Chapter 714

"Master, this way," Ling Feng, wearing a human-skin mask and posing as a servant of a wealthy young master, bowed and led Xiao Yin into a side inn.

Xiao Yin's face grim, he followed Ling Feng slowly inside; the group booked the entire second-floor guest rooms.

These years, Bei Di and Southern Qi's political situations have been unstable; Wan Chuan City lies between Bei Di and Southern Qi.

Frequent warfare makes life hard for the people, and there is no longer the former prosperity of mutual trade between the two sides.

It's been a long time since such a big customer appeared; the innkeeper hurriedly ushered them to the second floor, his attitude exceedingly good.

The innkeeper also ordered hot water heated and sent to each second-floor room, but although these people were dressed as merchants, their every gesture gave off an oppressive feeling.

The innkeeper personally carried a washbasin upstairs to deliver it to Xiao Yin's room, but Ling Feng raised a hand to block him.

The guards on either side quickly took the basin; Ling Feng, looking at the astonished innkeeper, said slowly: "From now on, just leave things at the stairwell; my master likes quiet and does not want to be disturbed."

After saying that, Ling Feng shoved a silver pouch into the innkeeper's hand.

A flash of surprise crossed the innkeeper's face; he nodded and bowed, retreating repeatedly, and dared not disturb these second-floor guests again.

Xiao Yin entered the room; the others had already withdrawn.

Ling Feng placed the hot-water basin beside Xiao Yin's feet and said softly: "Your Majesty, it's getting late; wash your feet to relax, and tomorrow I'll send someone to investigate that lake island."

Xiao Yin had been traveling almost day and night; earlier, Gu Jiu Ling had left many markers along the road.

This girl is always clever; otherwise Xiao Yin could never have followed the clues and arrived here so quickly.

But when they reached Wan Chuan City in Mo Bei, the trail was completely cut off.

Gu Jiu Ling and her child have no trace; Xiao Yin is already exhausted, his eyes almost bloodshot from strain, yet he still cannot sleep.

Ling Feng whispered: "Your Majesty, take care of your health; if you break down, how will you save them mother and child?"

Those words moved Xiao Yin; he washed his feet, ate the steamed buns and small dishes prepared at the inn, drank a bowl of hot soup, and then felt better.

He forced himself to lie on the bed and asked in a low voice: "What's the situation with the lake island?"

Ling Feng hurriedly replied: "I asked the locals; they said noble people live on the lake island and they do not interact with Wan Chuan City's residents."

"Some say it's a wealthy merchant from afar who came here to hide away; aside from the island's workers regularly coming to Wan Chuan City to exchange for food, clothing, and daily necessities, the island's master is rarely seen in this city."

"Investigate thoroughly; take my token and mobilize tens of thousands of border troops over here."

"No matter who kidnapped the Empress, I will make sure they have no place to bury their dead."

"Send a few strong swimmers to sneak into the lake and try to land on the island; the Empress's clues point straight to Mo Bei, this place is the nearest oasis to Southern Qi—I want it searched inch by inch."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ling Feng settled Xiao Yin in, then hurriedly withdrew.

The lamp light swayed slightly with the outside breeze; Xiao Yin slowly picked up a wooden peace talisman.

That peace talisman was given to him by Gu Jiu Ling, who said it would keep him safe.

She also said he had a heavy hostile aura, carried too many blood debts, and was bound to encounter something.

She had prayed at the temple for a long time before obtaining this talisman, hoping only to bless Xiao Yin with safety; she never imagined that it would be she who was not safe.

Xiao Yin clenched the talisman tightly in his palm; its edges pressed into his palm, sending a faint pain.

Xiao Yin slowly closed his eyes and whispered: "You…… where exactly are you?"

Suddenly, Ling Feng's urgent voice came from outside the door.

"Is the lord asleep?"

Xiao Yin rose to let Ling Feng in; Ling Feng's face showed a hint of joy, he half-kneeled before Xiao Yin, yet held a red invitation in his hand.

"Your Majesty, I just received news that the noble person living on the island will be getting married these days, and has sent invitations to the prominent figures of Wan Chuan City."

"However, only a few were sent; one of the invitations meant for a local gentry was stolen by our people."

Xiao Yin quickly took the invitation, opened it, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"This invitation is interesting; that person invites people to drink his wedding wine, but the invitation does not say who the bride and groom are—it merely invites people to drink the wedding wine."

"What exactly is the identity of the people on that island, hiding like this? It only deepens Xiao Yin's suspicion."

"Xiao Yin's followers also include not a few petty scoundrels; this time he came to find Gu Jiu Ling and her child, bringing many jianghu folk, all of whom he has taken under his command, and now they are indeed being put to use."

"Help me change clothes; I want to personally meet the gentry who lost the invitation."

Ling Feng instantly understood Xiao Yin's meaning, hurriedly turned and rushed out to make arrangements.

The night grew deeper; that day, Ma Ta Han and Da Wo spent the whole day in a tea house, yet heard no news of anyone losing a child.

On the contrary, they heard the news that the master of the lake island was to be married—after all, the oasis in Mo Bei is only that small.

To the people of Wan Chuan City, the lake island has always been mysterious; now news of a celebration on the island has drawn the town's attention, but what could it have to do with those two little ones in their home?

Ma Ta Han, bringing his son, had just entered the inn when he noticed the atmosphere was different; it seemed new guests had moved in.

Ma Ta Han looked at the shop boy and smiled: "Business is not bad, huh."

The shop boy quickly lowered his voice: "You two, don't go upstairs for anything; I heard a noble has come to the second floor, and they are very strict about rules."

"No one is allowed to go upstairs to disturb them; please excuse you two."

"The innkeeper said that next time you two stay, he'll give you a discount, but you'll have to make do with eating and drinking outside."

Ma Ta Han blinked slightly; the innkeeper had reserved the noble guest, fearing these wandering customers would disturb him, so he quickly laughed: "No problem; we'll leave early tomorrow morning, just find a random room on this floor to get through the night."

The father and son settled into a first-floor room; Ma Ta Han sighed: "I really can't find out who these children's parents are; looking at the two little ones, they seem quite pitiful."

"Forget it; we won't inquire further; tomorrow we'll head back and raise the children properly into adulthood."

"If someday we have a chance and their birth parents find them, we'll return the children; if no one comes for the child, we'll just raise them well as our own."

Da Wo also laughed: "Those two little rascals are quite likable; when Father leaves tomorrow, we'll buy some small toys on the street for the two little ones to play with."

Ma Ta Han nodded; he had already done his best.

Along the way he picked up two children, nameless, sourceless; he had also inquired, but could find nothing.

For now, let's just treat them as our own children; if he works harder, the worst is that the family tightens their belts—we cannot let the children suffer.

He secretly calculated selling a few sheep back home to make clothes for the children.

Father and son were talking when suddenly they heard footsteps coming from the second floor.

Dawo couldn't help being curious, secretly opened the door and saw a tall man stride out of the inn's door surrounded by a crowd.

Could not see what that person looked like; even just seeing his back gave a sense of oppression coming toward them.

He carefully closed the door; when out and about, it's better to have fewer things than more.

Such an unidentified fierce noble, it's better for them not to provoke him.