Chapter 24: Drawing Water with a Bamboo Basket

In the central army tent, Li Bucai was discussing tomorrow's itinerary with Zou Ying. Mu Nan walked in and said, "Brother Zou, I... I want to go home."

Both were startled, Zou Ying said, "Go home? Master Haorong graciously secured for you the chance to leave Sky City, why do you want to leave right after arriving?"

Li Bucai said, "Perhaps it's too harsh here; Miss Mu Nan can't adapt right away."

Mu Nan met his gaze briefly, startled, quickly averted her eyes and hid behind Zou Ying.

Zou Ying rebuked, "This camp may be poor, but it's only temporary; haven't you seen that the barracks over there are about to be finished? Moreover, what's wrong with slightly poorer lodging? Lord Li is generous, Sky City has long been renowned far and wide; such a fine lord you refuse to serve, and if you switch to someone else you'll be a beast of burden. What could you do if you return to Sky City?"

"In short... I want to go home..."

Mu Nan has been pampered since childhood; no one can persuade her, and Zou Ying is helpless, saying with regret, "It's all because the master spoiled her. I heard she was sent to Lord Li's Territory, and they even spent a fortune to outfit her in this Heavy Armor, sigh!"

Wu Zhuoyue, a picky person, has come here, and yesterday obtained 1,000 units of Lulu Meat from here. According to a wandering merchant, although his Territory is more rudimentary than others, it was one of the few territories that managed to emerge unscathed from this Goblin Raid Event. From the servants' relaxed expressions, one can tell they are quite happy living here. Therefore, Li Bucai is also a popular candidate among the nobles.

Li Bucai observed her expression and, noting it wasn't simply dissatisfaction with the environment, asked, "Is it that you can't get along with them?"

Mu Nan only shook her head, not daring to answer him.

Li Bucai added, "It can't be that you were frightened by something."

Mu Nan nodded.

Li Bucai hurriedly asked, "Oh? What happened?" Apart from many beautiful women like blossoms, there's nothing frightening in the camp; could something have broken in?

Li Bucai suddenly stood up; Mu Nan's anxious expression grew more evident as she clutched Zou Ying's hand and pleaded, "Senior brother, take me home quickly, I want to go home."

Li Bucai also felt that something of his might have scared her; he looked down, saw nothing unusual, still hoping she would stay to assist Zhuoyue in protecting the camp.

Zou Ying said, "Alas, my efforts were in vain, and I've even erased other friends' favors. Lord Li, since Mu Nan refuses to stay, let me take her back."

If someone doesn't want to stay, you can't force them; it'd be better if we could replace them. Li Bucai said, "Fine, tomorrow Lord Zou won't come again, when will others be brought over?"

Zou Ying shook his head and said, "This time the Emperor allocated manpower according to the daytime roster; after that transfer, the summons ended, so I have no one left to assign. Mu Nan's unwillingness to stay is also destiny."

"If there are no generals, soldiers will do; those ten soldiers should be given to me."

Zou Ying still shook his head and said, "The Emperor has reclaimed the Military Token; even a single plant or tree is beyond my power. However, you need not worry about this. Since Mu Nan refuses to stay, after I return and report to my benefactor, I believe the benefactor will remember this favor and, after a month, will repay you. It's getting late; I've already lingered long enough, so I take my leave."

Fearing he would ask for more people, Zou Ying immediately led Mu Nan back toward the residence...

Li Bucai saw the two off and went to the quarters where Wu Zhuoyue and others were staying. The two crouched at the doorway, secretly watching the lord send that person away, feeling smug. When the lord approached, they hurried back to their beds, covering their faces with blankets and pretended to be asleep.

"Zhuoran hasn't returned yet?"

The two continued to emit rhythmic breathing sounds.

Li Bucai said, "I know you haven't fallen asleep, yet you won't get up."

Unable to keep up the act, the two obediently got up, lined up before him, heads bowed low, daring not to look at him.

"What's going on? Why did Mu Nan suddenly want to leave? It's your joint handiwork."

The two exchanged glances; Wu Zhuoyue stepped forward and said, "Without Yan Qiu, it's just me alone."

"I knew it was you. Everything was fine, why did you drive her away?"

"No, she just didn't get used to this place, so she left."

Li Bucai turned to Yan Qiu and asked, "Is that really the case?"

Yan Qiu, who has never lied and wouldn't dare conceal anything from the lord, said meekly, "It's all my fault. We couldn't rest here, so I told her that the lord would eat people, and she actually believed it. So... if punishment is needed, please punish me; this matter has nothing to do with Zhuoyue."

"Eat people?" Li Bucai forced a bitter smile, "She is at least a talented general; on what grounds do you dislike her."

"There's no reason not to like her; how can a grown man rest here."

"Man? Didn't Xianghong tell you she was female?"

Both simultaneously exclaimed, "Huh? She's a woman? No, Xianghong never told us."

Damn, even a girl can be mistaken for a man, that's not an ordinary MAN. Li Bucai said, "By the way, at that time I was in front of everyone and didn't have the courage to specifically tell Xianghong that she was a woman." Li Bucai continued seriously, "Even if she were a man, what does it matter? In the future our Territory will become a kingdom; we can't only recruit women. As for you, you'll stay by my side for a long time; even if not for you, there are others, we can't ignore everyone's lifelong happiness, so sooner or later we must recruit some men."

Zhuoyue said, "Happiness? Serving the lord already makes us very happy; what could be happier than that?"

"So you don't intend to marry and have children?"

Zhuoyue, puzzled, said, "Does marriage and children guarantee happiness? Then why are there many people who are born not knowing who their parents are, and many who reach death without ever having married?"

"Many people are like that, but it doesn't mean everyone is. With so many people, there will always be hope for marriage and children."

"Marriage is a ritual reserved for the Emperor. My mother, by my father's side, doesn't speak a word in a year, yet she feels very happy."

Damn, not even a single sentence in a year; a year here has 48 months, aliens are just aliens, it's a pain. Since the person has already left, sigh, we'll deal with the future later.

Li Bucai, not lingering further, said, "Alright, let's drop it this time; it won't happen again."

The two happily said, "Lord doesn't blame us?"

I originally wanted to find you a capable assistant, but you sent them away. The Emperor won't send anyone else. This time, I'm absent, so the camp relies on you. It's so late; why haven't Zhuoran and the others returned yet?

"Lord, please stay calm; Zhuoyue will go find them now."

Zhuoyue was just about to leave when Wu Zhuoran and the others had already returned.

"Lord, we have searched within a three-mile radius but still cannot locate any trace of the three; could it be..." Wu Zhuoran began, then stopped.

Li Bucai guessed the words she was about to say and asked, "You mean Qing'er took Rushi and Xiaoxiao to the South Bank?"

"I am merely speculating; I dare not draw a hasty conclusion."

"We were still lingering together at noon, returning to the South Bank? No way! Yet, at this hour we see no sign of them; if not the South Bank, where could they have gone?"

"Fine, we set off early tomorrow; we've been exhausted all day, so let's rest a bit earlier."

"A respectful send‑off, Lord."

Li Bucai gloomily returned to the central army tent, collapsed onto the bed, and suddenly felt a slight discomfort in his back. He lifted the sheet and found a neatly placed Blue Dress underneath, along with a letter written with leaves that read: "Qing'er, respecting the lord's command, will diligently manage Yan Qiu's camp affairs. For this, borrowing Rushi and Xiaoxiao, she may not return tonight. We are safe; please, lord, do not worry..."

"Safe? They should have gone to the South Bank. Weren't they expelled? Why go to the South Bank again?"