Qi Yuanshan and Fu Yu returned quickly, and when they heard the news, they were also scared pale.
Especially Qi Yuanshan, who wished he could immediately grab a large saber and lead his men to support his son and Old Jin.
However, as the highest-ranking administrative official of this region's army, he could not leave his post without authorization.
If their superiors found out, it would be a capital offense.
Those people were already looking for his "small feet" [a reference to his past weakness/secret]. If he did this, it would be tantamount to handing them the leverage.
But he was unwilling to abandon his son and Old Jin.
"Uncle Meng," Qi Yuanshan felt like abandoning all restraint and going to save his son right now.
"Yuanshan, wait a moment. We will definitely think of a way."
Fu Xinci had been quietly standing by the side without speaking. Seeing her grandfather and Uncle Qi's brows furrowed deeply, she finally spoke, "Grandfather, Uncle Qi, why don't my friends and I go to support Brother Qi?"
"Your friends?"
"Yes." Fearing that the adults wouldn't agree, Fu Xinci added, "They are skilled in combat like me." Fu Xinci easily described her supernatural abilities as martial arts.
"Really?" Qi Yuanshan trusted the young girl in front of him.
"Brother Qi knows them too," Fu Xinci added another small piece of information.
"Little He knows them too?"
"Yes, I took Brother Qi to where they live."
Fu Xinci, still worried that the adults wouldn't be at ease, continued, "I can introduce my friends to meet our family."
Both father and son Meng knew their child was reliable, and Qi Yuanshan had unwavering faith in Fu Xinci's every word and action.
Seeing that they had no objections, Fu Xinci continued, "I'll go find my friends now. If we act fast enough, we can return tonight."
"Xinci, this matter is entrusted to you." Whether as a superior or a father, Qi Yuanshan wished for Old Jin and those children to return unharmed. He was truly at a loss now and placed all his hopes on Xinci.
Grandpa Meng thought the same as Qi Yuanshan. These children were partly targeted because of their surname Meng, which was their original sin.
The remaining children were implicated by the Meng family and thus faced such danger. He did not want these children to be harmed, nor did he want Old Jin and Little He to be in trouble.
"Grandfather, Father, Uncle Qi, please wait for me at home. I will return as quickly as possible," Fu Xinci said and walked out. She didn't even use the back door, directly activating her wood element supernatural ability to leap over the high wall.
Grandpa Meng: ...
Fu Yu: ...
Qi Yuanshan: ...
All three were stunned, as was Madam Fang, who had been quietly observing their conversation.
Ning'er clapped her little hands, her little feet bounced joyfully, and her little mouth cried out loudly, "Sister can fly! When Sister comes back, I want Sister to take Ning'er flying."
Qi Yuanshan said, "I used to hear General Liu mention Xinci's martial arts skills, saying she could infiltrate enemy camps and take the head of the general as easily as picking something from a bag. I didn't believe it then."
"And now?" Fu Yu felt his question was contradictory.
"Now I believe it," Qi Yuanshan said, looking at the high wall of the Meng family's residence, and added, "With this high wall, it's almost impossible for anyone to get over without a ladder." He then made a comparison, "I certainly couldn't climb it."
Thinking of how the young girl had effortlessly leaped over just now, Qi Yuanshan finally felt a little more at ease.
Fu Xinci reached the valley at the fastest speed in history and without stopping, found her companions.
Upon hearing that they were going to rescue people with Xinci, the captain immediately agreed.
However, he also voiced his concern, "Xinci, we don't have household registration in Great Ming. Can we travel freely within Great Ming territory?"
"Captain, you don't need to worry about that. I'll have my grandfather issue us travel permits and identification."
"Wow, does that mean we have identities too?"
"Fatty, you can't say such things in front of others."
"Got it, Captain." Fatty solemnly saluted the captain.
"You guys go back and pack your things first. I'll go find Town Mayor Xiang to ask for leave."
"Understood."
The companions had been in this era for quite some time, but apart from Xinci, they hadn't met any locals.
Today, they had the opportunity to go out and see what the real Great Ming dynasty was like, and they were very happy.
The captain, however, did not expect Xiang Tong to have a rather unreasonable side.
"Long Teng, tell Fu Xiaoniu [a nickname for Fu Xinci] that I want to go with you."
"No way. If you leave, what about this place?"
"I'll brief Zhang Feng and the others. The tasks we planned to do before are already laid out. They just need to follow the previous steps."
"You're still the best."
"There's no other way. If you don't do it, I have to," Xiang Tong put on a concerned expression.
"Alright, hurry up and pack. We need to leave with Xinci as soon as possible. We're going to rescue people."
"No need to pack. I just need to tell my wife."
"Will your wife be willing to let you go rescue people with us?"
"You know how understanding my wife is."
The captain: He wasn't in a position to comment on other people's wives.
"Why don't we ask Fu Xiaoniu if I can bring my wife and children along? That would be even better."
"Xiang Tong, stop dreaming. We're going to rescue people, not sightsee."
"I know. What I mean is, can we ask Fu Xiaoniu if my wife and son can stay at her house for a few days?"
"You'd better not. Xinci's family, apart from her, are all native-born Great Ming people. If your wife and son accidentally let something slip, how will Xinci explain it?"
Xiang Tong wilted.
"Xiang Tong, why don't you not go this time? When we gain some experience, we'll definitely bring you next time."
"This is a rare opportunity."
"But have you thought about it? If you're not here either, and someone causes trouble here, who can control those guys?"
"That's true."
"The life we have now is hard-won. We must cherish it and not let it be destroyed because of certain people."
"Alright, you're right. You go and come back soon."
"Okay, we'll come back after we help Xinci rescue the people." After speaking with Xiang Tong, the captain ran back quickly, afraid of wasting time.
"Captain, your things are all packed for you here," Xu Jiacan stood on the hillside waving at the captain.
"You guys are quite fast."
"Can't be helped. It's not just Xinci who's anxious; we're also quite anxious. We just want to see what the outside world is like as soon as possible."
Little Ai looked at the endless green in the distance and instantly started chattering, expressing her heartfelt longing.