Chapter 1060: Seeking the Mingled Breath of Heaven and Earth

These words of His Highness truly gave General Xu a reassuring pill.

This is the most blatant show of goodwill, and also a binding of interests.

What His Highness said was rather reserved, and his tone betrayed a lack of steadiness.

But this is exactly what General Xu wanted.

Others fear picking sides, but he now desperately needs to pick a side.

Best to tie it up tight, leaving no loophole for anyone.

"With Your Highness's words, I feel more assured than any guarantee." General Xu laughed happily, raised his wine cup, and said, "I toast Your Highness."

The noodle skin in His Highness's hand slowly loosened, and a smile gradually spread across his lips as he said, "To the Left General, may our futures be as splendid as brocade."

"Your Highness, please!"

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without words.

His Highness downed the cup in one gulp, and out of the corner of his eye glanced at the maid attending close by.

General Xu noticed that look, smiled, and nodded.

His Highness breathed a sigh of relief, then had the maid pour another cup of wine, saying, "I suddenly feel utterly at ease with General Xu. General, have you settled any other matters? If not, I intend to move elsewhere to chat with Xiao Nu."

The maid beside him immediately broke into a bewitching smile, twisted her petite waist, and displayed her alluring assets to the fullest.

"There really is one matter." General Xu glanced at the maid called Xiao Nu, then said solemnly, "I need a person; I ask Your Highness to do your utmost to find them."

"Who?"

"The former Minister of War, Xu HuaiZhi!"

His Highness's hand holding the wine cup shook violently, "He's still alive?!"

"He is alive, but I only know that he's alive; I don't know his exact whereabouts. If this person could assist, the worries of Chen Wuji and Your Highness would cease to be a problem."

His Highness pressed his lips together firmly, "If he were here, I would believe your words."

"If you hadn't spoken up, it would have been fine, but now you've given me a monumental problem. Do you have more specific news? Our Uyghur territory is vast; if I only rely on the words 'still alive' to find someone who ought to be dead, it's as hard as finding a needle in a haystack."

General Xu turned his head to look at the bustling street outside, "Six months ago, someone saw him here, hearing his companions call him Old Wu. He likely now uses the surname Wu; I'm not sure of his given name, but he seems to be working as a doctor, wandering the Rivers and Lakes to treat people."

"Xu HuaiZhi's medical skills are excellent; he was famed as a divine doctor in his youth, though after entering officialdom he rarely practiced, but he surely hasn't lost this skill. Now he travels the lands treating patients, his reputation surely won't be small. Your Highness, following the clues, should find him without difficulty."

His Highness gave a slight nod, "Having this news is good; renowned doctors are few, finding him shouldn't be too hard—I'll take care of this."

"I never expected him to still be alive. Old Xu, this person is immensely capable, but the trouble is no small matter. If my father learns he is in our hands, just on that account I would be confined to the cold palace, and you, General Xu, would at least face dismissal."

"Your Highness, everything is for the greater plan!" General Xu said with a light smile, "We're only looking for a doctor surnamed Wu; what does Xu HuaiZhi have to do with it? This person is long dead— the Three Judicial Departments personally supervised his execution by torture; how could it be false?"

His Highness also laughed, "Yes, we're only looking for a doctor."

"But how did he manage to escape back then? That was a joint trial by the Three Judicial Departments, with dozens of eyes from the three bureaus watching his execution— he couldn't possibly have bribed everyone, could he?"

General Xu waved his hand, "Your Highness needn't dwell on this; once the person is found, you can ask later. I have nothing else to do— take your time, Your Highness."

"Today I'm indeed in high spirits—I'd say you've led me into a ditch, and the pleasure here is truly supreme." His Highness shook his head and sighed, "Thinking of having to leave tomorrow, I'm rather reluctant to part with Xiao Nu, so don't rush— take it slow."

General Xu gave His Highness a clear look, "Your Highness, take it slow."

Seeing the conversation between His Highness and General Xu pause, Xiao Nu coquettishly clung to His Highness's arm, affecting a sweet voice, and said obediently, "Your Highness, may I accompany you?"

"That's impossible—it's a military camp; bringing you would invite criticism. With my position, I can't act freely in anything; it's troublesome. Come on, today I want to eat my fill."

"Your Highness, General Xu is still here…"

"All right, let's go, let's go!" General Xu laughed heartily and immediately left the private room.

Soon, strange noises came from the private room.

General Xu wiped his face, glanced at the timid maid standing nearby, then suddenly reached out and twisted her neck. As the maid went limp and was about to collapse, two guards rushed forward, caught her like dragging a dead dog, exposed her clothing, and dragged away the half‑covered maid.

General Xu did not rush to leave; instead, he ordered another round of food and drink, sat down in the corridor opposite the private room, and ate and drank at a leisurely pace.

……

Three days later.

Xie Fengxian led his troops out of Qijiang City with light baggage, and Hu Bu Gui broke camp on the same day.

However, Xie Fengxian's force, with one man and two horses per soldier, carried only five days' rations, bringing nothing else. Meanwhile, Hu Bu Gui hauled countless wagons of luggage and supplies, with three thousand prisoners tasked with transport.

Chen Wuji did not march with them; on the second day, after waiting for Lü Ji's dispatched officer to take over Qijiang City, he then led his troops south via a detour.

He did not continue following the right‑wing army, but instead turned onto the central route.

While he correctly oversaw the overall situation, he was also a reinforcement, constantly trailing behind the right‑wing army and ignoring the other two routes, which would surely invite complaints.

Even if he had to walk a bit farther, he needed to keep that bowl of water level!

Under his command, these officers' other abilities are not yet evident, but their talent for quarreling is immense.

A single designation number would soon have them fighting until their heads were bloody.

In the few days since the Assault Battalion was established, these fellows' reports flew onto his desk like snowflakes— questioning others, tallying their own merits, describing how arduous their troops' conditions were; the tactics varied, but the goal was the same: to vie for designation numbers.

Chen Wuji initially examined them seriously, but later simply tossed them aside.

"Report!"

A sudden cry broke the marching rhythm of nothing but the scrape of hooves.

"My lord, a group of refugees has blocked the road, claiming to come in response to your decree."

Chen Wuji reined in his warhorse, "Bring them forward."

"Yes!"

Accompanied by three grand masters and several masters beside him, even if the road‑blocker were an assassin, Chen Wuji's heart would be as steady as a rock, utterly without panic.