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Chapter 313 Amazement
Lu Zhang was taken aback for a moment: "I wonder what advice you have for me, brother?"

"By rushing in so openly, anyone with eyes can see that they are soldiers from the Jin Kingdom. If they were really bandits from the Jie Kingdom, they would naturally hide and try their best not to be discovered by us. We might return empty-handed and have wasted our time."

Or perhaps the other party wasn't a Jie bandit, but rather did it intentionally to put on a show to make others believe they were Jie people.

If we rush over in such a grand manner, they will put even more effort into pretending to be Jie people to lure us into their trap.

Neither approach will yield the result we desire.

Lu Zhang nodded knowingly: "Brother is absolutely right! Then, according to brother's opinion...?"

Zhu Yu couldn't help but glance at him and found that Lu Zhang didn't seem to be testing Lu Qing at all, and seemed to be genuinely at a loss.

"Have your men change into ordinary civilian clothes and disperse to ambush us in the surrounding area, secretly following us," Lu Qing had planned this in advance and seemed to have anticipated that Lu Zhang would ask him. Without being polite, he directly gave the instructions. "The talismans and runes will also act secretly with the others. The few of us will carry our personal valuables and walk in the open as bait, waiting for those people to show themselves."

"That's a great idea!" Yan Shu immediately agreed, even showing some eagerness to try it out.

She didn't believe that the Jie people would abandon their fertile homeland and travel thousands of miles to Lan, just to rob and plunder with weapons made of black iron from Shuo.

There must be something fishy here!

Lu Zhang secretly glanced at Yan Shu a few times.

When they were at the Prince Shuo's residence, the girl's dashing appearance always made him unable to resist casting his gaze at her.

However, she doesn't seem to like being scrutinized by herself and usually chooses to avoid it.

Lu Zhang originally thought she was a sister from before and after her relationship with Zhu Yu, or a close friend, but he didn't expect that she would also be dressed as a man and accompany them this time.

Along the way, the girl's superb riding skills made him marvel even more.

Now, faced with Lu Qing's suggestion, she actually agreed wholeheartedly, showing a boldness that was in no way inferior to her sister-in-law Zhu Yu, who had already left him speechless.

This was the first time Lu Zhang had ever met such a capable, brave, and unpretentious woman.

Since the young lady showed no fear whatsoever, Lu Zhang felt embarrassed to discuss with Lu Qing whether it was too risky to leave them there as targets. So he steeled himself and readily agreed.

Yan Shu didn't notice Lu Zhang's little scheme; all she could think about was how to clear the name of the Jie people.

Following Lu Qing's instructions, Lu Zhang ordered his men to change their clothes and spread out to secretly follow them, making sure not to reveal their whereabouts or be discovered.

The tacit understanding between Fuwen Fulu and Lu Qing was much better. The two brothers didn't need Lu Qing to tell them anything. With just a glance, they nodded silently and went their separate ways, soon disappearing from sight.

In no time, only Lu Qingzhuyu, Lu Zhangyanshu, and Yan Daoxin, who looked reluctant, remained on the main road.

“Let’s get this straight,” Yan Daoxin spurred his horse and quickened his pace to Lu Qing’s side. He said to him with a blank face, “I’ve already done enough by treating that guy’s injuries once. If he gets used as bait and gets killed later, his life or death is up to fate.” Lu Qing glanced at him with amusement but didn’t reply.

Zhu Yu has recently come to understand why Yan Daoxin dislikes Lu Zhang so much.

Despite their constant bickering, he and Lu Qing had a deep bond that allowed them to entrust their lives to each other. Therefore, every word and action he took was naturally based on Lu Qing's interests.

In Yan Daoxin's view, although Lu Zhang himself had no direct conflict with Lu Qing, his maternal family, the Duke of Yan, made things difficult for Lu Qing at every turn. Lu Qing almost lost his life back then because of Lu Zhang's mother, so this could be considered a family feud.

Moreover, Lu Zhang has always followed his maternal grandfather's lead and listened to Zhao Bi's commands and instigations, which is equivalent to being birds of a feather. Therefore, there is no need to show him any respect. Not retaliating is already the greatest degree of restraint.

Lu Qing, however, did not think so. His situation prevented him from being as loyal to his conscience as Yan Daoxin.

Regardless of anything else, Lu Zhang and Lu Chao are still brothers.

How Emperor Jin climbed through countless trials and tribulations set up by his own brothers to finally stand at the top, how many dangers he endured and how much heartbreaking fratricide he suffered, only he himself probably knows best.

So although he doesn't usually bring it up, it's clear from his words and actions that he's quite concerned about whether any of his sons harbor any malicious intentions towards his brothers.

Therefore, every prince, even if he was just pretending, had to put on an act of brotherly affection and respect.

Lu Qing and Lu Chao were no exception.

Especially Lu Chao.

If one day he is to inherit the throne and become a wise ruler, then he must not leave behind a charge of "harming his own brothers" for future generations to criticize.

For the sake of this long-term goal, Lu Qing no longer cared so much about Lu Zhang's stance and words.

They walked at a leisurely pace for more than ten miles, and everyone knew very well that they had arrived at an area where "Jie Kingdom bandits" often appeared.

Zhu Yu and Yan Shu remained relatively calm, their expressions unchanged. They rode their horses slowly forward, chatting and talking while looking at the surrounding scenery.

Lu Qing also concealed the sharpness in his eyes, appearing focused on his journey and completely unguarded around him. However, he always rode his horse close to Zhu Yu, never straying far from her for a moment.

Yan Daoxin wore a veil, concealing his handsome face and revealing only his slender figure, making him look nothing like a particularly capable fighter.

Lu Zhang was even more nervous. Although he agreed with Lu Qing's decision to sacrifice himself as bait, he was visibly tense. When they passed through a grove of trees, a gust of wind blew by and the leaves rustled, which startled him. He couldn't help but look around warily.

Yan Shu glanced at him with some disdain, then looked away.

Lu Qing didn't pay much attention to Lu Zhang's behavior. After all, it's not wrong for ordinary travelers to be a little nervous when passing through such a remote forest.

They walked for another hour or so, and as the forest grew denser, they were about to reach a mountain pass. As the five of them walked, a strange cry suddenly came from ahead, and several burly men dressed in strange clothes jumped out from behind some large rocks and trees, blocking their way.