Chapter 368 The Vanished Scout

Located in the southwestern hinterland of the Jingyuan era, Sichuan boasts magnificent mountains and rivers, shrouded in mist and clouds, and has been known as the "Land of Abundance" since ancient times.

On this land, blessed by the gods of nature, Sichuan is not only renowned for its beautiful mountains and rivers, but also for its profound historical and cultural heritage and brilliant civilization.

The mottled marks on the ancient city wall seem to whisper of past glories and vicissitudes, and every bluestone path is engraved with the traces of time.

This place was once the capital of a dynasty, but it is no longer as prosperous as it once was.

Li Xi had just come out of a branch of the Hidden Sect. She couldn't find her master, so she left him a message.

She rode horses for ten days and arrived in Sichuan yesterday, where she went to the post station.

Military reports were delivered by express courier, with a change of fast horse at each post station to ensure the message reached the capital as quickly as possible.

The postmaster said that the scout changed horses at the post station and rushed to the capital overnight, but he was nowhere to be found at the next post station.

The emperor sent people to investigate, but they found nothing; all they knew was that the last place the creature appeared was at the edge of a dense forest.

The mountains there were steep and wild animals were frequently seen, and the scouts' tracks seemed to have come to an abrupt end in that unknown land.

Yesterday, she rode the golden eagle around the dense forest, but found no special traces, only the whisper of the wind through the treetops and the occasional roar of beasts in the distance.

So today she came to the Hidden Sect branch to gather information and, incidentally, to see where her master was.

The disciples under his command have already set off to gather information. Everyone knows that the young master is wealthy and powerful, so they are all rolling up their sleeves and working hard.

It has to be said that having money is good.

In just six months, their Hidden Sect branches were spread throughout Jingyuan, greatly improving efficiency.

Seeing that there were no clues at the moment, she simply returned to the house where her maternal grandmother was renting.

The house is nestled deep in a quiet alley.

Unknown wildflowers were planted on both sides of the bluestone path, swaying gently in the wind and emitting a faint fragrance, which seemed to soften even the air.

Pushing open the door, I found my maternal grandfather and his wife arguing about something.

“Xiaoxi will be here soon, so don’t bother going to find her. Don’t you trust your own granddaughter’s abilities?” Wan Yue said, sticking out his neck.

Although Hongying is indeed exceptionally capable, she is getting on in years and it's not advisable for her to travel around aimlessly.

Moreover, their granddaughter is highly skilled in martial arts and possesses both wisdom and courage, so there is really no need to be so anxious.

"Grandfather is right, I've arrived now."

Li Xi's cheerful voice rang out from outside the door, carrying a hint of playfulness, interrupting the argument inside.

She was dressed in a simple and neat outfit, with an exquisite sword sheath at her waist, and her steps exuded an extraordinary air.

He stepped across the threshold with a smile, his gaze first shifting between Wan Yue and Hong Ying, before finally settling on their slightly nervous yet caring faces.

"See, I told you, Xiaoxi knows what she's doing and wouldn't make us old folks worry."

A smile of satisfaction instantly appeared on Wan Yue's face. He patted Li Xi on the shoulder, his eyes filled with pride.

Hongying sighed softly, her eyes filled with both reproach and affection: "You child, you always make me worry. But it's good that you're back safe and sound."

As she spoke, she stepped forward and carefully examined Li Xi's clothes. Only after confirming that there was no damage did she feel relieved.

"I'm sorry to have worried my grandparents. It's my fault." Li Xi smiled apologetically.

Hongying: "Why are you two days late?"

There seemed to be a sense of blame in his words.

Li Xi stepped forward and put his arm around her shoulder: "I'm sorry to have worried you. I was just in a hurry to find news of that scout."

"You, sigh, never mind, come wash your hands and eat." Hongying sighed softly, the reproach in her eyes instantly turning into gentle care.

She turned and walked into the house, her light steps revealing a hint of helplessness and doting affection.

Inside, warm candlelight flickered, and the table was laden with steaming dishes, their aroma filling the air, clearly the result of careful preparation.

In order to reach Shu as soon as possible, Li Xi had been eating dry rations for days, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he was on horseback, traveling at full speed.

Seeing the fragrant food, she immediately became very hungry and ate three large bowls of rice, as well as most of the meat and vegetables.

She expends a lot of energy on a daily basis, so she's not afraid of gaining weight no matter how much she eats.

"Eat slowly, and if you're not full, ask your grandfather to make more." Hongying looked at her with a loving expression.

Wan Yue: "Yes, what else would you like to eat? I'll make it right away, Grandfather."

She put down her bowl and chopsticks, gently wiped the corner of her mouth, and smiled, "I'm really full. I'll burst if I eat any more."

Hearing this, Hongying affectionately patted Li Xi's head and said with a smile, "You child, you must be tired from the journey, so it's only right that you eat more. Since you're full, have a bowl of soup to warm yourself up."

Although the climate in Sichuan is pleasant, it is now late autumn and the temperature has dropped sharply, with a large temperature difference between day and night. It is easy to catch a cold if you are not careful.

Having regained her memory for more than half a year, Hongying had already gotten used to this kind of life.

"Yes, ma'am." Li Xi scooped up a mouthful of the soup, which was full of love.

After the meal, the three of them sat together.

"You said the scout disappeared at the edge of a dense forest? Even the emperor's men couldn't find him?" Hongying frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.

She gently stroked the teacup in her hand, the warmth of the rim seeping through her fingertips as if it could dispel the slight chill in her heart.

Li Xi: "Yes, Grandmother. The scout was supposed to be heading to the capital, but he mysteriously disappeared at the edge of the dense forest. Even the most elite spies couldn't find any trace of him. This is indeed strange."

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Grandmother's cloudy eyes.

She tapped the table lightly, as if she was thinking about something.

Can a person just disappear into thin air?

"Take me to that forest tomorrow." Hongying put down her cup and went back to her room to prepare.

After returning to her room, Li Xi washed up and went to bed. She had been traveling and not eating or sleeping well for days, and her spirits were low.

At this moment, Qin Xiaolin was in the Xuan Yue Kingdom.

He borrowed a golden eagle from Li Xi and quickly arrived here, where he stayed for several days.

It is said that the Geri tribe annexed people from other tribes with the help of a wise man.

The person behind this appears to be the emperor of the Xuan Yue Kingdom.

After receiving help, the Geri tribe launched a fierce offensive against Jingyuan.

Smoke and fire rose along the border, war drums thundered, people were displaced, and cries of sorrow filled the land.

His purpose in coming here is to disrupt the alliance between Xuan Yue and the Ge Ri tribe.

Just as he was deep in thought, someone outside the door announced: "Master, Lord Qi has arrived."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes, which he quickly concealed, regaining his usual composure and calmness. He straightened his clothes, stood up, and slowly walked towards the door, already having made up his mind.

"Please invite Lord Qi in." His voice was calm yet powerful, revealing an unquestionable authority.