Sometimes, it was even possible to use some despicable methods to extract information. As if there were two people who were interrogated separately, they could pressure them to give the right information.
Not long afterwards, Feng Ao Kuai was done. He wiped the blood in his hand with the cloth as he walked towards the others.
"Grandfather, the bandits are targeting us because they see that we're rich. Also, there seems to be a different group mixed in along with them on the Young Commander Long's side," Feng Ao Kuai gave the shortened report.
"Another group?" Old Master Nan arched his eyebrows. He then looked towards the other carriage where the officials whom Long Qian Xing had to escort was located. There was a strange glint in his eyes for a moment before he looked away and nodded.
"Should I ask for information?" Feng Ao Kuai asked.
"No need. I'll settle it with him. As for these bandits… do you know their leader and so on?"
"Yes. I can give you a detailed report, Grandfather."
"Write it down and hand it to me."
"Yes."
Nan Si Qiao looked at her son and patted his head. She could see Feng Ao Kuai's eyes darkened slightly as he hated to be treated as a brat. She sighed internally and really wanted to tease this young boy but chose not to. "You did great, Ah Kuai."
"Mhm." Feng Ao Kuai nodded slightly.
"Remember to have some rest when it's done."
"Yes, Mother."
Feng Ao Kuai slipped back to his tent and began to write the report on the bamboo scrolls that his grandfather had given to him. His writing was neat and he wrote extremely fast. Looking at the way Feng Ao Kuai wrote, Nan Luo was astonished.
"No wonder Kuai always finish the work the fastest," Nan Luo commented.
Feng Ao Si snorted. "If it's not because he's born in military family, I'm sure Kuai will become a scholar."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Nan Luo looked at Feng Ao Kuai for a moment then shook his head. "You're wrong, Cousin Ao Si. Kuai will never be a scholar even if he's not born in a military family."
"How are you so sure?"
"That's because he enjoys this." Nan Luo smirked lightly. He could see that Feng Ao Kuai was enjoying himself when he was scheming and giving instruction from the back. While the brat himself often stayed inside in order to study, he still spent most of his time to learn more about military.
In Nan Luo's eyes, it would be impossible for Feng Ao Kuai to become a scholar in the future when he was still enjoying himself greatly.
"Hmmm." Feng Ao Si fell into deep thought but didn't discuss this anymore.
"What is it?"
Feng Ao Kuai had finished his report and stood up. He looked at his older brother and younger cousin with arched eyebrows. His dark eyes were gazing in their direction as if giving them warning.
"It's nothing."
"Yes, we're talking about nothing."
Feng Ao Kuai looked at his older brother deeply before going to Old Master Nan to give the report in his hand.
The night passed quietly afterwards.
There were no other incidents.
The next day, they finally arrived at the intersection. After this, Long Qian Xing had to escort the officials through different route, so they have to separate in this road.
"Be careful on your journey, Young Commander Long."
"Many thanks for your advice." Long Qian Xing clasped his hand. "I hope you stay healthy and safe in your journey, General Nan."
Old Master Nan nodded and waved his hand.
Long Qian Xing pursed his lips. For some reasons, he felt that Old Master Nan and his family members didn't want him to get close to Nan Hua. They were always stopping him from staying near the young girl.
He felt amused since he didn't have any other thought about that little girl. Anything would have to wait until she had grown up.
After bidding farewell with the other young masters, Long Qian Xing departed with the officials. The others were still going with Old Master Nan towards Heng Xing City, which was located at quite a distance away from that location. It took them another two days with their slow pace to reach the city while stopping in some other villages first.
It was also to create diversion since Old Master Nan said that he was going on a trip because of his poor health.
If he didn't make any stop in other cities, they would be suspicious as to why he only stopped at Heng Xing City.
"By the way, are we going to deal with those bandits?" Nan Luo asked when he saw Heng Xing City in a distance.
"Do you want to?"
"Of course! They dared to attack Hua'er, so I want to eliminate them!" Nan Luo said in anger. Anyone who dared to have design to his twin little sister had to pay the price.
Thwack!
"Ouch!"
"Your motivation is good, but it's not the right time." Old Master Nan shook his head. "The one who control that area is Su Family and if we interfere brainlessly, we're only going to get in trouble. If you want to deal with them, you need to use your brain."
"Ah?" Nan Luo looked at his grandfather with confusion.
Feng Ao Si looked at Nan Luo. "That means you have to kill them covertly, idiot!"
"Really?"
Thwack!
"You're not one to call your cousin like that." Old Master Nan sighed when he saw these two. Asking them to think would be a bit too much, was it? "I'll tell you later. Now, stay silent."
The two of them shut their mouth and didn't speak anymore as they looked into the city. The officials there were already rushing out to welcome them. From the way it looked, they were trying their best to show their hospitality.
Old Master Nan also didn't make things difficult for them and simply asked his servants to arrange a place for him to stay.
Heng Xing City was more similar to a village rather than a city. Aside from the size that was several times that of a village, the living condition was very poor. The buildings were mostly old and didn't look good at all while the people mostly only wore cheap clothing. They didn't look like beggar but it was not outstanding no matter which side they tried to look at.
It would be a disgrace to call this a city but they all held their tongue. The one who wanted to come here was Nan Hua, thus they chose to stay silent and followed her wishes.
"Father, you're not planning on following the governor's arrangement?" Nan Si Qiao asked when she saw Old Master Nan rejected the invitation.
Old Master Nan snorted. "I'm here to rest and not to participate in the political battle."
He knew very well which side the governor here was standing on. If he tried to get close to the governor, it would look as if he was trying to build his political power. The Emperor might not mind at all but those who were holding the political power would hate him so much.
They already made things difficult for him when he was at the Capital City. There was no need for him to add more things for them to be wary of him.
"…Fine."
"Master, there's an official who's transferred from the Capital City here." The servant informed.
"Transferred?" Old Master Nan racked his brain before he recalled a certain young rascal. He nodded and sighed. "There are too many people who want to meet this old bone. Why can't they let this old bone have some rest?"
"Father, let me help you."
"I can still walk on my own."
"Father, please don't be stubborn."
In the end, Old Master Nan allowed Nan Si Qiao to help him. No matter how much he quipped that he would be able to walk by himself, Nan Si Qiao didn't allow him to walk without her accompanying him.
They reached the front and saw a young official stood there. The young official, Zhang Dan Shui, quickly bowed down as greetings. "Vice Governor Zhang Dan Shui greets General Nan."
Since Zhang Dan Shui volunteered to come here even though he was a palace official, his rank was risen to that of vice governor. It meant that there was only one person above him. However, Heng Xing City was a poor city, so it would be hard for him to make contribution that would allow him to rise in rank nor return to the Capital City.
Old Master Nan nodded. "Is there anything I could help, Official Zhang?"
Zhang Dan Shui's eyes flashed when he heard the greetings. "This one wished to inquire how long General Nan wished to stay here in order to prepare the necessary accommodation. Heng Xing City might be lacking, but we'll do our best to make your stay comfortable."
"I'll only stay for a few days. I'm sure you're quite busy yourself, so you don't have to concern yourself with us."
"In that case, I'll excuse myself."