The sky was very late.
Song Qingchao and the others only took a fire starter.
She had heard it with the wind.
It was only when they got out of the cave that the two discovered that things were not as simple as they thought.
All that could be seen was a vast expanse of open valley.
At such a high place, and with the sky dark, it was impossible to see clearly what was below.
Seeing that Song Qingchao could tell it was a cultivated piece of land below, she guessed that it should be planted with grain, but she couldn't determine the specific crop.
This was thanks to his research into many books on agronomy for the autumn harvest when he was in Ling Shi Valley a few days ago, so he could tell at a glance.
It seemed that the people in this mountain stronghold were also engaged in farming for survival.
If only she had known about such a place earlier.
If the two sides were not enemies, could he not have gone to learn from them first? It would not have taken him so long to figure out a method in the end.
But it was good like this, what he learned made him more steadfast.
Books might be forgotten after reading, but knowledge would always settle within a person's body. Perhaps it was not useful now, but sooner or later it would play its role.
Reading books was like picking up pebbles. One would encounter all sorts of stones when picking them up. They might be heavy to carry on one's back, but each stone would play its part.
Colorful gems could be inlaid on jewelry to make them more beautiful.
A stone with a dusty exterior might reveal a piece of beautiful jade inside when cut open.
Even the most ordinary stone would have its use if kept.
Perhaps one day when you wanted to climb higher and found yourself not high enough, but you had stones with you. By placing the stones under your feet, you could ascend to the peak you could not reach before and see a different landscape.
"There should be a mechanism."
Song Xingchao observed the protruding platform.
"You look to the left, and I'll look to the right."
"Okay."
Another half an hour passed this way.
Song Qingchao, who was not impatient to begin with, was starting to get annoyed.
Fortunately, they finally unlocked the switch.
And stepped onto the real path leading to the mountain stronghold.
The more she walked, the more astonished she became.
She couldn't imagine how the Northern Barbarians had crossed this mountain stronghold in her previous life.
When they finally found the stronghold's encampment, Song Qingchao marveled.
He had initially thought his Qingfeng's defenses were already quite thorough.
He hadn't expected that this Hong Niang's mountain stronghold would be even better.
Moreover, the way the people here patrolled was completely in line with military practice.
It seemed his guess was correct, the old stronghold lord here must have been a general.
But what was he looking for Bai Youan for...
However, even with such defenses, it was not difficult for Song Qingchao.
But it would be difficult to find Bai Youan.
In such a large place, where would she go to find him?
At this moment, Zhou Zhengxi had also knocked down two patrolling soldiers.
They did not kill them, but merely knocked them unconscious.
After putting on their clothes, Song Qingchao and Zhou Zhengxi also went out.
The two first took a round according to the patrol route they had observed earlier.
Then they found a place with many soldiers and rested briefly.
The two of them did it intentionally.
They overheard the soldiers chatting among themselves.
"Hey, have you seen that pretty boy that Hong Niang brought back?"
"What pretty boy? The one Hong Niang brought?"
"Yes, the one locked up in the backyard of Luo Yun Jian."
The voice of this person was a little jealous.
"I don't know what Hong Niang sees in him. That scrawny body of his, I could knock him over with a flick."
Another person sneered, "What dream are you having? Go and take a leak to see yourself. What kind of person do you think Hong Niang would fancy?"
His remark caused the surrounding soldiers to burst into laughter.
The one being teased did not get angry.
"Tch, I think you're not feeling great either."
Song Qingchao, who should have left upon learning where Bai Youan was imprisoned.
Did not move.
Zhou Zhengxi asked her with his eyes.
But Song Qingchao shook her head.
For some reason, she wanted to hear if this Hong Niang really liked Bai Youan.
If she was really going to take Bai Youan as her husband,
And if Bai Youan agreed, then this man was not worth having.
Song Qingchao decisively blamed Bai Youan in her heart.
She only heard the soldiers continue to bluster.
"Who wouldn't like Hong Niang?"
"Exactly, exactly."
"Hong Niang is not only beautiful and sings sweetly, but also kind-hearted, and her wine is delicious. How could someone like us be worthy of her?"
"So what? I can dote on her! Can that pretty boy? His foul temper would surely drive Hong Niang mad."
"What do you know?"
"You old brute, what do you know about doting on someone? Stop it. Besides..."
The soldier suddenly lowered his voice and then whispered to the soldiers around him.
The voice was a bit low, and the surroundings were noisy, causing too much interference. Even with Song Qingchao's keen hearing, she couldn't hear clearly.
She only heard something about the old stronghold lord being satisfied.
Song Qingchao was dumbfounded.
Could they be talking about the old stronghold lord being satisfied with this marriage?
"Master?"
Zhou Zhengxi called her.
Song Qingchao finally came back to her senses, but her face was frighteningly pale.
The moonlight on her face made it even paler.
"Master, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No," Song Xingchao waved her hand and stood up.
But for some unknown reason, she felt her body go weak, almost falling onto the grass. Fortunately, Zhou Zhengxi caught her, saving her from falling.
"Let's go, we're going to Luo Yun Jian."
"Master, are you really alright?" Zhou Zhengxi was still a bit worried.
"I'm fine."
Song Qingchao regained her composure.
What if Bai Youan was forced? She couldn't collapse here. She couldn't make assumptions before seeing him.
"We need to hurry. It will be inconvenient to act when it's dawn."
Although Song Qingchao thought this way.
Her emotions did not agree.
Even if he was forced, would he just accept it?
Would he not resist?
Why was there no movement at all? And why was he staying there so obediently?
Hong Niang hadn't tied him up...
The more she thought, the more muddled she became. By the time she reached the backyard of Luo Yun Jian.
Song Qingchao stood before a house with no guards.
Her emotions had already exploded.
She was like a powder keg now, ready to blow up at the slightest spark.
"Master, should we go in?" Zhou Zhengxi asked.
Song Qingchao glanced at him.
Then she drew her sword and stepped forward.
Not a single guard, could it be that they were doing something unspeakable inside!
Hong Niang was so beautiful, and her personality was so gentle, how could a man not be moved!
Her aura startled Zhou Zhengxi behind her.
Zhou Zhengxi swallowed.
"Master, think twice!"