After asking about Hu Fuyou's affairs, An Moxue learned that there were indeed suspicious points about him and that someone was investigating him. So she put the matter aside and spent her days tidying up the house, buying things, and preparing for the New Year. Sometimes she would go to chat with Aunt Guo, Aunt Meihua, and other people she got along with, and talk about gossip in and around the village.

That morning, just as dawn broke, An Mo had finished his boxing practice and was taking a shower in his spatial dimension when he heard a series of knocks on the door.

An Moxue could tell from the urgent sound that it must be something urgent, so she quickly dressed and left the space to open the door.

An Moxue opened the door and saw Village Chief Guo and Old Ma leading a soldier standing outside. The door was opened by Village Chief Guo.

An Moxue looked at Village Chief Guo and asked, "Uncle Guo, why are you in such a hurry? Is there something wrong?"

Village Chief Guo said, "Mo Xue, this soldier has something urgent to discuss with you."

"Comrade An Moxue, hello. We have encountered some difficulties while carrying out our mission and would like to request your assistance. Comrade Ma Guoqiang can verify my identity." The soldier then took out his identification and handed it to An Moxue.

An Moxue looked at the document and returned it to her. She looked at Old Ma, who nodded, confirming his identity.

"Comrade An Moxue, may we go inside and talk?" the soldier said to An Moxue.

Upon hearing this, An Moxue knew that the matter needed to be kept secret, so she said to Old Ma and Village Chief Guo, "Uncle Ma, Uncle Guo, please wait at the door for a moment."

Then he saw a soldier and said to him, "Please come with me."

Upon entering the room, the soldier immediately spoke, saying, "Comrade An Moxue, we were tracking a man currently using the alias Hu Fuyou, but this morning he suddenly escaped into the mountains. Originally, two other comrades and I took turns monitoring him, but when we sensed something was wrong and tried to intercept him, we found he was exceptionally skilled in martial arts; none of the three of us were a match for him. Later, the other two comrades went after him, and I called my superiors to request backup. They told me to come and find you to provide support first. My superior's surname is Liu, and he said he had previously worked with Political Commissar Zhang from Beijing and Director Li of the Anping County Public Security Bureau to investigate your case. Don't worry, the military will also send reinforcements. The only concern is that he might escape again. Commander Liu said you are familiar with the mountains here and are skilled in martial arts, so he wants to ask for your help."

"Okay, wait for me a moment, I'll pack up and we'll leave right away. Are any of your comrades injured?"

"He suffered internal injuries. I don't know how serious they are."

"No external injuries?"

"No."

"Then please go and tell the two people outside that I'm ready and we'll set off."

"Okay." The soldier said, then turned and left the house.

This time, An Moxue wore deerskin boots and trousers, and had removed the sandbags from her legs. She wore a mink coat, making her outfit both light and warm. An Moxue then took out her backpack, filled it with some pastries, external and internal wound medicine, fever reducers, salt and barbecue seasoning, a dagger, crossbow bolts, a few steamed buns, matches, and a water jug. She put on a hat and gloves, took out her longsword, and jogged out of the room.

When An Moxue arrived at the door, she said to Village Chief Guo, "Uncle Guo, please take a few days off. The time is uncertain. I'll be back as soon as I finish my mission."

Village Chief Guo said, "Yes, be careful."

"Uncle Ma, don't forget to lock the door for me and put out the fire under the stove. I'm leaving now."

"Okay, go ahead! Come back safely." Old Ma suppressed his worries and gave him these instructions.

Village Chief Guo and Old Ma watched as An Moxue and the soldier jogged and disappeared around the corner. Old Ma said to Village Chief Guo, "I'm going inside to check the fire. Shall we stay here for a while?"

"Sure!"

Old Ma sighed, "Just a couple of days ago, this kid was asking me about something, and I told her to behave herself and try to have a peaceful New Year at home. But look what happened, trouble is coming after her, and I don't even know if she'll be able to make it back for the New Year."

"The greater a person's ability, the heavier their responsibilities become. It's hard for a child to have an easy life."

"That's right."

The two entered the house while they were talking.

Village Chief Guo hadn't been here for a long time. As soon as he entered the house, he was greeted by a wave of heat. He said, "This house is really warm."

Old Ma said, "You go inside first. There should be hot water in the thermos. Make yourself some tea and pour it for yourself. There are also tea leaves nearby. I'll check the fire and see if there's anything else I need to put away."

Old Ma was busy in the kitchen when he came in; Village Chief Guo had already brewed two cups of tea.

Village Chief Guo said with a touch of emotion, "Mo Xue, this house is so neat and tidy, it's so comfortable to look at. It reminds me of the Second Madam of the Nalan family, who was also a very clean person. Mo Xue is just like the Second Madam. These are the two cleanest people I've ever met in my life. It's a pity that such a good person as the Second Madam died young."

Old Ma couldn't help but retort, saying, "How old were you back then? Still reminiscing like this? Alright! Let's talk about something good. Mo Xue is destined to live a long and healthy life."

"I was young, so I remember it very clearly! I still remember what the Second Madam looked like, especially her eyes." Village Chief Guo held a teacup in his hand and looked at Old Ma.

"You have a good memory, alright! You've been gone for so many years, why bring it up again? Next time, remember that you can't just talk about anyone. Aren't you afraid of getting into trouble? At your age, how can you be so clueless?" Old Ma said, picking up his teacup and taking a sip of tea.

“Brother Ma, the old folks in our village still remember the kindness of the Nalan family! They haven’t forgotten it,” said Village Chief Guo.

"Whether you remember or not isn't really that important. People should just have a conscience and not do anything dishonest. Back when the Nalan family did those things, they didn't expect anyone to remember, did they?" Old Ma said, seemingly speaking from experience, yet also offering a word of advice.

“I know, I’m just telling you! I haven’t told anyone else, not even my wife. People are strange, I still remember the first time I met her, she stuffed a handful of candy into my hand, so polite and thoughtful, I liked her instantly.”

"Yes, relationships between people depend on fate."

"That's right. My wife can get angry with me for Mo Xue's sake, and she even tries to outsmart me. You can't say a bad word about Mo Xue in front of her, or she'll definitely get mad at me." Village Chief Guo was well aware of his position in the family.

He took a sip of tea and said, "The way you enjoy yourself is just like the Second Master. I really miss it!"

"Are you still not done yet? You want a beating? Don't think that just because you're the village chief you'll be afraid of me beating you up! Why are you being so outspoken today!"

"How could that be! Brother Ma, I've gotten my fair share of beatings from you since I was a kid! I just had to say something today."

"I think you're just asking for a beating! It's so early in the morning, and you haven't even had a drink, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Old Ma seemed genuinely angry. He stood up and reached out to hit Village Chief Guo, but Guo dodged and ran out of the house, saying to Old Ma, "Brother Ma, I'm leaving now. Don't forget to lock the door!"

Old Ma was so angry he gritted his teeth; that old bastard was definitely doing it on purpose.