People outside can know Jiang Qiao's information, but those inside cannot contact the outside world. Jiang Qiao would not risk taking out the radio to contact them at this time unless she is crazy. Bai Qingping and the others are always on guard against her.

Especially Ye Xiuhe, she really didn't understand the other party's intentions.

To say that she's one of their own is an understatement; she never noticed anything amiss, not even offering a hint about what was going on. She's not as perceptive as the patients, at least she can glean something from their words and actions.

However, Jiang Qiao didn't take any of this to heart. Whoever she was, these people didn't have much to do with her for the time being.

The only thing she can do now is to help these four people recover little by little. Then, she can use this as an excuse to make various demands, namely, to try her best to mobilize enemy agents outside so that they can provide clues for Liu Zhanyu and his group.

Although these people would call the four people over separately every day to check on Jiang Qiao's treatment, and even record the acupuncture points she used, even the traditional Chinese medicine doctor who was doing research in the room had to admire Jiang Qiao's technique. No one had ever used it before, but this young girl always surprised everyone.

However, Jiang Qiao didn't care about these things. See, she wasn't worried that the other party would learn it. Anyone can learn acupuncture and perform acupuncture, but there probably aren't many who can achieve the same effect as her.

Without the combined use of internal energy and spiritual power, even if they insert needles into the same spots every day, the effect won't be much better.

Besides, without the water in the space, even if they invented something, it would be useless; she was confident in that.

With a "what's done is done" attitude, Jiang Qiao took care of the four patients and did whatever made them happy, letting them exercise every day and messing with the fish, shrimp, and crabs in the stream. Naturally, the food supplies were depleted quickly. What was supposed to last until the end of the month was gone in less than half a month.

Not to mention Bai Qingping, even Ye Xiuhe felt sorry for them. "What can we do? At this rate, no one can afford to feed them. Why don't we just send them back? This can't go on. We're asking for an exchange, so why don't we apply for a hostage exchange?"

Bai Qingping shook her head with a grim expression. "It's not possible yet. We've only seen those four people getting stronger, but what we need is a full recovery, which is still a long way off. Also, we need to find a way to get the jade token that Jiang Qiao has."

Ye Xiuhe was puzzled: "Why do we insist on that strange jade pendant? Besides, do you think Jiang Qiao can easily produce a jade pendant?"

Once we realize that she's got what she wants, we shouldn't expect to get it so easily.

Furthermore, can Jiang Qiao alone really be exchanged for Mr. Sato? I don't think that's very reliable. What if the other party doesn't agree? Have you considered the consequences?

We might all be buried with them. Have you thought about the costs? It's simply not worth it.

Bai Qingping shook her head sadly. "It's no use. The higher-ups don't consider these things. We can only follow orders. Besides, we've been here for so many years and haven't even accomplished this small thing. Do you think we have the face to live on?"

"What will we do if Jiang Qiao really doesn't produce the jade token?"

Although this topic is somewhat heavy, it is an issue they will have to face sooner or later.

Speaking of this, Bai Qingping wanted to curse, "Those bastards, they can't even handle such a small matter. They actually traded something real for this brat. Have they lost their minds? They've been living a peaceful life for too long, and they're not even as good as ordinary people."

Ye Xiuhe snorted coldly, "Not only is she inferior, she's practically a pig brain. Who said I had ulterior motives? I think she's the one with ulterior motives. No matter what she does, she would never hand over the real thing to the other party."

Besides, in that situation, it's impossible to be completely without vigilance; it's like they were acting in a play. I just can't understand it.

Bai Qingping sighed, "If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it. We don't have many people left to begin with; we can't afford to suffer any more losses—"

Before she could say another word, the telegraph machine transmitted a message, and Bai Qingping had no choice but to receive the telegram first.

After the telegram was translated, not only she, but even Ye Xiuhe was dumbfounded.

"Mr. Sato is sick? Really? Or is this a trap?"

Bai Qingping couldn't explain this either, but she said with a suspicious look, "There are only two possibilities: Mr. Sato really can't hold on any longer. Our opponents knew that Mr. Sato's body was the same as those four people's. Or the enemy set up such a trap for us."

But regardless of whether it's a trap or not, we probably have to give it a try. I'll send a message to my superiors right now and see what they think.

Ye Xiuhe snorted coldly, "Give it to that third uncle? I'm just wondering, it's been so long and I still haven't seen this third uncle. I'm starting to doubt if she's even here. Could it be that she went back a long time ago and left us here to die like fools?"

Hearing Ye Xiuhe's words, Bai Qingping glared at her angrily. "You can question anyone, but your Third Uncle will not allow you to question him. She is the pride of our empire. She has sacrificed too much for our cause. I don't want to hear such words in the future. Watch your mouth. The morale of the army cannot be shaken now."

Also, go check with Jiang Qiao. If she doesn't hand over the jade token, we will use every available form of torture to make her decide what to do.

Give her two days to reveal where the jade tablet is kept, and then give her another ten days to make sure these people are healed.

Let me remind her, don't try to fool us. She managed to cure a dying person of poison overnight; she can't possibly be helpless with this kind of illness. Our patience has its limits.

Ye Xiuhe agreed and turned to leave, but inwardly she was cursing Bai Qingping. "This Bai Qingping, she thinks she's something special just because she's given a small order. Without so many people helping her, who does she think she is?"

They even ordered her around. Back when their family was powerful, that girl was probably begging for food somewhere.

Just as Jiang Qiao finished giving the acupuncture and was about to administer the medicine to the people, Ye Xiuhe entered, looking preoccupied.

"Oh, busy? Need my help?"

Jiang Qiao smiled and shook her head. "They'll be fine after they finish their medicine. What, not busy anymore? Let me tell you, our food supplies are running low. Hurry up and get us some more. You can't just watch everyone go hungry, can you?"

The four of them looked at Ye Xiuhe in unison. Zhang Erhu spoke first, "What do you mean? You're not going to let us eat?"

Ye Xiuhe waved her hand, "That's not what I meant. Bai Qingping is already handling this matter. She's trying to find a way. Everyone, please be patient. You all know how scarce food is outside. Getting some over here isn't an easy task."

Especially given our current situation, let's try to overcome it for the next couple of days. We've weathered many storms before, so we shouldn't be intimidated by these small difficulties.