Chapter 756: Second Brother and Third Brother?

Outside Jingcheng's gates, tens of thousands of the Fiery Nation's elite long‑spear troops stretched like a forest; banners fluttered, and iron armor shone like scales.

The common folk lined the road to send them off, crowding the passage until it was impassable.

Xiao Jieyun, clad in a bright yellow Dragon Robe, stood beneath the city gate, his robes billowing.

Behind him, the entire court's civil and military officials stood silently.

Prince Ning dismounted, stepped forward steadily, knelt on one knee and said, "I, Xiao Yuanhang, lead the great army eastward; I bid His Majesty farewell."

Xiao Jieyun lifted him with both hands, grasped Xiao Yuanhang's arms tightly, and said, "Go, and crush the Eastern Sea for me!"

Xiao Yuanhang shouted, "I obey the command!"

Xiao Jieyun looked toward Xiao Ran and Chen Hao, who stood side by side.

Xiao Ran stepped forward, rare to suppress his playful expression, and performed a proper salute, saying, "Father Emperor, take care; your son will depart and return soon."

Xiao Jieyun couldn't help but laugh; this child will never change his reckless nature.

He reached out, gently pressed Xiao Ran's shoulder, and said, "In all matters heed Prince Ning's arrangements; do not act rashly to show off."

Xiao Ran's eyes reddened slightly, and he nodded heavily.

Xiao Jieyun looked at the kneeling Chen Hao and said, "You voluntarily offered your banner to follow the Old Nine; I am very pleased. I hope you fight bravely, slay the enemy, and achieve new merit."

Chen Hao lifted his head and said, "I receive the order! Thank you, His Majesty!"

Xiao Jieyun gave a slight nod, turned, and his gaze fell upon Wang Jingzhao.

Wang Jingzhao, having already passed the enthronement ceremony, wore Goryeo royal attire and bore a long sword at his waist.

Though young, standing among ten thousand troops, he already possessed the bearing of a youthful monarch.

Xiao Jieyun said gently, "You are already the king of Goryeo; your people are all waiting for you to return."

Wang Jingzhao knelt on both knees, saluted, and said, "Your Majesty's great grace, Goryeo will never forget!"

Xiao Jieyun reached out, helped him up, and lightly patted the back of his hand, saying, "Go. If your father king knew, he would be proud of you."

Wang Jingzhao's eyes reddened, yet he did not let tears fall.

Wang Cheng'an stood behind him, accompanied by a few Goryeo guards who had escaped together; though few, each bore an ardent expression.

Xiao Jieyun bent down, lifted Tuan Tuan, pinched her little cheek, and said, "Don't be too mischievous; listen to your father's words."

Tuan Tuan giggled, "I know! Emperor!"

Song Jingxian walked to Prince Ning and said, "Prince, the journey to the Eastern Sea is long; take care."

Xiao Yuanhang clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Lord Song."

Song Jingxian smiled and turned toward Tuan Tuan, who was being held in the Emperor's arms.

"Tuan Tuan," he said softly, "the sea wind is strong; don't overeat, and don't catch a cold."

Tuan Tuan gave him a sweet smile and said, "Got it, teacher!"

"By the way," Song Jingxian smiled, "the protective talisman I gave you, are you still carrying it?"

Tuan Tuan touched her little sachet and replied, "Of course! It was given to me by the teacher!"

Song Jingxian sighed lightly, "Good girl, return early."

Cheng Ru'an suppressed his deep worry, his eyes red yet without tears, and said, "Tuan Tuan, listen to your father and brothers; Mother is waiting for you at home."

Tuan Tuan slipped from the Emperor's arms and rushed into her mother's embrace, "Mother! I know! I will protect Father and the others so you won't shed tears!"

Cheng Ru'an's heart trembled; he lowered his head and kissed his daughter's little face.

Xiao Ningyuan flicked his younger sister's little temple and said, "Big brother is away; think of me!"

"Got it! Big brother, take good care of Xiao Feifei!"

"Don't worry; when you return, it'll be fatter than before!" Xiao Ningyuan took his sister from their mother's arms, walked to Chu Yuan, and said formally, "National Preceptor, I entrust Tuan Tuan to you."

Chu Yuan smiled faintly, "She is my disciple; I shall do my utmost."

Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin ran up to the splendidly dressed Wang Jingning.

Xiao Lin slipped an oil‑paper‑wrapped cake into Wang Jingning's hand and said, "Jingning, this is the osmanthus cake you love; I had grandma make it especially for you."

Xiao Jin pulled a ceramic white cat figurine from his sleeve and said, "You like Snow Tuan; this was made by Mother Consort based on Snow Tuan. Take it, and consider Snow Tuan accompanying you!"

Wang Jingning took it, tears already sliding down his cheek.

These days in Fengyi Palace, she had already become friends with Tuan Tuan, Xiao Lin, and Xiao Jin.

Now that parting was imminent, she felt reluctant to leave.

She raised her hand, wiped her tears, and nodded firmly, "In the future, you must come to Goryeo to visit me!"

Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin replied in unison, "Fine!"

Xiao Yuanhang shoved Tuan Tuan into the carriage, vaulted onto his horse, raised his Dragon Chant Spear and swung; the spear tip traced a golden streak in the morning light.

"All troops, obey! Depart!"

The horse hooves thundered over the official road, dust billowing like a dragon.

Several days later, the army arrived at Dengzhou Port, the nearest to Goryeo.

Thousands of warships had been waiting for a long time.

The masts rose like a forest, and the sails swelled in the wind like clouds.

The two foremost massive warships, their bows held high, had a row of Heavenly Fire Tubes, hastily produced by Feng Zhou, neatly arranged along both sides of the hulls.

The copper mouths glimmered with a faint cold light under the sun.

The naval troops retracted the gangplanks, climbed the masts, and untied the last few ropes.

The newly appointed Naval Commander Zhao Tieshan stood at the prow, drew his waist‑long sword, its blade pointing forward, and roared like thunder, "Fiery Nation Navy— weigh anchor! Set sail!"

After sailing for several days.

This day, sea and sky merged, the sails were full, and thousands of warships linked bow to stern, spreading a magnificent arc across the endless blue sea.

Xiao Er held Tuan Tuan on the rail, looking out to sea.

A school of silvery fish chased along the ship's rail, their tails flicking, flashing specks of light in the azure sea.

Xiao Tuanzi stared with wide eyes: "Second Uncle, the ocean is so beautiful! Huh, where's Seventh Uncle? Why isn't he here?"

Xiao Tuanzi looked around: "Second Brother and Third Brother? Why haven't they come out?"

Xiao Er twitched the corner of his mouth, held back, and said nothing.

"What's wrong?" Tuan Tuan blinked, slipped out of his arms, and bolted toward the cabin.

"Miss! Slow down!" Xiao Er hurried after her.