Li Nian still hadn't figured it out. "Li Wenchang is your father's personal guard, practically a son. He's never married all these years, always following your father in battles. How could this be?"
Before Li Man'er could reply, he continued, "Besides, out of the seventeen people on this expedition, excluding you and me, and Qingyan, anyone could be a mole. Why Li Wenchang? Did you divine this as well?"
"Certainly not." Li Man'er replied, "When we were in Anhe County, I suspected him, but I couldn't be a hundred percent sure. When we arrived here, if he hadn't insisted on scouting, he would have cleared his name. But since he insisted on going himself, I couldn't help but be suspicious."
"He's from Mobei, familiar with the terrain, and his martial arts are exceptional. What's the problem with that?" Li Nian felt Li Man'er's perspective was rather peculiar.
There were some things Li Man'er couldn't tell anyone, not even Li Nian, whom she trusted with her life. She wouldn't reveal everything.
"Uncle San, trust me this once. It's always good to be prepared."
"That's true. What do you suggest we do?"
Li Man'er said, "I have some antidotes here that can handle ordinary poisons and soporifics. Uncle San, give one to each of your trusted men. As for your father's guards, we'll hold off for now."
She handed the pouch to Li Nian. "Uncle San, this matter requires discretion. Don't let any wind leak out." Only three of Li Shu's personal guards had returned, plus the ones sent from the manor to protect her, making a total of six. It wouldn't affect the bigger picture.
Li Nian nodded and left with the pouch, his expression grave.
She didn't know how he explained it to the guards, but they all appeared natural, showing no signs of unease, as if nothing had happened.
Li Man'er sat by the bonfire, her thoughts drifting far away.
Although she couldn't explicitly tell Li Nian why Li Wenchang was a mole, she knew he was. She had initially suspected the Xiao family of sabotage, but she hadn't expected the barbarians to be involved.
Indeed, the emperor was suspicious and naturally harbored doubts about the Xiao family's loyalty. Li Shu, with his hundred thousand elite soldiers, was also a source of great apprehension for the emperor.
However, with the northern border in turmoil, facing both internal and external threats, internal strife would be detrimental. This was why the emperor had hesitated to act against the Xiao family.
Who would benefit if Mobei descended into chaos?
Could it be Emperor Cheng?
It would be the barbarians.
They wished to conquer Mobei and enter the pass, to seize the prosperity of Da Zun. However, their national strength couldn't support such a large-scale campaign, so they could only conserve their strength and wait for an opportunity.
This seemed to be the barbarians' best chance. If this group of people met an untimely end, the animosity between the Xiao and Li families would be solidified. If someone were to instigate further, the imperial court would be embroiled in endless debate, leaving the emperor in a difficult position.
Punishing the Xiao family would leave Mobei undefended. Even with Li Shu there, his unfamiliarity with Mobei would make it difficult to manage, providing the barbarians with an opportunity.
If the Xiao family wasn't punished, it would be difficult to gain popular support, and morale would wane.
This would benefit the barbarians.
So, Li Wenchang had been swayed by the barbarians! If one person could be swayed, others might be too. Perhaps the Xiao family also had informants for the barbarians.
With this thought, Li Man'er could no longer sit still. She immediately rose and went to the wagon carrying the goods.
"Miss, are you looking for something?" Liu Ya saw Li Man'er's apparent urgency and quickly asked, "What are you looking for? I'll help you find it."
Li Man'er placed her hand on one of the crates, replaced its contents, then severed the rope binding the crate and split the lock on the lid with a palm strike.
Li Qingyan watched with wide eyes. Her cousin's internal energy was so profound; she was a master!
Li Man'er opened the crate and took out a peculiar weapon.
It looked like a bow but wasn't, with a groove and a box-like component at the bottom. The black arrows seemed specially made, giving a cold and desperate feeling.
"Miss, what is this..."
Li Man'er placed the crossbow on her arm and aimed into the distance.
Good. Although she hadn't used it in a long time, its sharpness remained.
"Man'er, what is this?"
Li Nian's eyes lit up with curiosity. He had fought in battles for years and could tell that what Li Man'er held was a weapon, similar to a bow and arrow, but he didn't know how it was used.
"Uncle San, this is a crossbow. It has a long range and can fire continuously without needing to nock each arrow individually." Li Man'er opened the arrow box and pointed. "It can hold nine arrows here. As soon as one is fired, the arrow in the box will slide out from this groove below, greatly saving time."
Li Nian's eyes gleamed. This was a valuable item. If the army had this, their combat effectiveness would likely double, if not more.
"Can I try it?"
"Of course."
Li Nian placed the crossbow on his arm, and after a brief instruction from Li Man'er, he grasped the technique.
He aimed at a large rock in the distance, pulled the trigger, and the arrow shot out, embedding itself in the rock. Then, another arrow slid out from the groove, and Li Nian pulled the trigger again, firing another arrow that also struck the rock.
The two arrows were fired within a mere three to four seconds of each other, their speed and power astonishing everyone.
The guards watching nearby couldn't help but gasp. If this were used on the battlefield, how much advantage would it provide?
Imagine, as an archer, your arrow has already flown, and as you reach into your quiver for the second arrow, the opponent's second arrow has already been fired...
Where would there be any chance of survival?
"Eldest Miss, may I try?"
Li Man'er nodded. "There are a few more in the crates. Everyone can try. If we encounter wolf packs tonight, this crossbow will be our key to survival."
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped joking and began learning how to use it.
Li Nian looked at her, as if asking if it was alright.
Li Man'er shook her head slightly. She had carefully observed everyone earlier and hadn't found anyone suspicious.
Either these people were incredibly well-hidden, with superb acting skills that even fooled her,
Or the others were completely unaware, meaning Li Wenchang was the only mole.
It made sense. The barbarians wouldn't be foolish enough to sway several people at once. If it failed and any information leaked, wouldn't it all be for naught?
The sky grew darker, but Li Wenchang had yet to return.
Li Nian's heart sank gradually.
The wind howled, but the surroundings were silent, the atmospheric pressure terrifyingly low.
With her keen senses, Li Man'er was the first to detect something amiss. She immediately said to Liu Ya, "Take Qingyan into the carriage, quickly."
Liu Ya didn't hesitate. She scooped Li Qingyan up with her arm and leaped into the carriage. As soon as they were inside, Liu Ya felt a wave of dizziness. Looking at Li Qingyan, she had already fainted.
"There's a trap..." Before she could finish her sentence, she lost consciousness. Unbeknownst to them, this was all Li Man'er's arrangement, as she had directly absorbed them into her spatial dimension.