Green Mountain

Both the Ning Dynasty and the Jing Dynasty have the tradition of spring hunts, summer harvesting hunts, autumn hunts (xiǎn), and winter hunts.

The so-called spring hunt involves targeting beasts that are not pregnant; summer harvesting hunts aim at beasts that damage crops; during autumn and winter, the fiercest beasts are targeted irrespective of type, fattened, and their skins are preserved for the winter.

The nature of these seasonal hunts resembles the worship of the Silkworm God, where the royal family sets an example by showcasing military prowess through field hunts.

In Emperor Ning's youth, these matters were handled personally by him, but once he focused on Dao study, he delegated the task to the Crown Prince. This time, not only are the sons of officials in the capital invited, but elite troops from the Divine Machine Camp, Five Armies Camp, and Longevity Army will also be dispatched.

The winner can recommend a son for the hundred households of the Yulin Army; hunting auspicious animals like white deer and white foxes grants participation in the rituals at the Heavenly Temple; those who hunt tigers are rewarded with an imperial gold belt.

The Crown Prince will also tie red silk around the leg of a falcon, and whoever shoots it will be rewarded with Emperor Ning's bow and arrow quiver.

Qi Zhenzhuo rides a fast horse to take the lead and returns to Qi Mansion to pack his belongings.

Chen Family's carriage moves slowly down Chang'an Street, heading towards Xizhi Gate.

Si Caogui sees that no one is nearby and finally asks in a deep voice, "Where do you think the great victory news is coming from? Could it be the reinforcements to Korea?"

Chen Ji senses the other's probing intent: "Lord Si Cao, if it were a great victory from Korea, how long would it take for the news to reach Ning Dynasty?"

Si Caogui quickly calculates the time: "This is spring, with favorable southeast winds at sea; from Tanggu, the Ning Dynasty's navy can reach Korea in as little as seven days. The return would be against the wind, taking about ten days. If there are no storms or waves, the timing of the news would be just right."

No wonder Si Caogui stiffened at the mention of great victory, considering the timing, it must be the good news from the Korean reinforcements.

Chen Ji, with a subtle expression, says, "Lord Si Cao, what preparations has my Jing Dynasty made, and can they handle these reinforcements?"

Si Caogui's voice gradually turns grave: "Korea has already surrendered to my Jing Dynasty, requesting a formal acknowledgment and forever to be a bastion. Lord Lu has laid out perfect plans in Korea, ensuring that as soon as Ning Dynasty reinforcements arrive, they will not return, unless..."

Chen Ji silently clenches his fist: "Unless what?"

Si Caogui strokes the short knife in his sleeve: "Unless someone leaks information that Ning Dynasty reinforcements didn't head for Korea but instead surprisingly attacked elsewhere."

Chen Ji bluntly asks, "Does Lord Si Cao suspect me of leaking the information?"

Si Caogui neither confirms nor denies: "I know you are Wang Daosheng's direct disciple, and seemed anxious to send him off south of the city that day—worried your teacher might die in Korea?"

Chen Ji sighs lightly: "When will Lord Si Cao truly trust me? I've done so much for the Military Intelligence Department; isn't that enough for your trust?"

Si Caogui, rubbing the short knife in his sleeve, looks indifferent: "Have you forgotten what the first lesson in our Military Intelligence Department's secret training is?"

Chen Ji remains silent.

Si Caogui slowly says: "Never trust anything already proven, learn to doubt everything currently happening. Chen Ji, the enemies of Military Intelligence Department spies have never been the enemy but our own people."

Before Chen Ji could speak, Si Caogui asks again: "Did you ever mention this to Wang Daosheng?"

Chen Ji shakes his head: "No."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure."

Si Caogui slowly says: "Chen Ji, being a spy is not like being a frontline infantryman; if an infantryman makes a mistake, the harm may be only to himself, whereas if we make a mistake, tens of thousands of infantry can be harmed. If it truly was you who leaked the information, I will kill you personally."

Chen Ji calmly replies: "There's no need for you to rush into thinking about how to kill me; this good news may not be from the Korean reinforcements."

Si Caogui's unwavering loyalty to Jing Dynasty cannot be swayed, with such a Si Cao of the Military Intelligence Department guarding, it's like having a sharp sword hanging overhead at all times.

If the news truly is about the Korean reinforcements, a bloody confrontation between him and Si Caogui seems inevitable.

What to do? Call Xiao Man and take it on together?

No.

Si Caogui is a Grand Official at the Seeking Dao realm while he and Xiao Man are just at the Innate realm—together, they may not be a match, and it's not necessary to involve Xiao Man.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Ji suddenly says: "Lord Si Cao, let's first return to the Chen Mansion, my coarse clothing is unsuitable for attending the Crown Prince's banquet, I need to change."

Si Caogui responds in a deep voice: "Alright."

The carriage veers into a small alley, into the side gate of Chen Mansion on Fuyou Street.

Chen Ji returns to Chen Mansion, and when he emerges from the side gate, he has changed his clothes. He climbs into the carriage and softly says: "Let's go."

As the carriage slowly departed, Xiao Man, with her hair tied in a double bun, quietly peeked out from the top of the courtyard wall. After confirming that no one was around, she flipped over the wall and ran towards Xuanwu Gate Street.

...

...

As the carriage rolled out of Xizhi Gate, Qi Zhenzhuo waited on horseback outside the city gate, accompanied by another carriage from the Qi family.

When Si Caogui drove the carriage forward, the curtain was lifted slightly, revealing half of Qi Zhaoning's face: "Chen Ji, have you had breakfast? We have snacks and preserved fruits on board, as well as freshly picked spring peaches from yesterday."

Chen Ji politely replied, "Thank you, Third Miss Qi, I've already eaten."

Qi Zhaoning was not discouraged and smiled as she asked, "Is there room in your carriage? The three of us over here are cramped and can't stretch out."

Chen Ji was a bit surprised; why was Qi Zhaoning being so attentive?

Before he could answer, the sound of hooves came from Xizhi Gate.

Three young soldiers in armor passed by the carriage, with the leader wearing Dark Armor of the Longevity Army and a Phoenix Wing Headband Helmet, his figure imposing like the Temple Guardian Mountain God in front of the City God Temple, grand and majestic.

This person initially had no intention of stopping, but turned his head and saw Qi Zhenzhuo, suddenly halting his horse: "Qi Zhenzhuo? So, you're also going to participate in the spring hunt?"

Qi Zhenzhuo raised an eyebrow: "Why, you can go, but I can't?"

The Longevity Army soldier laughed heartily: "No, no, no, it's just the first time I've seen the Yulin Army at a spring hunt, so it's a bit rare."

Having said that, he looked through the carriage window at Chen Ji: "This face looks familiar. Could it be the one from the Chen family who allegedly killed over a hundred of the Heavenly Strategy Army? I suppose tomorrow I'll get to witness Mr. Chen's skills and open my eyes to see how Mr. Chen killed over a hundred of the Heavenly Strategy Army."

Chen Ji had never met this person but sensed hostility in his words.

The Longevity Army man named Yang suddenly changed his tone, smiling as he said, "No, I misunderstood you two. To participate in the spring hunt, one should at least ride a warhorse. Mr. Chen, riding in a carriage, must not be going to the hunt but like a lady heading for a spring outing."

Qi Zhenzhuo cursed: "Yang Yang, don't think you're so great in the Longevity Army. If you were in Guyuan, you might have died long ago, and you wouldn't be here to sarcastically accuse my master of false claims of military exploits."

Yang Yang's smile faded: "Fools remain fools; even the false claims are easily seen through."

Qi Zhenzhuo was about to argue, but Chen Ji, worried he would reveal things in front of Si Caogui, immediately intervened to stop him: "Qi Zhenzhuo, let the Longevity Army man say what he will, do not argue."

Qi Zhenzhuo's face flushed, unable to say a word for a long time.

Yang Yang glanced sideways at Chen Ji: "You have some self-awareness. Don't think just because you won a fight with some city riffraff outside you can walk with your nose in the air. A noble Imperial Guard fighting with street ruffians, isn't that embarrassing? Kid, let me give you some advice: stay away from Zhang Xia, the Capital's 'Rouge Tiger' is beyond your reach."

Chen Ji suddenly understood.

No wonder this person came with immense hostility; it was directed at him alone.

Previously in Guyuan, when Zhang Zheng confronted Qi Zhenzhuo, he even claimed he would call on Yang Yang and others to block Qi Zhenzhuo every day, indicating they were often together as friends.

In the other carriage, Qi Zhaoning looked angry: "Yang Yang, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Yang Yang, holding the reins, sneered: "Did I say anything wrong?"

Qi Zhaoning shouted, "Chen Ji and Zhang Xia..."

Before she finished speaking, the sound of hooves again came from Xizhi Gate.

Everyone turned to see Zhang Zheng and Zhang Xia riding over, Zaozao's breath visible in the spring morning, the sound of hooves like drums.

Zhang Xia arrived beside the carriage and, looking at Yang Yang, asked in confusion, "What are you doing here?"

Yang Yang's expression stiffened: "Me? I'm representing the Longevity Army for the spring hunt, just passing through."

Zhang Xia's Phoenix Eyes were sharp, first looking at Chen Ji in the carriage, then at Yang Yang: "Go do what you should be doing!"

Yang Yang replied gruffly, "Axia, you shouldn't mingle with these Yulin Army fops..."

Zhang Xia raised an eyebrow slightly: "Since when do you meddle in such matters? Get out of here!"

"Can't you speak properly," Yang Yang's mountain-like figure spurred his horse and fled, downtrodden.

Zhang Zheng laughed behind him: "Hero of the Longevity Army, why run!"