Insufficient balance

  When they returned near the Whirlwind Manor, the sky had already brightened. The morning sun peeked out from above the manor's walls, looking down at them.

  On their way back, they lost another man; Zhao Fu had kept his word and a freed longbowman left them.

  It was Jack and the talkative Abdul Cemal who stayed behind. Little John seemed to have made up his mind to stay with Martin, still following in their footsteps.

  After a busy night, many people were already tired. Shu Yu'er and Little John's bodies swayed back and forth on the horse as if they were about to fall off.

  Only Zhao Fubo and Mu Ke were still as spirited as owls.

  Zhou Fubo was still sad after losing Xiao Hei, but Martin, who had decided to educate him into a man, did not intend to let him indulge in sorrow for too long.

  Poor Zhao Fubo could only keep thinking about the question his teacher had just given him.

  "Where are we going? ... Shouldn't we just skip Difu Village and head back to Huangsha City?"

  Facing Zhao Fubo's decision, Martin nodded in satisfaction. Although his students still didn't have much of a smile on their faces today, at least they had already begun to think for themselves.

  "That's what it means to show the enemy that we are capable but pretend to be incapable, and to use our abilities but make it seem like we're not using them! If we can create an illusion for our enemies, then we've achieved the best results! But I'm afraid you've overlooked the change from strange to normal!"

  On the way back, Martin kept talking with Zhao FuBo non-stop, so much so that Abdul-Jabbar had the following evaluation.

  "Look, old Martin loves to talk, but it seems the master doesn't like listening to him. Now if the master gives me a wink, I'll throw that old man onto the Gobi Desert to sunbathe! Have you ever sunbathed on the Gobi Desert? I have, and it's not pleasant..."

  Facing such torture, Muk's green eyes were still vigilantly watching around. Although Jack had already gone ahead to scout as a vanguard, this did not affect Muk, who was accustomed to being vigilant through long training.

  "Teacher, so you mean we should go to Dijun Village?"

  Zhao Fubo looked suspiciously at the fort wall of Difeng Village, a skeptical expression on his face.

  Martin winked at Zhao Fubo, and he was completely confident about their entry into the city.

  "We should certainly go, and I guarantee you'll get a good horse if you go there!"

  "No, I don't want it, I don't want anything from their family!"

  Zhao Fubo bit his lip and furrowed his brow, causing his somewhat curly eyebrows to twist like a wriggling worm.

  His reaction was met with derision by teacher Martin.

  "Cut it out, don't be silly! Of course I want to, and I'll do it with a smile! Just like a good nephew should, thank your Second Uncle properly!"

  Zhao Fubo looked at Teacher Martin, pondering his words. In short, he wanted him to pretend to be foolish, but unfortunately, his acting skills were not very good.

  "Are you going with me, teacher? I'm worried..."

  Martin stroked his beard and looked around.

  "I'm a slave, I follow you around and can't speak out. I say you're stupid, but naturally there are people who like to stay by your side!"

  As he spoke, his eyes glanced at Shu Yu'er who was drowsy.

  Shu Yu'er, who was simply resting with her eyes closed, had her face reddened by these words. Especially when the sun shone through the castle walls and onto her face, those faint blushes seemed like the most beautiful peonies.

  It was Little John, who also opened his eyes at this time. Although he couldn't understand Chinese, the name "Shu Yu'er" was understandable to him, and he stared at Martin for no reason.

  These our foolish Second Brother Zhao Fu Bo, naturally didn't notice, he was still thinking about more details of entering the Difu Village.

  "Teacher, don't I have to pretend to be my usual self? You know, usually..."

  "Hmm, this is not like usual. I'm sure he won't treat you as he normally does. You must remember that this is your uncle's house and you are safe here. And let your uncle know that we were attacked and lost a lot of property!"

  Martin started talking with his eyes slightly closed, already fully enjoying the sun. However, in just a few seconds, he assigned another large pile of tasks to his students.

  "Oh, we're your slaves, no need to bring us into the city. Let's set up camp outside and I'm getting a bit tired! And after entering the city, if there are rattan chairs, get me a wheelchair too, my butt is almost worn out by this broken saddle!"

  Also, for him who has no legs and cannot exert force on the pedals, the strength of his buttocks was subjected to an extremely severe test.

  At this time, the people in Difeng Village had just started a new day. The cowsheds and stables were driving out large groups of cows and horses from their nests, presumably to let them eat some green grass that had been nourished by dew overnight.

  Goats and sheep also make "baa" sounds, appearing in groups on the main road, blocking the way into the city, but this can't stop Shu Yu'er and Zhao Fu from entering the city.

  Especially Su Yun'er's pure-blooded Han Chinese appearance, here is like the highest-level pass. So when people see her, they respectfully drive away their own livestock to make way for her.

  At this time, Shu Yu'er didn't notice any of these things at all, and instead kept complaining to Zhao Fu Bo nonstop.

  "What's the matter, if you're going to town, just go to town! Not even letting me clean up and dress nicely! Look at this dirty face of mine, don't let others laugh at me!"

  Seeing the many neighing horses in front of him, he thought of his good brother Xiao Hei Tan again. The smile on his face almost fell, but thinking of the teacher's instructions, he pretended to be delighted.

  "My dear daughter, we'll be arriving at Second Uncle's house soon, and once we're there, you can finally relax!"

  Zhao Wuji's home was naturally the best house in Difeng Village. Compared to other houses in the village, which were mostly Middle Eastern style, Zhao Wuji's mansion could only be described as luxurious.

  It was a very large courtyard, separated by high green brick walls, and only the slightly raised eaves of the small building's roof could be seen inside. At this moment, the wind chimes hanging under the eaves were making a "ding-dong" sound in the cool morning breeze.

  It was reported that Zhao Fubo and Shu Yiner's whereabouts had been reported to the people inside. As soon as Zhao Fubo and Shu Yiner arrived at the gate with red lanterns, the two vermilion gates opened with a "creak... clang..." sound.

  With this voice, a crowd of people surged out from inside.

  The one who led the way, with five or six parts of imagination similar to Zhao Fubo, was actually Zhao Fubo's uncle, Zhao Wujie. Following closely behind him was naturally his nephew, Zhao Xu, dressed in a plain white outfit.

  At this moment, his eyes were completely fixed on Shu Yu'er with a smile, and the fan in his hand was shaking gently.

  Shu Yiner quietly gave him a glance, knowing he was making fun of her for not having combed her hair and looking disheveled.

  "Second Brother... Second Brother, where have you run off to? Yesterday your elder brother came here and asked about you, but didn't see even a shadow of yours. We sent people overnight to find you! Your elder brother told me that you had fewer men and lighter horses, and wouldn't listen to his advice to leave first. Look at the trouble you've gotten yourself into now!"

  Although speaking, Zhao Wujie's face showed a worried look, his face was like a dried orange. But with just one sentence, the responsibility all fell on Zhao Fubo again.

  Zhao Fu's smile, which had been brought about by entering the city, suddenly disappeared from his face. His lips trembled and he looked like he was on the verge of bursting into tears with a loud "Waa".

  "Second Uncle... Second Uncle, it's great to see you! Yesterday... yesterday..."

  With a hint of sorrow for Xiao Hei Tan, Zhao Fu Bo spoke with some sobs. Like a bullied child who had finally seen his family members.

  "Alas, you really are... never mind, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

  Zhao Wujie's behavior, if excluding his previous actions, really seemed like a good uncle. This also made Shu Yu'er, who was quietly observing Zhao Wujie with her dark and shiny eyes, feel some doubt.

  "Could it be that Master Zhao is completely unaware of the attack? Is it just his reckless and arrogant son who did this? If so..."

  Zhao Fubo didn't have as many tricks up his sleeve as Shu Yun'er, but tears welled up in his eyes, like a clear pool of water. He continued to sob, recounting his misfortunes.

  "My little black colt... is my horse... Shu Yu's big carriage was also burned down by the robbers, I, I..."

  In the end, looking at Zhao Fubo's appearance, he almost rushed into Zhao Wujie's arms.

  "Alright, don't worry, we have plenty of good horses at Difu Village. I'll ask Uncle to give you an even better one later. Don't cry, as long as no one is hurt, that's all that matters. Let's go inside and talk!"

  Zhao Wujie put his arm around his shoulder and led him into the mansion under the gaze of the crowd.

  Shu Yiner, who followed behind, was still a maiden in the Liu Garden of Huangsha City. However, outside she was still a servant and couldn't be compared to Zhao Fubao's second young master. Therefore, she was pulled to the back.

  "Hey, look at our little Shu-yin's face! That scoundrel Er-lang has brought you to what state? What a pity that such a pretty face has become like this. Hurry up and tidy yourself up, or how can you see people?"

  Although she had expected this situation when she first entered the city, Shu Yiner's white teeth still bit her red lips and got angry when she was joked by Zhao Xu.

  Looking at Zhao Fu's back in Zhao Wuji's arms, he reached out and patted the little sleepyhead in his bosom.

  "Little Miao, don't forget that I suffered because of you. Go back and follow Teacher Martin to study hard, practice martial arts well, one day... one day..."

  The "have a day" in her mouth was like the all-purpose "Amitabha, Buddha have mercy", after reciting it several times, Shu Yu'er's anger actually dissipated!