Swish!

Moving in the dense forest, Wei Liuying reached the temporary dwellings that Shan Yi's men had set up. The two groups slowly returned back while carrying stuffs on their backs. From their faces, it was clear that they were very satisfied with this performance.

"I'm going to return back with the men to our bases," Shan Yi informed. "You can return back to the city."

"Many thanks for your kindness, Shan Xi Gang's Leader." Wei Liuying cupped her hands and smiled.

Shan Yi scratched the back of his head. He had to admit that the battle this time was easier than any other battles that he had ever experienced in the past. With Wei Liuying already planning their plan, there was barely any wounded bandit amongst his people.

He felt very satisfied.

"Strategist Liu, have you ever thought of becoming…."

"I'll refuse."

"I hadn't even finished speaking!"

Wei Liuying shook her head lightly. It was very easy for her to guess what he wanted to say. Unfortunately, she had no plan of leaving Prince Ji Sheng's army and the others there. Besides, she was living well there.

"I have no intention of switching my work, Shan Xi Gang's leader."

"Tsk." Shan Yi sighed and leaned in. "Fine, but you better tell me why you ask me to attack this illegal traders next time we meet."

There was no change in Wei Liuying's expression when she heard what Shan Yi said. If Shan Yi was a stranger that she duped into attacking the bandits, he would not ask for anything and only thought that Wei Liuying wanted him to eliminate those people. But he came here per Yang Xian's request.

There was no way Yang Xian would ask him to do something without any clear reason behind it.

"I understand, let's have a talk in the future."

"You better keep your promise!"

Wei Liuying stayed still in her place as Shan Yi led his men happily. She lightly shook her head and turned around. There was never any intention for her to follow them. The reason why she wanted to make use of Shan Yi was because she needed a cover.

It was the same as Yang Xian.

If not because of that, they wouldn't have called Shan Yi through Yang Xian's special letter.

Returning back to the city, Wei Liuying could see that they were in jubilant mood. The attackers were eliminated and now they were busy treating the wounded. As soon as Wei Liuying entered the city, she helped Commander Cao out.

It took them several incense sticks of time before they could finally rest.

"There's not many inns yet, so I hope this one is to your liking, Strategist Liu."

"It's enough. You may go."

"Yes!"

Plop!

Sitting on the bed, Wei Liuying sighed. Marching and battling then marched and battled again was very tiring. After several days, she could feel that her body began to experience the toll of her pushing herself a bit.

'I hope there's nothing else I need to do before returning back to Dong Shan City. Now I wonder what happens on Yang Xian's side.' Wei Liuying stood up and headed to the bathroom. 'But thinking that it's him, I'm sure that he'll defeat them with overwhelming advantage.'

When the thought flashed in her mind, the corner of her lips curled up slightly without her realizing it.

Wei Liuying rested for the day and departed to Dong Shan City immediately the next day. She wanted to avoid meeting with the general and other commanders there, so she told Commander Cao to only say that she provided him with news.

…

A City Near the Capital City

Slash!

Thud!

The sound of body falling to the ground marked the end of the battle. Standing at the forefront with clothes covered in blood, Yang Xian held down his sword. He wiped the blood on his cheek.

"Strategist Yang, this is all of them. Should we clean it up?"

"There's no need. Just leave it be."

"Yes!"

Wiping his sword, Yang Xian glanced across the place. When he came here, he was a bit skeptical but then he realized that this was actually a well-made village but all the people inside were not Han Shi Kingdom's citizen.

'Someone inside must be helping them out. And amongst the powerful people in the capital city, there's only one person who can be this daring.'

Yang Xian's eyes glinted. He knew that there were still some other people who were roaming around in this place, but there was basically nothing he could do anymore. Tracking them all one by one would be completely impossible.

'Let's just hope those people do their work well.'

Walking across the village, Yang Xian let his soldiers do the work. The village might be used to be an abandoned village with not many people there. Some buildings looked fairly old while the rest was new.

Yang Xian stopped before a fairly old building. Based on the written signboard, he could guess that it used to be a teahouse. There was a large scroll made of bamboo hung on the wall. Those who entered the house would be able to see it almost immediately.

He could see three words were written there.

"Live and prosper."

At that moment, Yang Xian felt a pang in his head. An unknown feeling of sadness and frustration suddenly washed over his mind as if he had lost everything.

'What…?'

"Strategist Yang!" a soldier shouted when he saw Yang Xian staggered.

"I'm fine." Yang Xian waved his hand. His eyes were looking at the three words before him in confusion. Just what had happened to him just now? It felt as if his mind was not his for a moment.

The soldier still looked at Yang Xian with worry. He knew that this strategist also often pushed himself to the limit.

At this moment, another soldier rushed in and bowed in front of Yang Xian.

"Strategist Yang, we have finished scouting the area. There are several people who managed to escape."