Twenty years ago?" Yi Qing repeated. "It seems we need to meet this Heyan Mulei."
Xiao Jinghan was puzzled but still replied, "Okay."
Since they were no longer near the border, there was no one chasing them. They safely made their way to Cixi.
It seemed that one had to go to all the places one was supposed to in life. Previously, Xiang Beizheng had captured them and taken them to Cixi, but they had escaped. Now, they were actually going to Cixi on their own.
Cixi had a city wall. Although it wasn't very tall, the moat was well - built. There were piranhas and leeches in the moat, so no one dared to cross it.
Yi Qing looked at the things in the water and thought that those who dared to cross the suspension bridge were really brave.
There was no strict travel permit system in Southern Xinjiang. As long as you paid the fee, you could enter the city. They had already exchanged for Southern Xinjiang silver coins on the way, and no one suspected them when they paid.
"Is that... an elephant?" Yi Qing saw an elephant strolling on the road as soon as she entered Cixi.
Xiao Jinghan looked at Yi Qing's surprised expression. "Let's go." He pulled Yi Qing over.
In Cixi, you could ride elephants. As long as you paid, you could ride an elephant and stroll around the city.
Xiao Jinghan was about to pay the elephant owner when the owner suddenly knelt down. A group of well - dressed Southern Xinjiang nobles walked over.
"We're requisitioning this elephant," Heyan Beifeng said arrogantly.
Yi Qing turned her head and saw a man in peacock - green clothes with green peacock feathers in his sideburns.
Looking at the glowing green peacock feathers, Yi Qing thought that this man must have some serious issues to ride an elephant to show off like this.
Xiao Jinghan's face darkened. Since he was already in a ferocious disguise, his dark expression made him look like he was about to start a fight.
"What? Are you daring to oppose our Heyan family?" Heyan Beifeng was so scared that his heart skipped a beat.