Chapter 199: This Look Isn't Good

Tuan Tuan's little head thrust out suddenly, her big eyes instantly widened round: "Wang... Wang! Wang!"

Wang Mingrui: "…"

"Wang Uncle!"

Xiao Er startled, looked closely; although the skin was darker and the beard different, he could still tell it was indeed Prince's longtime friend Wang Mingrui, no doubt!

He instantly relaxed, clasped his fists in salute: "Mr. Wang!"

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ningchen, the two brothers, also recognized him: "Wang Uncle!"

Only Xiao Ze was puzzled; Xiao Ningxun quickly explained to him: "Wang Uncle is an old friend of my father."

Xiao Ze nodded; as long as he is a friend, not an enemy, it's fine.

Tuan Tuan tilted her little head, thought, then suddenly realized: "So it's you! Wang Uncle, you're the one who kept leaving me letters, right?"

The group looked back and thought, it was indeed him! It could only be him!

It was he who guided them all the way, leaving letters for Tuan Tuan several times; it was he who warned them early, letting them avoid the trap at the Palace banquet, and it was his interventions that allowed everyone to reach here safely.

Wang Mingrui nodded slightly, concisely: "We shouldn't stay here long; follow me."

He turned and left; the others immediately followed.

After passing several narrow back alleys, Wang Mingrui stopped before a dilapidated courtyard and knocked on the door.

The door answered with a creak, and a tall man dressed as a laborer ushered them inside the courtyard.

Inside, the furnishings were simple yet clean and tidy.

The group entered the house and sat down; Tuan Tuan could finally walk on the ground, overjoyed, wandering nonstop inside the room.

Wang Mingrui produced a stack of papers: "I've prepared several clearance documents; you will pose as laborers of my caravan. Tomorrow at dawn, join the convoy to pass the checkpoint."

Everyone's hearts sank into their stomachs.

Finally there's a way to pass the checkpoint! We were just fretting!

Tuan Tuan was even more excited: "Great! We can go home tomorrow!"

She jogged and pounced onto Wang Mingrui: "Wang Uncle, you're so kind! But, this look is not good, so ugly!"

Wang Mingrui gave a helpless smile.

The sky was still dark; Yan Gui City remained shrouded in a gray, hazy mist.

Everyone had already gotten up, changed their appearances, and disguised themselves.

Xiao Ningchen, Xiao Er, and the guards switched into coarse short garments, deliberately smearing gray dust on their faces, blending among the caravan's laborers, suppressing all their edge.

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ningxun pretended to be accountants, wearing half-worn long robes.

The most important target, Tuan Tuan, sat inside a wooden crate.

The crate's bottom was padded with a cushion, and vents were left on the sides.

Blended among several other large boxes filled with cloth, it was completely inconspicuous.

"Tuan Tuan, are you scared?" Xiao Ningxun asked softly before closing the lid.

Xiao Tuanzi pulled a pile of fabric over herself: "My brothers are all here; I'm not afraid!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled faintly and gently sealed the crate lid.

Wang Mingrui still looked like the merchant he was yesterday.

He examined everyone carefully, nodded, and waved his hand lightly.

The convoy slowly set off, merging into the morning traffic exiting the checkpoint.

All people and the convoy must pass the border troops' inspection at the checkpoint; only after verification can they exit.

Beyond the checkpoint lies the territory of the Fierce Kingdom.

The convoy moved forward slowly with the crowd.

Arrived!

Wang Mingrui skillfully approached, exchanged a few words with the gate-guarding border troops, slipped them a heavy sack of silver coins, and offered several vats of fine wine.

The soldier weighed the amount in his hand, a hint of satisfaction on his face, and waved his hand: "Check quickly! We're in a hurry to get moving! No delays!"

A few soldiers, understanding instantly, casually jabbed the cargo on the cart with their gunstocks:

"Boss, checked! No problem!"

The soldier nodded, lazily waved his hand: "Alright, let's go."

Everyone's hearts leapt with joy; they made it!

"All right!" the driver raised the whip, and the wheels turned slowly.

"Report—!"

Everyone's hearts trembled; they looked up.

A swift horse, like an arrow shot from a bow, galloped from the city streets; the rider, drenched in sweat, raised a command arrow high and shouted:

"The superior has issued an order! Effective immediately, seal the checkpoint! No entry or exit! Violators will be beheaded!"

The soldier's face changed abruptly; with a "clang" he drew his waist blade and barked: "Stop! Everyone stop! All of you, retreat!"

Inside the checkpoint, footfalls thundered; countless border troops in full armor surged from the barracks on both sides, swords drawn, arrows nocked, instantly blocking the passage completely.

All the caravans erupted in chaos; people shouted, horses whinnied, a tangled mess.

"Silence!" a military officer leapt to a high spot, "Effective immediately, the checkpoint is sealed! Everyone return to your positions; any who act without permission will be dealt with severely, killed without hesitation!"

They intend to trap us like turtles in a jar!

Wang Mingrui understood, gave a signal to the others, and everyone instantly and silently contracted, shielding the mule cart carrying Tuan Tuan in the center.

"Sir General," Wang Mingrui stepped forward, a flattering smile on his face, "as you can see, our documents are all in order, the goods have just been inspected; please let us pass. Our client is eagerly awaiting this shipment."

"From now on, with our frequent visits, we will never be a burden to you."

"Enough chatter!" the soldier who had taken the money flipped his face, "Didn't you hear? The checkpoint is sealed; no one may enter or exit! Retreat! Quickly retreat! Don't cause trouble for me!"

Wang Mingrui's face showed difficulty, he pondered silently.

At this moment, the convoys behind had gradually retreated back into the city.

Only they remained.

Retreat was not an option; once back in the city, even with wings they could not escape.

Xiao Ningchen suddenly drew the hidden sword from beside the cargo pile.

"Clang—!"

"Swish!"

The others sprang up at once, instantly gripping all their concealed weapons in hand.

A few, in tacit understanding, crossed their forms, instantly forming a small battle array, tightly protecting the mule cart hiding Tuan Tuan at its center.

Wang Mingrui's assistants also drew short blades and iron rulers from the carriage interlayers and wagon undersides, forming another layer of protection outside Xiao Ningchen and company.

Everyone brandished sharp blades, confronting the border troops with grim resolve!

The gate guard, furious with shame, shouted loudly: "Rebellion! Rebellion! They are indeed spies of the Fierce Kingdom! Seize them! Kill them without mercy!"

More border troops surged forward with howls.

A melee was about to erupt!

Just then, "Whooo—humm—"

The low, desolate horn blast came, instantly drowning out all the clamor!

Everyone froze, instinctively looking toward the outside of the gate.

Only see, on the distant horizon, thunderous hoofbeats rolled like rolling thunder, sweeping toward the mountain pass at astonishing speed!

Banners fluttered, and on them a huge "Fierce" character could faintly be seen!

"The Fierce Kingdom people are coming to kill us!"

"Close the gate! Close it quickly!"

The garrison instantly fell into chaos!

The soldier who had just taken money turned deathly pale, no longer caring about Wang Mingrui and the others, and shouted hoarsely: "Quick! Hold the gate! Archers, to the battlements!"

The heavy gate began to close slowly amid the winch's piercing screech!

"We can't let them close the gate!"

Xiao Ningchen led the group into a melee with the garrison.

More and more garrison troops surged forward, the gate gap shrinking before their eyes.