CHAPTER 393: CHAPTER 347: MAYBE, THERE IS A THIRD POSSIBILITY—

Who dares to answer "yes" to such a question?

Mu Xian could only muster his courage and say, "No, I’m not tired, I’m perfectly fine, and I’ll return immediately."

With that, he turned to leave.

However, just as he was about to depart, he suddenly seemed to remember something and walked over to Yu Wenye, whispering, "Second Young Master, we found a—"

As he spoke, his voice grew quieter, while Shang Ruyi watched Yu Wenye’s eyes flicker slightly.

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Wenye said, "Hmm, I understand. You may go back now."

"... Yes."

With that, Mu Xian grimaced, saluted both of them, and turned away, dejectedly walking off.

Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Yu Wenye finally exhaled deeply, though his face still bore a trace of gloom. He went aside to sit down, while Shang Ruyi watched Mu Xian leave with slight pity before turning back to Yu Wenye, asking, "Why won’t you even let him take a break?"

"..."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment and then looked up at her, "Can’t you stop caring so much about others?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi frowned slightly.

She couldn’t understand why, but Yu Wenye’s words not only seemed pointed, but also carried a hint of annoyance.

What is there to be angry about?

Shang Ruyi felt she couldn’t understand him, but on second thought, did she really need to understand him? What did his moods and feelings have to do with her?

It was merely cooperation, after all.

So she said nothing more, although a bit at a loss for what to do, since Yu Wenye told her to rest well, she took this day to rest properly.

It was not until evening that the people they sent out to search returned to report that there was still no trace of Shantong’er.

Shang Ruyi, somewhat worried, said, "Could something have happened to him?"

Yu Wenye said coolly, "This child has been running off often long before you arrived; if something were to happen, it would have happened already, not just because you came."

Shang Ruyi expressed her concern, "But haven’t we expected that something might happen at Wanggang Village these couple of days?"

Yu Wenye glanced at her.

Shang Ruyi said, "I worry that he’s too young and reckless, running around everywhere, and if he stumbles into something inside—"

Yu Wenye glanced at her again.

After a pause, he said, "Mu Xian and the others are near Wanggang Village; if anything happens inside and the child stumbles in, they’re sure to report back."

These words somewhat consoled Shang Ruyi.

She finally felt a bit relieved, but upon hearing the chime of the evening hour outside, her mood grew tense once more.

According to their previous estimates, if Xiao Yuansui had set out upon receiving the message, he should have arrived at Wanggang Village by now. However, he took some time to make preparations before setting out, but even so, he wouldn’t delay too far into the night, so he should be on his way now.

Then, by the latest, he would arrive at Wanggang Village tomorrow.

Seeing her worried expression, Yu Wenye asked, "What are you thinking about again?"

Shang Ruyi looked at him and softly said, "I want to—"

"No."

Before she could finish, he firmly cut her off.

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, instinctively saying, "You didn’t even hear what I was going to say."

Yu Wenye replied, "You were going to say that you also want to go see what’s happening at Wanggang Village, weren’t you?"

"... Yes."

"That’s why you can’t."

"Why?"

Yu Wenye said, "I sent Mu Xian and the others there, and particularly reminded them to be cautious and not to expose themselves. But if you go—"

His expression darkened slightly, speaking in a low voice, "He will certainly suspect that the events here may involve us. If that’s the case and he becomes wary, he might not act against Wanggang Village, and then our plan would be completely ruined."

"..."

"So, whether tonight or tomorrow, no matter what happens at Wanggang Village, we absolutely cannot show ourselves; we can only wait here for the outcome."

"..."

His words did make sense.

But this feeling of having to wait for an outcome without being able to do anything left Shang Ruyi somewhat uneasy. She thought for a moment and said, "Then this time, what result can we expect?"

Yu Wenye looked at her, thought for a moment, and said, "There may be two possible outcomes."

"What are they?"

"One, even if Xiao Yuansui can’t fully comprehend Wang Quyi’s intentions, he wouldn’t return to Wanggang Village completely unprepared. He will bring his own men back. And Wang Quyi will certainly try every means to win him over, displaying brotherly love to lure him into Wanggang Village. Once inside, matters will be under Wang Quyi’s control. If they turn against each other, the two sides will fight among themselves, and regardless of who ends up commanding Wanggang Village, their strength will be greatly reduced, which is the outcome we most wish for."

"And the second one?"

"The second—Xiao Yuansui might still consider the bigger picture, genuinely returning to appease Wang Quyi, leaving Wanggang Village united and strong as ever."

"..."

"This is the result we least want to see."

Shang Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly, softly saying, "These are the only two possibilities, right?"

"..."

Yu Wenye did not immediately answer her, instead looking up at the gradually deepening night outside the window. The dark night seemed to carry an unspeakable sense of danger, making it hard to relax completely even in a state of peace.

After a moment, he said, "If it’s Xiao Yuansui, perhaps there’s a third possibility—"

|

And in the same night, there was a group leaving the Eastern Capital Luoyang, shattering the night’s tranquility as they galloped towards Wanggang Village.

The leader had particularly sharp eyes.

This person was none other than Xiao Yuansui.

With a solemn expression, despite the razor-sharp night wind slashing at his face as he rode, he showed no hint of emotion. His eyes reflected an almost fierce determination, followed by a few silent attendants.

Finally, at dawn, they reached the foot of the mountain leading to Wanggang Village.

Xiao Yuansui spurred his horse up the dirt slope, racing toward the pavilion. After a night’s ride, the horse was tired, snorting as it circled outside the pavilion. Xiao Yuansui glanced at the now radically changed scenery since he last left, finally resting his gaze on the giant stone tablet outside the pavilion.

The characters for Wanggang stood prominently.

He looked at the words, expressionless, but a flash of cold light seemed to pass through his eyes.

At this moment, a follower rode up next to him, "Second Chief, shall we take a break here?"

Xiao Yuansui turned back, and before he could respond, they heard a distant and dull thud from deep within the mountains—it was the sound of welcoming drums.

Xiao Yuansui smiled slightly, saying, "Looks like they’re more eager than us."