"It's me, Xiao Yan." The voice outside sounded a little tired.
A Jiu recognized it immediately and hurried to open the door.
When Cai Lihua heard it was one of their own, she wasn't as flustered anymore.
As Tuoba Yan entered, A Jiu immediately noticed his pale complexion. "Have you been too busy lately? You look completely drained of energy."
Tuoba Yan merely pulled at the corners of his mouth and smiled. As soon as he sat down, Meng Shaode and his wife, along with others, gathered around him.
"Did you find out the results?"
"That's right, those kinds of scoundrels should be killed," Mao Junlan chimed in.
"I'm here to inform you all. Leave this place quickly. Many people are heading to Lingnan, so you should go too. Going into the city is also an option."
Tuoba Yan's expression was serious, and coupled with his poor complexion, he appeared utterly exhausted. As he spoke, he took out a document from his怀里.
"I've applied for your entry permits into the city."
"Ah?"
Everyone exchanged glances. The news had come too quickly, yet it wasn't unexpected for A Jiu.
A Jiu knew it was only a matter of time before they reached Nanming City, but she hadn't anticipated it would be so soon.
"Uncle, Aunt, I've received orders from higher up to halt the thorough investigation into the poisoned meat. We must all return to headquarters and be ready for deployment at any moment."
Tuoba Yan's gaze on A Jiu seemed as if a layer of gauze had been placed over it.
"You're not investigating anymore?" Meng Shaode's scar twisted as if it were a piece of knotted dough.
He had just been talking about chopping up the villains, and now the investigation was stopping?
A Jiu lowered her gaze, her mind racing. "I understand."
"Understand what, daughter?"
Cai Lihua still hadn't grasped the situation.
A Jiu lowered her head in thought, remaining silent. She shivered at the realization; the immense profit hidden behind all these man-made events was staggering.
So much poisoned meat being discarded, appearing precisely when the drought made the people desperate for food, wasn't it obvious?
Coupled with what Qian Shi had recounted about her husband the day before, didn't all this clearly indicate the enormous profits at play?
The wife of Prefect Gao's family was from an official household. How could she have an affair with a cook? And to be caught in the act at that very moment? If this wasn't a grand conspiracy, what was?
Using the opportune timing and advantageous terrain, and then introducing a man-made element like poisoned meat, it was a method to hollow out the enemy's strength from the rear without shedding a single drop of blood. How vicious and traceless!
She was merely a commoner, a former refugee who was about to become one again. She dared not think further, for without the means to resolve the aftermath, all contemplation would be in vain.
"I just feel that things are very serious. Father, Mother, why don't we pack up and leave quickly?"
A Jiu looked at Tuoba Yan with gratitude. She remembered back in Xinghua Village, because of their bad reputation, people had fled for days without anyone bothering to inform them.
Now, someone had gone out of their way to come and notify them, so gratitude was inevitable.
"We… we've only had a few days of stable life, and now this…" Mao Lihua had forgotten the hardships of the past during this period of peace.
The two children were growing up in her arms, and she had even gradually come to terms with her husband's uncertain fate after being captured. Yet, now there was turmoil again.
"Sigh…" Meng Shaode and Cai Lihua were equally dispirited.
"And you?" A Jiu looked at Tuoba Yan, only then realizing his gaze had been on her the entire time.
"I… I plan to join the army," Tuoba Yan hesitated.
He wanted to stay by A Jiu's side, but as he grew more familiar with this world, he understood how much displacement the wars, natural disasters, and calamities had brought to this girl.
He wanted to use his own abilities to repel enemies and protect the city, so that A Jiu and her parents wouldn't have to wander. Of course, he still needed to find a way to resolve the issue of the energy source, otherwise, his abilities would be extremely limited.
A Jiu looked at him for a long time, finding no trace of fear or hesitation in his eyes, only determination.
"Joining the army means death," Cai Lihua interjected.
"Exactly. Others are conscripted, and you're rushing to volunteer. Is there something wrong with your head?" Meng Shaode scolded calmly.
Tuoba Yan pulled at the corners of his mouth into a slight smile. "I won't die."
A Jiu knew in her heart that he indeed wouldn't die, so she wasn't as worried as her father and mother.
"Uncle, Aunt, take care. A Jiu, you must take good care of yourself."
Tuoba Yan quickly stood up and turned to leave, as if afraid that one more glance would make him abandon his long-term plan.
"Wait!" A Jiu quickly got up and chased after him.
He wouldn't die, but wouldn't he dissipate into nothingness without the kinetic energy?
Tuoba Yan had already mounted his horse. "What is it, A Jiu?"
"Did you pour the clear oil I gave you into your ears?" Although A Jiu didn't know why they, as ghosts, would need clear oil, and why it had to be poured into their ears, as long as it worked, it was good.