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After nightfall, Wei Yunlan followed Seventh Lady Yu and three other Tianshu Pavilion guards as they left the cave.
Before long, they met another team from Tianshu Pavilion at the foot of the mountain.
This group also consisted of ten people, led by a short man whose age was hard to discern.
They were merely an advance team sent by Tianshu Pavilion to investigate the situation at the mine and to rescue Wei Mingxuan and Wang Gui from within.
“This is Yu Wu,” Seventh Lady Yu introduced. The rankings within Tianshu Pavilion were always linked to strength. Yu Wu’s close combat ability was average, but his lightness skill and agility surpassed hers, especially his remarkable skill in the art of shrinking the body, which was unmatched within Tianshu Pavilion.
Wei Yunlan felt that Yu Wu’s demeanor was slightly different from the Tianshu Pavilion guards she had encountered recently. He didn’t seem like a typical martial artist; instead, he resembled a certain type of person she had seen in the imperial city…
Wei Yunlan asked, “Now that everyone is here, shall we head up the mountain?”
“Thank you, Miss Wei, for leading the way.” Yu Wu politely clasped his hands together, his voice noticeably more delicate than that of an ordinary man.
This made Wei Yunlan unable to resist taking another look.
Could this Yu Wu be someone from the palace?
What a silly thought. She shook her head, dismissing the notion, and withdrew her gaze, patting the head of the dog beside her.
Heiyun took the lead and dashed ahead.
The dozen or so Tianshu Pavilion guards quickly followed. In the flat terrain ahead, Wei Yunlan ran for a while, but as her strength gradually waned, she fell to the back of the group, led by Seventh Lady Yu.
Watching the Tianshu Pavilion members nimbly weaving through the forest, a glimmer of envy flashed in Wei Yunlan’s eyes. A thought that had been hidden in her heart for some time resurfaced.
“Captain Yu, do you think it’s too late for me to start learning martial arts at my age?” Wei Yunlan asked somewhat anxiously.
Seventh Lady Yu was taken aback for a moment. “Miss Wei wants to learn martial arts?”
“Yes, I do have this intention.” Wei Yunlan nodded candidly.
Since they were already discussing this, she decided to ask directly, “I wonder if, on our way to Beiguan, you could teach us a few moves? We can arrange for the payment according to the fees for hiring a martial arts instructor in the Capital. I assure you we won’t shortchange you.”
“It’s not about the payment,” Seventh Lady Yu hesitated before responding. “Miss Wei, I can’t make that decision. I need to ask the master before I can give you an answer.”
Wei Yunlan understood. “That makes sense. Thank you, Captain Yu.”
As the two fell to the back of the line, suddenly the figures in front came to a stop.
Following the mottled shadows of the trees under the moonlight, they looked ahead, where something was blocking the group’s path. In front of them was a pack of muscular wild wolves.
These wolves bared their sharp teeth, their eyes filled with a fierce, bloodthirsty excitement. The air around them was tinged with the scent of blood.
“Human blood,” Seventh Lady Yu stated firmly.
Narrowing his eyes, he looked toward the grass near the wolf pack, where it seemed that something lay scattered.
Were those… human corpses?
Wei Yunlan felt a chill run down her spine. Looking again at the sharp fangs glinting in the moonlight, she suddenly realized that these wolves were different from the other birds and beasts she had encountered on her journey.
These were true killers, beasts that had consumed human flesh.
The number of wolves was clearly greater than that of the guards, and they seemed to be gathering in greater numbers. The guards were tense, ready to spring into action at any moment.
Wei Yunlan also gripped the dagger hidden in her sleeve, prepared for any eventuality.
Just when everyone thought a battle was imminent, Heiyun lunged forward a couple of steps, its body tense, lowering its head and emitting a series of threatening growls.
The wolves, which had been poised to attack, seemed to hesitate upon hearing those growls.
“Go!” Seizing the opportunity, the Tianshu Pavilion guards leaped into the trees, quickly crossing over the wolf pack with Heiyun’s assistance.
Wei Yunlan was also led by Seventh Lady Yu, soaring over the wolves. As they passed above the pack, she glanced down.
What lay scattered in the grass were pieces of torn bodies, the source of the bloody scent that lingered in the forest.
Looking further out, it seemed there were some white bones hidden among the thickets.
These were all remnants left behind by the wolves after feasting on flesh.
As a coldness washed over her, Wei Yunlan felt a sense of relief. Thankfully, they had already found Mingxuan’s whereabouts; otherwise, she couldn’t bear to think what terrible things might happen if they stayed in such a place for any longer.
“……”
The night was tranquil.
The refugees captured at the mine had already begun their work, leaving only the foremen responsible for managing the mining operations outside the cave.
In the surrounding silence, Wei Mingxuan leaned against a haystack, listening intently.
The first to speak was the overseer in charge of the foremen at the mine, his tone markedly different from the usual impatience he displayed toward the foremen and refugees; it was exceedingly respectful. “Commander Meng, here are today’s goods and account books, all counted. Please take a look and see if there are any issues.”
“Why is the quantity so low these past two days?”
“Please don’t be angry, Commander. The new batch that came in…”
“The new workers are still inexperienced. Once they are trained, the daily output will increase. I guarantee that within three days, the daily amount will be the same as before.”
“Better be. If you fail to meet the Khan’s demands, watch your head!”
The voice of the person speaking to the overseer was rough, and his tone was unusually harsh and strange.
Hearing the mentions of “Commander Meng” and “Khan,” Wei Mingxuan further confirmed his earlier guess.
These were Northern Barbarians!
Realizing that he might have stumbled upon a major incident, Wei Mingxuan broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to move. However, his ears perked up, listening even more attentively.
If the Barbarians were taking the iron ore, the situation would become extremely serious.
The Barbarians were tall and strong, possessing great strength and skill in mounted warfare. Dayong’s only advantage was its superior equipment—its armor and weapons were far better.
After all, Dayong was vast and rich in resources, while the Northern Barbarians lacked minerals, especially iron ore essential for weapon production.
Therefore, the current balance in the Northern battle was maintained.
But once the Northern Barbarians could obtain sufficient minerals from Dayong, no longer lacking armor and weapons, that balance would be shattered.
The fall of Beiguan to the Barbarians was merely a matter of time!
Those currently trading ore with the Barbarians were, without a doubt, traitors to Dayong!
This needed to be stopped immediately.
He had to quickly inform his sister and parents, and ideally find a way to inform the Duke’s Mansion in the Capital…
In his panic, Wei Mingxuan covered his mouth, afraid that his breath might attract the attention of those outside.
But at that moment, stones tumbled from the high pile of ore. One rolled behind the haystack, striking his shoe.
The sound was distinctly different from the sound of stones falling on the ground.
Commander Meng, who had been speaking to the overseer, suddenly stopped and looked coldly toward the haystack.
“Who’s there?”