Just as Chen Jian tirelessly pestered Wei He, Zhou Shun, chatting idly with Yang Qingye, secretly released another pale yellow flying bug.
The tiny bug fell lightly to the ground like a pebble, its landing concealed by the clatter of countless ox and horse hooves.
Wei He suddenly seemed to sense something and looked toward Zhou Shun.
"What were you doing just now?"
He narrowed his eyes, as though he had noticed something.
Though Zhou Shun's little movements were well concealed, he made the same fixed motion at regular intervals. After doing it too many times, it had become somewhat conspicuous.
"N-Nothing." Zhou Shun's heart lurched. With a blank expression, he pretended not to know anything.
"Mm. Be careful. Don't let your mind wander." Wei He nodded and turned away.
"Oh, alright." Zhou Shun hurriedly replied.
He let out a breath, turned to look elsewhere, and pretended to patrol the area.
Most of those in the convoy were relatives of the disciples. The actual disciples from the various academies were fewer in number.
Altogether, there were only a little over four hundred people.
The four hundred-odd people were divided into two lines, stretching alongside the convoy as they slowly advanced with the supply ox carts.
Zhou Shun relaxed slightly. After a while, he once more slipped two fingers into his concealed waist pouch and gently pinched out a pale yellow pebble.
"What is that?" Wei He's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Zhou Shun trembled violently in fright and nearly dropped the pebble in his hand.
"Senior Brother Wei!" He turned to look. Wei He, who had just been ahead of him, had somehow suddenly appeared at his side. He was staring curiously at the pebble in Zhou Shun's hand.
"I like picking up pebbles and squeezing them in my hand.