Chapter 187: Danger Approaches

The monk listened, raised an eyebrow intriguingly: 'According to what this poor monk knows, there is no red land anywhere in this Black Sea; where would the blood rain come from?'

No red land?

Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin exchanged a glance, then asked the National Teacher: 'National Teacher, is there anything else that could cause blood rain?'

'There is, but Princess, you both clearly have a strong smell of earth on you.'

Qilin went over and sniffed hard, saying, 'Indeed, it's a strong earth smell, Senior Sister, you didn't even take a bath!'

He didn't know they hadn't gone to bathe, but had gone to talk privately.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't explain either; she looked at Gu Rongjin, feeling he had thought of something.

Would it be inconvenient to talk about it here in front of everyone?

'What I suspected might not be wrong; there might really be a sizable army hidden here, and they even have secret weapons!'

Gu Rongjin said while looking at Mu Yuanzhi: 'Little Mu Yuanzhi, do you still remember the few plans you gave the imperial army, one of which used Southern Border red soil to refine iron? The weapons made from it are purer and more lethal, and can also be used as thermal weapons, like cannons.'

Mu Yuanzhi nodded in sudden realization: 'Speaking of which, this smell really is that of Southern Border red soil!'

'Indeed, it's the smell of Southern Border red soil; I've used it to extract fragrance before, very pleasant and soothing.' said the National Teacher.

'This place is far from the Southern Border; transporting a large amount of Southern Border red soil here with great effort must be for military use.' said Gu Rongjin.

If they hadn't seen the Black Sea split open, he might not be so certain.

'Who exactly is secretly training soldiers here?' Mu Yuanzhi's expression turned grave; 'It feels terrifying.'

'It's not necessarily related to us,' said Qilin optimistically.

'Let's not think about that for now; quickly find the last piece of Reed Wood, then I'll go back to investigate.' said Gu Rongjin.

Everyone agreed; just guessing here is useless.

But where should we go to find the last Reed Wood?

The first two could be said to have been found luckily; the next may not be so.

They walked another day and night, still without finding any trace of Reed Wood.

All they could eat that day were wild fruits; when thirsty, they drank stream water, hardly different from living like savages.

Qilin felt sorry for his senior sister, a young lady, having to rough it like them.

He regretted countless times agreeing to come to this dangerous place to look for these three things!

Reed Wood, Reed Wood, where exactly are you?

'I can't walk anymore! Let's sit down and rest.' said Qilin deliberately.

He actually just wanted his senior sister to rest.

'Alright, we've also walked a long time; it's time to sit down and rest.' Mu Yuanzhi was the first to respond.

No one objected; everyone seemed tired from walking.

'Should we search according to the direction of the Big Dipper?' said the exhausted Qilin, who had already started to indulge in wild fantasies.

He leaned on Mu Yuanzhi's shoulder, uttering incoherent words.

Seeing this, Gu Rongjin sat casually between the two, actually forcing his way in to separate them, then naturally leaned on Mu Yuanzhi.

Qilin: ……

Childish!

'Why follow the Big Dipper?' Mu Yuanzhi asked, not understanding, 'Did the National Teacher and you say that?'

Qilin shook his head: 'I was just randomly saying it; isn't the Big Dipper impressive?'

'Nonsense also needs a basis; you'd better let the National Teacher do a divination.' said Gu Rongjin.

'He can divine this.'

'Or you could ask…' Gu Rongjin lifted his chin toward the monk, indicating Qilin could go ask him.

'No.' Qilin flatly refused, 'If he knew, he would have said it already.'

Mu Yuanzhi disagreed: 'Who knows; maybe if we don't ask, he won't speak.'

'Tch, what could he possibly do?' Qilin refused to believe.

'We just have to keep searching aimlessly.' Gu Rongjin shifted to a more comfortable posture, continuing to lean on his wife and rely on her.

Mu Yuanzhi naturally let him lean, and she also tilted her head to rest on his.

Then she saw him really go over to ask.

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't hear what they were saying; from their expressions, one was as carefree as ever, the other scowling the whole time, no different from usual.

Gu Rongjin also started to indulge in wild fantasies: 'Couldn't the Reed Wood just drop into our laps for no reason?'

'That sounds nice; I wish a thousand taels of gold would just fall into my lap for no reason.'

'Is the Princess still short of money?'

'Yes, very much so.'

The two chatted casually, and Qilin soon returned.

'I told you he knows nothing!'

'What did he say?' Mu Yuanzhi asked.

'He said something completely irrelevant: 'Having friends come from afar is a joy!''

What nonsense!

If you don't want to talk, you don't have to!

Mu Yuanzhi, lazily leaning on Gu Rongjin, puzzled: 'Could it be a riddle?'

She pushed Gu Rongjin: 'It's your turn, learned Young Master Jin.'

'I'm just a spoiled brat,' Gu Rongjin said lazily, 'Is it far away? Which direction is far away? Is it the direction we came from?'

If we look from this angle…

Mu Yuanzhi suddenly sat up straight: "Isn't there a saying that the east is music?"

"Is there?" Gu Rongjin felt he had never heard of it.

"Yes!" Mu Yuanzhi said firmly, "I don't know where I heard this saying!"

Qilin blinked and said: "So we should go east?"

"Anyway, we have no clues now; we haven't been to the east yet, so let's go there!" Mu Yuanzhi decided, and no one objected.

The monk who knew they were heading east laughed and asked: "Which patron guessed that?"

"My senior sister!" Qilin glanced at the monk: "Did I guess right?"

The monk neither confirmed nor denied.

Qilin rolled his eyes in disgust, then moved forward and squeezed in between Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin.

"Disciple, can you just get a grip?" Gu Rongjin was utterly speechless.

How does this little brat love to meddle in others' romance?

Qilin was even more speechless, so he had to walk back, walking alongside the National Teacher.

Mu Yuanzhi glanced back at the aggrieved Qilin, then helplessly told Gu Rongjin: "Don't bully my junior disciple."

"Who bullied him? I love the house and thus love the crow, I dote on him." Gu Rongjin didn't understand his own saying.

After all, I've taught him all my secret arts; how much he comprehends depends on his own fortune. For now, he's learning well and hasn't disgraced the school.

As they walked, Gu Rongjin suddenly grabbed Mu Yuanzhi's wrist.

"What's wrong? Did you find it?"

Mu Yuanzhi looked at Gu Rongjin and realized his expression had tightened; he didn't look at all like someone who had found Reed Wood with joy.

Surely nothing else is ambushing us again, right?

Gu Rongjin didn't speak, and Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but start feeling nervous.

The people behind also stopped.

It seems some danger is approaching.