As the procession bearing Qing imperial banners drew closer, the features of its leader became clearly visible. Both Simu and Lin Jiu straightened with sudden recognition and excitement.
"My god," Gustave murmured, "you know the commanding officer?"
"That's our junior brother Qianhe!" Lin Jiu exclaimed, his normally composed demeanor giving way to genuine joy.
Without hesitation, both senior brothers hurried forward to greet their long-lost colleague, with Gustave and Ikkyu following at a respectful distance.
"Senior Brother Yimei! Second Brother!" Qianhe called out as he approached, dismounting from his horse with practiced grace.
The three Maoshan practitioners embraced with the fierce emotion of family members separated by years of duty and circumstance. Their reunion transcended mere professional courtesy—these were brothers bound by shared training, mutual respect, and the weight of inherited traditions.
"Brother Yimei," Qianhe said breathlessly after they separated, "I never expected to find you here at Second Brother's mountain retreat!"
"Junior Brother Simu invited me for a visit just days ago," Lin Jiu explained with a warm smile. "The timing couldn't have been more fortuitous."
"You should thank me properly," Simu interjected with mock importance. "Without my invitation, you two would have missed this reunion entirely!"
Their laughter carried the pure joy of brotherhood renewed.
"Taoist Qianhe," Ikkyu approached with a respectful bow, having observed the emotional reunion with Buddhist serenity.
"Master Ikkyu," Qianhe returned the formal greeting. Despite his current secular duties, he maintained proper respect for all spiritual practitioners.
"Second Brother," Qianhe continued, his gaze settling on Gustave, "I don't believe I've met this gentleman."
"This is Master Gustave, a dear friend and accomplished practitioner," Lin Jiu said proudly. "Brother Gustave, meet our junior brother Qianhe—former court priest and current... well, perhaps you can explain your present circumstances yourself."
"Pleasure to meet you, Taoist Qianhe," Gustave said with appropriate formality.
"The pleasure is mine, Master Gustave," Qianhe replied warmly.
Their introductions were interrupted by a shrill voice from the imperial procession.
"What are you doing over there?" a effeminate court official called out imperiously. "We have schedules to maintain!"
The speaker was Minister Wu—a man whose loyalty to the throne was absolute despite his grating personality and obvious physical cowardice. His elaborate court dress and affected mannerisms marked him as someone who wielded influence through proximity to power rather than personal capability.
"Minister Wu," Qianhe called back diplomatically, "I'm requesting some glutinous rice from our hosts. Our supplies are running dangerously low."
"Glutinous rice?" Minister Wu repeated with obvious confusion.
Before the conversation could continue, a young voice spoke from within the ornate sedan chair at the procession's center.
"Minister Wu, let's rest here for a while."
The speaker was clearly the expedition's true authority—the Seventy-First Prince, a child of perhaps ten years wearing the elaborate silk robes of Qing royalty. Despite his youth, his words carried the weight of imperial command.
"Of course, Your Highness," Minister Wu replied with exaggerated deference. "Everyone halt! Rest formation!"
As the Qing entourage settled into temporary camp, Lin Jiu and Simu noticed something at the procession's heavily guarded center—a ornate palanquin covered in yellow silk and surrounded by armed escorts whose vigilance suggested they protected something far more valuable than mere baggage.
Before they could investigate further, the sound of marching feet announced another arrival.
From the opposite direction came a second military formation—soldiers in light green uniforms wearing the distinctive Adrian helmets that marked French equipment. Their weapons were modern rifles, and Gustave could see heavy machine guns and mortars being transported by the rear guard.
Unlike the somewhat ceremonial bearing of the Qing escort, these troops moved with the deadly precision of veterans. Their formation was perfect, their equipment immaculate, and most tellingly, they possessed the barely contained violence of men accustomed to combat.
Gustave recognized the signs immediately. Only one force in this region could field such professional soldiers with French equipment and battlefield experience.
"This must be one of General Cai E's elite units," he murmured, "but why are they here? This area belongs to Marshal Lu's territory."
Simu's expression grew troubled as he studied the approaching military force. "Brother Gustave, I don't like the implications. When armies meet on mountain roads, peaceful outcomes are rare."
"Let me investigate," Gustave said calmly. "Perhaps I can learn their intentions."
He walked toward the military column just as Minister Wu emerged from the Qing camp, clearly recognizing the Protector General's banners and growing increasingly nervous about the potential confrontation.
At the head of the formation rode several officers on horseback. As Gustave approached, he was pleasantly surprised to recognize one of them.
"Platoon Leader Zeng!"
The young officer's hand had moved instinctively toward his sidearm when two civilians approached his column, but Gustave's familiar voice immediately changed his alertness to welcome.
"Master Gustave!" Zeng called out with genuine pleasure. "What an unexpected meeting!"
Minister Wu stared at Gustave with undisguised amazement. A random mountain hermit who knew officers in the Protector General's army? The political implications were staggering.
"Platoon Leader Zeng, what brings you to this remote road?" Gustave asked directly.
"Master Gustave, please wait here," Zeng replied with obvious excitement. "I must inform General Cai E and Master Tiantong of your presence immediately!"
Without waiting for a response, he spurred his horse and galloped back toward the column's rear.
So Zhang Zhiwei and General Cai E are both with this force, Gustave realized. But why are they traveling on abandoned roads instead of main thoroughfares?
Minister Wu, meanwhile, was practically vibrating with anxiety. The presence of the Protector General himself complicated everything about their mission, but fleeing now would likely be interpreted as suspicious behavior worthy of military intervention.
"Young man," he said with forced sweetness, his voice carrying the affected tones that made Gustave's skin crawl, "you seem to know General Cai E personally?"
"We have some acquaintance," Gustave replied neutrally, fighting down nausea at Minister Wu's mannerisms.
"How wonderful! I don't suppose you might—"
The thunder of approaching hoofbeats cut short Minister Wu's obvious attempt at manipulation. Two riders approached at full gallop—General Cai E and Zhang Zhiwei, both having heard Zeng's report and eager to investigate this unexpected encounter.
They reined in their mounts with military precision, dismounting with the fluid grace of experienced cavalrymen.
"Master Gustave!" both men called out simultaneously, their faces bright with genuine pleasure.
"General Cai E, Taoist Tiantong," Gustave replied warmly. "What an unexpected reunion! I certainly didn't anticipate meeting you on this forgotten mountain road."
"The feeling is entirely mutual," General Cai E said with a slight smile. "We had no idea you were in this region."
After exchanging brief pleasantries, the general's attention shifted to Minister Wu, who had remained silent during the reunion.
"I don't believe we've met," Cai E said with polite but noticeable coolness.
"General Cai E," Minister Wu said with elaborate courtesy, clearly terrified but trying to maintain dignity, "I am Minister Wu, appointed by His Imperial Majesty to serve the Seventy-First Prince on this expedition."
The temperature of General Cai E's voice dropped several degrees upon learning Wu's imperial connections. "I see. And what brings the Seventy-First Prince to these remote mountains, Minister Wu?"
Minister Wu swallowed nervously before answering. "General, we are escorting the remains of Prince Jingwu back to the capital, as commanded by the Emperor."
At the mention of Prince Jingwu's name, General Cai E's entire demeanor changed. The subtle mockery vanished, replaced by what appeared to be genuine respect.
"Prince Jingwu?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, General. Prince Jingwu."
For a long moment, Cai E stood in thoughtful silence. Finally, he spoke with careful formality.
"Minister Wu, please inform the Seventy-First Prince that General Cai E requests permission to pay his respects to Prince Jingwu's remains."
"Of course, General!" Wu replied with obvious relief. "I'll convey your request immediately!"