The entire process of exchanging hostages didn’t take long, but the back-and-forth situation of holding each other’s people as leverage was quite frustrating. As a result, Yeli bluntly laid down his terms—whenever their side agreed to all his demands, that would be the moment he agreed to return the hostage.
A tentative deadline was set for ten days later.
However, his proposal received no response, and in the end, both parties parted on bad terms.
Now, although Tuge had been brought back, it was at the cost of Xi Yi. By the time they returned to the brick house, Sha Yi was in no mood for anything.
Saina and Jialo tactfully left her alone. For the entire day, aside from getting up when Masa brought her some food, she remained curled up on the wooden raft, drifting in and out of a dazed sleep.
Deep down, she still had confidence in Xi Yi, but worry was inevitable.
After all, someone like Yeli would never treat Xi Yi well—it was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Recalling Kasan’s words that morning, Sha Yi shuddered, but there was nothing she could do.
At the moment, Kasan was busy helping their side settle the newcomers, Tuge was distributing the herbal juice that could counteract drowsiness, and Xigu was responsible for locking up the bound captives originally from Yeli’s side in the earthen kiln.
By evening, Sha Yi wandered outside for a while. Everyone was preparing dinner—except for Saina, who was nowhere to be seen.
Xigu even cheerfully greeted her.
Xigu knew about Xi Yi replacing Tuge, but she didn’t say much. After a brief moment of concern, she seemed remarkably composed, as if she had complete confidence in Xi Yi’s situation. Seeing this, Sha Yi found it hard to bring up the topic again and simply returned to the brick house.
Xigu didn’t seek her out either. Given Sha Yi’s listless and gloomy demeanor all day, Xigu likely hesitated to speak, afraid of making her feel worse.
Dinner held no appeal for Sha Yi. After declining Masa’s kind offer, she lay back down on the raft.
She didn’t know when she fell asleep, but when she woke, it was pitch black, and someone was whispering her name beside the raft.
It took her a while for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. When her vision finally cleared, she realized it was Jialo crouching beside her.
Perhaps sensing her struggle to see in the dark, the man who had woken her grew impatient and quickly lit a torch stored in her house.
In the dim light, Jialo looked anxious. Before she could speak, he urgently urged, “Sha Yi, you need to come with me to find Saina—he’s gone!”
Recalling that Saina had been missing since evening, Sha Yi grew concerned. “Do you know where he went? Did he disappear at dusk?”
“I haven’t seen him since afternoon. Kapa is missing too. I have no idea what those two are up to!” Jialo shook his head. “But I checked—the people Saina brought with him are all gone. I asked Kasan, and she said Saina went to find Kapa at noon. The women close to Kapa have also vanished.”
After a moment of thought, Sha Yi’s heart skipped a beat. “You think they might have gone after Yeli?”
Jialo nodded, deep in thought. “You know no one would ever agree to Yeli’s demands. In this situation, whether hostages are exchanged or not, there’s no end in sight. The deadline he set only worsens the conflict. So, quietly dealing with Yeli is the only way.”
“I understand,” Sha Yi conceded. “But we don’t know where they are now. If we rush out blindly…”
“True, we don’t know where Yeli is hiding, but I believe Kapa does. Otherwise, why would Saina take her? Besides, they’ve been gone for hours—they must have some leads by now.” Jialo spoke with certainty. “Honestly, this is a perfect chance to strike back. Yeli would never expect us to act the same day. But at the same time, I’m worried about Xi Yi and Saina. They both stepped up to save Tuge. If I don’t see them alive, I won’t be at ease.”
She knew it—this was all because of Tuge.
Perhaps there was even pressure from Tuge himself.
Jialo had always been somewhat indifferent, even taking pleasure in others’ misfortunes. But after Saina was severely injured for Tuge’s sake, he couldn’t stay unaffected. Moreover, Tuge had a conscience—even if Jialo was reluctant, he’d comply if Tuge insisted.
With that in mind, she quickly got off the raft. “Let’s go now.”
“Wait, hear me out first.” Grabbing her arm, Jialo wore an unusually serious expression.
Seeing his demeanor, she sensed the gravity of the situation and paused, signaling him to continue.
“We can’t bring anyone else—just the two of us. Too many people would make noise, especially at night. Our awareness is already limited in the dark.” Gesturing outside, Jialo lowered his voice. “Also, I know how you’re feeling right now. You’re not in the best state for this, but I need you because…”
He hesitated before forcing out the words. “Because you’re smarter than me. But don’t worry—I’m not afraid of danger. I just… don’t want this trip to be wasted. The sooner we deal with Yeli, the safer Xi Yi will be.”
Sha Yi nodded in understanding. “No need to explain further. Let’s grab what we need and go.”
As if expecting her decisiveness, Jialo immediately turned and crouched down. “Hop on. Your vision, stamina, and speed aren’t as good as mine. Carrying you will be safer and faster.”
Sha Yi didn’t refuse.
After all, he was right—the sooner they reunited with Saina and Kapa, the better. She regretted her despondency earlier that day.
If she had faced things more proactively, perhaps Saina wouldn’t have taken only Kapa or kept her in the dark.
In the end, Saina still couldn’t fully move past his guilt.
Moreover, Xi Yi hadn’t initially intended to replace Tuge—it was Saina who proposed the exchange. Yet in the end, Xi Yi stopped him and took Tuge’s place.
The dynamic between these three men had shifted from mutual hostility to cooperation, which warmed her heart. But that didn’t excuse recklessness!
Clutching Jialo’s back, her anxiety grew as she thought of Saina’s impulsiveness.
Yet no matter how helpless she felt, there was nothing she could do now.
Realizing Saina’s disappearance so late at night meant they were already several steps behind. She had no idea what awaited them.
Fortunately, Jialo was fast.
Tall and robust like Xi Yi, he sprinted through the forest with ease, having spent many days wandering these woods. Under such favorable conditions, his speed was nearly unmatched.
The only downside—Sha Yi was jostled uncomfortably on his back. But she knew Jialo was doing his best to minimize the roughness.
This was nothing like the first time Xi Yi had carried her through the treetops on thick vines to reach the salt lake. Jialo, navigating in the dark, didn’t seem adept at using vines.
By comparison, the journey took slightly longer.
By the time they reached the edge of the forest, the sky was tinged with the first light of dawn.
At that very moment, Sha Yi’s sharp ears caught a faint rustling.
Jialo halted almost simultaneously, crouching low.
Yet even their subtle movements didn’t go unnoticed. A tense silence followed before several sharp weapons were pointed their way.
Sha Yi froze. When she looked up, the faint dawn light glinted coldly off the weapons, and she relaxed.
These were their own bronze-tin weapons—recently finished, something Jialo might not recognize, but she knew them well.
The dim light in the undergrowth had just made it hard to see at first.
Gently patting Jialo, who remained crouched, she whispered to the surrounding figures, “It’s me—Sha Yi.”
Hearing her voice, the men lowered their weapons and helped her off Jialo’s back.
Once steady, she realized these were the same men who had lived with them in the new cave settlement before following Saina. But only a few were present—Saina and Kapa were missing.
Before she could ask, one of them explained, “Yeli isn’t far from here. We spotted him at dusk, but couldn’t find their exact location. Saina and Kapa split up to search.”
“Then why are you all just standing here?” Jialo frowned. “Why not help look?”
“Saina told us to wait,” one replied. “He said even if they found Yeli’s hideout, they’d drive him back this way. So it’s best if we stay put.”
The answer puzzled Jialo. He glanced at Sha Yi but stayed silent.
Sha Yi, too, was momentarily stumped.
But after scanning the surroundings, she finally understood Saina’s plan.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage