Blue, Red and White Dark Abyss Cauldron

Chapter 213 Jinglan Farewell

The next morning, Chu Xiaomu and his ten companions got up early, packed their tents, clothes, weapons, and various tools needed in the wild, and went to the kitchen to get enough dry food for a month. Their horse herding team did not belong to any battalion, so they were not allowed to report to the battalion officers. Zhou Bo and Xiao Zhenrong had higher positions and would not directly manage these trivial matters.

After breakfast, they were led by the horse steward to the stable to drive the horses out.

Since it was the first time for everyone to herd horses, they were inevitably a little flustered. They could take care of the front but not the back, and they stared at the left but forgot about the right.

Fortunately, these military horses were just as the horse officers said, very human-like, and they knew which direction to go after a little instruction, neither running around or lingering in the stable. After a while of busy work, they successfully led the horses out of the stable.

There were about 130 to 140 military horses going out to graze this time. They were part of the reserve horses that remained after the Nanding Army distributed soldiers. They were kept in four or five stables in the camp.

Chu Xiaomu and others spent a lot of effort just to open the horse pens one by one and drive the horses out.

When they were about to leave the military camp, they saw the central army commander Zhou Bo standing near the gate of the camp on horseback, with Jinglan riding in a carriage behind him. It was obvious that both he and his daughter had come to see him off.

This surprised everyone. They thought that it was probably the first time in Bicheng that the mighty Nanding Army’s Central Army came to see off the horse herding team.

Chu Xiaomu rode up to Zhou Bo, saluted and said, "General, the horse herding team of the Nanding Army is out herding horses, and I came to report to you."

Zhou Bo changed his usual stern expression and looked a little gentler. He nodded and said, "I came here to say a few words to you."

Chu Xiaomu said: "Please ask the central army for instructions."

Zhou Bo said: "The most important thing is to protect the safety of the soldiers and horses. We must not cause too much damage due to human negligence. Otherwise, it will violate military regulations and I will not forgive you."

Chu Xiaomu said: "Don't worry, Central Army, we will take care of this."

"Then let's talk about where the horses are going. As far as I know, they should go southeast this time, to the shore of Cuilai Lake, 200 miles away. This season is still a time when there is plenty of water and grass."

Chu Xiaomu said: "This soldier has also asked the horse officer, this time we are going to Cuilai Lake, please rest assured, Central Army."

Zhou Bo waved his hand and said, "Don't call yourself a 'pawn' in front of me anymore. There is no such rule in the Bicheng Army."

Chu Xiaomu couldn't help but feel a little flustered, and said, "Then...then how should I...how should I call myself?"

Zhou Bo frowned and said, "It's up to you, just don't be a 'small soldier'. Although there are different positions in the army, there is no distinction between noble and humble. Don't underestimate yourself."

Chu Xiaomu thought to himself, could it be that Zhou Zhongjun has changed his personality today? When did he become so polite?

He said, "Yes, I understand." He thought, you are waiting at the camp gate so early in the morning, wouldn't it be just to say a few unimportant words? So he asked, "I wonder if the central army has any other instructions..."

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Zhou Bo's face. He pulled his horse aside and said, "My daughter Jinglan has something to say to you. Please get off the horse."

Chu Xiaomu was puzzled. He didn't know what Miss Jinglan could tell him. However, Zhou Bo was not a joker. He felt inexplicably nervous at this moment. He had no choice but to get off the horse, walk to the carriage where Jinglan was sitting, bow and say, "Ms. Zhou...Jinglan, what can I do for you?"

Jinglan gently opened the curtain, revealing half of her beautiful face, and said, "You were worried about Jinglan's affairs when you went out this time. Jinglan feels very sorry and came to see you off."

Chu Xiaomu said: "Miss, there is no need to be so polite. I am only following the orders of the central army and doing my job. This is just a simple favor. Besides...besides, I don't know...Anyway, there is no need to feel bad..." He wanted to say, "Besides, I don't know if I can find the right herbs for the disease," but he was afraid that Zhou Bu and Jing Lan would be unhappy, so he quickly stopped talking.

Jinglan said, "Are you trying to say, 'You don't know if you can find the medicine'?"

Chu Xiaomu cursed himself, "You deserve to die!" He thought to himself that he had spoken without thinking. Miss Jinglan was very smart and must have heard it. He wanted to make her sad.

However, he did not want to deceive others, so he said, "I... I really am not sure." He thought that although he could ask the spirits, they all said that using the spirit-asking technique in Cangmu Country was very dangerous, and there was a high probability that his life would be in danger. If he died, he would naturally not be able to find the herbs.

Jinglan said: "You promised to find medicine for me, Jinglan is already very grateful. But...but you have to promise me one thing first..."

Chu Xiaomu took care of Jinglan in the central army tent for more than a month. The two of them often spent time alone together. As they were not much different in age, they had become very good friends. And because Jinglan had difficulty walking, she often needed Chu Xiaomu to carry her in and out of the car. Such close contact was something neither of them had ever had before.

But for some reason, Chu Xiaomu had been locked in the cage for more than twenty days, and the two of them only met again yesterday. When they talked together again, they felt unfamiliar again.

Chu Xiaomu said: "Just tell me, no matter what it is, I will definitely do it for you."

Jinglan smiled softly and said, "Don't you even ask what it is? You just agreed so hastily. What if it is something extremely difficult to do?"

Chu Xiaomu said: "It's your order. No matter how difficult it is, I will do my best to do it."

Jinglan's fair face turned red in an instant, and she said, "Little...Brother Xiaomu..." in an almost inaudible voice.

Once, when Chu Xiaomutou heard him call himself "Brother Xiaomu", he suddenly froze and thought to himself: "Xiaoying almost calls me that too. Is she...is she okay?" He couldn't help but feel an indescribable pain in his heart, as if something was tightly gripping and pulling at his heart.

Seeing that he suddenly looked distraught, Jinglan said, "What's wrong? Can't... can't you scream?" There was a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Chu Xiaomu quickly said, "No... no, of course not. Miss, if you need my permission, please tell me."

Jinglan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Actually...it's nothing..." She seemed a little afraid to say it out loud.

Chu Xiaomu stood aside and waited quietly, only to realize that his palms were full of sweat.

Jinglan seemed to have finally made up her mind and said, "Brother Xiaomu...you have found medicine that can cure my leg disease. If there is any danger, you must not...you must not take the risk of collecting herbs. I have had leg disease for a long time and I'm used to it. If...if collecting herbs harms you, I can...I can..." Her face became even redder and she could no longer utter the following words.