Dantai Lie led eighty-two men thirty li north and made camp in a mountain hollow.
The camp was set up very simply. They dug no trenches, drove in no wooden stakes, and did not even hang lanterns. The eighty-two men sat in a circle, lit three fires, and took out their rations to roast.
Dantai Ming sat across from Dantai Lie, holding a piece of dry rations in his hand, but did not eat.
"Brother Lie, we're not going on?"
"We're not."
"What are we waiting for?"
Dantai Lie did not answer. He stared into the fire. The flames shone on his face, leaving his expression unclear.
Dantai Ming did not ask again. He stuffed the rations into his mouth and chewed twice.
An elder walked over and sat down beside Dantai Lie.
"Lord Lie, the scouts are back. The Zhao Family's people have already returned to the city. The gates are open, and there are people on the streets. Those three hundred-plus Cultivators have also gone back into the city and are staying at inns."
Dantai Lie nodded.
"What about that young man from the Zhao Family?"
"He returned to the city too. Someone saw him enter the Zhao Family estate, and he hasn't come out since."
Dantai Lie tossed the piece of wood in his hand into the fire.
"Scout again tomorrow."
The elder nodded, rose, and left.
Dantai Ming looked at Dantai Lie, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
Dantai Lie saw his expression.
"If you want to say something, say it."
"Brother Lie, there are eighty-two of us. Our food can last another three days. After three days, we either transfer more grain from Dantai Town or go back. Just waiting here isn't a solution."
"We're not just waiting. We're waiting for them to make a