Chapter 213: Evacuation

"Brother Xiao?" Yue'er turned her head to see who it was, looking somewhat surprised. She then asked, "Brother Xiao, why would you say that?"

"Because that is merely an idealized kingdom; it is impossible for people to achieve true equality," Xiao Xie said calmly.

"Why is it impossible for everyone to be equal?" Yue'er asked.

"Because if one day, a person can live as well—or even better—than those who work hard and toil, without doing anything themselves, do you think anyone would be willing to labor? Only when those who work more receive more, and those who do not work receive nothing, can humanity continue to survive," Xiao Xie explained. As someone from thousands of years in the future, he understood from historical events that the ultimate outcome of a 'big pot of rice' is simply that everyone starves together.

"What about war? Isn't it right to be without war?" Yue'er asked Xiao Xie, sounding a bit agitated. She hoped Xiao Xie was wrong; otherwise, how could her faith continue?

"There will never be a world without war. Although war is cruel, it is also a major driver of human progress. Furthermore, people will always go to war for the sake of differing ideologies. Just like Ying Zheng unifying the six states—war certainly decreased compared to when the seven states coexisted—but since Ying Zheng is a tyrant, you are all forced to fight with all your might to overthrow him," Xiao Xie sighed. Having lived through human history, he knew how idealistic and ultimately impossible the Mohist philosophy of 'non-aggression' was.

"Even if you don't want war, it doesn't mean others feel the same. After the 'Whip Country' closed its doors to the world, didn't the invaders still blast them open? And it was an invasion by eight nations at once! Yet, less than a hundred years later, people forgot the past pain and only remembered a small island nation. Time erases all scars; people only remember the most recent wounds."

"How can this be? Is the philosophy of the Mohist founders wrong?" Yue'er said, feeling somewhat broken. It was like a person with sincere faith in God being told by a priest that God was actually just a persona the priest himself had assumed.

"Yue'er, you don't need to worry about whether I am right or wrong. These are just my personal feelings. As long as you believe what you are doing is right, then it is right. Just follow your heart," Xiao Xie said, seeing that Yue'er was on the verge of collapse from his words. He reached out to pat her head comfortingly. Xiao Xie viewed this era through the lens of a future several millennia away, making it easy for him to see through many things, but it was not so easy for Yue'er, who was living within this era, to accept.

"Follow my heart?" Yue'er, comforted by Xiao Xie, gradually calmed down.

"Yue'er, don't be afraid. No matter what you do, I will face it with you!" Tianming, who had been watching with envy as Xiao Xie patted Yue'er's head, quickly puffed out his chest and spoke up.

"Thank you, Tianming," Yue'er smiled sweetly.

"It's nothing, nothing at all! Hahaha!" Seeing such a sweet smile directed at him, Tianming was instantly overjoyed, floating on cloud nine.

Xiao Xie shook his head speechlessly. *Does this guy have to react so dramatically?*

Inside the wooden house at the Medical Manor, Duanmu Rong was grinding herbs to treat Ge Nie's wounds.

"Lady Rong, a secret order has arrived." After receiving the message brought back by the mechanical bird, Master Ban walked slowly into the room and said to Duanmu Rong.

"Master Ban, what is the news?" Duanmu Rong asked while continuing to grind the medicine.

"Besides the forces of the Qin State, Wei Zhuang's subordinates are also hunting Ge Nie." Upon hearing the name Wei Zhuang, Duanmu Rong stopped what she was doing. She slowly raised her head and said coldly, "Wei Zhuang! The Mohists have been searching for him for so many years, and he has finally appeared."

"This is a rare opportunity. Proceed according to the plan."

"Understood." Duanmu Rong nodded and poured the ground medicine into a bottle.

"Yue'er, Tianming, let's head back!" After spending some time by the river, once Yue'er had finished paying her respects to the spirits of the Mohists, Xiao Xie called out to her and Tianming.

"Yes." Yue'er nodded, tidied up a bit, clutched the incense burner, and turned to follow Xiao Xie.

"Yue'er, let me help you." Tianming eagerly took the incense burner from Yue'er's hands.

"Thank you, Tianming," Yue'er smiled.

"Don't mention it, hehehe," Tianming scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.

Xiao Xie, being faster, returned to the Medical Manor first. Upon entering, he saw Ge Nie performing a standard warrior's salute to thank Duanmu Rong: "Thanks to your superb medical skills, Lady, I will never forget this life-saving grace!"

"Why are you doing this?" Duanmu Rong asked, looking puzzled yet expressionless.

Duanmu Rong had complex feelings toward Ge Nie. Since Ge Nie had killed Jing Ke, she felt she should hate him—otherwise, her 'three no-treat' policy would not include the rule that she would not treat anyone surnamed Ge. Yet, in order to save Jing Ke's son, Ge Nie had betrayed the entire Qin State, nearly losing his own life in the process.

"I heard that Lady Duanmu has three 'no-treat' rules, two of which apply to my situation. May I ask why you made an exception to save me?" Ge Nie asked.

"Whether your life can be saved is still an unanswered question. I practice medicine, so naturally, I treat illnesses. Last time, when the Mohist brothers' dog was wounded by an arrow, it also came to me for treatment. To me, there is no difference," Duanmu Rong said coldly. Perhaps feeling she had been a bit harsh, she added, "I already said that whether your life can be saved is still undecided. If you die, would you say I made an exception?"

"Mr. Ge, please don't mind her. Lady Rong has a sharp tongue but a soft heart," Xiao Xie said with a laugh.

"Master Xiao, I don't mind," Ge Nie glanced at Duanmu Rong and shook his head.

Duanmu Rong shot a glance at Xiao Xie and said coldly, "You've only known me for a few days; don't act as if you understand me so well."

Xiao Xie chuckled sheepishly, "Hehe, although Lady Rong and I have only known each other for two days, I can tell at a glance that you are just not good at communicating with others, but your heart is very kind."

"Hmph!" Duanmu Rong let out a cold snort but did not argue, seemingly accepting the assessment.

Suddenly, Xiao Xie's expression changed. Ge Nie also placed his hand on the hilt of Yuan Hong, his demeanor turning defensive.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

Two figures suddenly rushed out of the wooden house. Soft swords at their waists unsheathed, deflecting the flying daggers. With a light tap of their feet, they were outside the Medical Manor in an instant.

"Young Master, that person has already died from poison." Murong Feng and Murong Huang returned quickly and bowed respectfully to Xiao Xie.

"Understood." Xiao Xie turned to Ge Nie and the others and said, "Let's go outside and take a look!"

"Yes." Ge Nie nodded and walked out the door first. He turned the corpse on the ground over, revealing a spider tattoo on its neck. Ge Nie said gravely, "The claws of the Qin State have already reached Taihu Lake."

"How did someone die here again?" Tianming cried out in shock the moment he returned and saw the body.

"Sister Rong, has something happened?" Yue'er asked Duanmu Rong.

"This is? A white feather charm from Bai!" Lady Rong was about to explain to Yue'er when her eyes were drawn to a white feather on Tianming's shoulder.

"Bai? Feather charm? What is that?" Tianming asked, confused.

"Since we have seen the feather charm, I believe the Spy Wing Bird must be nearby." Ge Nie took the white feather from his shoulder and flicked it with a 'whoosh.' A split second later, a bird fell from a nearby tree.

Tianming walked over, picked up the bird, and said thoughtfully, "This bird has been hovering around the courtyard for days. I've seen it many times."

"We must leave here immediately!" Ge Nie decided decisively.

Hearing Ge Nie's words, Duanmu Rong and the others had no objections, and Xiao Xie, aiming to enter the Mechanical City, naturally did not oppose it either.

The group hurriedly packed their things, boarded a carriage, and left the Medical Manor, the carriage rattling as it sped through the forest.