Bai Shan finally opened his eyes to look at them, saying calmly, "You live a life of licking blood off knife blades just to live well and eat well, don’t you? If you lose your life, what enjoyment can you talk about?"

The bandits sneered, "We may be horse thieves, but we have principles!"

Bai Shan sneered again, "People who burn, kill, and loot talk about principles?"

"You!"

"Principles, meaning integrity. Are you fierce or straightforward?" Bai Shan turned and said, "You have one night to think about it."

Assistant General Nie ordered the guards to watch them carefully and also turned to leave.

Manbao sat on a small stool, propping her chin with a dazed look. When Bai Shan came over, she asked, "Did they confess?"

"No," Bai Shan asked, "They shouldn’t die overnight, right?"

Manbao nodded, "Probably not, the wounds aren’t very deep, and bleeding has largely stopped, but..."

She paused and then said, "If not promptly treated now, the chances of the wound festering will increase." The death rate will also rise.

Bai Shan nodded without continuing the topic, simply saying, "Treat their wounds tomorrow."

Manbao furrowed her brows, slowly nodding after a while.

With a smile, Bai Shan reached out to pat her head, saying, "They aren’t your patients now; they are Assistant General Nie’s prisoners. Once they’re handed to you, then they are your patients."

Manbao nodded.

The tents were set up, and Zhou Man and the others resided in them, while all the soldiers and guards formed inner and outer defenses. Daji even fetched their bows and arrows, "Master, Miss Man, it’s best to carry your bows and arrows with you."

Bai Erlang suddenly remembered something and excitedly asked, "Daji, where are our swords?"

Liu Huan asked, "What swords?"

"Our swords!" Bai Erlang said confidently, "Bai Shan’s sword is his father’s old one, and mine was gifted by Princess Mingda before we set off. Since we’re traveling the world, we should have swords."

Liu Huan: "Aren’t we on an academic journey? How did it become a roam of the world?"

"Oh, well, it’s similar. Let’s find my sword first."

Daji: "... Young master, the sword is at the bottom of the trunk, which is tied up on the carriage right now. It’s not convenient to look for it now. Also,"

He looked over the two, "Your sword skills..."

Bai Erlang protested, "We’ve learned sword exercises, they’re quite decent."

Daji turned to Bai Shan for instructions.

Bai Shan said, "If it’s hard to find, don’t bother. When it comes to needing them, perhaps picking up any knife will be more useful than the swords."

Manbao sighed while hugging her small bow, saying, "Even during the day, my archery isn’t precise, let alone at night. What if I accidentally hit one of us?"

Yin Huo: "Then it’s just unfortunate luck."

Mr. Zhuang listened to their excitement and couldn’t help but speak, "Alright, tidy up and have your meal then rest; we’ll rotate night shifts."

Although they may not need to stand guard, it’s best that someone stays awake to make decisions if needed.

Everyone agreed, storing their weapons back into the tent and going to eat the warm flatbread. Who would have thought that the first night out of Liangzhou would be eating dry rations? Originally, the plan was to slice lamb leg and grill it.

Manbao picked out a sesame flatbread, split it into two, sharing half with Bai Shan.

The two sat side by side, munching, "It’s gotten dark; I wonder if word has reached Liangzhou, or if the rescue mission in the mountains found anyone?"

Bai Shan suddenly lifted his head, glancing in that direction, "Seems like they’ve returned."

Manbao got up quickly to check, and soon the horses were upon them, two carrying people. In the firelight, Manbao saw blood-soaked clothes...

She was startled, immediately shoving her flatbread into Bai Shan’s hand and rushing forward.

The soldiers pulled the people off the horses, and only when Manbao got close did she see the blood was on their clothes, their faces pale, but they seemed okay. Manbao sighed in relief and asked, "What happened?"

The soldiers replied, "Seeing darkness approaching, we intended to find a place to temporarily camp in the mountains. When we stopped, this one collapsed clutching a bandit. We were startled and inadvertently killed the bandit."

"This one encountered another at a pass on the way down."

Manbao then asked, "What about your companions?"

The two wept, "We got separated, no idea where they went."

"Oh, as long as they weren’t captured, that’s good."

After checking them, Manbao found there were no severe injuries, letting out a sigh of relief.

"It’s dark now, we’ll have to wait for the rest until tomorrow." Bai Shan approached her, "Let them eat and rest first, with so many bandits missing, who knows if they’ll choose tonight or tomorrow to act."

Manbao pondered and asked, "Should we give them some tranquilizing medicine?"

Bai Shan thought for a moment, nodding, "Brew some."

So, Manbao turned to prepare the medicine.

Assistant General Nie sent someone to deliver it, saying, "Though I want your heads for merit, I don’t want you dead so soon, so drink up."

Thinking it was hemostatic, they accepted and drank it immediately.

Assistant General Nie nodded in satisfaction, and soon they grew sleepy, their heads drooping, asleep.

With a command, Assistant General Nie had soldiers drag them into a small tent, and two blankets were provided, enough to prevent them from freezing to death.

As they finished their flatbread, Wei Xingren finally came back reeking of alcohol along with the scouts. He said, "Had a great chat."

Assistant General Nie and Bai Shan both sighed in relief, exchanging glances with a slight smile.

Manbao returned to the tent, reassured. Placing her bow by her side, she yawned and lay down to sleep.

Zhou Liru finally felt some fear and whispered, "Aunt, what if they come?"

"Don’t worry, there’s a tribe five miles away. Unless they’re allied, they wouldn’t dare storm our camp," Manbao replied, already closing her eyes as her consciousness began to drift off. "Even if allied, they’d hesitate, not knowing our numbers, refusing to act at night."

After saying this, Manbao drifted off to sleep.

She awoke in the middle of the night, roused by Keke. As she finally regained clarity and opened her eyes, Assistant General Nie, Daji, and others were also awake, staring into the darkness.

Manbao grabbed her cloak nearby, throwing it on as she went out, prepared by Zhou Liru in case of a cold night’s escape.

Once outside, Daji approached quickly, asking, "Miss Man, why are you awake?"

Manbao asked, "Did someone come?"

Daji paused before nodding, "Yes, we heard hoofbeats and are waiting."

Assistant General Nie came forward, saluting Manbao before speaking, "Ma’am, I’ve already sent someone over."

"Will there be a fight?"

Assistant General Nie shook his head, "It’s just to inquire about their origins and intent. They’re asleep and won’t necessarily know our captives are here. It’ll be fine by daylight."

Indeed, all those who’d seen them had either died or been brought here.