After a short while, people began arriving one after another from outside.

These people were dressed modestly, but they clearly didn’t have the typical demeanor of ordinary countryside folk.

Lu Qing evidently recognized them, and they recognized Lu Qing as well.

Once everyone was gathered, about five or six people in total, the leader was a lean man in his thirties with a small mustache who stepped forward and respectfully saluted Lu Qing with clasped fists: "Subordinate pays respect to Master Jie! It’s been a while since we’ve met, Mr. Mo misses you greatly, and instructed me to send his regards to you."

Upon hearing how that person addressed Lu Qing, Zhu Yu discreetly glanced at Lu Qing from the side.

Lu Qing gave a gentle smile, nodded, and went straight to the point, asking, "Did you bring everything I requested?"

"Yes." The man with the small mustache nodded in affirmation, "Due to the urgency to travel, we’ve gathered as much as possible, though it might not be everything Master Jie needs, but it should suffice for a while.

When supplies are running low, the brothers will deliver more to ensure there’s no delay."

Lu Qing nodded, signaling to the rune to take them to the underground chamber and instruct them on what needs to be done next.

The group quickly entered the tunnel one by one, and the lively atmosphere of the small wooden building returned to silence, as if no one had ever been there.

Mu Hong was still a bit fearful and anxious about the newcomers, but was dragged along like a chick by the Fu Lu to go down as well.

"You will be spending time with them day and night, what’s the point of evading!" As they all entered, Zhu Yu could still hear the muffled voice of Fu Lu.

Lu Qing couldn’t help but chuckle upon hearing this, turning his head to see Zhu Yu staring at him seriously.

"Master Jie?" She raised an eyebrow at Lu Qing, "That title is new to me.

If it weren’t for the mention of Mr. Mo earlier, I wouldn’t have known who he was referring to.

Which ’Jie’? The ’jie’ from ’solitary’?"

"Yes, that’s indeed the meaning. Originally, the names with Mr. Mo were just casually chosen, without much thought, and now they seem a bit inappropriate."

Lu Qing naturally knew the connotation of his title, never paying much mind to it over the years, but upon hearing Zhu Yu say the word "solitary," he suddenly felt a bit off: "Once things settle, I’ll choose something more fitting."

"Once everything settles, why not use your true name?" Zhu Yu asked with a smile.

"Second Master speaks wisely." Lu Qing also smiled.

Although even if that day truly comes, there would still be a need for a pseudonym when traveling, but under current circumstances, Zhu Yu’s suggestion is undoubtedly a hopeful vision.

Zhu Yu silently cursed in her heart.

Fortunately, this guy, lamenting his own situation at the time, coined "Master Jie," if she wanted to join in the fun, she could humorously give herself a nickname like "Master Jue," which sounds similar to "Master Ju," gaining some advantage.

If this fellow had initially chosen the name "Master Ye," wanting to pair with him would mean she’d be calling herself "Master You"...

Ah!!! She really didn’t want to! Just thinking about it was repulsive!

Even the mere thought left Zhu Yu covered in goosebumps.

Lu Qing didn’t know what she was thinking, only noticing her suddenly brushing her arms as if she had touched something dirty, just as he was about to ask what was on her mind, the rune interrupted to report to him, so he gave up the inquiry.

"Master, as they mentioned, the situation in the north doesn’t appear promising either." The rune reported the news he heard from the newcomers to Lu Qing, "The Jie people have been restlessly testing the border, assembling considerable troops, seemingly preparing to cross over.

However, neither General Cao nor the Situ Family have volunteered to inspect the border, and the Holy Emperor seems to be unwell recently, not issuing any orders."

Lu Qing didn’t seem particularly surprised by this, nodding to show he was informed, and the rune returned to continue his work.

The helpers who arrived later stayed in the small wooden building at night. They were all practiced fighters, not only highly alert but also moved silently. Initially, Mu Hong worried whether their presence might be detected by outsiders, but after a few days, those concerns vanished.

Thus, the four of them stayed with Mu Hong for ten days, helping him eliminate his anxiety and fear towards the five or six newcomers, while supervising the modifications made to the chamber. As everything got on track, Mu Hong began utilizing medicinal herbs brought over by Lu Qing to concoct the antidote.

Although he hadn’t actually crafted scents for over twenty years, he was rusty at first, but quickly regained his proficiency, as those ancestral techniques were ingrained in his very being, easily reawakened.

During the concoction process, Mu Hong’s cautious nature became apparent. He requested the rune go into the mountain to catch two wild rabbits, and after meticulously obtaining Lu Qing’s approval, he first mixed a poison-laden scent, then hung an Antidote Scented Pouch on one rabbit while leaving the other unattended, exposed directly to the poisonous fumes.

After a while, the rabbit without the Antidote Scented Pouch exhibited inexplicable frenzy, frantically hopping in the confined space as if filled with boundless energy.

The other rabbit, with the Antidote Scented Pouch hung on it, remained unchanged, showing no signs of alteration.

After a while, the frenzied rabbit grew increasingly agitated, repeatedly crashing into the nearby earth wall, and after numerous collisions, finally lay still.

From beginning to end, the rabbit with the antidote behaved normally, only occasionally startled by the frantic one.

When the scent dissipated, confirming safety, Zhu Yu picked up the dead rabbit, first feeling its skull to ensure it wasn’t damaged.

She then took out her tools, and swiftly opened the rabbit’s belly in a few motions.

A surge of fresh blood gushed out from the rabbit’s abdominal cavity, accompanied by a pungent warm smell that hit her face.

Zhu Yu wrinkled her brow slightly, carefully probing with a long-handled knife for a while, then looked up at Lu Qing.

"The internal organs have almost all turned to bloody mush, not a single area is intact.

That rabbit didn’t die from impact; it perished because its internal organs were ruined." Her expression was slightly severe, "I suspected the eventual effect wouldn’t be good, but I didn’t anticipate it to be this vicious."