Qingmei also found it strange.

Although they were in a carriage, they arrived in the mountains almost at the same time as the group of Xiu Luo Envoys.

Lei Hu and his group were even faster.

They had already searched the area.

Bai Zhi’er followed Feng Fuce off the carriage and immediately smelled a burnt odor.

Lei Hu walked over with a grave expression: "Marquis, we haven’t found Chu Ping’s presence around, but there is a cabin on fire, almost completely destroyed."

Qingmei nearly lost her balance and quickly asked, "Where is it?"

Feng Fuce nodded: "Lead the way, let me have a look."

Lei Hu immediately led the way.

After passing through the forest path.

Bai Zhi’er saw that a cabin was half-collapsed, with the remaining flames still burning.

But seeing the surrounding charred land, she knew how intense the fire had been before.

Thankfully, there were no woods around, or it would have certainly caused a forest fire.

The Xiu Luo Envoys were riding horses, drawing water from the nearby stream to extinguish the fire.

Lei Hu said to Feng Fuce: "When we first discovered it, I rushed in; there was no one inside, but..."

Lei Hu, usually calm and composed, had a slight tremor in his voice.

He held out his palm: "These are Chu Ping’s Jade Pendant and token, found in the cabin, along with some of his burned clothes."

"Because the cabin burned so fiercely, it’s impossible to determine whether some of the ashes are human or not..."

Qingmei let out a low cry, rushing to the cabin’s side: "Chu Ping, let me see, Chu Ping won’t be dead!"

Lei Hu looked at her figure with pity.

Chu Ping had worked with him for over a decade, and the two were already like brothers.

The Xiu Luo Envoys were also somewhat distressed.

Chu Ping was well-liked and generous in Xiuluo Guard.

If he were to perish so mysteriously, the Xiuluo Guard would not let it go.

Bai Zhi’er furrowed her brows.

It shouldn’t be!

Just now on the road, she calculated Chu Ping’s birth dates.

Though this event was perilous, he wouldn’t die.

Chu Ping might even live to be over eighty.

Bai Zhi’er looked at Feng Fuce beside her.

He appeared even more composed.

Earlier on the road, Feng Fuce had been somewhat serious.

But after seeing this place, he didn’t seem worried anymore.

Only the icy black in his eyes was more intense than before.

Feng Fuce stepped forward, glanced inside the smoky cabin.

After coming out, he looked around the ground.

In an inconspicuous patch of grass, there were signs of dragging and struggling.

Feng Fuce said lightly: "Since Chu Ping came out with Guoguo, if Chu Ping burned to death, Guoguo ran away."

"Then those suspected burned fragments in the cabin wouldn’t be a complete person."

"Chu Ping isn’t that short; if it’s Guoguo, even less likely would Chu Ping let Guoguo burn to death without intervention."

Pointing at the drag marks in the grass, he said: "Lei Hu, take the men and track this trail."

"Yes!"

Lei Hu swiftly mounted his horse and led the group away.

Qingmei knelt on the ground, weeping.

Bai Zhi’er walked over to support her up: "Sister Qingmei, don’t cry, Brother Fu Ce said, Brother Chu Ping couldn’t have burned to death."

Feng Fuce looked around: "Chu Ping is definitely still alive."

Qingmei raised her tearful eyes: "Really?"

"Because I trained him, he wouldn’t die in such a place," Feng Fuce said coldly.

His gaze was deep, reminiscent of an awakened ancient beast, faintly wild.

Feng Fuce held Bai Zhi’er’s hand: "The mountain road ahead is steep, follow me, we will find Chu Ping."

Qingmei quickly gathered herself and followed.