Chapter 44

By the time the horses' hooves thundered past the camp gate, the sun was already high in the sky, scorching the sandy ground.

The air was filled with the smells of sweat, dust, and the bitter aroma of herbs wafting from afar.

General Sheng Chi had already been informed. Clad in heavy black iron armor, he stood solemnly in the open space in front of the main tent, accompanied by several personal guards. He was tall and imposing, with a resolute face and sharp eyes like an eagle, exuding a chilling aura of someone who had been through many battles.

Upon seeing the carriage and the people arriving on horseback, he strode forward to greet them.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, the curtain was lifted. Xiao Qiyun stepped out first, his long robe standing out starkly against the dusty, windswept military camp, yet spotless. His expression was calm, carrying his usual gentle and reserved demeanor.

Sheng Chi immediately clasped his hands and bowed, the clanging of his armor making a resounding sound: "This humble general, Sheng Chi, greets Your Highness! Your Highness has personally come to the military camp to inspect military affairs, and this humble general has failed to greet you from afar. Please forgive me!" His voice was loud and clear.

"General, no need for formalities." Xiao Qiyun raised his hand slightly, his voice clear and gentle. "General, you have made great contributions in guarding the border. I am here only to put my words into practice and understand the situation below. General, there is no need for formalities."

At this moment, Su Yan also stepped down from the carriage with the help of the coachman. He was still carrying the heavy medicine box in his hand, and his gray cloth robe billowed slightly in the wind and sand.

He didn't even glance at Xiao Qiyun and Sheng Chi, who were exchanging pleasantries. His gaze swept sharply towards the direction of the military medical tent not far away, his brows furrowing as usual, as if he had caught a bad smell in the air.

When Sheng Chi saw Su Yan get out of the car, he immediately turned to him. His fist-and-palm gesture was still respectful, but his tone was much more familiar and relaxed, even with a hint of respect: "Mr. Su Yan! You've come too! This humble general has been worried about the few soldiers with Gu poison who were sent over a few days ago. Their wounds keep festering, and the military doctors are at a loss!"

Su Yan hummed in response, picked up his medicine box, and walked forward without stopping, his goal clear: "Where is he? Take me to the military medical tent." He clearly had no interest in engaging in any empty formalities.

Sheng Chi was clearly used to Su Yan's temper and didn't take it to heart. He immediately signaled to one of his guards, "Quick! Take Mr. Su Yan to the medical tent! Explain the condition of the most troublesome wounded soldiers to him in detail!"

The guards obeyed and quickly stepped forward to lead the way for Su Yan. Su Yan, carrying his medicine chest, followed with brisk steps.

Just as Su Yan turned to walk towards the military doctor's tent, Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun, who were standing to the side, made their movements almost simultaneously.

Sheng Xuan suddenly stepped forward, looked at Sheng Chi, and said in a somewhat impulsive and eager voice, "Brother! I want to go to the vanguard camp!"

Sheng Chi was taken aback by this sudden request, then his brows furrowed and his voice suddenly became stern: "Nonsense! Do you think this is your home training ground? You're used to being wild, and you still dare to be so insolent in the military camp!"

He grabbed Sheng Xuan's shoulder with such force that his armor groaned. "A country has its laws, and an army has its regulations. Now that you're here, you must obey orders!"

Sheng Xuan's shoulders slumped as he was pressed down, but he stubbornly refused to back down, his eyes burning with an indomitable spirit.

Xiao Qiyun, on the other hand, was much more reserved. He did not move, but spoke to Sheng Chi in a gentle yet weighty tone: "General, the purpose of my trip is to understand the practicalities of border defense and to sympathize with the hardships of the soldiers. I should also personally offer my condolences to show my appreciation for the court's benevolence."

His words were grand and dignified, but his gentle eyes followed Su Yan's retreating figure as he disappeared into the direction of the medical tent without leaving a trace.

Sheng Chi was a little confused by this sudden "enthusiasm".

He glanced at his younger brother Sheng Xuan, who looked anxious and gave a weak reason, and then at Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun, who looked calm and gave a perfectly legitimate reason. His thick eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Just then, Gu Linzhao, who had been standing to the side with a smile, spoke up.

He seemed to sense Sheng Chi's predicament, and said in a relaxed and natural tone, "General, there's no need for you to go through the trouble of making arrangements. I just happened to be going to the military doctor's tent to deliver some medicine that Su Yan forgot to bring."

He shook a small cloth bag that had appeared in his hand without him noticing. "Why don't I accompany His Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Young Master to familiarize themselves with the main camp? His Highness is considerate of the soldiers, and the Second Young Master is eager to help. It's a good thing. I'm going the same way anyway, which will save the General the trouble of assigning more people."

Gu Linzhao's words were perfectly watertight. They satisfied Xiao Qiyun's reputation for "consideration," fulfilled Sheng Xuan's excuse for "helping," gave himself a pretext for "delivering medicine," and, most importantly, extricated Sheng Chi from this awkward situation.

Sheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief and immediately nodded: "That's great! Thank you for your trouble, Brother Gu!" He couldn't wait to send these distinguished guests with "different intentions" away so that he could go and deal with real military affairs.

So, under Gu Linzhao's smiling "leadership", Xiao Qiyun nodded calmly, while Sheng Xuan couldn't wait. The three of them walked together toward the military doctor's tent, which was filled with a strong smell of herbs and a faint smell of blood.

Sheng Xuan's steps were somewhat hurried, her black cloak billowing in the wind. Xiao Qiyun's pace remained composed.

Gu Linzhao followed leisurely beside him, his eyes filled with a mischievous look that seemed to see through everything.

The sand and gravel in the military camp made a "rustling" sound under their feet, as if to usher in a new "battlefield" that was about to unfold in the military medical tent.

In front of the main tent, Sheng Chi watched their departing figures, scratched his head, and still couldn't quite figure it out: why did this military doctor's tent suddenly become so popular today?

Inside the medical tent, a heavy stench of blood mixed with the bitterness of herbs filled the air, ten times more pungent than the smell outside. The canvas tent was dimly lit, and several wounded soldiers wrapped in bandages lay on a pile of straw against the wall. In the corner lay blood-stained strips of cloth and used medicine bowls.

Su Yan was standing in the center of the tent, talking in hushed tones with the military doctor, who was wearing a gray medical robe.

The chief medic pointed to a wounded soldier on a wooden board whose abdomen was wrapped in thick bandages, his brows furrowed: "...This poison is too wicked. The edges of the wound have turned black. Even after using the 'anti-corrosion ointment' you gave me, it hasn't improved much. This morning, black fluid started oozing out again."

Su Yan bent down to examine it, carefully peeling back a corner of the bandage with his fingertips to reveal the eerie bluish-black flesh underneath. His brows furrowed even more: "The rotten flesh hasn't been cleaned off completely. Get me some silver needles, let me see how deep the Gu worms have burrowed."

As soon as Gu Linzhao entered the tent, he walked toward Su Yan with his usual smile, as if he hadn't smelled the nauseating odor.

He shook the small cloth bag in his hand: "Here, the 'blood powder' you forgot to bring." As he spoke, he stuffed the cloth bag into the side pocket of Su Yan's medicine box, his movements as natural as if he were putting something away at home.

Su Yan didn't even look up, just grunted an "Mm," his attention entirely on the wounded soldier. He simply pointed to a row of medicine bottles on the table next to him: "Put them there. And get me that bottle of 'Gu-attracting Incense' too."

Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun stood at the entrance of the tent, their steps faltering slightly at the smell and sight inside.

Sheng Xuan wrinkled his nose subconsciously, his figure in black tight-fitting clothes appearing particularly tense in the dim light.

Although Xiao Qiyun's expression remained calm, his moon-white robe seemed out of place in this devastated environment, and his fingers tightened slightly.

Their eyes, like searchlights, quickly scanned the not-so-large medical tent—

On the haystack against the wall were several groaning wounded soldiers, but Su Zelan was not among them.

The doctor changing the dressing on a soldier with a broken leg was an old, unshaven medic, not Su Zelan.

The person squatting in the corner grinding medicine was a young auxiliary soldier, not Su Zhelan.

Even the military doctor who was talking to Su Yan didn't see that familiar, slender figure.

Sheng Xuan's brows furrowed, and the feigned enthusiasm for "helping" on his face vanished instantly, leaving only astonishment and barely concealed anxiety.

He couldn't help but take two more steps inside, tiptoeing to look into the innermost cubicle, but the curtain was hanging down and there seemed to be no movement inside.

Although Xiao Qiyun didn't move, his gaze swept across the tent several times, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment and confusion flashing in his gentle eyes. Zhelan wasn't here? Where did he go? Was he treating the seriously wounded in the back room?

Just then, Gu Linzhao finished putting down the medicine and turned around. He saw Sheng Xuan wandering around the tent entrance like a headless fly, peeking out; Xiao Qiyun stood quietly in place, but his eyes were clearly searching for something.

A knowing smile played on his lips as he slowly strolled over to the two of them.

"Oh," Gu Linzhao's voice carried a perfectly timed hint of surprise and mischief, his gaze sweeping over Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun's faces, "What are you two looking for...?"

Sheng Xuan was taken aback by his question, his face instantly turning red. He opened his mouth to retort, but didn't know what to say. He couldn't very well say, "I'm looking for Zhe Lan," could he? He turned his face away in frustration, looking elsewhere, his ears burning red.

Xiao Qiyun also frowned slightly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the spine of the book, clearly not knowing how to answer Gu Linzhao's teasing question that he already knew the answer to.

Gu Linzhao's smile deepened as he looked at the two of them, who seemed hesitant to speak, embarrassed yet trying to appear calm.

He stopped teasing them and lowered his voice, speaking in a tone of "kind advice": "Don't bother looking, Zelan isn't here."

These words were like a pebble, instantly shattering the feigned calm between the two.

Sheng Xuan turned her head abruptly and blurted out, "Not here? Where did he go?" The urgency in her voice was impossible to hide.

Xiao Qiyun immediately looked at Gu Linzhao. Although he didn't speak, his gentle eyes clearly conveyed a question.

Gu Linzhao pointed to the west side of the military medical tent, where the sounds of drills and the clanging of metal could be faintly heard from afar: "The right flank has too many arrow wounds, and they're always mixed with Gu poison. Old Li and the others can't handle it, so Zhelan took the medicine over there. I reckon they're busy right now..." He paused, looking at the instant change in the expressions of the two men, and slowly added, "...they're busy right now."

Right flank position!

Sheng Xuan's pupils constricted sharply. That was the area of ​​the entire military camp closest to the front lines, and also the area where cult activities were most frequent! A small-scale skirmish had just occurred there a couple of days ago! Zhe Lan had gone there alone?!

Xiao Qiyun's breath hitched almost imperceptibly, and the calm in his eyes was finally shattered by a trace of genuine worry. The Gu... when that thing takes effect, the wounded soldiers become extremely agitated. Can Zhelan handle it alone?

Gu Linzhao took in their reactions, his smile unchanged, but he said nothing more. He simply patted Sheng Xuan on the shoulder and nodded to Xiao Qiyun: "If you two want to 'observe military affairs' or 'help out,' the right flank position... also needs manpower."

After he finished speaking meaningfully, he turned and strolled back to Su Yan's side to help hand over the medicine, leaving Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun standing at the entrance of the tent, which was filled with the smell of blood and medicine, looking at each other in bewilderment.

The wind outside the tent whipped up sand and gravel that lashed against the canvas, making a rustling sound.

Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun's eyes met briefly in the air before quickly separating. Sheng Xuan's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his face clearly saying, "What are you waiting for?"

Xiao Qiyun took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, turned around first, and walked steadily but noticeably faster toward the main tent.

Sheng Xuan paused for a moment, then realized what was happening and immediately followed, muttering under his breath, "Right! I have to tell my brother!" His steps were hurried, and his black cloak stirred up a gust of wind, almost bumping into Xiao Qiyun's back.

The two of them, one in front and one behind, quickly returned to the main tent.

Sheng Chi had just finished processing a stack of military reports and was frowning at the sand table when he saw them return, each with an increasingly grave expression. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Your Highness?...Something happened?"

Sheng Xuan spoke first, her voice fast and urgent, tinged with a deliberately exaggerated "righteous indignation": "Brother! Gu Linzhao said that a batch of seriously wounded soldiers were just sent over to the right flank! Several of them have been poisoned by 'Gu,' they're rolling on the ground, screaming in pain! The medical staff are all there! His Highness and I..."

He paused, then glanced quickly at Xiao Qiyun, "...We figured it must be complete chaos over there! The wounded need to be comforted, and someone needs to maintain order! We'll go lend a hand! Help carry the stretchers, keep things in order, and stuff like that!"

He spoke quickly and urgently, and his reasons sounded high-sounding, but the urgency in his eyes was unmistakable, especially when he mentioned "Gu worms," ​​his voice became tense.

Sheng Chi's brows furrowed even more, his sharp gaze sweeping over Sheng Xuan before turning to Xiao Qiyun: "Gu poison? Right flank position?"

He remembered that the military report this morning mentioned several wounded soldiers from the right-wing outpost, but it didn't mention the severity of the Gu poison. And… to send His Highness the Crown Prince to carry stretchers? This…

Before Sheng Chi could question him, Xiao Qiyun spoke, his voice still clear and calm, yet carrying an undeniable weight: "General, since I have come to inspect military affairs, I should personally go to the front line. The right flank is a crucial point in the border defense, and the treatment of the wounded is related to the morale of the troops. Although I am not skilled in medicine, I can personally go to comfort the soldiers and boost their morale. It is also a good thing that Young Master Sheng Xuan is so helpful and willing to go along to assist."

He gave a plausible reason and acted with composure, as if he were truly only going to the front lines to comfort the soldiers.

Sheng Chi looked at the two people in front of him—one was rushing to put out a fire, while the other was dignified and composed, yet exuded an air of authority that brooked no refusal.

His doubts deepened: How did the coveted spot become the right flank? Even His Highness the Crown Prince had to personally go and "comfort the soldiers"? And what about Sheng Xuan? He usually complains about being tired even when he goes to the training ground, so why is he so eager today?

But Xiao Qiyun's reasons were impeccable, and his status was undeniable.

Although Sheng Chi found it strange, he couldn't very well stop them. After a moment's hesitation, he could only nod: "Your Highness's concern for the soldiers is truly admirable. The right flank does indeed need manpower, but..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two men. "That area is close to the battlefield, and remnants of cults often roam there, so it's not very peaceful. Your Highness must be careful and bring more personal guards with you."

"Don't worry, General." Xiao Qiyun nodded slightly.

"I understand, brother!" Sheng Xuan replied impatiently, turning to leave. He then strode off westward without looking back, as if afraid Sheng Chi would ask again.

Xiao Qiyun nodded to Sheng Chi again, then turned and followed, his pace noticeably faster than when he arrived.

Sheng Chi watched the two figures disappear hastily one after the other in the direction leading to the right flank position. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and he couldn't help but scratch his short hair under his helmet: "Something's weird... What kind of treasure is on this right flank position today?"

He shook his head, suppressing his doubts, and turned back to the military affairs on the sand table.

At this moment, Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun were walking briskly on the dirt road leading to the right flank position.

The sandstorm intensified, making it impossible for people to open their eyes.

Sheng Xuan practically ran, his dark cloak billowing in the wind, muttering under his breath, "What are you dawdling for! Hurry up!"

Xiao Qiyun ignored his urging, quickened his pace, and stared intently at the faint outline of the camp in the distance and the faint smoke rising from it.

That was the front line of the military camp, and also the most dangerous place. Unknown dangers and that unsettling figure seemed to await them at the end of the sandstorm.