Yamafu Military Affairs

Chapter 658 Yazhou
"What's wrong, Brother Ash? Is your precious serpent hungry?"

Noticing the giant snake's gaze, Qin Huai thought for a moment and did not directly point out that the scroll at his waist was Zisomo. Instead, he continued to chat idly, testing the peddler's reaction.

"Strange, Daqing would never stare at strangers like this before. Maybe he's really hungry."

As he spoke, Ash pulled out a bamboo tube about the length of a forearm and the thickness of a wrist from the cargo and poured all the red minced meat inside into the gaping maw of the dark blue giant serpent.

After consuming its food, the snake demon finally stopped paying attention to Qin Huai, wandered back to the top of the carriage, and remained motionless, as if it had fallen asleep.

Seeing this, Qin Huai nodded without saying much, but temporarily kept his suspicions about the peddler Ash. At the same time, he took off his mask and quickly finished the thick meat porridge in the pot.

“Master Wu, there is only one official road from Xijing to Yazhou. It starts from Jinguan Post Station, passes through Guangdu Post Station, crosses the Xinjin South River, and traverses the Qiongya Pass. After passing Baizhang Pass and Jinji Pass, you will arrive at Yazhou, which is surrounded by mountains on the Sichuan border.”

After extinguishing the fire, putting away the rain canopy, and cleaning up the mess, Ash skillfully took the reins, drove the carriage onto the main road, and explained to Qin Huai, who was looking at the map in the carriage.

"You make the arrangements. If any problems arise on the way, I will take care of them."

After saying this, Qin Huai closed his eyes, ignoring Ash and focusing most of his attention on the [Asura Technique].

"Master Wu, we'll be in Yazhou City soon. Are you planning to go directly to the government office?"

Ash drove Qin Huai for two or three days, and after passing Jinji Pass, Yazhou City was already in sight.

"Yes, there are some official matters that need to be handled at the government office first."

Qin Huai poked his head out and replied.

"Then I shall take my leave now. I have a few letters from Xijing that I need to deliver to the elders in the village, so I will not accompany Master Wu into the city."

Ash pulled a stack of letters from his pocket and waved them in the direction of Qin Huai.

"Delivering the message is the priority, Brother Ash. We'll meet again someday."

Qin Huai nodded, not wanting to force him. After watching him pick up the carrying pole and walk away with She Xiao, he raised his whip and struck the horse's rump, and the carriage immediately started moving.

As dusk fell, just before the city gates closed, Qin Huai finally arrived in Yazhou City. When the gatekeepers saw the military officer's badge that Qin Huai had taken out, they quickly sent one of them to take him to the prefect's residence.

Soon, Qin Huai arrived at the Yazhou government office. The prefect was clearly unaware of Qin Huai's arrival and only hurriedly led his clerk, county magistrate, registrar, and clerk out to greet him after hearing the report.

"This humble official greets Your Excellency!"

Qin Huai jumped off the carriage and looked at the county magistrate. The man looked to be in his forties, with dark skin and a short stature. He resembled a "Black Bone Yi" from the ruling class of the Yi ethnic group, and stood out conspicuously among the crowd.

"Enough with the small talk, let's go inside. I've come here on important business."

Qin Huai took the initiative and went inside first, with the others quickly following.

Wow~
The sound of papers turning filled the hall as a group of people bowed and cautiously watched Qin Huai as he reviewed the files.

“A month ago, five soldiers guarding Yazhou disappeared one after another. In the documents you submitted to Xijing, you said they were killed by evil spirits.”

After the hot tea served by the prefect had completely cooled down, Qin Huai put down what he was holding and asked, "Now that I'm here, where are the evil spirits?"

"My lord, the evil spirit has been eliminated by the mountain god's messenger invited by Asupimo, and there is no longer any threat." The prefect quickly stepped forward.

"No more threat? Then where are the bodies of those recruits?"

Qin Huai stared intently into the prefect's eyes. On the surface, the Black Reward was to have him investigate the truth behind the mysterious death of the Yazhou commander. However, Yu Gongcao had already anticipated this and had clearly stated on the Qingtan paper that the commander's disappearance was related to the Ba Hui believers. Qin Huai's way of pressing the Yazhou prefect was also to prevent him from having too much contact with that strange tribe and to try to extract more information.

A bead of cold sweat slid down the prefect's forehead. He first bowed to Qin Huai, then turned to the others and said, "You may all leave. Head Constable Lajue, do not let anyone near here."

The rustling footsteps faded into the distance, leaving only Qin Huai and the prefect in the room.

"Your Excellency's eyes are truly discerning; nothing can escape your notice. Indeed, Lords Hong Fan and Tang Da were not harmed by evil spirits. They actually received an invitation from the mountain god and went into the mountains! However, they left a message beforehand, instructing that if they did not return within ten days, they should report to Xijing that they were dead, and that the Killing Department should send a new lord. That is why I was able to wait for you today!"

The prefect, looking uneasy, pulled an opened letter from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Going into the mountains? Which mountain?"

Qin Huai frowned, immediately thinking about the purpose of his trip.

"Naturally, it is Nanyu Mountain. Please take a look, sir."

As he spoke, the prefect took out a map from the bookshelf next to him and slowly unfolded it in front of Qin Huai.

This is a detailed map of the entire Yazhou region. Next to Yazhou are the continuous mountain ranges of southern and western Sichuan.

"My lord, look."

Magistrate Lou pointed to some small red dots in the southwest of the map: "In recent years, it has been said that the messengers of the mountain god have appeared in places such as Qishaobao, Refudi, Guweiluosha, and Laerya. Those officials went to explore several times after hearing these legends. After returning, they received an invitation from the mountain god and went into the mountains again. However, this time, they never returned."

Looking at the small red dot on the map that roughly formed a circle, Qin Huai already knew where the Ba Hui believers gathered.

"Prefect, have you seen the messenger of the mountain god?"

As Qin Huai picked up the map and examined it, he asked, seemingly casually.

"To be honest, I used to see them every year in the village when I was a child, but after I grew up and went to the city to become an official, I haven't seen them for a long time."

The prefect nodded and spoke the truth.

"Where are the residences of my colleagues before they disappeared? Have someone take me there; perhaps we'll find something else."

Faced with a mission that seemed to be delivered right to his doorstep, Qin Huai did not rush off to Nanyu. Instead, he chose to slow down and pay attention to more easily overlooked details.

Soon, a capable and efficient Han Chinese constable led Qin Huai through the winding streets of Yazhou City to the residence of Geng Qi Hong Fan.

crunch~
The copper key was inserted into the lock, the wooden door opened, and the constable handed the lantern to Qin Huai, while he himself stayed obediently outside the door, clearly having no intention of going inside to investigate.

Qin Huai ignored him and looked up into the courtyard. He found it to be a small courtyard with only a well and a weapon rack, the furnishings were very simple.

As Qin Huai stepped across the threshold and into the courtyard, he sniffed and immediately smelled a very faint yet extremely distinct odor, like the smell of rotting flesh and blood, with a hint of the fishy and astringent smell unique to snakes.

(End of this chapter)