A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 174 The Mountain God is Missing

At the top of the mountain, Xiang He held up a large umbrella and looked out at the distant mountains. The four ghosts appeared and protected her. The black crow no longer ran around and stood obediently on her shoulder, as if it were taking a nap.

"Why doesn't it appear..."

Her long, slender eyelashes trembled slightly, and Xiang He frowned slightly, revealing a hint of loneliness between her brows.

They had been on the summit for almost half an hour, and Xiang He had tried many methods to summon the mountain god, but had not received a response.

It seems... there has never been a mountain god in this area.

"The ghost messenger just said that nothing grows in the area he passes through," Zhu Nan said, gripping her sword tightly. "Could he be busy?"

"Even so, the mountain god wouldn't ignore me. I wonder what's holding him back..." The voice was soft, almost a murmur, then a smile appeared on her face. "I hope he's just held back..."

The night breeze ruffled her long hair as Xiang He turned to look towards the city gate. "Xiao Yang is over there. I wonder if he has returned to report."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Nan frowned and turned to the side, "Does the young lady wish to go herself?"

Xiang He's expression shifted from melancholy to a playful smile. "Together?"

Seeing her like this, Zhu Nan rarely smiled. "If the young master finds out, he will definitely punish me."

"I'll protect you, go!"

The two hurried down the mountain. Just as they reached the back gate, Zhou Jiasheng was pacing anxiously in front of it. Seeing them return, he cursed, "You two actually ran away! If the general finds out, I can't protect you!"

"Brother Zhou, don't worry, shall we go find General Pang?"

Zhou Jiasheng was even more anxious now. "What are you doing! You're not going to complain to the general, are you?"

"What are you thinking about, Brother Zhou?" Xiang He went over and locked the gate. "Once the enemy moves, the scouts will come back to report. We also want to go and see what's going on."

He hurried to catch up, afraid of being a step too late. "You're just ordinary people, what makes you think the general will let you listen in?"

"Didn't Brother Zhou go back to report today? Didn't the general say anything?"

The two walked very fast, and Zhou Jiasheng had to run to keep up. Hearing her words, he paused for a moment, not daring to stop.

"You... can you please stop being so clever... The general did say he wouldn't interfere with your operations, but that was only if you were on our side..."

A smile played on Xiang He's lips as she turned to look at him. "In that case, we should take action tonight. Before arousing the general's suspicion, it would be better to go and tell the general the truth first."

Their first priority is to gain General Pang Long's trust.

Xiang He guessed that Pang Long must have asked Magistrate Zeng, and Magistrate Zeng wouldn't hide anything; it just depended on whether Pang Long believed him or not.

In addition, after Zhou Jiasheng reported on her affairs today, Pang Long couldn't help but have some doubts. Since everyone was willing to test her, they might as well be open and honest.

While the three of them were pondering their options, they had already run to the front of the county government office.

Soldiers were guarding both sides, and Zhou Jiasheng couldn't stop them even if he wanted to. He could only go forward and report to them.

"These two men have something to discuss with the general..."

The guard glanced at him and refused, saying, "The general has important matters to discuss and will not see anyone."

Helpless, Zhou Jiasheng turned around and saw that Xiang He had already climbed the stone steps.

She looked at the middle-aged man in front of her, clasped her hands in a fist and said, "Please tell the general that we two are skilled in martial arts and are willing to take on the role of scouts."

Zhou Jiasheng didn't know what she meant by doing this, but Xiang He was certain that the guard would report it.

After frowning and hesitating for a while, he said dejectedly, "You guys wait here."

This puzzled Zhou Jiasheng. "No...why?"

Zhu Nan stepped forward, saying, "Because the one who came back was only an eleven-year-old child, anyone would feel compassion for him."

He always trusted his daughter's ability to see through people's hearts.

Sure enough, not long after, the guard came out and opened the gate to let the two in.

Zhou Jiasheng could only wait outside. Xiang He and Zhu Nan went inside, and a somewhat unfamiliar figure appeared before them.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be much taller.

Xiangyang had been staring at her ever since she came in, his eyes filled with excitement mixed with unease.

"Sister..."

Xiang He smiled gently, patted his back lightly, and walked past him to General Pang. "General, I am Xiang Yang's older sister, and this is my bodyguard. We two plan to take over from the scouts and bring back useful information for you."

"Sister!"

Xiang He raised her hand, "I'll tell you later."

Xiang Yang could only shut up; he looked anxiously at Pang Long.

Pang Long sat at the desk, wearing armor for protection. A piece of paper was spread out on the table, on which something was written or drawn.

With just a glance, he exuded the imposing aura of someone who had guarded the border for many years and was a veteran of countless battles.

"Although you are Xiangyang's older sister, your identity is still questionable. How can you convince this general?"

Xiang He looked around and found that only Magistrate Zeng and his deputy were there; everyone else had been sent out and were not allowed to follow any defense plans.

She gently twirled the large umbrella in her hand, "The Four Ghosts, come out."

Four black figures appeared out of thin air, illuminated by the moonlight.

Pang Long's eyes darkened. He opened the black crow on He's shoulder, gave a soft call, and flew up to the roof.

“I am a cultivator. According to my ghost servant, the enemy’s side has a heavy yin energy. This is not a simple invasion by ‘enemies’.”

The four ghosts recounted what they had seen, and apart from the matter of the yin energy, it was no different from what Xiangyang had said.

Magistrate Zeng bowed and stepped forward. "General, Miss Xiang is indeed a woman of extraordinary talent. Moreover, if the enemy soldiers are just ordinary people, how could they travel through the mountains at night without any light?"

Xiang He clasped his hands in a fist salute. “General, the reason we’ve come here is to find out what’s causing this trouble. If you’re worried, you can send another person to accompany us.”

Pang Long scoffed coldly, "You went to the front to scout the enemy? Wouldn't it be easy to expose yourself if there were so many of you?"

His brow twitched, and he bowed deeply to He, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, General."

"come over."

Xiang He and Zhu Nan exchanged a glance and immediately stepped forward to stand aside. Pang Long then showed them the blueprints.

Standing below, Xiangyang anxiously peered out, his heart pounding with unspoken emotions.

After a while, the two memorized the terrain on the map, and Pang Long finally relented, "Go scout it now, and report back immediately if you find anything."

"Yes."

Having received permission, Xiang He walked to Xiang Yang's side. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to steal your credit, but this matter is really strange. You stay in the city and help the soldiers set up the formation. I will come back safely."

"Sister, it's too dangerous..."

Xiang He didn't say anything more to him. She took out a talisman from her cloth bag, folded it, and said, "Wear it close to your body. If you lose it, remember to tell your sister."

After leaving the amulet behind, Xiang He turned and walked out with Zhu Nan. The four ghosts vanished and followed, and the black crow flew down from the roof and obediently perched on their shoulders.

After the two left the county government office, Pang Long ordered the guards at the gate to lead them to the city gate.

Xiangyang followed closely behind the two, saying, "Sister, please be extremely careful! Don't act impulsively."

Hearing this, Xiang He chuckled and turned around, "Why are you giving instructions to your sister? Don't worry, I won't act impulsively. I'll come back and report first."