208: Mujiazhuang's inventory of Yunnan reveals remnants of the army's ambush, demonstrating the power of the masses and the search for hidden strongholds.

The main hall of the Mu Family Manor was lit all night. As the morning light streamed through the window lattice, Shuanger squatted by the table, hugging the ledger. Her fingertip traced the dense script as she read crisply: "From Prince Pingxis Mansion, we seized 30,000 taels of gold, 100,000 taels of silver, twenty cannon, fifty firearm, enough ammunition for half a year; plus Wu Sangui's private stash of two hundred bolts of silk and ten boxes of medicinal herbs. Most importantly, we finally collected all eight copies of the forty-two chapter sutra!"

Xie Hui had just placed the last sutra into his small universe. Hearing this, he smiled and nodded, "You worked hard to remember all that so clearly. Jiansheng, besides White Sheep Pass and the Treasure Pavilion, does Wu Sangui have any other remnant strongholds in Yunnan?"

Mu Jiansheng sat beside him, clutching a cup of hot tea, his brow furrowed. "Yes! I sent people to investigate. Ma Biao, Wu Yingxiong's lieutenant, is hiding with two hundred remnant troops in Black Wind Fortress outside the city. They also have many Poison Smoke Cannon. It's said they plan to wait until we leave and then return to seize the supplies from Prince Pingxis Mansion."

"Want to steal? Not so easy!" Wei Xiaobao suddenly slapped the table and stood up, the bag of silver in his arms jangling. "I'll take the Imperial Guard brothers and wipe out that Black Wind Fortress! We can also check if there's any gold or silver in the fortress—just enough to buy Miss Xiao Hong another gold bracelet from Yihong Courtyard!"

Mao the Eighteenth put down his coarse porcelain bowl and wiped his mouth. "I'll go with you! I know the roads around Black Wind Fortress well. I robbed there ten years ago, and I know there's a Secret Passage in the back mountain that leads straight inside, saving us a direct confrontation!"

Xie Hui thought for a moment, deciding this was a good opportunity to clear out the remnants in Yunnan and avoid future trouble: "Alright, Wei Xiaobao, you and Big Brother Mao take fifty Imperial Guard troops, and have Zhao Wu's Green Wood Hall brothers follow. Bring more improved gunpowder, don't force your way in. Longer, you stay with me guarding the Mu Family Manor. Keep an eye on Wu Yingxiong and Iron Head Monk; don't let them escape."

Right after the arrangements were made, a Manor Guards from the Mu Family Manor suddenly rushed in from outside the courtyard gate, sweating profusely: "This is bad! Ma Biao has brought his remnant troops! They are just three li outside the Manor, pushing two Poison Smoke Cannon, shouting that they want to rescue Wu Yingxiong!"

"Perfect timing!" Xie Hui pulled out his black iron sword, the blade flashing a cold light in the morning sun. "Longer, take ten former Divine Dragon Cult members to set up the cannon on the earthen slope outside the Manor, aiming at the remnant troops. Jianping, you and Shuanger go to the back courtyard, prepare the wound medicine and wet cloths. Send them to the brothers as soon as the Poison Smoke Cannon fire. Fang Yi, you come with me to the Manor Gate. We'll guard the main entrance and stop them from rushing in!"

Everyone immediately sprang into action. Just as Xie Hui reached the Manor Gate, he saw dust flying in the distance. Ma Biao was charging at the front on a black horse, holding a great saber. The remnant troops behind him were pushing the Poison Smoke Cannon, their battle cries shaking the sky. "Xie Hui! Release Young Master Wu! Otherwise, I will flatten your miserable manor with Poison Smoke Cannon!"

Xie Hui ignored him and shouted to the Heaven and Earth Society brothers behind him: "Close the Manor Gate! Bar it with wooden stakes! Fang Yi, find the main switch for the mechanisms. The arrow slits in the Manor wall can fire crossbow bolts; don't let them get close!"

Fang Yi squatted at the base of the Manor wall, searching the stone cracks with her fingertips for a long time until she suddenly felt a copper ring. "Found it!" She pulled hard, and the arrow slits on the Manor wall opened with a "clack." The Heaven and Earth Society brothers quickly mounted the crossbow bolts, aiming at the charging remnant troops.

Seeing the Manor Gate tightly shut, Ma Biao immediately yelled, "Fire the Poison Smoke Cannon! Smoke them out!" With a "boom," the two Poison Smoke Cannon released a pale green smoke that drifted toward the Manor Gate. Mu Jianping and Shuanger happened to run over with the wet cloths and distributed them to everyone: "Quickly cover your mouths and noses! This poison smoke causes dizziness; don't breathe it in!"

Xie Hui watched the smoke approach, suddenly recalling the Time Stop Skill in his inner universe. He had used this skill in the condor heroes world, and it was most effective against mass attacks. He quietly pressed the skill button, and everything around him instantly stopped: Ma Biao's raised saber froze mid-air, the poison smoke solidified in front of the Manor Gate, and the remnant troops' battle cries vanished.

"Now's the chance!" Xie Hui shouted to Longer, "Take the former members and circle behind the remnant troops. Use ropes to tie up Ma Biao; don't hurt him, we need him to ask about Black Wind Fortress! Fang Yi, have the brothers aim the crossbow bolts at the remnant troops' legs. Don't kill them; those willing to surrender will be incorporated!"

Longer nodded and used her Lightness Skill to circle behind the remnant troops. The black iron sword lightly knocked the saber out of Ma Biao's hand, and she swiftly used ropes to bind his hands and feet. Fang Yi, meanwhile, had the brothers pull the trigger on the crossbow bolts. With several "swoosh" sounds, the remnant troops were shot in the legs and collapsed to the ground.

Xie Hui released Time Stop, and the surrounding movement instantly resumed. Ma Biao was about to shout when he realized he was tightly bound, his face turning pale with fright. "You... you cheated! Fight me fair and square if you dare!"

"Fight fair and square? Are you worthy?" Mao the Eighteenth ran in from outside the Manor, holding a saber taken from a remnant soldier. "We knew you were going to launch a sneak attack, so we deliberately set a trap outside the Manor. Did you think you could win?"

Ma Biao still wanted to resist, but Mu Jianping walked over, holding a small porcelain bottle containing Prince Mus Residence's Muscle-Weakening Powder. "If I sprinkle this medicine on you, your whole body will go limp, and you'll writhe on the ground in pain. Want to try?" Ma Biao was terrified and quickly shouted, "I'll talk! I'll talk! There are fifty more brothers in Black Wind Fortress, and they are hiding Wu Sangui's Treasure Map on the beam of the Assembly Hall inside the fortress!"

Xie Hui's eyes lit up—a Treasure Map! The outline mentioned that the forty-two chapter sutra contained clues to the Treasure Trove. If they could find the Treasure Map, they could gather funds for the anti-Qing movement faster. He ordered Ma Biao to be taken away and told everyone, "We are going to Black Wind Fortress right now! Wei Xiaobao, Big Brother Mao, you take your men through the Secret Passage first. Longer, Fang Yi, you attack with me through the main entrance. We'll hit them from the front and back and finish this quickly!"

The group split into two routes heading toward Black Wind Fortress. Xie Hui took Longer and Fang Yi through the main entrance. As soon as they reached the fortress gate, they saw two guards blocking the path, holding sabers. "Stop! This is Black Wind Fortress territory. If you dare trespass, we'll kill you!"

Longer didn't waste words. She drew her sword and charged, the blade lightly slicing the guard's saber into two pieces. She then kicked the man away. "Move aside if you don't want to die!" The guards were terrified and quickly threw down their sabers, hiding on the side, trembling.

Inside the fortress, the remnant troops were drinking around the Assembly Hall. Seeing Xie Hui and the others rush in, they quickly reached for their sabers to resist. Fang Yi pulled Anesthetic Powder from her sleeve and scattered it into the crowd. As soon as the remnant troops touched it, they collapsed to the ground, groaning. Xie Hui walked straight toward the Assembly Hall, shining his Flashlight on the beam, and indeed saw a wooden box—inside was Wu Sangui's Treasure Map!

"Found it!" Xie Hui put the wooden box into his small universe. Just as he was about to turn around, he heard Wei Xiaobao's loud voice behind him: "Brother Hui! We came in through the Secret Passage! I've searched out all the gold and silver in the fortress—a full five thousand taels!"

Mao the Eighteenth followed behind, carrying a wine jar. "There's a lot of good liquor in this fortress. We'll take a few jars back to celebrate our victory with the brothers!"

Xie Hui nodded with a smile and instructed everyone to tie up the remnant troops who were willing to surrender and escort them back to the Mu Family Manor. "These people were all Wu Sangui's soldiers before. If they are willing to oppose the Qing Dynasty, they can stay in Green Wood Hall. If not, release them; don't make trouble for them."

By the time they returned to the Mu Family Manor, it was already dark. Shuanger had prepared dinner long ago. On the table were braised pork, steamed fish, and chicken soup specially stewed by Mu Jianping—made using medicinal herbs seized from Prince Pingxis Mansion. It was warm and comforting to drink. Everyone gathered around the table, discussing the return to the capital while they ate.

"Brother Hui, when are we returning to the capital?" Shuanger put a piece of braised pork onto Xie Hui's plate. "I've prepared the dry rations and wound medicine for the journey, and I'll bring some Yunnan herbs to prevent heatstroke."

"We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning," Xie Hui said, taking a sip of chicken soup. "First, we'll escort Wu Yingxiong and Iron Head Monk to see the Kangxi Emperor. Then, give the Treasure Map and the forty-two chapter sutra to Wei Xiaobao and let him discuss the anti-Qing matters with the Kangxi Emperor. Jiansheng, Prince Mus Residence's former members will stay in Yunnan. If any Divine Dragon Cult remnants come, deal with them using the cannon we left behind. Contact us anytime using the walkie-talkie if anything happens."

Mu Jiansheng nodded and raised his wine cup. "Don't worry! With me here in Yunnan, nothing will go wrong! Once you overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish the New Dynasty, I will bring the people of Prince Mus Residence to submit and work with you!"

After dinner, Xie Hui called Wei Xiaobao into the courtyard, holding the Treasure Map. "Keep this map. Tell the Kangxi Emperor that half of the gold and silver in the Treasure Trove will be reserved for the imperial court, and the other half we will use to recruit soldiers and buy horses, preparing for the anti-Qing movement. Also, Wu Yingxiong and Iron Head Monk are important witnesses; don't let anything happen to them on the way."

Wei Xiaobao took the Treasure Map and carefully tucked it into his clothes. "Don't worry! I'll keep a close watch on them. If they dare to run, I'll smash them with Iron Head Monk's Meteor Hammer! Oh, Brother Hui, when we return to the capital, will the Emperor reward me with gold? I still want to buy Miss Xiao Hong an even bigger gold bracelet."

Xie Hui laughed and kicked him. "Definitely! If you handle things well, the Emperor might even appoint you a higher official. Then you can have all the gold you want."

Wei Xiaobao grinned widely, hugging the Treasure Map as he ran back to his room, still muttering "gold bracelet." Xie Hui stood in the courtyard, looking up at the night sky, clutching the key to his small universe. Inside were not only the eight copies of the forty-two chapter sutra and the Treasure Map, but also the gold, silver, and military equipment seized from Yunnan. The Foundation for overthrowing the Qing Dynasty was growing increasingly stable.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind him. It was Mu Jianping and Fang Yi walking over, holding a newly sewn light garment. "Big Brother Xie, the weather in Yunnan is hot. Sister Fang Yi and I sewed you a light garment using silk from Prince Pingxis Mansion. It will be cool to wear."

Xie Hui took the light garment. It felt smooth and slippery, warming his heart. "Thank you both for your effort." Fang Yi smiled and said, "It's only right! We still have to overthrow the Qing Dynasty together. If you get sick, who will lead us to victory?"

Mu Jianping also nodded. "I also put some heat-avoiding herbs in the lining of the light garment. Wear it on the road, and you won't easily suffer from heatstroke. My brother said there are many post stations on the way back to the capital, so we can rest there and won't have to worry about fatigue."

Xie Hui looked at the two people in front of him and thought of Shuanger and Longer. His heart was filled with peace—with these confidantes by his side, whether conquering the world or overthrowing the Qing Dynasty, he felt confident. He pulled out the forty-two chapter sutra from his inner universe, his fingertip tracing the yellowed cover, and thought silently: the capital, we will be back soon. The day we overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish the New Dynasty is drawing nearer.

Late at night, the lights in the Mu Family Manor gradually went out. Only the brothers on night watch patrolled outside the Manor, holding torches. Xie Hui returned to his room and opened his small universe. Inside, neatly arranged, were the eight copies of the forty-two chapter sutra, the Treasure Map, gold, silver, military equipment, and the clothes and wound medicine prepared by The female protagonists. He knew that although the journey back to the capital tomorrow was long, with these items and the people by his side, everything would go smoothly.

Early the next morning, the courtyard of the Mu Family Manor became bustling. Everyone was busy loading supplies onto the carriages. Wu Yingxiong and Iron Head Monk were tied onto a carriage, guarded by the Imperial Guard. Mu Jiansheng saw everyone off outside the Manor, holding a cloth bundle. "Inside are Yunnan specialties, for the Emperor and the ladies, to eat on the road."

Xie Hui took the cloth bundle and cupped his hands toward Mu Jiansheng. "Thank you! I'm leaving the affairs of Yunnan to you. Once we overthrow the Qing Dynasty, we'll come back and drink with you!"

The carriages slowly drove away from the Mu Family Manor. Wei Xiaobao sat in the front carriage, hugging the Treasure Map and humming a tune. Mao the Eighteenth rode a horse, leading the way beside the convoy, occasionally chatting with the Imperial Guard brothers about past anti-Qing efforts. Mu Jianping and Fang Yi sat in the middle carriage, helping Shuanger organize the ledger. Longer and Xie Hui walked at the rear of the procession, vigilantly observing their surroundings.

After about half an hour, Wei Xiaobao suddenly pointed at the post station ahead and shouted, "Brother Hui! There's a post station up ahead! Let's stop and rest for a bit, and let Miss Shuanger cook some chicken soup to warm us up!"

Xie Hui nodded and directed the convoy toward the post station. Just as they reached the entrance, a post station attendant ran out and cupped his hands toward the group. "Gentlemen, please come in! The post station just finished stewing chicken soup, and we have hot steamed buns, perfect for filling your stomachs."

Inside the post station, Shuanger quickly went to help in the kitchen. Mu Jianping and Fang Yi sat at the table, discussing matters after returning to the capital with Xie Hui. "Brother Hui, when we get back to the capital, should we visit the Zhuang Family first? Princess Jianning must miss us."

Xie Hui smiled and nodded. "Of course we must go! Jianning is still waiting for Sister Mu to teach her medical skills. Shuanger also needs to go back and pack, preparing supplies for the anti-Qing movement."

Just as they were speaking, they heard the sound of horse hooves outside. Wei Xiaobao ran in, shouting, "Brother Hui! A fast horse from the capital! They say the Emperor wants us to hurry back; there are important matters to discuss!"

Xie Hui's heart tightened—the Kangxi Emperor seeking them must be about the anti-Qing movement. He quickly urged everyone to speed up and continue their journey right after eating. Shuanger brought the chicken soup from the kitchen and distributed it: "Everyone drink quickly. Once we finish, we'll leave. Don't keep the Emperor waiting impatiently."

After everyone finished the chicken soup, they continued rushing toward the capital. carriage wheels rolled over the road, kicking up dust. Xie Hui sat in the carriage, clutching the key to his small universe, his heart full of anticipation—once they returned to the capital, they could start preparing to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. After establishing the New Dynasty, they would complete the mission in the deer and the cauldron world and return to the real world with The female protagonists and the spoils of war.

He pulled out the Treasure Map from his inner universe and looked at it against the sunlight. The red dot on the map should be the location of the Treasure Trove, not far from the capital. As long as they found the Treasure Trove, the funding for the anti-Qing movement would be more abundant. By then, whether recruiting soldiers and buying horses or fighting the Qing Army, they would have confidence.

The carriages moved faster and faster, and the direction of the capital became gradually clearer. Xie Hui knew that a larger battle was about to begin.