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Chu Tang smiled and nodded, “Thank you for the trouble.”

“It’s no big deal.” Chen Er didn’t think much of it and had already run off before finishing his sentence.

The kitchen helper approached, trying to ingratiate himself, “Young Master, the camp’s food isn’t great, so we plan to go hunting and cook something delicious for you tonight.”

Chu Tang smiled and responded, “That’s very thoughtful of you, thank you.”

The kitchen helper waved his hand dismissively and chuckled, “It’s all part of my duties, no thanks needed.”

Testing the waters, Chu Tang asked, “The food you made at noon was delicious; did you go to any special lengths to learn how to cook like that?”

The kitchen helper nodded, his voice tinged with pride, “My father is a chef, and I grew up watching him cook. I’d probably be a head chef by now if I hadn’t been conscripted.”

Chu Tang nodded and smiled, “That’s quite possible.” He then asked, “Did you prepare the meal alone today or did someone help you?”

The kitchen helper honestly replied, “Someone helped me with washing the vegetables and dishes, but I did everything else myself.”

Chu Tang’s fingertip glinted for a moment, “Did you perhaps add anything to my food?”

The kitchen helper’s face changed slightly, and he quickly said, “No, I didn’t add anything; the food I make is very clean, you can be assured.”

Chu Tang was puzzled; if the kitchen helper hadn’t tampered with his food, why did he look guilty?

Just then, Chen Er returned with the horse, which carried the bow and arrows. “Brother Chu, see if you need anything else; if you do, I can go and get it right away.”

“That won’t be necessary, let’s go,” said Chu Tang as he took the reins and mounted his horse. “Who will lead the way?”

“I will,” replied Chen Yi, and he rode ahead, leading them towards their usual hunting grounds in the mountains.

The group of four chatted as they made their way into the mountains.

Chen Yi asked Chu Tang, “Shall we split up to hunt, or should we stick together?”

Chu Tang surveyed the surroundings and decided, “Let’s split up; regardless of how much we catch, let’s meet back here in an hour.”

“Okay.” The others headed off in different directions, and Chu Tang proceeded forward.

He readied his bow, plucking an arrow from the quiver and fitting it to the string. He released it with a twang.

A rabbit burst out of the underbrush, an arrow lodged in its neck. It took a few steps and fell dead.

Chu Tang summoned the rabbit to him and hung it from his saddle before continuing onwards.

Suddenly, he noticed an arrow on the ground. Dismounting, he picked up the arrow and, mimicking Tang Jinghong, separated the arrowhead from the shaft. The part of the shaft that was covered was blue, indicating it was a military arrow. What was it doing here?

Soldiers would normally retrieve their arrows after missing a shot, as arrowheads were expensive and not something to be discarded lightly.

Could it be—Chu Tang suspected that this might be a route used by those who stole the arrows?

Since the arrows were bundled together, how could a single arrow have fallen here?

Chu Tang was filled with doubts.

…

General Chen asked his aide, “Where’s Chu Tang?”

“He seems to have gone to the mountains with Chen Yi and Chen Er to hunt. General, should we call him back?”

General Chen raised his hand to stop him, “No need, send someone to covertly protect him; we absolutely cannot let anything happen to Chu Tang.”

“Yes, General.” The aide immediately arranged for men to discreetly head to the mountains.

General Chen threw a letter into the fire basin and watched it burn. The letter had mentioned that someone was sent to assassinate Chu Tang.

Just a soldier, yet someone was sent specifically to kill him?

The man sent by Tang Jinghong must not be ordinary.

No matter what, they could not let anything happen to Chu Tang on their watch, or how would they explain to Tang Jinghong!

…

In the woods, the kitchen helper knelt before a masked man, desperately pleading, “Don’t kill me, I know nothing and I won’t say anything.”

The masked man looked down at him, “Knowing what you do, do you think you can live?”

The kitchen helper, driven by desperation, said, “I could die, but don’t you find it strange? Chu Tang finished all his food, yet nothing happened to him.”

The masked man contemplated briefly before continuing, “Could there be a traitor among us?”

The kitchen helper remained silent, trying to make himself appear inconspicuous—he didn’t want to die.

Earlier, he had seen someone tampering with the food, and he was supposed to stop it, but seeing Chu Tang already eating, he had chosen to stay quiet.

The masked man inquired, “Do you know why Chu Tang was unharmed?”

The kitchen helper shook his head, “I don’t know, it’s weird. Maybe I can help you figure it out?”

The masked man scoffed with a chuckle, “I’ll be back tonight. If you don’t have a satisfactory answer by then, you’ll know what happens.”

“Yes, I understand,” the kitchen helper quickly agreed, his back soaked with cold sweat. It took him a while to regain his composure. The extent of the trouble Chu Tang had stirred up was frightening!

…

Back at the hunt, only Chen Yi and Chen Er were truly focused on the task. After some effort, they managed to bring down a mature deer, tying it up and carrying it back to their meeting point.

By the time they returned, Chu Tang and the kitchen helper were already waiting. Chu Tang had bagged a rabbit and two wild chickens.

The kitchen helper, having been spooked by the masked man, hadn’t managed to catch anything. His hands were too shaky to hold the bow properly, and he had dawdled back, ensuring he returned empty-handed.

He was too shaken to speak to Chu Tang, having been on the edge of death’s door.

Chu Tang, occupied with thoughts about the arrows, said little.

Chen Er approached Chu Tang with the deer, his excitement palpable, “Brother Chu, we’ve got something tasty now.”

Chu Tang pulled out ten silver coins and handed them to the kitchen helper, “We’re going to roast the meat outside. Go buy some wine and clean dishes, and get some seasoning too.”

The kitchen helper, thrilled, took the money and replied enthusiastically, “Right away! I’ll also grab some seasonings.”

Chu Tang pointed to a nearby river, “Let’s head to that riverbank to cook. Find us there when you get back.”

“Will do,” the kitchen helper responded cheerily, then rode off to the city.

Chu Tang picked up the rabbit and chickens, “Let’s go to the riverbank.”

Chen Er licked his lips, hesitating before asking, “Brother Chu, are we really just going to roast these for ourselves?” Though he was eager, he knew it was against military regulations and feared reprimand.

Chu Tang, leading his horse to the riverbank, assured him, “Yes, it’s really okay. Don’t worry, I’ll cover for you.”

Chen Er felt relieved, “Thanks, Brother Chu.”

The trio arrived at the riverbank. Chen Yi took the game from Chu Tang’s hands, “Brother Chu, you relax on the side. We’ll handle the cooking.”

Chu Tang nodded, “I’m going to look around.”

“Okay, but don’t go far, it’s not safe here,” Chen Yi cautioned, worried about Chu Tang’s safety. He couldn’t afford any accidents.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” Chu Tang assured him and walked upstream along the river.