In Blue Eucalyptus City, the City Lord's Estate was brightly lit. Everyone sat in silence. After a long while, Jun Mo broke the quiet.
"This won't do. The antidote cannot be delayed any longer. We need to release a message to the public and find master poison-makers among the common folk."
Ji Huaiyan nodded. "That's one way. Anyway, Southern Jiang already knows our situation, so there's no need to hide anything."
Lan Yan said, "But if the news gets out, the common people will panic."
Lan Canghai looked up. "There's no other choice. If this continues, the soldiers won't be able to hold on."
Wei Xiyong hammered out the final decision: "Post a notice, offer a heavy reward!"
The notice wasn't explicitly clear, but once posted, many skilled poisoners came forward, yet none yielded any results. After another day and night of bitter fighting, and with soldiers already succumbing to the poison, the pressure intensified, making the situation increasingly tense.
Late at night, everyone was still gathered to discuss the next day's battle plan.
"Report!"
Wei Xiyong asked, "What is it?"
"The Third Prince has arrived! Bringing tens of thousands of horses and weapons!"
Jun Mo's eyes lit up, and he slapped the table. "Excellent!"
At least the cavalry will have a use now! Everyone quickly went out to greet him.
"Third Imperial Brother!"
Jun Ce smiled. "Seventh Imperial Brother, I've brought you some good things."
Marquis Wuyang walked over, picked up a crossbow, tested it, and laughed heartily. "Indeed, these are good things! Worthy of being made in Northern Flame!"
Jun Mo suddenly noticed a short soldier behind Jun Ce and was surprised. "Seventh Princess Wanyan Xue?"
Wanyan Xue waved at him and smiled. "It's me."
Everyone looked at Jun Ce. Jun Ce gave an awkward chuckle. "She... she secretly snuck into my ranks. I didn't notice..."
Everyone smiled, showing an understanding expression. Wei Xiyong had people secure the horses and weapons, then the group entered the study. Jun Ce learned about the battle situation and laughed. "It seems I've arrived just in time." Otherwise, with no horses left, what war could they fight?
Jun Mo nodded. "Yes, the horses you brought should hold out for a while."
Only for a while. With the increase in horses, fodder once again became a major problem. And if the poison wasn't cured, their combat strength would weaken day by day.
...
Su Li rushed day and night with her caravan. She once again regretted not learning how to ride a horse. On this day, with the scorching sun overhead, the group saw noon approaching. They happened to pass by a forest and stopped to rest. Mo Yun handed her a waterskin. "Miss, have some water."
Su Li took it and drank a sip. Just then, the head of the caravan, a man named Lu Xiu, came over carrying a rabbit. He was currently in charge of Su's Logistics. Lu Xiu smiled. "Good luck today, I caught a rabbit. Let's roast it and improve our meals."
Immediately, someone gathered firewood, and a fire was quickly lit. Su Li handed the waterskin to Mo Yun and smiled. "Leave it to me."
Lu Xiu was surprised. "Miss knows how to roast this?" Su Li nodded with a smile.
Mo Yu said, "Then I'll go hunt for more game."
Lu Xiu said, "I'll go clean this rabbit."
Soon, the rabbit was skewered on a branch. Su Li used a small knife to carefully make incisions on it and then went to the carriage to get some seasonings. She evenly sprinkled them on the rabbit, and after a while, placed it over the fire to roast. Soon, a faint aroma wafted through the air. The surrounding people swallowed hard. It smelled too good!
When it was almost done, Su Li said to Mo Yun, "Go get the honey from the carriage."
Lu Xiu asked curiously, "Miss, how do you have so many things? Even honey."
Su Li smiled. "My maid is meticulous." Si Qin, having gained experience from the trip to Shu, prepared everything for her. This honey was originally for her to drink with water, but now using it to roast the rabbit was perfect. Mo Yun brought the honey, and Su Li evenly coated the rabbit with a layer, making the aroma even richer.
Seeing it was ready, Su Li sliced off a rabbit leg and handed it to Lu Xiu. Lu Xiu took it and, not wanting to eat alone, shared it with the others. Su Li then sliced off another rabbit leg, preparing to hand it to Mo Yun. Just as Mo Yun was about to take it, the rabbit leg vanished.
Mo Yun looked in surprise. A white-haired man sat on a treetop, happily gnawing on the rabbit leg. Mo Yun looked at him warily. This man's kung fu was above hers! Su Li looked at the retreating figure, both shocked and delighted, her eyes subtly reddening.
"Delicious, delicious! Little girl, where did you learn this skill?" At this moment, everyone noticed that the man had white hair and white eyebrows, yet his complexion was rosy and his skin smooth. Mo Yu returned with two rabbits and saw the scene of the rabbit leg being snatched.
"You old man, how rude!" Su Li's throat tightened in panic. Hearing Mo Yu speak disrespectfully, she quickly stopped her. "Mo Yu, don't offend the elder." She then looked at the old man in the tree and said, "I taught myself. If you find it delicious, please come down and eat with us."
Mo Yun asked in surprise, "Miss?"
Su Li didn't look at her, only at the man in the tree. "You're a truly sensible girl. Alright, then this old man will respectfully accept!" Saying so, he leaped down instantly, landing beside Su Li, his eyes fixed on the rabbit in her hand. This girl's cooking truly suits his taste. Even the imperial chefs in the palace can't make this flavor.
Su Li sliced off a rabbit leg and handed it to him, saying, "Master... Elder, be careful, it's hot." The old man took the rabbit leg, walked to the side, sat down, and began to gnaw.
Mo Yu came over and whispered, "Princess, why are you so kind to this old man?"
Su Li smiled. "Didn't you catch two more rabbits? Don't argue with an elder. Go clean them, and I'll roast them again." Su Li handed the remaining rabbit meat to Mo Yun. "Take it and share it."
"Miss, you haven't eaten yet."
"I'm not hungry."
At this moment, Su Li saw the old man gnawing on the rabbit look up, holding a wine gourd. A drop of wine dripped from the gourd. The old man smacked his lips, still wanting more, and let out two regretful 'tsk tsk' sounds. Suddenly, a pot of wine appeared before him. The old man turned his head.
Su Li smiled. "Drink this."
The girl's smile made him shiver. If his medical skills weren't good, he would have truly thought she had poisoned the meat and wine.
"My palate is very discerning. I won't drink bad wine."
Su Li smiled. "Give it a try." The old man took the wine, opened it, sniffed it, and his eyes immediately lit up. He took a sip.
"Good wine!" He drank a few more sips, then turned to look at Su Li, who was squatting beside him, smiling. "Girl, do you know me?"
Su Li nodded, then shook her head. The old man looked at her in confusion. Does she know me or not?
Su Li spoke, "Perhaps we knew each other in a previous life. The moment I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity."
The old man laughed. "I feel a sense of familiarity with you too, girl." The old man stood up, wiped his mouth, and said, "Thank you for the delicious food and wine. This old man is leaving."
Su Li excitedly stood up and blurted out to his retreating figure, "Master!" Yes, this old man was indeed Su Li's master from her previous life, True Immortal Mingyang.
The old man turned back and asked, "What did you call me?"
Su Li said, "I... I want to take you as my master."
True Immortal Mingyang laughed. "Do you know who I am?"
Su Li suppressed the complexity in her heart and smiled. "Your kung fu is higher than anyone around me, so I want to take you as my master."
True Immortal Mingyang looked at Su Li, then shook his head. "This old man doesn't take disciples, and you've already passed the best age to learn martial arts." With that, he leaped and disappeared.
"Master..." Su Li's cry of 'Master' was caught in her throat.
Mo Yu stepped forward. "That old man ate, drank, wiped his mouth, and left! Princess, if you want to learn martial arts, the Prince can teach you. The Prince's kung fu is among the best in Tianqi! You don't need to beg that old man."
Su Li lowered her eyes, shaking her head in disappointment. After a while, Su Li composed herself and turned back to continue roasting rabbits for everyone.
Master, may we meet again if fate allows.
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