Green Mountain

Reins gripped in Chen Ji’s hands, the ox cart came to a halt on the road heading south.

In the midnight calm, snow fell quietly, accumulating on the three men, nestling between their strands of hair.

Si Caogui sat at the front of the cart driving when he turned to look back at Chen Ji and asked solemnly, "Are you going back to Taiping Medical Hall? What, don’t you trust me and Wu Hongbiao, unwilling to leave with us?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I trust you. You could have escaped this evening, yet you risked your lives to save me. If not for you two, I might already be in the inner prison."

Si Caogui asked again with seriousness, "Do you realize that staying here might lead to Lu Guanwu’s people settling scores with you?"

Chen Ji slowly released the reins, "Now, those in the Military Intelligence Department who knew my identity are either dead or gone, and even when the new Division Head, Si Cao, arrives in Luocheng City, they won’t bother me anymore."

Si Caogui fell silent.

Chen Ji spoke earnestly, with righteous indignation, "I’ve finally earned a place in Prince Jing Mansion and infiltrated the Ning Dynasty Secret Spy Department. I cannot leave Luocheng City just because I am afraid."

He added another sentence, "The firearms I used tonight to blow up Jin Zhu and kill Manager Yuan were obtained from that high official in the Prince Mansion. This time I was able to get firearms; next time, I might get formulas, blueprints, troop formation maps... My staying here has a greater impact!"

Wu Hongbiao looked up to him reverently, "Your faith is far stronger than mine!"

Chen Ji pondered for a moment before looking at Gui, "Sir, after you leave, Si Caoxin has vanished as well, who will take over Luocheng City?"