Entering the City Again the Next Day

Upon returning to Ancient Mountain Village, Xu Mo first had Peng Dong and the other captives locked up, assigning Niu San and some men to keep strict watch over them.

As for White-Brow, Xu Mo handed him over to Niu Da, instructing him to lead a search for the goods that had been plundered last time.

Afterward, Xu Mo went to the village chief's house.

Following a thorough discussion, Xu Mo decided to send twenty strings of cash as compensation to the families of each of the three deceased men.

The families of the five heavily injured men would each receive ten strings of cash, and all their medical expenses would be fully covered by the soap workshop.

As for the remaining team members, each would be awarded five strings of cash.

Additionally, Xu Mo felt that the families of all team members should receive extra portions of pork, mutton, and live chickens and ducks as a reward for their bloody battle and fearlessness in the face of death today.

Upon returning home, Xu Mo was suddenly overwhelmed by a profound wave of exhaustion, longing for nothing more than to find a place to lie down and remain completely motionless.

Chen Maiyi hurriedly helped him change out of his soiled clothes, then fetched clean water and soap, allowing Xu Mo to thoroughly wash his face and hands.

Once cleaned, Xu Mo finally sank onto the bed just as he had wished.

At that moment, Xu Mo felt an incomparable sense of relief and could not help but let out a long sigh.

When Chen Maiyi entered the room to check on him, Xu Mo was already fast asleep.

Not wanting to disturb his slumber, Chen Maiyi gently pulled the door shut and went back outside.

However, Xu Mo's sleep was far from peaceful; he fell into a nightmare.

In the dream, Xu Mo found himself thrust back into the recent battle, locked in fierce combat with the bandits once again.

Yet in this dreamscape, Xu Mo was pierced by the bandits' spears several times, causing blood to flow profusely in a terrifying scene.

Ultimately, Xu Mo jolted awake in a fright, sitting straight up in bed.

"Husband, what is wrong?"

Chen Maiyi rushed over immediately, taking Xu Mo's hand with a look of deep concern.

Panting heavily, Xu Mo scanned his surroundings, and realizing it had only been a dream, he released a heavy breath.

"Husband, did you have a nightmare? You're sweating so much."

Chen Maiyi immediately pulled a handkerchief from her tunic and began carefully wiping the sweat from Xu Mo's brow.

After catching his breath, Xu Mo glanced out the window and asked, "Maiyi, how long have I been asleep? What time is it now?"

Chen Maiyi replied, "Husband, you have slept for four hours; it is afternoon now."

Xu Mo nodded, then swung his legs out of bed to put on his shoes, asking as he did so, "Maiyi, have you been guarding me the whole time?"

Chen Maiyi nodded and said, "I hadn't originally planned to stay by your side, but you kept talking in your sleep and even shouted out about killing a few times. I was worried, so I stayed in the room to keep watch."

It was only then that Xu Mo realized his nightmare had caused such intense emotional turmoil that he had even been shouting out in his sleep.

After dressing properly, Xu Mo asked, "By the way, Maiyi, have Niu Da and the others returned?"

"They came back over an hour ago, and all the goods were recovered. Seeing that you were asleep, he went home first," Chen Maiyi answered.

Xu Mo nodded and said, "Maiyi, I'm a bit hungry. Is there anything to eat?"

Chen Maiyi immediately responded, "Yes, yes, there is warm food on the stove that I kept for you."

With that, Chen Maiyi hurried out of the bedroom and rushed off to busy herself in the kitchen.

After eating some food at home, Xu Mo walked over to Niu Da's house.

Niu Da was at home recounting the day's battle against the enemies to his son and daughter. Seeing Xu Mo arrive, he immediately invited him inside.

After exchanging a few casual remarks, Xu Mo took out twenty taels of silver and pressed them into Niu Da's hands.

Niu Da was greatly startled and hurriedly pushed them back, saying, "I cannot accept this, master. I truly cannot take this."

Xu Mo insisted that Niu Da take them, saying, "Captain Niu, this is what you deserve. Just keep it!"

Niu Da said, "Master, the village chief said that aside from those who died or were heavily injured, everyone else will be rewarded with five strings of cash, plus some meat, chickens, and ducks. Why are you giving me all this as well?"

Xu Mo replied, "Captain Niu, you are the captain. As the leader of the team, your responsibility is the greatest and irreplaceable! Therefore, you fully deserve these silvers!"

Under Xu Mo's insistence, Niu Da finally accepted the silver. Not only did he offer profuse expressions of gratitude, but he also swore solemn oaths that he would wholeheartedly serve and work for Xu Mo from then on.

This was precisely what Xu Mo wanted, for as long as Niu Da led the delivery teams, he could finally rest completely at ease.

----------------------------

On the third morning after the battle, at home.

Chen Maiyi was quite displeased at the moment, feeling that Xu Mo broke his promises.

For Xu Mo had promised her last time that he would never put himself in danger again, yet barely a day had passed, and Xu Mo was once again heading to the city with the delivery team.

Cupping Chen Maiyi's pouting face in his hands, Xu Mo smiled and said, "My wife, when have I ever broken a promise? The bandits have already been wiped out by us now; what danger is left for me to face?"

Frowning, Chen Maiyi pushed Xu Mo's hands away and rubbed her cheeks.

Xu Mo continued, "Besides, I have to go this time. I need to hand the bandit leader and the captives over to the county magistrate's office, and explain the whole story, don't I? Furthermore, I need to go to the city to check on the wounded and offer them proper condolences."

"I cannot argue with you, but you are a breaker of promises all the same," Chen Maiyi said, turning her back to him.

Xu Mo embraced Chen Maiyi from behind, kissed her earlobe, and coaxed her, "Don't worry, Maiyi. I will be back very soon. Wait for me obediently!"

Knowing she could not stop Xu Mo, Chen Maiyi turned around, hugged him tightly, and softly whispered her instructions and warnings.

An incense-stick length of time later, Xu Mo, accompanied by Qin Mutou, set off alongside the delivery team.

This time, the quantity of goods they were delivering was more than double the previous amount.

Not only did all the team members with minor injuries go, but several newly recruited members were also among the ranks.

More than four hours later, Xu Mo and his party, escorting the two bandit leaders White-Brow and Peng Dong, along with a dozen or so bandit captives, arrived in a grand procession at the city gates of Xinzhou.

The city gate guard from before heard that Xu Mo and his men had wiped out dozens more bandits and even captured the bandit leaders and so many prisoners. He immediately cast a look of astonishment and raised his clasped fists repeatedly to express his admiration.

After paying the cargo tax, Xu Mo's group successfully entered the city.

Once inside, Xu Mo and Niu Da parted ways.

Xu Mo and Qin Mutou took half the men to escort the prisoners to the county magistrate's office, while Niu Da and the others were responsible for delivering the goods to the Fragrant Complexion Specialty Store. Afterwards, everyone would meet up at the medical clinic and return to the village together later that evening.

..............................

At the Fragrant Complexion Specialty Store, on the second floor.

Ning Yaxin was in her room calculating accounts, clicking away vigorously on the abacus.

Just as she was deeply focused, Ling'er suddenly pushed the door open and rushed in.

Because of the abrupt commotion, Ning Yaxin was startled.

Somewhat displeased, Ning Yaxin asked, "Ling'er, why are you in such a flustered and reckless rush? How do I usually teach you?"

Without even time to apologize, Ling'er blurted out, " Eldest Miss, Young Master Xu's people have come to deliver the goods."

Hearing this, Ning Yaxin immediately stood up and said, "Quickly latch the door and make no sound. Don't let him know we are in the room."

Ning Yaxin assumed Xu Mo had come looking for her again.

Yet Ling'er shook her head and said, "It's not that, Eldest Miss. Young Master Xu hasn't come..."

"Then what are you panicking about?" Ning Yaxin let out a sigh of relief, though a faint trace of disappointment rose deep within her heart.

Ling'er said anxiously, "Eldest Miss, this servant just heard them saying that the day before yesterday, they fought a fierce battle with a band of bandits. Three men from the delivery team died, five were heavily injured and sent to the medical clinic, and everyone else sustained minor injuries as well..."

Ning Yaxin's heart tightened, and without thinking, she blurted out, "What about him?"

Ling'er replied, "People say Young Master Xu seemed to have been injured as well, but exactly where he was hurt and how bad it is remains unknown."

"What?"

Ning Yaxin could no longer sit still. Abandoning her desk, she strode rapidly toward the door, her expression tense and hurried...