He didn't return by the way he came, instead heading towards the west side of White Horse Manor.
There might be some remaining forces over there, to see if he could encounter them along the way.
The evening chirps of insects and calls of birds sounded especially distant, as if a zither and flute were playing together. If it weren't for his urge to kill thieves and bandits, he would likely have stopped, climbed a large tree, and lied down on a branch to listen.
The night breeze gently stirred the mist in the woods, cool and diffusing, like flowing frost.
Suddenly!
While Zhao Rong was gazing southwards towards the Big Dipper over the mountain, his ears twitched, hearing an unusual noise to the east, indicating it was coming from the west side of White Horse Manor.
At this moment, he was in a forest, the sounds getting closer and closer; he climbed up a large tree emitting a faint fragrance and hid quietly behind the branches and leaves, waiting.