“One more thing, Comrade Xia—if I may ask… do you possess medical knowledge?” Lu Tingxiao asked abruptly.
“I… I learned a little from an old physician back in my home village,” she replied smoothly, the explanation already rehearsed. “Since I often wandered the hills, he feared I might meet danger. So he prepared protective draughts and taught me a few remedies—just in case. That sleeping formula was one he passed down to me.”
A perfectly plausible story. After all, times were delicate. And the old physician had long since passed away—no one could verify her words. Besides, she had not lied entirely; there truly had been a skilled healer in her village. Whether he had taught her anything at all… was entirely for her to say.
Lu Tingxiao asked nothing further. He simply looked at her thoughtfully, his expression unreadable.
“Commander?” Cheng Dong stepped forward, noticing his gaze. “Is something amiss?”
“Nothing at all,” Lu Tingxiao replied. “Cheng Dong—you remain here. Take men, secure the prisoners, and escort them back under guard for interrogation once we return. Post lookouts as well—watch for any other accomplices.”
“Sir! We shall carry out our orders!” Cheng Dong saluted, and his soldiers moved at once.
Lu Tingxiao knew his subordinate could be lighthearted on ordinary days, but utterly dependable when it mattered—which was exactly why he served as his right-hand man.
“You men—come with me. Comrade Xia shall lead us to the arsenal.” With that, Lu Tingxiao took the lead. There was no time to waste.
The two caverns lay not far apart. The moment Xia Yuge departed, a little grey rat darted into the undergrowth, hurrying back to report. These humans must be warned before they arrived and were startled by an army of rats. Thanks to the warning, all remained perfectly still and silent when they arrived.
“Commander Lu—do you see that great stump ahead?” Xia Yuge pointed toward the entrance she had carefully concealed with branches and leaves. “That is where it lies.”
Lu Tingxiao followed her gesture. Sure enough, a massive stump stood half-hidden beneath foliage. His gaze sharpened; he signalled his men to stand ready, then advanced cautiously. Brushing aside the covering leaves and lifting the heavy stone slab, he revealed a descending passageway.
“Comrade Xia—lead the way, if you will.”
“Certainly. Though it is very dark within.”
“Never fear. I brought torches.” Lu Tingxiao spoke quietly, then stepped down first, light in hand.
This was Xia Yuge’s second time below. The first, Xiao Jiu had lit the way with a luminous pearl; this time, Lu Tingxiao stood before her, beam in hand, his presence casting warmth through the gloom. The torchlight blazed far brighter than the pearl—and walking close behind him, Xia Yuge felt her pulse quicken despite herself.
Lu Tingxiao had steeled himself, yet the sight that met his breath still stole his breath away. Crate upon crate, row upon row—rifles, ammunition, explosives beyond counting. The scale was staggering. Small wonder the enemy agents had been so desperate. Had this fallen into their hands, not merely Longhua District… the whole region would have faced ruin. A chill crept down his spine at the thought.
He turned to look at her once more—his gaze now holding something deeper: gratitude, wonder, and something he could not quite name.
“Commander Lu?” Xia Yuge shifted uneasily. “Is something wrong? Have I erred?”
“Not in the slightest. You have done splendidly, Comrade Xia. On behalf of Longhua Military District—thank you. Today you may well have saved us all. Without you… the consequences are unimaginable.”
“You are too kind, Commander Lu. I am one of us—a resident here, if temporary. This was simply my duty. But should we not remove these stores at once? It is far too dangerous lying exposed like this.”
“Agreed. Let us withdraw first. I shall send word to headquarters immediately. You are staying at the district guesthouse, are you not? I fear I shall be detained here some time. I shall have an escort see you safely back. Will that suffice?”
He assumed correctly—since no billeting request had been filed under Lieutenant Gu’s name, she must indeed be lodging at the guesthouse.
“Commander, truly—there is no need. I can find my own way back.” Xia Yuge declined quickly. Now that she was here, she hoped to forage for useful herbs nearby. But catching the look in his eyes, she softened at once. “Ah—well then. Thank you for the trouble.”
“No trouble at all. My men are returning anyway. It is on their route.”
Xia Yuge mentally: Oh… how foolish of me to be moved.
Just as they prepared to leave, footsteps echoed faintly from above. Lu Tingxiao spun instantly to full alert, drawing his pistol and shielding Xia Yuge with his body, signalling the men to take positions.
Footsteps drew nearer. Lu Tingxiao stepped into the passageway, levelled his weapon, and pressed the muzzle directly against the newcomer’s skull.
“Commander Lu… it is I—Cheng Dong!” Cheng Dong froze, breath catching, cold steel pressed to his temple.
“Cheng Dong?” Lu Tingxiao exhaled sharply, lowering his weapon. “You were meant to escort prisoners back. Why are you here?”
“I had them well underway,” Cheng Dong wiped sweat from his brow, “when I met the Commissar arriving with reinforcements. We exchanged assignments. He sees the prisoners to headquarters—I came to join you here.”
“Understood. Since you have arrived—organize the transfer of these stores immediately.”
“Yes, Sir!”
Work began at once. Xia Yuge stood quietly to one side, watching the bustle.
“Comrade Xia,” Lu Tingxiao turned to her earnestly. “Rest assured—once this is concluded, I shall report fully to headquarters. You shall be officially commended. The organization shall see you rewarded. Whatever reasonable request you may have… I give you my word—it shall be most seriously considered.”
“Commander Lu…” Xia Yuge looked up at him, her eyes brightening with sudden inspiration. “Did you mean that? Truly? Whatever reasonable wish I name… the organization shall grant it?”