Chapter 721

In the distance came a few rooster crows, and on the horizon the first ray of sunlight appeared.

Lu Qi said: "Quick, go!"

The three dared not delay, swiftly along the roof ridge, heading toward Fu Yun Tea House.

Arriving at the back door of Fu Yun Tea House, Lu Qi knocked on the door.

After a moment, a shuffling footstep sound came from inside, and then the door was opened a crack.

Xiao Er, with sleepy eyes, wearing his outer robe, yawned: "Who is it? So early in the morning."

Tuan Tuan poked her little head out from Xiao Er's shoulder, just meeting his gaze: "It's me!"

Xiao Er's yawn got stuck in his throat, his face full of surprise: "Lord, Lord Master?" He hastily flung the door open.

The three slipped inside, and Xiao Er turned and closed the door.

"Why is the Lord Master coming at this hour?" Xiao Er asked while tying his outer robe, "The stove isn't even lit yet."

Tuan Tuan gave a little yawn, mumbling imitating him: "The stove isn't lit."

Xiao Er: "..."

Xiao Erdao said: "We're not going to the front."

"Is there a quiet place in the back courtyard? We'll stay for a day and leave at night."

Upon hearing, Xiao Er didn't ask further, turned and led the way inside: "Yes, follow me."

Passing through the back courtyard, he pushed open a room door: "Lord Master, take a look, is this place okay?"

The room wasn't big, but it was neat and tidy.

A wooden bed, a wardrobe, a set of table and chairs, and on the wall hung an old almanac.

Xiao Erdao nodded: "Fine, pretty good, we'll stay here."

"This is the keeper's room; he happens to be away these two days." Xiao Er wiped the table with his sleeve, "You all rest first, I'll go brew a pot of good tea, once the water boils."

After saying that, he hurriedly ran out.

Xiao Erdao gently placed Tuan Tuan on the bed.

Tuan Tuan stretched her little arms and legs, took off her little shoes, lay down on the bed, and instantly fell asleep.

Xiao Erdao pulled open the blanket and carefully covered her snugly.

A moment later, Xiao Er entered with tea and snacks, and Xiao Erdao and Lu Qi simultaneously shushed him.

Lu Qi pointed at the bed; Xiao Er looked up, quickly nodded, set the tea and snacks on the table, and tiptoed out.

The two sat at the table; Lu Qi poured a cup of tea and placed it before Xiao Erdao, whispering: "Today we really owe it to Miss."

Xiao Erdao looked at Tuan Tuan's sleeping little face, still frightened: "Yeah, if Miss hadn't insisted on going to have a look, we'd really have run into big trouble."

"You don't need to worry too much," Lu Qi looked at Xiao Erdao's worried face, "Although that thing is indeed formidable, even if it's formidable, we already knew about it beforehand."

"Let's wait for Miss to wake up, then we'll figure out a good way to deal with it."

"Aren't you hungry? You've been running all night, hurry up and eat."

Xiao Erdao nodded.

The two ate some hastily, then drowsiness overcame them, and they also fell asleep slumped over the table.

In the afternoon, Tuan Tuan woke up, waking from hunger.

She blearily opened her eyes, turned over, nestled her little head deeper into the pillow, then slowly crawled up.

She rubbed her eyes and looked around the room.

Xiao Erdao had one arm under his head as a pillow, the other hand still resting on his sword hilt.

Lu Qi's face was buried in the crook of his arm, the two slept soundly slumped over the table.

Tuan Tuan lightly got off the bed, barefoot, tiptoed to the wardrobe in the corner, and gently opened its door.

She rummaged, found a clean old outer robe, picked it up and walked behind Xiao Erdao, tiptoed to drape it over his back, but Xiao Erdao suddenly sat upright.

Lu Qi also sprang up from the crook of his arm, one hand already reaching for his sword hilt.

Three pairs of eyes met, two big eyes staring at a pair of small eyes.

Xiao Erdao saw it was Tuan Tuan, his tension instantly drained, and he wiped his face.

Lu Qi withdrew his hand and let out a long breath.

Tuan Tuan held the outer robe, standing between the two, pouted: "I wanted to cover you with clothes, but you woke up."

She pointed at the bed: "You guys go sleep on the bed!"

The two's gazes fell on the bed, then they looked at each other, both frowning at the same time.

"Just one bed," Lu Qi pointed at the narrow wooden cot, "I'm not sleeping with him!"

Xiao Erdao gave him a sideways glance: "You think I want to sleep with you? I'd rather keep sleeping slumped over the table."

"Me too!"

The two simultaneously turned their heads away.

Tuan Tuan placed the robe from her arms onto the stool, stretched out her little hand, grabbing one each, her little mouth puffed out: "How long have you been slumped over?"

"Do as I say! Go sleep on the bed!" She puffed her cheeks, "If you keep this up I'll get angry!"

Xiao Erdao was about to speak when the door was pushed open.

Xiao Er entered carrying a tray laden with food, steam rising and giving off fragrant aromas.

"I've come several times already, each time silently, but finally there's some sound."

He set the tray on the table, neatly arranging the bowls and utensils: "Have you rested? Hurry up and eat."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Then let's eat first! My tummy is so hungry!"

"Okay!" Xiao Erdao and Lu Qi both laughed: "We'll follow Miss's lead, eat first!"

All three were hungry, eating heartily with delicious gusto.

Xiao Er looked and said: "Looks like it's not enough, I'll go get some more."

"Wait a moment," Lu Qi stuffed a mouthful of stewed meat into his mouth, "Last night the commotion was huge—did you hear it? What are the locals saying?"

Xiao Er had just reached the door; hearing that, he turned back: "I heard it—how could I not hear?"

"The neighbors were terrified; I even lay in the door crack to peek outside!"

"The sky in Xibei was half red, and there was a choking smell of burning stuff."

"I just heard on the street that someone in South City was so scared they packed up and ran out of the city."

"He had just reached the alley entrance when he ran into a patrolling guard—no words, just got cut down."

"Huh?" The rice Tuan Tuan had just brought to his mouth fell into the bowl.

Lu Qi and Xiao Er furrowed their brows.

Xiao Er shook his head: "The corpses are still lying in the street; nobody dares to collect them."

The guards said, war is imminent; anyone who sneaks out at night is a collaborator and spy.

Xiao Er sighed: "I don't know what this war is for, but in the end it's always the common folk who die first."

Tuan Tuan put down the spoon, pouting: "What right do they have to kill people randomly?! Those people are just scared—why not let them go home?"

Xiao Er fell silent for a moment, reached out and gently touched her head: "Miss, in the eyes of those traitors, a commoner's life doesn't count as a life."

Only the power they hold in their own hands is what truly matters.

Tuan Tuan lowered his head, looking at the food in the bowl, muttered: "When Father comes back, I'll have them all arrested!"

Lu Qi looked and said: "This really isn't enough; go get some more."

"All right!" Xiao Er turned and walked out.

The atmosphere inside the room was a bit heavy.

Xiao Er changed the subject: "Miss, the Prince will be here soon. We need to find a way to destroy that thing we saw last night."