Chapter 256: We've run out of sugar frost!

Several days later, the carriage entered Qingzhou territory.

As usual, Xiao Ningxun settled Tuan Tuan, Xiao Er, and Lu Qi in the city's most spacious inn, while Xiao Ran went alone to the government office to show up.

Soon after, Xiao Ran changed into ordinary clothes and silently returned to the inn to join the others.

"How?" Xiao Ningxun asked.

Xiao Ran pursed her lips: "I asked around; I heard on the road that Qingzhou territory is unsettled, with frequent gang fights—what's going on?"

"They say, the prince just arrived in Xibei, unaware that the local folk are fierce, unlike Jingcheng—this is normal, no need to mind. Hmph! Not saying anything, yet each of them speaks with official pomp!"

Xiao Ningxun pondered a moment: "If so, let's go straight to Longwind Cargo Shop and ask Xie Guzhou directly."

Tuan Tuan was the first to agree: "Exactly, going straight to ask is best!"

After a brief rest, they headed straight to Longwind Cargo Shop west of the city.

"Old cripple! If you know what's good for you, tell us quickly which mouse hole he hid in—or don't blame us for being rude today!"

Before they found the shop, a rowdy shout came from the side alley.

Everyone startled—that side alley is the necessary passage to Longwind Cargo Shop!

Xiao Ningxun picked up Tuan Tuan, while Xiao Ran stood guard beside them.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi stepped ahead of the three, saying, "Follow us."

They entered the alley.

Inside the alley, dozens of burly men in black short garments, faces fierce, surrounded an old man seated in a wooden wheelchair; behind him only a small child pushed the wheelchair, now frightened stiff.

The old man's hair and beard were white, his complexion flushed, his eyes bulged, his chest heaved violently, and his large hands gripped the wheelchair armrests, veins standing out on the backs of his hands.

"Cut the dog's fart!" the old man boomed, spit nearly spraying the man before him: "Just because you're this lowly trash of the Black Sand Gang, do you think you deserve to see him?"

"Even if I, Xuan Fu Weng, have only one breath left, I could crush you with my wheelchair!"

A burly man who looked like the Black Sand Gang leader sneered: "What Xuan Fu Weng!"

"You're this old, yet you still play at being a senior jianghu figure with your fake title?"

"If you don't talk today, I'll break both your hands and make you crawl out!"

"Hahaha!" the gang behind him burst into laughter.

Tuan Tuan frowned and shouted: "Grandpa can't move his legs—why bully him? If you want someone, go find them yourselves!"

Both sides, tense as drawn swords, froze and turned toward the sound.

Behind the two burly men stood two youths, one holding a delicately carved little girl in his arms; they dressed plainly, looking like outsiders.

Obviously, that childish voice just now belonged to that little girl.

The burly man scowled: "Where'd this little brat come from? Get lost! If you talk back again, I'll beat you too!"

The old man in the wheelchair, however, was pleased: "The little girl makes sense!"

He glanced at Tuan Tuan's group: "You youngsters just arrived, right? Quickly take that little girl and stay out of it—don't get involved in Qingzhou Prefecture's jianghu grudges, lest you bring disaster on yourselves."

Lu Qi whispered: "Miss, it seems this old man is also a veteran of the jianghu, with a grudge against the Black Sand Gang—by chance we met him in this narrow alley."

Xiao Er nodded: "I've never heard of Xuan Fu Weng, but seeing that we could help yet step aside for the lady's sake shows he's a righteous sort."

Tuan Tuan looked at Xuan Fu Weng: "Poor grandpa, his hair and beard are all white, and yet a bunch of bullies pick on him."

How awful these villains are! Bullying an old man who can't stand up!

She cupped her small hands to her mouth and shouted: "Grandpa! They called you a cripple—make them crippled too, okay?"

Xuan Fu Weng: "???"

The murderous Black Sand Gang members, momentarily stunned, all stared as a little girl spouted nonsense here.

Tuan Tuan calmly untied her embroidered pouch, pulled out a short thread, and lunged into Xiao Ningxun's arms.

Xiao Ningxun raised his arm, encircled his sister, and the two acted in perfect sync.

Tuan Tuan stretched out her tiny hand, opened her palm, and muttered: "Make their legs unable to move—turn them all into cripples!"

A flicker of light—and the thread vanished.

"Pfft—hahaha!" the burly man exploded in earth‑shaking laughter, pointing at Tuan Tuan, doubling over: "Did you hear? This little fool says she'll make us…… uh!"

His mockery cut off abruptly, and he stiffened.

He instinctively tried to step forward, but his legs felt rooted to the ground, utterly immobile!

No, it's not that they won't move—they simply can't!

An invisible, immense force wrapped around his legs, as if they weren't flesh but two stakes driven deep into the earth.

He strained to lift his legs, forehead veins bulging, face flushing red, yet his legs felt utterly alien and refused to budge!

"My… my legs!" he gasped, looking down—no blood, no wound, no hidden weapon, perfectly intact, yet they simply wouldn't obey!

"Big brother! My leg won't move!"

"Mine too!"

"What's happening? Did we get poisoned?"

The gang instantly fell into chaos.

Some tried to run but lunged forward and fell flat on their faces.

Others tried to bend to touch their legs, but couldn't even bend— their bodies turned stiff as stone.

Sticks and swords clattered to the ground.

Moments ago a mighty gang, now they lay on the ground in bizarre poses.

"That little girl knows poison!"

"What poison is this? So potent!"

"Where's the antidote? Little girl, hand it over!"

Xiao Ningxun and the others: "……"

Again! This is beyond explanation.

Tuan Tuan wore an innocent expression.

Why is it the antidote again! I never poisoned anyone!

The leading burly man was both shocked and angry, glaring viciously at Tuan Tuan.

This little girl looks innocent, yet she is so ruthless, striking from the shadows!

"Ha ha! Hahaha—!"

Xuan Fu Weng laughed loudly, delighted beyond measure, slapping the wheelchair armrest hard, tears of laughter welling up.

"Good! Good doll! Well done! Let these arrogant things taste this involuntary feeling! Wonderful! Too wonderful!"

He grew more satisfied as he watched, the evil energy in his chest spilling out, ten times more exhilarating than cutting them himself.

He looked at Tuan Tuan, becoming happier the longer he stared, his facial wrinkles blooming like flowers with his smile.

He wheeled himself to Xiao Ningxun's side and said, "Doll, come here; grandpa's house has something good for you to see."

After speaking, he waved at Tuan Tuan, signaling her to follow.

The little child only then snapped out of a dream, hurried over, pushed the wheelchair, turned and left.

Tuan Tuan slipped from Xiao Ningxun's arms onto the ground: "Third Brother, I'm going to the old grandpa's house to take a look! Wait for me!" With that, she chased after them.

The Black Sand Gang members, upon hearing, stopped.

"Little girl! What shall we do?"

"Exactly! Lady hero, spare us! Give us the antidote!"

The leading burly man also begged at this moment: "Lady hero, spare us! Please raise your noble hand!"

Tuan Tuan stopped, sighed, so worried!

The sugar frosting is all gone; what can I give you?

Seeing her hesitate, the big men realized begging worked! Their voices grew louder.

Tuan Tuan thought seriously, her eyes suddenly brightened: "The antidote, it's simple! Whose house has leftovers left out for days, smelling sour? Just eat a bowl and it'll work!"

Xiao Ran slapped his forehead, lowered his head and tightly covered his mouth.

Tuan Tuan, you really are a series of traps!

The others: "……"

The big men, however, took it as truth: "The martial world says the more potent the poison, the simpler the antidote! Seems true! Thank the little girl's kindness!"

"No need to thank!" Tuan Tuan turned and chased after Xuan Fu Weng.

The few glanced at each other, Xiao Er forced a smile and asked, "Then we, aren't we going to find Xie Guozhou?"

Xiao Ningxun spread both hands, helpless, "Let's go," and the few silently followed behind,

They turned another two alleys, and two massive wooden doors appeared before them, a banner embroidered with "Chang Feng Cargo Depot" rustling in the wind.

Xuan Fu Weng smiled at Tuan Tuan: "Come in, we've arrived at grandpa's house."