Ji SongLi leaned against the outer wall of Li YangHuan's residence, still trying to shake off the turmoil that was in his mind and heart. Then a low voice abruptly woke him up from his stupor,

"Young Master Ji!"

He looked up to see a familiar young man with wheat colored skin. Judging from the man's slightly short breath and hoarse dry voice, he had clearly been exerting himself. Fatigue was clear from his slightly slumped shoulders. Ji SongLi remembered that this man's name was Jing Mo. 

After Ji SongLi arrived at Ming Town from the Eastern Desert and when he heard about the pond incident at Lian house, he had been introduced to Jing Mo back then. Previously, Ji SongLi thought that Jing Mo looked way too sturdy to be a mere servant, the latter's persona exuding similar aura to martial arts practitioners of Zhang Empire. But his facial profile and skin color were some traits more commonly belonging to the Northern Plains people. Because Da Lang and the Northern Plains had been in harmonious relationship for some time, he did not think Jing Mo would have any malicious intention. His impression was that this man did not seem to be just a normal servant, let alone just a common servant serving at a tea house.

Observing the well-defined body wrapped under a black-colored body fitting robe, and his rapid but controlled breath, this JingMo was definitely not a commoner. But Ji SongLi did not have a chance to question the man further as Jing Mo further said,

"Your father is in trouble."

Ji SongLi's heart sank, "Please explain!"

*** *** ***

"Li-er?" Hai FenChu noticed her son running towards his room, but she swallowed her words as his figure quickly disappeared out of sight. His face was still pale, but there was an urgency on his grim expression. There must be something more important suddenly happened.

She initially wanted to ask him about the earlier song. As a mother, how could she not notice the sadness behind his voice when he sang.

Well, to start with, Hai FenChu did not even know his son could sing. Thank the gods that he did not inherit Ji ChanFang's vocal chords.

Because Ji SongLi had to pass the central courtyard to get to his room, his fleeting figure was noticed by the still congregating audience. Everyone murmured amongst each other in confusion at his sudden arrival, then disappearance towards the other end of the courtyard. 

Not long after, Ji SongLi went out of his room. He had changed into a a simpler robe, more fitting for ease of movement than his previous garb.  His whole persona was currently mirthless, his aura sharp like the sword he currently gripping in his right palm. 

Princess Zhang XiuYa and Chao MeiHua were inwardly both frightened and fascinated of his seemingly sudden change of personality. The gentle soft spoken young man was now exuding the might of a ferocious beast. The tiger jade insignia hung on his belt was fitting to his image.

Wu JianRui, Hai FenChu, Ji LanBai, and Bai YuLan were now approaching him, clearly concerned. Sun Chen and He Shan trailed behind them. Understandably, the continuation of their performance was no longer possible.

Gripping his sword, Ji SongLi kept walking. It would be better for himself to make haste for now so he could act accordingly when he reached his father.  

"Mothers, Bai-mei, YuLan, teachers," he uttered, "The Dong tribe has been on the move. I will offer assistance to Father." 

That was all he said, not wishing to disclose what he had heard earlier from JingMo:

*** *** ***

En-route from Ming Town to Da Lang, Jing Mo had to pass the outer area of the infamous barren land. True to his initial concern, the place was precisely where the black clad group of suspicious people, that had broken to the Ji estate, had seemingly lured General Ji and his people into. True to his deduction, he encountered several lifeless bodies with external wounds, clearly having engaged earlier in a fight.  A few swords with tiger engraving were strewn on the ground, blades still moist with blood. From the looks of it, the deadly fight had not even finished that long ago before Jing Mo's arrival. 

Jing Mo initially wanted to offer assistance directly, but judging from the number of people involved, that would most possibly only result in his own demise. So he could only hasten his steps further to Da Lang, not bothering to stop or rest. The normally three days leisurely journey by horse carriage was fully traveled in merely slightly more than a full day. On foot.

Initially he wanted to ride a horse, but when he left Ming Town, none of the rental stables were opened yet, and it was beneath his dignity to steal for any. For people of the Northern Plains, honesty was always the most commendable trait among the warriors; which ironically brought the demise to the late old Jing leader. The old leader probably could not have imagined that some of his trusted subordinates would be conspiring with several other tribes to bring him down.

Of course, as soon as he saw the Young Master of the Ji clan, Jing Mo's whole bone and muscles were already aching, he could barely keep himself straight.

*** *** ***

Xiao Hui at this point had worriedly followed JingMo inside with the help of the two Ji guards supporting his fatigued body.

"JingMo." Ji SongLi bowed deeply towards him, "On behalf of the Ji clan, I thank you for your haste to deliver the news."

Jing Mo was startled. He merely thought of himself as just another Jing tribe member and had never received such humbling expression of gratitude. His throat was very parched though, so he could only slump himself in a provided seat, shaking his head in meek refusal for receiving the Young Master's respect. Xiao Hui had tactfully provided damp wiping clothes to refresh himself with, as well as some cooling tea. The girl was clearly worried about him, bringing a trace of warmth to his tired self.

"Vice-commander Zhen should be here later. But I cannot wait for him." Ji SongLi's lips were drawn into a tight line, "Ask Zhen BuFeng to give help as soon as he comes. Jing Mo, please tell him where to go."

If there was anyone he trusted, it would be Zhen BuFeng. The vice-commander of the Wolf army was almost akin to his own blood brother. Most importantly, his skill was second to none.

"Young Master," the two Ji clan guards saluted, "We will go with you."

Ji SongLi shook his head. Currently the Royal Princes and Zhen BuFeng had not come yet, so there was minimal security to Liu YangHuan estate. And in term of agility, Ji SongLi had complete confidence in himself, even above Zhen BuFeng's. Alone, he would be able to concentrate just to reach the place faster. His father most probably could not wait any longer.

"Vice-commander Zhen will come with the Royal Princes and they should bring some Imperial Guards with them to assist guarding this estate. You can follow vice-commander Zhen to aid me then. Keep my family safe until that time."

Throwing one last look at his family and YuLan, he gripped his sword tighter and left. He would use a horse to reach the barren land, but from a certain perimeter around that area, he had to traverse by foot. The vicinity is not small either, and there was a lot of hiding spaces. He could easily get trapped if he did not tread carefully.

But all he was concerned about at the moment was his father.

*** *** ***

He Shan and Sun Chen began to disperse the guests to send them home, citing emergency matters on behalf of the Ji clan. Their two teachers, Liu YangHuan and Wu DanShao, as well as Princess Zhang XiuYa, Chao HuiBo, and Chao MeiHua were adamant to stay longer. The Princess would be waiting for her older Royal Cousins to come. Chao MeiHua just followed whatever her brother decided to do, which was to remain in the estate.   

The long day and fatigue contributed to the worry Wu JianRui suddenly had after the brief ambiguous news by Jing Mo. It had caused slight unrest in her heart. As a military General's wife, it was already the norm for her to wait and worry for her husband. Despite that, Ji ChanFang always made it home. However this time, Wu JianRui could not help but to still be anxious. Especially no matter how she pleaded and tried to get more information from Jing Mo, the latter just kept silent.

Jing Mo obviously understood Ji SongLi's intention for not disclosing the information to the latter's family. Thus, Jing Mo was also perceptive to not divulge what Young Master Ji did not want to tell anyone else.

The long day and her unease finally affected her already weak physique, and she retreated to her own room to get some rest, supported by Hai FenChu. Worrying about her mother, Ji LanBai followed as well, for once forgetting about YuLan who was still at the common room, with Xiao Hui and Jing Mo.

"Jing Mo," YuLan called the young man who was currently tilting his head back, having a cooling cloth covering his face. Upon his name being called, he removed the cloth and straightened his figure slightly.

"Will you also not tell me anything?" YuLan looked into the man's eyes calmly. 

Silence befell them, and Jing Mo lightly glanced at Xiao Hui. YuLan understood what he meant,

"She is fine. Xiao Hui can listen." 

YuLan knew Xiao Hui long enough to understand that she was someone trustworthy. Jing Mo most probably did not want to involve the girl, but they were all in the same boat, this boat called the Ji clan. Perhaps whatever story Jing Mo was holding back would cause more chaos if told to the immediate family members, but YuLan and Xiao Hui were partly outsiders. Their bond was only because of circumstances causing them to follow the family.

Jing Mo stared at the calm resolute and assurance on YuLan's face and let out a soft sigh. There was always an authoritative tone in her soft voice, and that made him unable to refuse. She was almost as overbearing as Jing Han.

He narrated what he had observed during his past few days at Ming Town. However, as to why he had chosen to move from Lian house to Ming Town, he hid behind the pretext that he wanted to see Xiao Hui. This blunt remark caused a very obvious blush on the girl's cheeks.

That was half-true on Jing Mo's behalf. From his various interactions with the honest simple young girl, he had subconsciously put the latter's well-being in his interests as well. The other half, was that he did not want to disclose his, and Jing Han's, identity yet; at least not until Jing Han properly meet YuLan. He just hoped that would happen sooner than later, so he could decide whether to idle longer in Da Lang to still try to find the particular person of interest, or return to the Northern Plains.

After he finished telling his story, YuLan took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 

"Nothing bad will happen. Nothing bad will happen," she constantly chanted inside her own mind.

She was living in a military household. Struggles and incidents like these were common. Ji SongLi and Ji ChanFang had experienced far more dangerous situations before.

Nevertheless, once again, she hated her own helplessness in the whole situation. 

"Why do I only have to wait?"

 Then she paused as she took a sharp intake of breath, bewildered at her own trail of thought.   

"Wait.... for who?" 

There was a figure suddenly appearing in her mind.

Tall, straight back, sword in his hand. She could only watch his back steadily leaving, after the brief glance he gave her.