A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 188 Celebrating Success

The two spurred their horses and hurried toward Houde Pass. They did not approach the pass until Zhou Ziyue led his troops to defeat the enemy. Only then did they enter the city.

Some of the original inhabitants of the city, upon finally witnessing the general's victory, embraced each other and wept bitterly.

Pang Long regained control of Houde Pass, but only two days later Zhou Ziyue changed out of his military uniform and led five hundred soldiers to join Xiang He and the others.

Jinghua Shuiyue stayed in the city to accompany Zeng Yunqing, while the others donned their robes, mounted their horses, and left the city.

Are you sure there really is a core to the formation?

Xiang He bowed and moved closer to the horse, glancing sideways at Zhou Ziyue. "I'm quite certain that everyone should try not to scatter too much. Each person should lead a hundred men to search."

"Row."

Zhou Ziyue raised his right hand and gestured, and the five hundred soldiers behind him immediately dispersed.

There are many mountains and forests outside the city, making their search troublesome. Xiang Hedu prepared amulets for them to avoid encountering any evil spirits.

The five men, each leading a team of a hundred, set off separately to search the mountains together.

There were no enemy soldiers in sight, so they weren't as nervous as before as they were searching.

As the afternoon sun began to set, a sudden whistle startled the other four teams, and everyone rushed toward the sound.

The Xingji team was the first to discover the key point of the formation, and everyone surrounded it, not daring to approach.

Xiang He released the reins and ran over. They were at the foot of a cliff, a place they hadn't expected to be so secluded.

The key to the formation is hidden beneath a large rock, supported by several pebbles.

Zhou Ziyue stepped aside to let her get closer. "We don't dare touch these things either. Do you think we should move the big rock first?"

"We can't move it easily," Xiang He crouched down to examine it. "This should be the core of the formation."

At this moment, He Sui'an arrived, crouching down and pulling her cloak back slightly. "So? Should we destroy it immediately or wait for the right opportunity?"

"Let me think about it..."

This place is the boundary line outside the border, with a yin-gathering array eye both inside and outside the city. They secretly gather outside the city, and after the city is breached, they gather yin again inside the city...

Thinking of this, Xiang He's pupils contracted sharply, and his breath hitched. "This is because after killing the enemy and entering the city, the resentment of the soldiers who had just died was gathered together, which is why there is such a huge amount of Yin energy!"

One attack outside the city and one attack inside the city would be enough to sustain the city for a long time.

Especially the new souls harbor deep grudges!

No wonder they were set up separately inside and outside the city; it was to facilitate the absorption of resentment.

Upon hearing this, He Suian frowned. "According to you, is it only at Houde Pass, or do all border passes have it...?"

Xiang He suddenly turned her head to meet his gaze, both of their eyes filled with a thin layer of frost.

Their lips parted slightly, and two voices overlapped, "Imperial Preceptor..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiang He, elbow on her knee and chin in hand, asked, "What is his purpose?"

"I don't know. We'll have to go back to the capital to investigate this further."

The two were whispering to each other, and Zhou Ziyue, who was leaning closer, didn't hear them. "What are you saying? Could you please speak a little quieter..."

Their mouths suddenly shut, and Xiang He patted her skirt and stood up. "Let's talk about it when we get back. Have someone write this down: don't touch it. Tell them the location..."

The conversation abruptly stopped, and He Sui'an and Xiang He looked at each other again, tacitly ceasing to speak.

These two always spoke incomplete sentences, which made Zhou Ziyue very anxious. "You two are really...! Okay, let's go back first. I've already noted this down."

He knew, of course, why the two were not speaking. Although he was not entirely clear about the situation, some things had to be kept secret. There were too many soldiers here, so it was best not to say too much.

Five hundred soldiers went straight down the mountain. Xiang He occasionally looked back a few times, handed the large umbrella to He Suian, and walked at the back with her hands forming a mudra, her palms touching the ground.

With his eyes closed, he sensed the location of the mountain god, saying, "Please, mountain god, remember this place."

After waiting for a long time without a response, Xiang Hedu thought that the mountain god could not sense her and was about to meditate and speak again when she finally received a soft reply.

The Taoist priest was extremely cautious.

Relieved to receive a response, Xiang He followed closely down the mountain, mounted his horse, and rode back to the city.

-

At night, the soldiers celebrated the recapture of the border town, drinking and chatting.

Xiang He also temporarily kept the matter to himself and enjoyed himself with everyone.

After a few drinks, Xiang He felt warm all over, her face flushed, and she was even teased by Jing Hua Shui Yue.

He Sui'an sat down next to her in case she suddenly got drunk.

"I know you're happy, so drink less."

Xiang He took another small sip. "Don't worry, I don't drink much. I don't have your capacity for alcohol."

“That’s right,” Jinghua leaned over, smiling brightly, “Even if the young lady is drunk, there’s still the gentleman watching over her, isn’t there? It’s a rare chance to be happy, so let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest.”

As soon as she opened her mouth, Xiang He knew she was about to talk nonsense again, so she reached out and stuffed a wild fruit into her mouth. "Say less, or I'll send you back."

With a gentle flick of her tongue, she ate the fruit, saying, "Look at how domineering you are!"

Xiang He gently patted her lower back, "Sit up straight."

"I know~"

Fortunately, the illusion wasn't as alluring as it had been at their first encounter, otherwise the soldiers would be completely infatuated by now...

Listening to the two joking around, He Sui'an just smiled and looked on, "When do you plan to go back? Would you like to come with us?"

When are you leaving?

"We will leave early the day after tomorrow, leaving 10,000 troops behind to await reinforcements, and then we will replace them with another 10,000 troops to return to the capital."

The 30,000 troops were Zhou Ziyue's personal guards and would not remain at Houde Pass for long; naturally, they would rejoin Zhou Ziyue.

Xiang He yawned, rested his chin on his hands, and looked at the lively scene before him. "Let's travel together. Tomorrow we'll go and have a chat with General Pang."

"Hmm," He Sui'an said, seeing her dazed look, and reached out to take the wine glass from the table. "You've been tired for several days, go back and rest early."

"No hurries……"

Her voice grew softer and softer, and those around her thought she was about to fall asleep.

She looked drowsy. He Sui'an raised his hand and waved it in front of her eyes. "Shall I carry you on my back?"

He was intoxicated and his head was spinning. He nodded to Xiang He, who was clearly stunned for a moment. He reached out and pulled her over, squatting down and taking her hands to lean on his back.

Zeng Yunqing stared wide-eyed at Xiang He obediently perched on He Suian's shoulder, her expression mirroring Jinghua Shuiyue's.

She quickly got up and followed, only to realize, as she tilted her head, that Xiang He was already asleep...

I thought...

Jinghua's eyes gradually calmed down. "So that's how it is. I thought..."

Shuiyue nodded in agreement, "That's right, but Miss must be really tired. You haven't had a proper night's sleep since you arrived in the capital, have you?"

"Hmm, the young lady is concerned about her family and the people, so she probably can't sleep well."

Jinghua Shuiyue looked at Zhunan at the same time, "Guard Zhunan, is your leg feeling better? Do you need us to change your dressing tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Nan hurriedly shook her head, "No, no..."

Seeing his expression, Jinghua Shuiyue covered her mouth and laughed happily, "Sister, look at him, he's like he's afraid we'll eat him up."

"That's because I'm afraid you'll eat him, it has nothing to do with me~"

"Not at all!"