The troops had come on a forced march, hoping to catch their quarry unawares, but their return journey was much more leisurely.
They had not squeezed any benefits out of the villages today, but that was not because the soldiers had suddenly found their consciences.
For one thing, a new officer had taken command.
For another, what they had seen in the bandits' lair had shaken them somewhat.
And although some of the seized gold and silver had to be kept under guard, the officers throughout the battalion had all received a share of the spoils.
The newly appointed commandant naturally understood a thing or two about managing his subordinates. A blend of kindness and authority helped win their loyalty quickly.
Many of the soldiers were quite happy now. After all, they had gained something without having to risk their lives.
But the new commandant's expression betrayed neither joy nor anger. Every so often, his gaze drifted toward the prison wagons covered with tarpaulins.
These wagons had originally been prepared for spoils and captured bandits, but now, besides the things recovered from the stronghold, they carried two corpses and several crates of bones.
A military officer gently urged his horse forward until he was beside the commandant.
"Sir, why are we taking these things with us?"
The commandant looked at him.
"If our superiors ask us for proof that we wiped out the bandits, what are we supposed to give them? Grab some mountain folk and farmers and cut off their heads to make up the numbers? Don't worry. We'll get our credit for this."
Yi Shuyuan had originally intended to leave that day, but the soldiers had blocked off the village for over half the day, leaving him unable to depart.
He could certainly have cast a spell