Suddenly, a clamor and hurried footsteps outside the door broke the stillness in the room.
Zhu Yanfeng pushed the door open and entered, followed by an elderly man-Zhuang Mocheng, Old Man Withered Glory, one of the Chang'an Three Elders.
As soon as Zhuang Mocheng entered, he bowed deeply to Chen Menglin, then nodded in greeting to Chen Xiaojun.
Chen Menglin and Chen Xiaojun both returned his greeting with a measure of respect.
Zhuang Mocheng said, "Dean, I heard you had awakened. Old Zhuo and Old Wang specifically asked me to visit you on behalf of Chang'an Academy."
Chen Cong replied with a smile, "Old Zhuang, you're being too polite. We're all colleagues. There's no need for such formality."
Zhuang Mocheng shook his head and said earnestly, "Of course we should. You were injured protecting our academy's teachers and students. It's only right that we visit you."
He paused, then continued, "Also, I need to report to you on the circumstances of this incident."
Chen Cong's expression sharpened. "Go ahead, Old Zhuang!"
Zhuang Mocheng recounted solemnly, "In the battle at the camp, our personnel stationed there, together with the academy's teachers and students, numbered nearly a hundred. Twenty-two were killed, and seventeen were severely injured."
"Thankfully, Ji Shuran decisively ordered the camp blown up. Otherwise, not a single one of them might have returned."
In fact, as soon as Ji Shuran saw the Wolf Bandits attacking in force, he ordered the Camp Passage blown up.
They held out briefly before retreating, but just as Chen Xiaojun had predicted, the Wolf Bandits circled around to attack from both sides and pursued them along the way. That was when the casualties mounted.
At this point, he paused before continuing, "In addition, forty-six people went missing in the mountains. Their fate remains unknown."
"Our