As soon as Third Master said he would go see Muzha’er tomorrow.

Saihe clenched his fist and pounded it on the table with a muffled thud, his spirits soaring as he said: “When the time comes, we’ll beat those Yuedan people so hard they’ll be searching for their teeth on the ground. To hell with them!”

This comment made everyone in the tent laugh.

His cursing skills were quite impressive!

Wulihan glanced at him, thinking he was Houliao’s one unique branch.

Very unconventional.

Third Master couldn’t be bothered with him and looked toward Jingrong: “Young Master Jing, this time the Yuedan people dared to make a move against Miss Ji—that’s opposing me, opposing all of Houliao. I, Third Master, will absolutely not let them off. I must chop off their hands and feet to apologize to Miss Ji!”

He slammed his fist on the table.

Saihe: “Not just hands and feet—their hearts must be dug out too.”

Hey, hey, hey buddy, if you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute.

Jingrong: “Third Master, although I’m not a Houliao person, logically speaking, I shouldn’t interfere in matters between two tribes. But the Yuedan people made a move against my people, so I’m afraid… I cannot remain a bystander.”

The implication was—count him in for fighting Yuedan.

Third Master said with concern: “But Young Master Jing, your status…”

“Yuedan is wildly ambitious. After intending to annex your Houliao, they plan to lead troops to compete for the Central Plains. As a prince of Da Lin, I absolutely cannot let Yuedan take advantage of this opportunity. Moreover, over these years, my Da Lin and your Houliao have maintained good relations, never mobilizing a single soldier—how can we let Yuedan interfere? Furthermore, this time they made a move against my people. This debt will be settled.”

Jingrong’s tone carried ruthless determination.

Third Master: “Good, then Huhehaote’s head is reserved for you.”

He waved his hand grandly!

Very magnanimous!

He had said that Huhehaote’s head on his shoulders—he was determined to have it!

Saihe quickly said: “Third Master, since you’ve reserved Huhehaote’s head for Young Master Jing, then you must reserve one of his men for me.”

“Who?”

“That son of a bitch Batu!” Saihe said huffily.

As soon as he said this, Wulihan across from him couldn’t help but let out a “pfft.”

He nearly choked with laughter!

“Bang!” Saihe once again slammed his fist on the table, pointing a dark finger at him. “What’s so funny?”

Wulihan: “Laughing at how last year that guy beat you until you pissed yourself running away.”

“Say that again and I’ll tear your mouth apart.”

“You lost, you lost—what’s there to be ashamed of?”

“Heh, if I hadn’t accidentally eaten dinghua grass, that punk would have been beaten to death by me long ago.” Saihe’s face flushed red with anger.

Wulihan threw him a contemptuous look.

The two looked like they were about to brawl again!

Jingrong didn’t understand.

Muruo took on the role of narrator: “Last year he caused some trouble and was punished by being sent to herd sheep. That fool ended up driving the sheep west and encountered Yuedan’s Batu on the road. The two started fighting, but Saihe had accidentally eaten dinghua grass from the grasslands the night before. That stuff, once ingested, can make you have diarrhea for over a month straight. So at the time he had no strength at all and was beaten half to death by the other guy. Fortunately, he’s robust and survived. Since then, he’s been dying to skin Batu alive.”

“No wonder!”

What a legendary life experience!

Third Master saw that it was getting late, so he dismissed everyone and gave orders to go find Muzha’er early the next morning.

Jingrong had just emerged from the main tent when he was stopped by Saihe!

He was over five-foot-eight, half a head taller than Jingrong. Standing there, his presence was overwhelming, sturdy as mountains and rivers.

“Young Master Jing, you’re the friend of my sworn brother Muruo, which makes you my friend too. From now on, if you have any trouble, just say the word. Whoever dares offend you, I’ll twist their head off.”

His tone carried the scent of blood!

Jingrong’s thin lips parted slightly: “Thank you very much.”

“From now on, you and I are also sworn brothers!” He said this while raising his eyebrows at Muruo. “Right, sworn brother Muruo?”

Sworn brother after sworn brother!

Hearing this made Muruo’s whole body go numb.

He said awkwardly: “Alright, Saihe, whatever it is, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Fine!”

Saihe was very straightforward and walked off with his big belly.

Muruo watched his massive figure: “Don’t judge him by appearances—he really is a fierce general. One man can take on a hundred. In Houliao, he’s a legend. Few people dare provoke him. He’s like a snow wolf.”

Jingrong: “I can see that.”

The two smiled.

After entering the resting tent, Muruo had people bring several jars of strong liquor.

“Finally able to have a drink. Tonight, we won’t return until we’re drunk.” Muruo pushed a jar of wine toward him.

But Jingrong wasn’t in the mood.

He was deeply troubled!

“What’s wrong?”

He didn’t respond.

Muruo put down the wine and asked with furrowed brows: “What’s really wrong?”

Jingrong pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve.

He handed it over.

Muruo opened it and looked.

“Isn’t this Miss Ji?”

Jingrong’s expression grew serious, but he didn’t answer.

Muruo rubbed the yellowed paper with his fingers, then looked at the lines on it, surprised: “No, wait—this portrait is at least over ten years old, right? It shouldn’t be Miss Ji! Then… who is this? Where did you get this painting?”

A string of questions.

“I obtained it from that Yuedan person.” Jingrong’s eyes darkened slightly. “I think this might be related to Yunshu’s mother.”

“Her background? Now I’m confused by what you’re saying.”

“Do you remember when Old Lady Xie came to the capital to seek justice for her daughter?”

“I remember. Didn’t Miss Ji already resolve that matter?”

“She did resolve it.” Jingrong said, “But the reason she took on that case in the first place had another reason! Before her mother died, she left her something—a small square wooden plaque with a pattern carved on it. She didn’t know if it was a character or a design. She investigated for a long time without any leads, but one of Old Lady Xie’s daughter’s dolls had an identical pattern embroidered on it. That’s why she took the case—to investigate the wooden plaque. But in the end, she found nothing.”

After hearing this, Muruo understood his meaning: “So you suspect the person in this portrait might be Miss Ji’s mother?”

Uh!

He was shocked by his own words.

Jingrong’s brows knit tightly. “It’s just suspicion. I can’t be certain.”

The atmosphere grew heavy.

Jingrong squinted at the portrait and continued: “Look at the clothing of the woman in the painting.”

“…” Muruo examined it carefully.

“This is not Central Plains clothing at all. It looks like… Huyi people’s clothing.”

In the portrait, the woman had her hair pinned up with many delicate silver ornaments on her head. Around her neck hung a necklace strung with hollow silver ornaments—mostly in Western Region styles. The clothing wasn’t bright; the colors were deep. The outer robe had a front opening style with the front panel folding left—truly a left-over-right closure. It had narrow sleeves and a cinched waist, all close-fitting short garments. This was definitely, without a doubt, the clothing style of Huyi people.

What connection could there be with Huyi?

Muruo made a bold guess: “Could it be that Miss Ji’s mother was a Huyi person?”

Jingrong shook his head.

Without solid evidence, he couldn’t make that determination!