Chapter 185: They

The crowd kept gathering, becoming larger.

Their clothing was plain, their eyes vigilant, their expressions hateful.

"After fighting so many battles and killing so many of our boys, you still have the face to come here!"

"Go back!"

"Right! You're not welcome here! Go back to the Fiery Nation!"

Xiao Er's face was as calm as water, steadily driving the carriage, while eight guards pressed their hands on their sword hilts, lined up on both sides.

Xiao Ningchen, after dismounting from his horse, wore an icy expression; wherever his gaze fell, some angry townsfolk instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Xiao Ningxun gently cradled Tuan Tuan in his arms and whispered softly, "Don't be afraid."

"They are just ordinary civilians. The two nations fought many battles at the border before, many died; their fathers or sons may have perished on the battlefield."

"So it's normal that they don't like us."

"Don't be fooled by the venom in their words; their hearts are actually kind."

Tuan Tuan looked out the window, nodded, "I'm not scared, Third Brother; they're sad in their hearts, not villains."

Xiao Ze gave a slight nod, "Tuan Tuan is absolutely right."

"Since the Father Emperor ascended the throne, he has always opposed reckless militarism, unwilling to see living beings scorched and the people suffering."

He looked at the hostile faces outside the window and said, "In truth, what the common folk of the world seek is merely a bowl of full rice, a warm set of clothes, and a realm of peace."

"As long as Da Xia keeps to its duties, does not provoke trouble, and the border passes remain free of war, why should this world not be a prosperous, peaceful age?"

Xiao Ningxun gently covered Tuan Tuan's little ear, shielding her from the vicious voices outside the carriage.

Da Xia, the Emperor's residence, Gesang Gong.

Emperor of Da Xia Gongsun Chi stood at the window with his hands behind his back, his silhouette like a mountain; he never turned, but with a swift backward flick tossed a document that "slap!" landed at Gongsun Hong's feet.

"Don't think that whatever you and your Mother Consort did behind my back, I'm unaware!" Gongsun Chi's voice was low, yet it startled Gongsun Hong's heart into a frantic beat, "Look, this is the result of your cleverness without secrecy!"

Gongsun Hong bent to pick up the document, skimmed it quickly, and blurted, "The Fiery Nation's border troops have moved, deploying hundreds of thousands beyond Cangyan Pass?"

He fell to his knees with a thud, "Reckless son, I beg the Father Emperor's forgiveness."

Gongsun Chi slowly turned, glanced at his pallid son, and his gaze settled on the National Preceptor Wu Luo standing calmly beside him.

"National Preceptor, the Fiery Nation's Seventh Prince and that Immortal Envoy are about to enter my Tianqi Cheng; what plan do you have?"

Wu Luo stepped forward, bowed, and said, "His Majesty, rest assured."

"Since I have forced them here, I have naturally made proper arrangements."

"This time, not only will we make them have no way back, but also seize this opportunity to capture all the overwhelming qi fortune on that Fiery Nation Immortal Envoy, adding supreme divine power to our Da Xia Shen Tong!"

Hearing this, Gongsun Chi's deep eyes finally flickered with a slight movement, "If the National Preceptor is so confident, I am greatly comforted."

He paused: "Unfortunately, Chang the matriarch broke in the Fiery Nation; the Empress Dowager's side can no longer use it, it's already discarded."

Wu Luo smiled slightly: "She's merely an old inner‑palace lady; once discarded, she's gone. Our Emperor controls the world; that Fiery Nation, His Majesty still has others to employ."

Gongsun Chi locked eyes with Wu Luo, "National Preceptor, you truly understand my heart."

Ten days later, the carriage carrying Tuan Tuan's party finally arrived at Tianqi Cheng.

Outside the city gate, Gongsun Hong mounted his horse and declared, "Gongsun Hong of Da Xia, acting on the Father Emperor's orders, I am here to receive you."

Xiao Ze stepped down from the carriage, smiling slightly, "Prince Ying, we meet again."

Gongsun Hong dismounted and paid his respects, "Last time we met in the Fiery Nation, you welcomed me; today, returning the courtesy, I will escort you to Yiguan."

Xiao Ze replied, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The two smiled, their etiquette flawless, while Tuan Tuan watched from the carriage, "Third Brother, they're so fake!"

Xiao Ningxun's tea nearly spilled from his mouth, and he flicked his sister's little forehead, "You!"

Xiao Ze returned to the carriage, which slowly moved into the city.

Tuan Tuan excitedly perched on the window, looking outward.

Tianqi Cheng's streets were wide, lined with shops, bustling with pedestrians and traffic, a scene of splendid prosperity.

Even Xiao Ze couldn't help but nod, "No wonder it's the capital of Da Xia, truly more bustling and lively than any place we passed before."

Perhaps because they were already far from the border passes, the citizens of Tianqi Cheng did not crowd around the carriage, and no one paid much attention to the flags on it, a scene of tranquility.

Tuan Tuan happily pointed at the bustling market outside, "I'll go play in a bit!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled, "Alright! Once we're settled at Yiguan, I'll accompany you out to play!"

"What's that?"

"All black and heavy? What's coming?"

From outside the carriage came a series of startled shouts.

Xiao Ningxun's expression changed, and he pulled Tuan Tuan into his arms.

Xiao Ze looked out from the carriage window.

The once clear sky suddenly darkened for unknown reasons.

Looking up, countless jet‑black silhouettes converged from all directions like a rolling tide, arriving overhead in an instant.

"Heaven! Crows!"

"Where did so many crows come from?"

Uncountable crows, layered upon layer, densely packed, almost blotting out the sky.

Sharp, hoarse shrieks rang out, unbearably piercing; everyone couldn't help covering their ears.

They could only shout, "What's happening?"

"So many crows! Let's get out quickly!"

"Crows are ominous birds! Could this be a omen of a great disaster approaching?"

The townsfolk instantly fell into chaos, screams and cries rising, the crowd pushing, arms flailing, scrambling to flee.

Suddenly, a piercing voice rang out deafeningly: "It's that Immortal Envoy of Lie State! It must be her!"

A dark-faced sturdy man pointed straight at Tuan Tuan's carriage: "Look! She just entered the city, and these crows came! She's a disaster star! It's her!"

This shout was like a spark jumping into a hot oil pan.

Panic needs to be vented, disaster needs a cause.

Immediately someone chimed in:

"Exactly! Right! The crows only came after she arrived!"

"Disaster star of Lie State! Get out!"

"Don't bring disaster upon us!"

"Get lost!"

The crowd's anger flared instantly, with curses rising wave after wave, and more people driven by panic and anger began to surge toward the carriage.

The guards were squeezed so tight they were almost pressed against the carriage.

Xiao Er barely managed to hold the reins.

Xiao Ningchen leapt from his horse, stood beside Xiao Er, drew his side sword, and said, "Let's see who dares to come up!"

Not far away, Gongsun Hong sat calmly on his horse, his expression tranquil, the corners of his mouth slowly curving upward.

The people's anger—throughout history, even emperors have been helpless against it.

It seems today you won't be able to reach the Yiguan safely.