Wen Che’s expression was worried.

His fingers unconsciously picked up a black chess piece placed on the table as he said: “I won’t hide it from Sir—this time I’ve come to find my younger brother Wen Yu.”

“How is it that General Wen’s younger brother has also come here?”

“Hearing Sir ask this way, does that mean Wen Yu hasn’t come to your yamen?”

The county magistrate thought carefully, fearing that in his senility he’d forgotten.

But after thinking for quite a while, he still had no recollection whatsoever.

He then said: “He truly hasn’t come.”

Wen Che became even more worried.

His expression also grew more grave.

Could it be—

Had Wen Yu truly met with misfortune?

The county magistrate sensed something was amiss and inquired: “General Wen, has something happened?”

After a brief silence, Wen Che said: “Magistrate Li may not have received news from the court yet. Three months ago, the Emperor decreed that Prince Jing’an, who was buried in Lingtang Commandery in the Southern Frontier, be brought back to Yanjing to be interred in the royal imperial tombs. The one ordered to bring back Prince Jing’an was my younger brother Wen Yu.

Yu. He departed from Yanjing and has been gone for three months now! But there’s been no news at all. Since the route to Lingtang Commandery necessarily passes through Jiahe Town, I hurried here by fast horse to ask whether Magistrate Li has any news of Wen Yu?”

“I won’t hide it from General Wen—I know nothing, much less any news of Lord Wen.”

“He truly hasn’t come to the yamen?”

“No. If he had come, I certainly wouldn’t fail to inform General Wen.”

He wouldn’t have that kind of audacity anyway!

“Then where could he have gone?” Wen Che grew increasingly worried.

All the way from Yanjing to here, he’d been making inquiries along the route.

There was no news of Wen Yu anywhere.

All sorts of bad premonitions gathered in his heart.

The county magistrate pondered and asked: “Prince Jing’an has been buried in Lingtang Commandery for more than ten years, hasn’t he? Why would the Emperor suddenly permit him to be interred in the imperial tombs?”

The mountains were high and the Emperor far away!

Naturally his information wasn’t well-informed.

Major decisions made at the court in Yanjing were generally transcribed by the Ministry of Revenue into official documents, then sent to each prefecture and province.

Unfortunately, Jiahe Town was truly a small town in a remote location. Those documents had probably been overlooked in delivery!

Regarding the county magistrate’s question, Wen Che couldn’t say much: “This was the Emperor’s decision. I cannot presume to speculate.”

“Of course, of course.”

Wen Che said: “Magistrate Li, though I brought many men on this trip, none of them have deep experience venturing into the desert. Since Wen Yu, who was responsible for bringing back Prince Jing’an, has had no news for so long, I’m worried whether he encountered some trouble in the desert. Therefore, I’m afraid I

must trouble you to find some experienced people to enter the Southern Frontier desert to search.”

The county magistrate had a strong sense of duty: “That’s only natural. General Wen can rest assured. I’ll have people handle it right away. We’ll definitely find Lord Wen.”

“Then I’ll impose upon you.”

“It’s my duty!”

Wen Che then placed the black chess piece he was holding into the board, rose to his feet, and said: “I’m staying at the Longxiang Inn. Magistrate Li, once you have any news, please trouble yourself to notify me.”

“Yes.”

“Also, this matter shouldn’t be publicized, lest it fall upon the ears of those with ulterior motives.”

“This official naturally understands. General Wen can rest assured.”

“Then I won’t disturb Magistrate Li further. Farewell.”

Wen Che turned and left the pavilion, departing with Shu Tian.

The county magistrate wanted to see them off. But after taking two steps, he realized he simply couldn’t keep up with the young man’s pace.

He had no choice but to give up.

Then he quickly summoned someone and instructed: “Go find several dozen people who regularly venture into the Southern Frontier desert. Have them prepare quickly and travel all the way to Lingtang Commandery to find a person named Wen Yu.”

“Yes.”

They hurried off to handle it!

This was the first time Jiahe Yamen had received matters related to the imperial court.

So the county magistrate took it very seriously.

He thought that if he could handle this matter well, perhaps the court would pay more attention to Jiahe Town, and then officials would be willing to come serve here.

Then he, the county magistrate, could properly retire.

Playing chess all day—now that would be life!

After leaving the yamen with Shu Tian, Wen Che walked back along the road toward the inn.

Shu Tian asked: “Young Master, could Second Young Master have truly met with some misfortune?”

“That’s exactly what I fear.”

“But it’s also strange—Second Young Master’s martial arts are formidable, and the people he brought to receive Prince Jing’an are all experts. They’re also very familiar with the Southern Frontier desert. It’s impossible they encountered a sandstorm in the desert!”

Wen Che’s brows tightened. His steps halted as he said: “What I fear is that it’s not a natural disaster, but a man-made calamity.”

“Man-made calamity? Young Master, are you saying?”

“In Yanjing, many pairs of eyes are watching our Wen family, especially… the Su family.”

“Could it be… that Second Young Master’s disappearance is related to the Su family?”

“Very likely!”

“Then…”

Before Shu Tian could finish speaking, Wen Che raised his hand to interrupt him: “Don’t speculate casually about this matter. Everything—we’ll discuss after finding Wen Yu.”

“Yes.”

The two then returned to the inn.

…

Though Jiahe Yamen was a small yamen, it was very efficient.

In less than an hour, they’d already assembled the people.

To venture deep into the desert to find a person named Wen Yu.

Little did they know—

That Wen Yu had long since left the desert!

Late at night, outside Jiahe Town.

A carriage was slowly moving forward.

The carriage was extremely small and also somewhat dilapidated, only able to squeeze in three people.

A lantern hung from the carriage, swaying back and forth.

Traveling through the mountain forest, it appeared extremely eerie.

Like a phantom carriage.

Suddenly—

“I want more to eat. Brother, give me a bit more.”

A voice broke through the eerie, terrifying night.

Xiao Ba and Luo Yang could be seen sitting on the front board of the carriage.

Xiao Ba held the reins in one hand and a long bamboo pole in the other to drive the carriage.

Luo Yang leisurely leaned beside him eating steamed buns.

From time to time, he’d stuff a bite into Xiao Ba’s mouth.

“Brother, it’s not enough. Give me a bit more. I’m starving to death.”

“Here, open your mouth.”

Xiao Ba opened his mouth wide. Luo Yang stuffed a small piece of steamed bun into it.

The two ate with relish.

“Drive the carriage properly, don’t veer off.” Luo Yang said.

“Don’t worry, brother. I’m not good at anything else, but driving carriages is what I’m best at.”

“So capable.”

“Hahahaha.” Xiao Ba giggled.

Laughing without a care in the world.

Though the journey had been extremely arduous, Xiao Ba was always grinning cheerfully.

Quite amusing indeed!

Like Li Chuan and Ji Yinshu, they’d walked through the desert for half a month before emerging.

As soon as they left the desert, they immediately sold the three camels they’d stolen earlier, using the money to exchange for this broken-down carriage.

Though small, it was very practical.

Traveling mountain roads, it handled smoothly.

After eating and drinking his fill, Luo Yang patted his belly and said: “Jiahe Town is just ahead, right?”

Xiao Ba nodded: “Yes, we’ll arrive in another hour. Brother, if you’re tired, just rest.”

“I already slept the whole day. I’m not tired.”

Wide awake!

Xiao Ba suddenly frowned again and asked: “Brother, if we get to Jiahe Town and still can’t find Miss Ji, what should we do?”

Jiahe Town was their last hope!