Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

Chapter 108 Strict Enforcement of Vehicle and Driver Duties Leads to Suspicion and Reporting

Chai Ronggui, clad in blue-scaled snake armor and carrying a long-handled reverse-bladed sword, rode a tall horse and strolled to the carriage carrying Sima Yan, bowing respectfully.

"Counselor Ma, I am Chai Ronggui, the general guarding Jianmen Pass. Recently, some fugitives have attempted to escape the country. I am performing my duties and am conducting a thorough search of passing convoys. I request your cooperation in the inspection."

Upon hearing this, Sima Yan beckoned with his finger.

Chai Ronggui frowned slightly, wondering what the girl in front of him was going to do, but he still rode his horse closer.

Sima Yan said, "General Chai, be sensible and make way. These carriages are full of important people. If any one of them says a word, your official career is over."

Chai Ronggui said expressionlessly, "As a military officer, I don't understand your convoluted words. I only know that since I am the general guarding the pass, I should fulfill my duties and be loyal to my post."

"Moreover, if a fugitive were to infiltrate the delegation and cause harm to the envoys, I, the general, would be held responsible."

"For the safety of all the envoys, I would like to ask Councilor Ma to show his travel documents and inform the special envoys on my behalf that the special envoys and their entourage should dismount from the carriage for inspection. The inspection will be quick and will not take long."

Sima Yan frowned, knowing that it was definitely not feasible to have Chai Rong return to inspect the treasure-hunting delegation.

An investigation would expose the truth; eight out of the nine carriages were empty.

After a moment's thought, Sima Yan casually took out two strings of coins: "I'd like to trouble General Chai to do me a favor. We're all just working people, so let's not make things difficult for each other. When it comes to doing things, enough is enough."

Chai Ronggui glanced at it. He had two thousand coins, and normally he would have turned a blind eye and let them pass. But the situation was special now, and no amount of money could make things easier for them.

Chai Ronggui clasped his hands in a gesture of polite refusal, and said in a seemingly righteous tone, "I'm sorry, Councilor Ma, but I am burdened with the important task of guarding the pass and cannot make an exception. Please, envoys, dismount and submit to inspection."

Sima Yan narrowed his eyes: "Is there really no way to make an exception?"

"really."

"Is there really no room for compromise?"

"really."

"Alright, then please go ahead."

Chai Ronggui beckoned to the guards: "Men, search the convoy thoroughly, don't miss a single corner where the Tibetans are hiding."

The guards pulled the carriage toward a secluded spot nearby.

Once Zhou Qingfeng's whereabouts are confirmed, immediately surround and kill him from the shadows, and seize the key and treasure map.

The guards searched each carriage one by one.

However, apart from Sima Yan, the other vehicles were completely empty.

The most important objective was not within the mission.

It's almost certain that this was a fake treasure-hunting mission.

Fortunately, Chai Ronggui had received prior notice, so he was not too disappointed.

Sima Yan stood silently with her arms crossed, seemingly cooperating, but in reality, she was suspicious. She noticed something was wrong with this group through many small details; both the garrison commander and the soldiers seemed strange.

First of all, Chai Ronggui has a big problem. How could a general guarding Jianmen Pass dare to offend the treasure-hunting delegation? Doesn't he know that the treasure-hunting delegation is full of rich kids with powerful backgrounds and influential connections?

He knew it, but he still insisted on the search, and even offering money to clear a path didn't work.

Who gave him the guts?

To say that he was fearless of authority and dutiful in his duties is somewhat plausible, since people's character is different and we can't expect everyone to be the same.

But how do you explain those soldiers? Their standard light armor was crooked and they weren't wearing military boots. Moreover, most of the soldiers were at the Food Calamity Realm, and the officers were at the Food Fiend Realm.

When did a small border castle acquire such power?

If you didn't know better, you'd think you'd walked into a major city.

All these strange occurrences led Sima Yan to almost conclude that Chai Ronggui must have been acting under someone's orders, colluding with this group of thieves disguised as soldiers, all for the key and treasure map in Zhou Qingfeng's possession.

"Councilor Ma, I have offended you. It was my duty, please forgive me." Having gained nothing, Chai Ronggui, carrying a long-handled reverse-blade sword on his shoulder, bowed slightly to Sima Yan as a token of his apology.

At the same time, Chai Ronggui gave a wink to the people lying in ambush on the city wall, signaling them not to make any rash moves, as this fake treasure-hunting delegation was not the target.

Sima Yan smiled faintly: "General Chai, aren't you curious why I'm the only envoy in your delegation?"

Upon hearing this, Chai Ronggui said without changing his expression, "I'm not curious. I only do my job to ensure that there are no escapees in the mission. Other matters are none of my concern."

Sima Yan smiled and said, "General Chai is truly a loyal and dutiful man. It is a waste of your talent to keep someone like you as a garrison commander in Jianmen Pass. After we return to the city, I will definitely recommend you to the city lord."

Chai Ronggui chuckled and said, "Then thank you very much, Councilor Ma."

"I will not delay General Chai from carrying out his official duties any longer. Farewell."

"Alright, Councilor Ma, please go ahead. I won't see you off."

Sima Yan boarded the carriage and ordered the delegation to set off again. After passing through the gates of Jianmen Pass, he lifted the curtain and glanced back at the majestic castle, a slight smile appearing on his lips: "This is going to be difficult."

After lowering the curtains and pondering for a moment, Sima Yan took out his telescope again to contact Ma Dalang.

"Mr. Ma, the situation has changed somewhat."

Sima Yan gave a brief report to Ma Dalang on what he had seen, heard, and guessed.

Ma Dalang frowned repeatedly. He had expected an ambush, but he hadn't expected the person hiding in the shadows to be so bold as to intercept and kill Lao Si at the border crossing. If things continued this way, Lao Si would really be in danger.

"Sima Yan, you must immediately sneak back to Jianmen Pass. If Lao Si is really trapped, you must rescue him. If necessary, the treasure map and key can be used as bargaining chips to exchange for Lao Si's life."

Sima Yan smoothed a strand of hair from his forehead and said with a light laugh, "Boss Ma, there's no need to be nervous. I've dealt with Zhou Silang before, and I've experienced his methods and strategies firsthand. A person with such wisdom and resourcefulness would never act without leaving a backup plan."

"Although the situation has changed unexpectedly, I think Zhou Silang should be fine. Even without my rescue, I'm confident he can get away safely."

"I haven't figured it out yet. If I were Zhou Silang, I would be very curious about how I would get away. Mr. Ma, I'll go back and take a look. I'll report back if there are any new developments."

Upon hearing this, Ma Dalang quickly said, "Make sure to protect the fourth brother; nothing else matters."

"Don't worry, Mr. Ma. I'll do as much as you pay me. If you pay me enough, I'll do anything for you, even if it means sacrificing my physical body. I'll make sure your brother is safe and sound."

With Sima Yan's words, Ma Dalang felt relieved. Although Sima Yan was indeed quite infuriating at times and seemed unreliable, he was a hard worker when paid and did a decent job.

Ma Dalang was also puzzled. He wondered which stupid pig had the audacity to snatch food from the First Lady's mouth. It was like an old man hanging himself, tired of living.

This matter needs to be reported as soon as possible and a response should be taken promptly, since it also involves Ma Dalang's own interests.

Therefore, Ma Dalang immediately went to the inner courtyard of the city lord's mansion, found the first lady, and gave a brief report.

"Mother, my fourth brother might be surrounded. Should we send reinforcements immediately?"