Chapter 184: Back to Robbing Again?

The young Taoist behind him kept babbling about something, and Xiao Ningxun could no longer hear it clearly.

He only felt a chill surge from his soles up his back, and he instinctively tightened his arm, hugging Tuan Tuan in his arms even tighter.

The young Taoist finished sweeping and stepped out.

Xiao Ningchen's face turned ashen, and Xiao Er's temples beaded with cold sweat.

This blaze was clearly aimed at them.

If it hadn't been that letter, if they hadn't acted decisively, according to the letter, they'd have escaped like a golden cicada shedding its shell.

Indeed, fortunes are hard to predict.

Xiao Ze spoke slowly: "What a grand stroke! Burning an entire street, killing so many innocents, just to doom us to death."

Tuan Tuan pouted: "Villain! Big villain!"

Xiao Er asked: "Second Young Master, shall we set off immediately?"

Xiao Ningchen lowered his head in thought, and the young Taoist's voice sounded again outside the door: "Tuan Tuan Guest, your letter!"

Tuan Tuan laughed: "Another one for me! I am Tuan Tuan Guest!"

Xiao Er sprang to his feet, flung the door open, and took the letter: "Who sent it?"

The young Taoist said blankly: "I didn't see. Temple Attendant senior brother gave it to me, saying a pilgrim with a fresh face instructed it to be given to Tuan Tuan Guest."

Xiao Er said thank you, closed the door, and handed the letter to Xiao Ningchen.

Xiao Ningchen unfolded the letter; it still bore no signature, the handwriting was familiar, identical to the previous one, and he read slowly: "Mofeng City, detour."

Xiao Ze said: "The messenger knows our movements as if by heart."

Xiao Ningchen no longer hesitated: "Send the order, change the route, bypass Mofeng City! Head straight for the next, Jingbian Prefecture!"

From then on, whenever they were about to depart, a mysterious letter to "Tuan Tuan Guest" arrived as scheduled.

"Heishui Town, do not drink the well water."

"Fengming Ferry, hurry across, do not stop."

"Luoxia Slope, take the main road."

Although the group was full of doubts, they nevertheless followed the instructions, traveling safely all the way to the last border town belonging to the Fiery Nation, Cangyan Pass.

The party entered the inn named Guiyun that the letter specified; the innkeeper behind the counter looked them over, then stepped forward with a beaming smile: "May I ask, among you, is there anyone called Tuan Tuan?"

Tuan Tuan stuck her head out from behind Xiao Ningxun, pointed a tiny finger at herself and said: "That's me."

The innkeeper hurriedly bowed and led the way: "We've finally been waiting for you! Honored guests, follow me. A noble has already reserved a room for you and left something, ordering me to hand it to you personally."

The group followed the innkeeper upstairs, opened the door, and found the room tidy and clean, with a blue cloth bundle on the table.

The innkeeper stepped back out.

Xiao Er shut the door, and Xiao Ningchen opened the bundle.

Inside were several neatly folded flags; he casually picked one up, flicked his wrist, and the large "Liè" flag unfurled with a red background and golden threads, while the other side was embroidered with a line of bold characters: "Fiery Nation's Seventh Prince and Immortal Envoy Visit."

Below the banner was still a letter.

Xiao Ningxun took the letter and read: "The carriage is ready in the rear yard. Attach this flag to the carriage and enter Da Xia."

Xiao Ze frowned: "Is this telling us to march into Da Xia with great fanfare?"

Father Emperor had instructed before departure that this journey was not an official visit.

The group exchanged glances, all still not understanding what this letter truly meant.

Only Tuan Tuan was unfazed: "What a good person! Every time he tells us what to do, he's a big good person! Then we'll just follow him!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled faintly, patting her cheek: "Our Tuan Tuan, simply put, listens to good people and fights villains; truly carefree."

Tuan Tuan said with a matter‑of‑fact face: "Right! Would we listen to villains and ignore good people? Right, Third Brother?"

Xiao Ningxun nodded: "Tuan Tuan is right!"

After days of rushing about, everyone was somewhat weary.

Since Da Xia was now only a step away, after discussion the few decided to rest here for several days to recuperate.

However, early the next morning, the previously calm atmosphere of Cangyan Pass changed abruptly.

Many townsfolk hurried about, buying rice, grain, meat, and vegetables; many shops had already boarded up their doors early, and a tense feeling like an impending mountain storm spread silently.

A few of them stood on the main street watching the hurried townspeople, all with bewildered expressions.

"Did you hear? War is coming again!"

"Is it true?"

"How could it not be true! My son went out of town yesterday to do business and came back saying our Fiery Nation's army has set up a camp not far away!"

"Right, right! My younger uncle also saw it yesterday! He said the camp stretched into a huge expanse, impossible to see its edge! At least a few hundred thousand!"

"What major event is this? Are we really going to war with Da Xia?"

"Hurry and stock up! If this war breaks out, it won't be small!"

Xiao Ningchen frowned: "Back to the inn!"

The group rushed back to the inn; Xiao Ze picked up the flags on the table and looked at the bold characters "Fiery Nation's Seventh Prince and Immortal Envoy Visit."

In an instant, he understood everything.

Why did that mysterious person guide them all the way, letting them avoid all unnecessary trouble and reach the border pass as quickly as possible?

Why, upon reaching the final stop, did they no longer conceal their movements, but instead require them to reveal their identity and enter Da Xia openly and honorably?

"Ha ha! Brilliant! So that's it!" Xiao Ze clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "No wonder they had us march with a flag! Father Emperor's great army presses the frontier; this is backing us up!"

He grabbed the flag, gave it a vigorous shake, and the brocade rustled.

"My Fiery Nation's hundreds of thousands of troops are stationed at the border; I will again reveal the prince's identity, march into Da Xia with great fanfare. Even if they have the audacity of the heavens, they would not dare move a single inch against us."

"In this way, we become the face of the Fiery Nation! No less than an official visit."

If they intend to act, they must first weigh whether they can withstand the thunderous fury of the Fierce Kingdom's iron cavalry!

What a splendidly upright! Then we shall proceed as planned, let Da Xia take a good look at the bearing of our Fierce Kingdom!

Your Majesty's sagacity, this is truly winning without battle!

But if this guide is arranged by Your Majesty, wouldn't issuing an edict directly suffice? Why be so mysterious, in case we don't hear?

This person repeatedly seizes the initiative, and even coordinates with Your Majesty's arrangements seamlessly—just who could they be?

Tuan Tuan doesn't care who it is: 'He's a great good person! Imperial Uncle is so awesome! Let those bad guys not dare to bully us!'

Fierce Kingdom, inside Zichen Hall.

Report to Your Majesty! The 300,000 border troops have all set up camp outside Azure Rock Pass!

Xiao Jieyun stops holding his vermilion brush: 'Good!'

Xiao Yuanhang smiles: 'The 300,000 border troops, their banners blot out the sun, yet they do not step beyond Thunder Pool half a step. Da Xia must be feeling uneasy at this time.'

Xiao Jieyun coldly snorts: 'His Majesty the National Preceptor of Da Xia dares to use the lives of our border civilians to threaten Tuan Tuan; then I can also use 100,000 border troops to make him dare not act.'

If anything goes wrong with the Seventh Prince and Tuan Tuan, Yuanhang, you shall trample Da Xia for me!

Xiao Yuanhang bows: 'Your servant obeys the edict! Your Majesty is sagacious!'

Three days later, a brand-new four-horse carriage, with large flags embroidered with 'Visit of the Fierce Kingdom Seventh Prince and the Immortal Envoy' at front and rear, slowly entered Da Xia.

Instantly it drew a crowd's onlookers: 'People from Fierce Kingdom have come!'

What are they here for? They just occupied three of our cities, now they come to loot?