Fan Zehao pointed at the hoof prints on the ground, confirming he wasn't mistaken. "Brother Ying, you are so knowledgeable. What is the situation with these hoof prints? And there are also traces of someone walking on the other side, what do you make of that!"
Brother Ying couldn't explain it clearly. In reality, there were hoof prints and footprints here. Could he say it was a coincidence?
Obviously not. Forget them not believing, even he himself didn't believe it!
Seeing the footprints deepen, Brother Ying frowned slightly and decided to follow them to investigate. "Since we've tracked them this far, why don't we follow these footprints and see what's going on!"
Fan Zehao nodded heavily. That was his thought too!
The group began to investigate along the footprints. After searching for more than half an hour, they finally found the culprit of these footprints in the deep mountains!
A wild horse!
It was a jet-black wild horse. When it saw them suddenly appear beside it, it was startled and bolted, raising all four hooves. It ran across the small stream, but after a few meters, as it rounded a bend to avoid trees, it crashed headlong into a large pine tree due to its excessive speed, instantly killing itself!
Fan Zehao and Ying Xiong were stunned!
They had come to investigate a case, not to wait for a horse to deliver itself. Now, their dinner had an extra wild dish!
The two of them looked at each other, smiled, and flicked their sleeves to walk back. But it was tough for Shi He and Ying Xiong's guard, Er Chen!
Two grown men, carrying a horse weighing five to six hundred pounds back, and even on a sloping path, it was quite arduous!
On the way back to the medicine manor, Fan Zehao briefly explained his previous speculation. Now that he understood the situation, there was no need to make excuses to save face.
That wasn't his style. When he was wrong, he would apologize sincerely!
"I apologize. I was narrow-minded and misunderstood Brother Ying. I hope you can forgive me!"
Ying Xiong shook his head. He was slightly surprised by Fan Zehao's direct apology, but knowing his upright conduct and that he was a man of integrity, he understood.
"Once it's out in the open, it's nothing. If you had kept it to yourself, how could we have truly befriended each other? I prefer your straightforward nature, speaking your mind and not hiding anything. Only then can our friendship endure."
Fan Zehao patted his shoulder. "That's true, but I judged you based on such small clues. That was my mistake. However, I'm glad you can understand."
Ying Xiong smiled without a word. After walking for a while, he decided to resolve the issue with the horse bandit group together with Fan Zehao.
Truth would reveal itself in action, whether man or ghost!
"I've been in the martial world for many years and know how to buy information. The horse bandit group has been a thorn in my side. If I don't get rid of them, my medicine manor can't operate normally. So, my younger brother, please be patient for a few days. Once I send people to gather some information, we can make plans, alright!"
Fan Zehao nodded!
He hadn't been in the martial world and knew nothing of its ways. As for the rules and customs of this world, he was determined to learn from it this time!
Buying information?
Wasn't that similar to spies, just with different motivations?
One sold out their country, the other sold other information!
One did it risking their life, the other for money. The contrast was obvious!
By the time they returned to the medicine manor, it had been an hour and a half, and the sky had completely darkened.
The medicine manor was brightly lit!
Zhao Jiaqi was tending to a bonfire, and Fan Yao was happily guarding the roast chicken on the fire. This was the first time he was making it using his mother's method!
Even without tasting it, the aroma was incredibly enticing. His excited little hands couldn't help but want to poke the chicken to see if it was cooked. His mouth was watering!
Those who returned could smell the aroma before they even got close to the bonfire!
This scent was different from the usual charred smell; it was sweet. Seeing Fan Yao's roast chicken sizzling and glistening golden yellow on the fire, it looked delicious even before being tasted!
For the sake of some food, Ying Xiong put aside any concerns about his dignity. After washing up, he sat right beside Fan Yao and, through simple conversation with the child, quickly learned the entire process of making the roast chicken!
Fan Zehao shook his head at this. This guy wouldn't let even a child go. No wonder he was richer than a nation. If he couldn't become the wealthiest person, it would be an injustice!
Not wanting to interfere with how he was "ripping off" his own child, Fan Zehao clasped his hands behind his back and went to find his wife, who was roasting a whole pig.
Seeing her directing the servants to cut meat, he stood beside her and said softly, "I've investigated. The hoof prints were from a wild horse. As for the human footprints on the ground, they were likely from hunters going up the mountain. Other than that, there were no signs of anyone living in the vicinity!"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded. She couldn't say she was disappointed. This was both within and outside her expectations. She would rather this person be their friend than an enemy like Ying Xiong.
"That's good. Now that things are clear, we can interact more freely in the future."
Fan Zehao nodded silently. "Indeed. Ying Xiong said he's going to the city tomorrow to find someone to buy information about the horse bandits and told us to wait. Once we have confirmed information about that group, we will act."
Zhao Jiaqi was surprised. She turned to look at him. Did such a sect truly exist in this world?
She had thought it was just a figment of imagination from television and novels, but unexpectedly, it actually existed in this ancient time!
Did that mean the Beggar's Sect also existed here?
When the whole roasted pig was served, Ying Xiong couldn't wait to taste it, but since the two of them hadn't sat down, he felt too embarrassed to start eating on his own!
Zhao Jiaqi took half of the roasted meat and gave it to the servants to eat. They didn't need to serve them here. It would be awkward for the servants to watch them eat meat!
Ying Xiong saw this and gave Zhao Jiaqi a thumbs-up. "A mistress like you is rare. They are fortunate to have a master like you."
Zhao Jiaqi sat down and smiled back. "Am I not also fortunate to have met them? They protect my safety with their lives and serve me wholeheartedly. I repay them with these trivial matters, so I'm getting a great deal!"
Ying Xiong wanted to argue with her, but then he thought that she was magnanimous and unconcerned with worldly views. Arguing with her would seem like inviting trouble.
So, he let it go.
He had eaten many delicacies before, but this was truly the first time he had eaten such delicious roast meat. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The color of the roast meat, golden yellow and glistening, was a feast for the eyes.
However, he shook his head with a hint of regret. "With such a delicacy, paired with some fine wine, this meal would be more precious than a life of a deity!"
His exaggerated expression amused Fan Yao, who sat there giggling. Fan Yao had eaten many delicious foods like this, but they all had different flavors, so he was not surprised.