Song Chaoyu didn't know how long they had been walking through the rugged bushes.
It wasn't until Song Chaoyu felt almost completely drained of strength, and Mu Changxi, who was pulling her along, was also struggling to walk, that a different sound of wind reached her ears.
Tan Ye's voice also rang out, "We've arrived."
Song Chaoyu looked up, surprised to find that they had indeed reached the mountaintop!
And because she had been looking down while walking, she hadn't seen the surrounding scenery at all.
This mountain was truly beautiful!
"Look!"
Tan Xing ran to the highest point and pointed downwards, "Is that Peach Blossom Territory? There are so many people inside!"
Song Chaoyu followed his gaze downwards and saw that in this mountain hollow, there was a place that looked like a village!
Moreover, the buildings in this Peach Blossom Territory were dense, with many people moving about. It actually looked more lively than the village of Anyize.
Song Chaoyu said in a deep voice, "To be able to build a village of this scale here so quietly, it seems the person who established this place is extraordinary!"
"Indeed."
Mu Changxi stared intently at the Peach Blossom Territory below, as if trying to memorize everything within. "If the court doesn't know about this place, it's likely not ordinary."
Tan Ye glanced at the sky and said, "It's still early. If we go down now, we might be discovered. Why don't we wait here for a while and go down at dusk? By then, it will be dark, and we won't be noticed."
This seemed like the best plan. However, Song Chaoyu noticed that Tan Xing's gaze seemed fixed on a figure below.
But they were too high and too far from below, so Tan Xing couldn't clearly see that person. He eventually withdrew his gaze.
Fortunately, time passed quickly as they enjoyed the scenery on the mountaintop and listened to Tan Xing and Tan Ye recount their father and son's different past experiences.
They had brought dry rations when they ascended the mountain and fetched water from a small stream. At sunset, after eating something, they began to descend the mountain—
The mountain they were on was extremely high.
The path down was exceptionally rugged. If not for Mu Changxi's strong hands constantly and vigilantly supporting Song Chaoyu, she might not have been able to reach the bottom safely.
Tan Xing had sustained some injuries, but fortunately, they were not serious.
Just as dusk settled, they finally descended from the mountaintop to the ground.
The village looked different from ground level compared to how it appeared from the mountaintop.
From the summit, all the buildings in the village were arranged harmoniously, and the movements of the "villagers" were orderly, as if they were patrolling.
But viewed from here, it seemed like an ordinary village.
"Follow me. I'll take you to see the person in charge here."
Tan Ye led them along the edge of the village, quietly making their way into the settlement.
At this time, the villagers had just finished their meals and returned to their homes to rest, which was when their guard was lowest.
After circling around the village with Tan Ye, Song Chaoyu noticed one building that was particularly conspicuous.
It was located at the eastern end of the village, near the area they usually entered and exited.
The architectural style of this building was clearly not favored by the people of Qinzhou City, but rather resembled the stilted houses favored by the people of the former small Qin Kingdom.
The interior was brightly lit, and situated at the highest point of the village, it was evidently the residence of the person in charge.
They stealthily crept to the back and hid under a tree, discovering that the windows of the house were open.
Coincidentally, the person in charge was currently sitting behind the window, reprimanding someone below: "You can't even handle such a small matter. What use are you? You even involved the Zhu family. If our master blames us, don't just talk about me, all of you will be kicked out of this village!"
The Zhu family?
So, Zhu Xuri's objective was also this place?
And could the "master" mentioned by this person be the same as the person behind Zhu Xuri?
"How... how is it him?!"
However, as Song Chaoyu was pondering, Tan Xing beside her exclaimed.
He was so surprised that he lost his composure and failed to control his voice, immediately alerting someone inside: "Who's outside?!"
At his shout, people swarmed into the courtyard from all directions.
Tan Xing immediately covered his mouth, but someone was already approaching them.
"Don't move!" Read books.
Tan Ye, seeing the situation, shook his head at them and then suddenly stood up, raising his hands, "It's me, Tan Ye."
Upon hearing Tan Ye's voice, those people suddenly stopped.
At the same time, the person in charge inside came out of the house.
He frowned as he looked at Tan Ye, appearing to have met him before. "Why are you here again? Didn't I tell you never to come back again?"
"Xiao Yue..."
Tan Ye called out the person's name, and Song Chaoyu immediately understood the person's identity: he was likely Tan Yue, Tan Xing's brother!
But shouldn't he be dead?
Despite Tan Yue's displeased expression, Tan Ye did not get angry. Instead, he smiled sheepishly, "Of course, I have something to tell you, so I came to find you. I didn't mean to disturb you."
Tan Yue waved his hand, and the people behind him retreated.
He frowned, staring at Tan Ye, showing no fatherly affection, but rather a hint of annoyance. "What is it?" wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Tan Ye rubbed his hands, appearing somewhat flustered in front of Tan Yue, "I wanted to tell you that your brother is back. Do you want to... see him?"
"Xiao Xing?"
Tan Yue's brow furrowed even deeper, as if he couldn't quite believe it. "You said Xiao Xing is back? That's impossible, right? I've sent people everywhere over the years searching for news of him, but with no success. He would suddenly return?"
Clearly, Tan Yue didn't seem to like his father either, but he still cared about Tan Xing.
Tan Ye gave an awkward smile, "He really is back. Everyone in the village knows. If you want to see him..."
"I won't."
Tan Yue lowered his head, seemingly with some reservations. "Xiao Xing has always believed that I am dead. If I appear now, he might start digging into my affairs. Knowing that he is alive and well is enough for me."
He reached out and took a silver pouch from his sleeve, handing it to Tan Ye. "Take good care of him, and don't use this money to buy wine anymore. Xiao Xing is a good child. Although he hates you, as long as you start treating him well from now on, he will take care of you in the future."
"No... I don't want this money."
Tan Ye sighed softly and refused Tan Yue.
This, however, elicited a mocking smile from Tan Yue, "Don't want it? You actually refuse my money one day? Don't forget, on the first day our father and son met, the first thing you did was ask me for money to buy wine!"