Chapter 53

Did a mistake occur while communicating with the spirits?

Tie Miaqing did not comment on this, believing that she knew best whether there had been a mistake. She thought that her communication with the spirits had been successful, but her desire to control the situation had led this person to mistakenly believe that a mistake had occurred.

In other words, she believed that Yu Qing's divination skills were still quite accurate.

Now, Yu Qing had divined again and said there was a spy among her people, which made her heart sink into an icy valley. Could there really be a spy?

Seeing that she was silent and hesitant, Yu Qing continued to persuade her: "Madam, if the divination is true, the consequences will be unimaginable. It's just a test, and there will be no loss."

Tie Miaqing looked at the clinking jar in her hand, "You make it sound easy, how can there be no loss? As soon as we test, they will think I don't trust them, and the loss will be their hearts. Is there anything more precious than hearts in this world? Miaqing Hall is not a major household in Youjiao Port, nor do we have substantial wealth. We can offer them very little, and it's already difficult for them to follow us like this. Do you know? Sun Ping was my mother's maid, loyal to my mother, and has taken care of both my mother and me for generations. How can I hurt her feelings over such a matter?"

Yu Qing placed a hand on his chest, signaling her to calm down, "Madam, you are overthinking it. Don't worry, as long as you follow my method, there will be no loss. If they are not spies, they will not feel any distrust from you."

"Oh!" Tie Miaqing's bright eyes stared at him, "How do you plan to test them?"

Yu Qing pointed outside, "This is why I suddenly led them into the cave. If there is an ambush outside, these people have been holding back, waiting for the three fire crickets to be complete. How would the enemy know if we are complete? They would need a spy to give a signal. Now that I have suddenly led them in, as long as we keep them calm and prevent the spy from contacting the outside, both sides will become anxious if they can't communicate for a long time..."

Listening to his detailed explanation, Tie Miaqing's expression showed a thoughtful look. After roughly understanding his intentions, she couldn't help but look at him up and down, "This isn't about discussing a plan with me; you clearly had a premeditated plan to deceive me. They say that all professions are inferior except for reading books, are scholars all so cunning? No wonder you passed the imperial examination."

"..." Yu Qing was speechless, helplessly saying, "Madam, do you still have the heart to joke around now?"

Tie Miaqing shook her head, "I'm not joking. Yes, what you said makes sense, but to determine someone as a spy just because they want to leave is too hasty."

Yu Qing, "Some things can't be explained in a few words, but they are clear to see. Madam, you are not blind or foolish. You will naturally see the signs and decide whether to control the person. The decision is in your hands, you don't need to worry."

Tie Miaqing frowned, deep in thought, and after a while, she said, "If there really is a spy, if there really is an ambush, will these actions be useful? Can we still get out?"

Yu Qing immediately reassured her, "The divination has a specific meaning. If it proves to be correct, I have confidence in leading everyone to safety according to the divination. If the divination is wrong, it means there is no spy, and everything will be smooth and worry-free."

Tie Miaqing asked, "What is the method for escaping according to the divination?"

Yu Qing, "The divination can only be understood, not explained. How can the divine will be revealed? If I say it, it won't work."

Tie Miaqing fell silent again.

Yu Qing couldn't wait any longer, "Madam, we can't hesitate. It's just a test, and there will be no loss."

"Alright!" Tie Miaqing, unable to resist his persuasion, finally agreed.

In the end, she still believed in the divination. Otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to such a test without any evidence.

Seeing that she agreed, Yu Qing immediately reached behind him, pulled out three incense sticks, lit them on the torch, and inserted them on the ground.

Tie Miaqing was already a bit mystified by his actions, asking in surprise, "What are you doing?"

"Oh, just making a mark." Yu Qing nonchalantly pointed at the metal jar in her hand, which had stopped clinking, "Madam, this must be left here, not taken with us, or it won't work."

Tie Miaqing hesitated slightly but followed his instructions, gently placing it on the ground.

She didn't want to do this, but if it was true, she couldn't afford the consequences and had to agree to try.

Yu Qing extended his hand, inviting her to return with him.

As they moved forward, they saw the light from the tunnel ahead and the waiting Sun Ping and others.

When the two groups met, Sun Ping and the others all had questions, wanting to know what to do next.

Yu Qing first waved to Xu Fei and Chong'er, handing the torch to Xu Fei, "Xu brother, you two keep going inside. Stop when you see three incense sticks on the ground, stay there and wait for instructions. The fire must not be extinguished."

Tie Miaqing then understood the purpose of the three incense sticks, they were indeed used as markers.

Xu Fei wanted to say something but knew they had the least say here. They had no choice but to reluctantly agree and lead Chong'er away. The tunnel ahead was dark and deep, and the two of them, acting alone, felt a bit timid.

The group watched as the two gradually walked away. Sun Ping asked in confusion, "What's going on?"

Tie Miaqing didn't know either, as Yu Qing hadn't told her about Xu Fei and Chong'er.

Unbeknownst to them, Yu Qing just wanted to separate Xu Fei and Chong'er, as there were some things he didn't want them to see.

"Nothing, just one at a time." Yu Qing then reached behind him, pulled out a few more incense sticks, lit them on the torch, and inserted them on the ground. He then told Sun Ping and the others, "You three sit and meditate in front of these three incense sticks. Remember, the fire must not be extinguished!" He even lit an oil lamp for them and placed it on the ground.

What does this mean? Cheng Shanping asked in a low voice, "What are you doing, messing around like this?"

Tie Miaqing timely intervened, "Calm down, sit and meditate. It's all for catching the fire crickets, you'll know soon."

Yu Qing also shrugged, "If I can't catch them, you can deal with me as you wish."

Sun Ping lightly hit Cheng Shanping's arm, "Old Cheng, why are you so anxious? Since Young Master said so, just follow his instructions."

Regardless of Yu Qing's methods, as long as he could catch the fire crickets, it was fine. They had already caught two, and she trusted him. Actions speak louder than words.

Zhu Shangbiao also tugged at Cheng Shanping's sleeve, sat down cross-legged, and stuck the torch beside him.

Cheng Shanping looked around and realized he was the only one being difficult, so he silently sat down opposite the couple.

Tie Miaqing said nothing, turned, and walked deeper into the tunnel, with Yu Qing following.

The two didn't walk far, stopping about twenty feet away, and also inserted three incense sticks on the ground, sitting down cross-legged.

Yu Qing waved his hand, extinguishing the torch, and both his and Tie Miaqing's figures disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the red dots of the burning incense visible.

Sun Ping was still puzzled but sat down as instructed, meditating and conserving her energy.

Cheng Shanping strained his eyes to see Tie Miaqing and Yu Qing in the darkness, but the light made it hard to see clearly. He only saw vague shadows and was told not to extinguish the fire. Seeing the couple opposite close their eyes, he also closed his eyes.

The two sitting in the darkness could clearly see every move of the three, even the subtlest gestures.

Yu Qing, who practiced the "Observation Word Technique," was skilled in this area. He knew who the spy was but didn't say, wanting Tie Miaqing to observe on her own. He occasionally observed her reactions.

He noticed that Cheng Shanping's slight abnormality had already caught Tie Miaqing's attention more than the couple.

After a moment of meditation, Cheng Shanping suddenly opened his eyes and asked the couple, "Why are we sitting here doing nothing?"

The couple had their eyes closed, and Sun Ping replied calmly, "Old Cheng, Miss isn't foolish, just follow the instructions."

Cheng Shanping ignored her, stood up, and walked directly to the opposite side.

The couple, not deaf, opened their eyes, exchanged glances, and frowned. Zhu Shangbiao muttered, "What's wrong with Old Cheng, he's so restless."

Tie Miaqing naturally saw Cheng Shanping approaching.

Yu Qing's lips curled into a fleeting smile.

Cheng Shanping soon reached the two, not speaking from a high position, but half-knelt in front of Tie Miaqing, "Madam, your son-in-law is seriously injured and waiting for us to bring back the items for treatment. Why are we delaying for no reason?"

Yu Qing interjected, "It's almost done, just a moment."

Cheng Shanping angrily said, "You're always doing these mysterious things, I don't see the point."

Yu Qing, "Are you saying my methods can't catch the fire crickets?"

Cheng Shanping was speechless.

Tie Miaqing's tone became more serious, "Old Cheng, don't be impatient. Sit back and don't cause trouble."

Meeting her rare firm gaze, Cheng Shanping's confidence wavered. He stood up silently, turned, and returned to sit opposite Sun Ping and the couple.

Tie Miaqing stared at him intently in the darkness.

Yu Qing stroked his ponytail, his eyes slightly cold.

He had not been sure if there was someone outside, even after seeing Cheng Shanping leave markers. The people from Miaqing Hall had a valid point; it was hard for those trapped in the ancient forest to escape. He needed confirmation, and Cheng Shanping's attitude now confirmed that there was indeed an ambush outside.

Cheng Shanping was clearly restless, closing his eyes for a short while before opening them again, occasionally glancing toward the cave entrance.

Having known each other for many years, Tie Miaqing understood the habits of everyone. She was already beginning to suspect that Cheng Shanping was acting strangely, though she wasn't sure if it was due to Yu Qing's influence.

The more she observed, the more uneasy she felt, gradually noticing Cheng Shanping's abnormal behavior more clearly.

Especially compared to Sun Ping and the couple, the signs became more apparent.

The couple meditated with their eyes closed, conserving their energy and regulating their breathing. Cheng Shanping, while mostly in the same position, was clearly distracted, occasionally looking at her and sometimes toward the exit, giving the impression that he couldn't sit still.