Two long blades pointed at Eighteenth Jin, two spears aimed at Eighteenth Jin's horse, the orderly formations surrounding them now resembled an impenetrable wall of bronze.
Not only Eighteenth Jin, but the other four Jinyiwei were also trapped within the formation like this.
"Is this what you call camaraderie and deep brotherhood?" Eighteenth Jin said coldly.
Lei Zhonglian chuckled lightly.
"You've killed enemies and been wounded. How could we leave you behind? Of course, we're heading to the capital together to receive our rewards," he said.
Despite the conversation and their movements, their horses didn't stop. They maintained their strict posture as they traveled with the formation, showing no signs of abnormality to anyone observing from outside.
"Where did she go?" Eighteenth Jin asked persistently.
Lei Zhonglian simply shook his head at him.
"Miss Jun's actions have always been unpredictable," he said.
........................….
As the Duke of Chengguo led the general and soldiers in a grand departure, Miss Jun was already advancing swiftly on the mountain road alone with her horse.
She wasn't taking the official road, nor was she heading straight south. Her route seemed aimless, yet hinted at a search for something.
Traveling by day, camping by night, crossing mountains and ridges, exploring hills and ravines—sometimes covering a hundred li in a single day, while at other times staying put for three days.
For example, she had been camping at the base of this mountain for three days now.
The chaos of war hadn't impacted the mountainous areas as much as the towns outside, and the villages at the foot of the mountain appeared leisurely.
"Miss, heading up the mountain again?" The elderly woman sitting at the stone house entrance asked.
Miss Jun secured her bag onto her horse, patted its head, and answered affirmatively.
"The mountain is so vast, with lush grass and trees. Searching for medicinal herbs here must be really tough," the elderly woman said with concern.
"Not tough," Miss Jun replied with a smile, showing no impatience toward the lady but answering earnestly, "The herb grows in specific places—it's not a matter of searching randomly all over the mountain."
The elderly woman nodded thoughtfully, giving her a string of warnings about snakes, wild boars, and wolves, chattering on as she watched Miss Jun mount her horse and head off.
At the mountain's base, Miss Jun tethered her horse securely. Shouldering her bag, she carefully surveyed the surroundings before resolutely heading in one direction, just like her master had taught her long ago.
"Does it feel bitter? You thought learning medicine was easy? One must tread over eight thousand li and taste the myriad flavors of the world,"
He was squatting on a stone, his expression solemn, casually snapping off a vine and handing it to her. A string of pearl-like bright red fruits hung from it.
"Try it."
She took it and ate without hesitation. Then, looking up, she saw him staring at her with curiosity.
"Can you eat it? Does it taste good?" he asked.
She didn't get a chance to answer, as her tongue had gone numb. Her body weakened, and she collapsed limply to the ground.
"See? A taste is enough to know. Not everything is edible," he said solemnly, still squatting on the stone.
Thinking of this, Miss Jun stopped in her tracks and looked ahead. A cluster of vines appeared in her view, adorned with pale yellow flowers.
By autumn, they would be heavy with bright red fruit hanging in clusters.
Just like the ones she had seen in the dense forests and ravines her master had taken her to all those years ago.
Back then, she had thought her master was deliberately making things difficult or trying to frighten her into giving up by taking her deep into the woods.
Now it seemed he had been chasing something he desired as well. The constant running wasn't random but purposeful—the herbal medicine for Hanqing's ailment grew in such places.
Miss Jun broke off a vine, deftly crafted it into a flower crown, placed it on her head, and made her way higher up.
Crossing a dense forest, her vision suddenly expanded. The mountain wind swirled around the cliffs, and finally, within view, a pale yellow flower emerged.
Miss Jun could not hold back a hearty shout.
The somewhat crude cry scattered with the mountain wind.
After all, no one would hear it anyway.
Miss Jun took a deep breath and made her way toward the flower. However, after only a few steps, she stopped and gently pressed her foot on the ground.
Beneath her feet came a slight soft sensation, almost imperceptible unless she paid close attention. Most would think it was just stepping on grass, but in truth, the ground below consisted of loose mountain rocks.
This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.
Miss Jun stepped back, began untying her bag—and then heard a sound from behind.
"Well, look at that, a flower here,"
The voice, the tone...
Miss Jun turned her head to look.
A shadow appeared behind the trees. Then came the sound of footsteps, and Zhu Zan emerged.
"Scared, weren't you?" he raised a brow and remarked, "Thought someone was out to rob you again?"
Miss Jun regained her calm.
"Why are you here?" she said. "Have you been following me all along?"
Zhu Zan raised his hand toward her.
"Don't overthink it," he said. "Don't assume I care about you or worry about you wandering alone—that's not why I came."
Miss Jun looked at him, seemingly a bit helpless.
"I really wasn't overthinking it," she replied. "Rest assured."
Zhu Zan's expression obviously showed he wasn't reassured.
"You're rushing off on your own to find Immortal Ziying's Plant to cure that girl's illness, while I'm doing this to pay off my debts sooner," he said. "Don't think too much; it's just business."
Miss Jun shook the rope in her hand.
"Zhu Zan, I can't not overthink," she said.
There it was—Zhu Zan immediately wore a "just as I expected" expression.
"…So, if we find Immortal Ziying's Plant together, will it be yours or mine?" Miss Jun asked.
Zhu Zan was momentarily stunned.
"Zhu Zan, business should have its boundaries, shouldn't it?" Miss Jun continued. "You've already taken advantage of me once, and you want to do it again this time?"
"What do you mean I took advantage of you?" Zhu Zan snapped, glaring at her. "Watch what you say."
"You just mentioned—scared, weren't you? Thought someone would rob you again," Miss Jun said, blinking and spreading her hands. "Again—that means last time I was robbed, right?"
This woman, this woman—Zhu Zan pointed a finger at her.
"You're really unreasonable," he said angrily. "Ungrateful. How can you forget who saved you?"
"Didn't you say it wasn't a life-saving kindness, just business?" Miss Jun blinked and looked at him seriously. "So, it turns out you did save me?"
As she said this, her eyes lit up, and her expression grew joyful and excited. She stepped toward Zhu Zan, hands clasped.
"Lord Heir, if you truly saved me, I must…"
Before she could finish, Zhu Zan spat.
"Jun, you win," he exclaimed. "We'll search separately. No one takes advantage of anyone."
With that, he turned and left, shoulders slouched and arms waving broadly, covering the distance in just a few strides.
Looking around, as if confirming no one had been here before, Miss Jun tilted her head in thought.
"He seems quite angry?" she muttered. "This doesn't count as bullying, does it? I didn't say much, did I?"
Compared to the cold sarcasm and ridicule her master had given her in the past, she was practically oozing kindness.
She shook her head and looked toward the direction Zhu Zan had disappeared.
What a spoiled child, indeed.