Although these three days were said to be peaceful, with nothing occurring, being able to settle down safely here truly owed much to Zhu Yu’s courage developed in her past life.

Otherwise, not to mention a woman, even an average man might not withstand it, being scared out of his wits.

All the mountain bandits on the estate had been killed. During the day, corpses could be seen lying on the roadside outside the inn, and there were dead bodies in the houses and courtyards nearby. There was not a hint of life during the daylight hours, nor any sound.

When night fell, wild dogs originally hiding in the mountains would rush out to feast, tearing into the corpses in the darkness, their eyes seemingly glowing green under the dim moonlight.

Fortunately, in one room of this dark inn, runes and talismans found many things available to use as food here. Without being too particular, it was enough to fill their stomachs simply every day.

On the second day, Zhu Yu asked Lu Qing to accompany her for a secret stroll, resulting in her discovering a room full of white bones in one house.

These white bones were human remains.

If left exposed without burial, a corpse could decompose into a skeleton in just one or two months, even faster in hot places.

The dust settled on the bones indicated they had died long ago.

"So many people..." Zhu Yu examined the remains with some astonishment, discovering not only men and women but also old and young, "perhaps they were originally tenants of this estate?

It seems these mountain bandits have occupied others’ estates for quite some time.

Although this place is far from the Capital, it’s still not particularly remote, right?

Then how could the government nearby... be so incompetent?"

"Back when you first married and followed me to Qingshui County, didn’t you already see how even right under the Holy Emperor’s nose, they dare act lawlessly?" Lu Qing replied with a faint smile.

Hearing him mention the murky Qingshui County of those days, Zhu Yu immediately understood—such a tragedy happening here isn’t solely due to the capability of local officials, more likely someone higher up has other plans, which results in this fabricated "incompetence."

On the third evening, someone arrived at the inn.

The rune first heard the noise, and together with the talisman went out to investigate stealthily, soon returning hurriedly: "Sir, the people you’ve been waiting for have arrived."

"They’re earlier than I expected." Lu Qing raised his eyebrows slightly, stood up, and pulled Zhu Yu beside him, "Didn’t you ask before who rune contacted for me? Now that they’re here, let’s go meet them."

Curious, Zhu Yu quickly followed Lu Qing to the front courtyard.

The previously desolate front hall now bustled with a group of people, filling the once empty space completely.

Those people clearly walked in from outside, visibly having seen the corpses torn by wild dogs, but now they stood uprightly, facing forward, with calm expressions, seemingly unaffected emotionally.

From their calm demeanor and dust-stained yet inexplicable air, Zhu Yu was reminded of the sixteen people who appeared silently at Yunyin Pavilion the other day.

These people possessed a similar aura, like warriors.

At the sight of the two, the leading black-faced man among them immediately recognized Lu Qing, stepped forward, and saluted Lu Qing: "Bian Yong greets the Prince."

"General Bian, no need for formalities. I’m no longer Prince Xiaoyao, I’m afraid I can’t accept your calling me ’Prince.’" Lu Qing replied amicably with a smile.

General Bian didn’t particularly mind Lu Qing’s polite words: "Your Highness is too courteous. If calling you this is inappropriate, I shall address you as General Lu!

Your martial prowess, the Young General often praises highly, and we all have heard of it."

"That’s good." Lu Qing nodded, satisfied with the title.

"General Lu, what happened on this estate...?" Bian Yong glanced outside once, "Why have we been summoned here?"

"This estate was initially occupied by mountain bandits. Later, perhaps there was an internal fight, leaving it in this state." Lu Qing didn’t elaborate on their previous encounters, "Now the mountain bandits who seized the estate are dead. This estate is well-equipped and situated nicely; leaving it here unclaimed might attract another group of mountain bandits to use it as a base." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Bian Yong nodded knowingly: "General’s words are correct, this place indeed shouldn’t be left deserted.

I’ll arrange for the brothers to tidy it up; we have just enough people to settle here."

Lu Qing pondered for a moment before speaking: "That’s a good plan. I prefer safety.

We are limited in manpower and unable to determine if there are accomplices stationed nearby."

"There shouldn’t be any." Bian Yong immediately responded to Lu Qing’s words, "We surveyed the surroundings while coming here and confirmed there are no traces of mountain bandits, only a long-abandoned village on the north hill.

So these estate mountain bandits should have no accomplices."

"Accomplices... such a big mountain, there could still be some." Lu Qing said with a mirthful tone, hard to discern if he was joking or speaking seriously.

Not as familiar with Lu Qing’s ways as runes and talismans were, Bian Yong hesitated, glanced at Lu Qing, who nodded at him, firming his own guess.

"General Lu’s words are true, but we have only so many brothers, other matters may have to wait until I send a letter, to see if more hands can be sent over." he said to Lu Qing.

Lu Qing nodded with satisfaction: "The brothers worked hard coming all this way, rest early tonight; tomorrow have my two aides help everyone organize."

Bian Yong thanked him courteously and turned to call those who came with him to tidy up the guest quarters, ensuring a place to rest that night.

When the corpse with the false skin was carried out, Bian Yong’s usually unfazed face finally showed some surprise; he glanced at Lu Qing, calmly observing from the side, seemingly gaining a bit more understanding.