Chapter Forty Six.

It's finally dawn and they all decide to take their breakfast to gain some strength to be able to make it throughout the journey. Everyone watches the disheartened Duan Xinyue taking out a steamed bun and staring at it for while.

"You can eat this,"Lei Qiang hands Duan Xinyue an open snack box with some jujube cakes in it. Duan Xinyue looks up revealing a grateful smile,"Lei-xiong you are the best. I'll continue loving you even in my next life,"Duan Xinyue says jokingly.

Du Yichen scoffs before commenting,"Food is the only thing that can make you confess your feelings."

Duan Xinyue ignores Du Yichen's comment and proceeds to ask Lei Qiang how he knew he loves jujube cakes and when he bought them.

"Master Lei here was worried that you might die out of jealousy watching us enjoy eating osmanthus cakes so he asked what your favourite cakes are and the three of us searched around the market till we found a snack shop selling them,"Du Yichen explains.

"How considerate of you,"Duan Xinyue says in a rather sarcastic tone.

It's now the fourth day since they started travelling and it's already evening. They are now approaching Moon City which is in the western border. Moon City is where the military camp is located.Despite having made several stops they might still be able to reach Moon City even if it's ten at night. Their horses are strong enough to gallop for long that's why they managed to travel faster and also the previous two nights they didn't make a stop like they did the first night.

"Should we rent a room in Moon City or we should go straight to the military camp?"

"The military camp is just a few li from the town center so we might still be able to make it. Let's save the money to use it pleasurably during our trip back,"Duan Xinyue suggests.

Du Yichen and Lei Qiang agree.

Hong Yi speeds up the carriage and within three hours they reach Moon City. The city center is a bit calm with brightly lit lanterns hanging from some of the buildings. They travel a bit further till they reach the Military Camp. They proceed to explore their surroundings before they make their next move.The main entrance gate is closed with a brick walled fence surrounding the whole camp.

"Should we knock or?" Du Yichen asks.

"Do it,"Duan Xinyue assures him.

Du Yichen knocks several times but there's no response. Duan Xinyue climbs the wall and shoots two arrows to the inside with his crossbow alerting the soldiers. The soldiers dash out of their tents with arrows and bows creating a formation and ready to attack. Duan Xinyue has already climbed down the wall and is keenly listening to the movements inside.

"Duan Duan what should we do?"

"Knock again."

Du Yichen knocks and the gate opens wide with many soldiers anxiously waiting to attack them. Before the soldiers attack them General Fei arrives and orders them to retreat as he approaches the unexpected visitors.

"Young Master Du ?"

"General Fei,"Du Yichen bows and the other three bow too.

"Looks like you don't accept visitors at this time ,"Duan Xinyue comments in a rather sarcastic tone.

"There have been a lot of ambush attacks lately so I instructed them not to open the door before they prepare themselves for any kind of battle that may arise."

"That makes sense,"Duan Xinyue responds humbly.

"You're Young Master Duan, right?"General Fei asks and Duan Xinyue nods in response,"Our first meeting was a little unpleasant,my apologies,"he bows.

"It doesn't matter."

"You must be Master Lei right?"General Fei asks referring to Lei Qiang and Lei Qiang nods in response,"Who is the other gentleman beside you?"

Hong Yi isn't sure who he should introduce himself as but Duan Xinyue being the lifesaver that he always is takes the initiative to introduce him,"This is Young Master Hong from Ziran Sect."

"Yeah, right. Seeing you all in person I'm guessing you must have an important reason to be here. Come on inside."

General Fei lets them inside as the two soldiers guarding the gate close the gate immediately they enter. General Fei instructs some of the military soldiers to prepare two small unoccupied tents for the visitors to settle in. Since they seem exhausted General Fei suggests they should talk about the reason for their visit the following day. Duan Xinyue and Du Yichen occupy the same tent while the other two occupy another one. The small tents are well built with two beds inside while the large tents can accommodate up to sixteen soldiers each. General Fei cares much about his soldiers so they normally have comfortable mattresses to sleep on.

Immediately Duan Xinyue steps inside the tent,he falls on the bed like a sack of grains.

"Yichen do me favour please."

"What favour?"

"I haven't slept well in days ,can you please massage me and I will massage you in exchange?"

"Fine anything for my Duan Duan."

"Don't call me that. It makes me cringe."

"Fine."

Du Yichen puts his hands to work as he gently massages Duan Xinyue's shoulders and back.

"I'm warning you ,don't touch any part you shouldn't touch." Duan Xinyue says jokingly.

"Warning noted."

The entrance to their tent is still open so Hong Yi happens to come and peeks in unnoticeably. He watches them for a while and leaves without saying anything. He goes back to his tent to report back to his master.

"What are they doing?"Lei Qiang asks impatiently.

"Du gongzi...,"Hong Yi stutters and is unable to speak like someone is holding his tongue.

"What has Du gongzi done? Speak up!"

"He is massaging Duan gongzi."

"And why are you hesitating to speak if it's just massaging?"

"Nothing. I thought you hate it when someone else touches Duan gongzi,"Hong Yi mumbles loud enough for Lei Qiang to hear and receives a glare in response.