Hu Ke returned to the Jiefan Guard and summoned the Sima Brothers, informing them that the State of Wei delegation would be taking them over. As the two stood there in silent gloom, Hu Ke set his silver tongue wagging again, sweet-talking them into a trap.
"You have been in Jiangdong for several years now. I dare say I have treated you well. It is regrettable that we failed to uncover the truth, but the Lu Clan can be ruled out. I still stand by my previous deduction: the Sima Clan's enemy is in the State of Wei. So, while we are sending you back to Wei this time, to be frank, your future is uncertain. Should anything happen, your branch of the family will be extinguished."
Though Sima Shi was only fifteen, the burden of blood enemies and living under another's roof had stripped away his childishness early. After hearing Hu Ke's words, he raised his face to the sky and laughed bitterly. "If that is truly the case, then it is the fate of the Sima Clan. How can we contend against Heaven?"
"Minister Chen may have played a tremendous role in bringing us brothers back to the State of Wei, but His Majesty must be willing as well. Can we infer from that that our enemy is not among the Cao Clan?" Sima Zhao was not as steady as Sima Shi and did not consider matters as thoroughly.
Sima Shi shook his head with a soft sigh. "Who can tell truth from falsehood? I share General Yu's view. On this journey to the State of Wei, whether we live or die remains unknown."
"Then wouldn't it be better to just stay in Jianye?" Sima Zhao suggested quietly.
"Some matters are not for us to decide." Sima Shi's