Chapter 381: Secret Base

Yuanlong Dao, Dao City.

As the capital of the Dao, Dao City's scale and grandeur far surpass Wan Jian City.

The city wall, over twenty zhang tall and built from a single massive block of Qinggang stone, lay like a silent dragon, stretching over a hundred li to fiercely guard this ancient metropolis.

On the wall, faint glimmers of light could be seen—defensive arrays, enhanced by generations, operating at low power.

Soldiers lined the ramparts, spears and blades standing like a forest, banners snapping loudly in the wind thick with the scent of smoke.

Inspections at the city gates were stricter than in Wan Jian City, and the atmosphere was more grim and tense.

Along the wide main street—wide enough for eight carts to pass side by side—there were many pedestrians, but most hurried with anxious expressions; shops were mostly open, yet business was clearly sluggish.

Chen Mu, carrying Long Tuti, entered the city smoothly after paying the entry fee and having his Town Martial Bureau patrol badge briefly verified.

He did not go to the Town Martial Bureau's local branch, but followed Long Tuti's guidance, weaving through the labyrinthine, spiderweb-like alleys.

Eventually, he stopped at a relatively quiet street named "Huahua Alley."

The roadside was mostly small shops selling everyday sundries and ordinary food.

Long Tuti's target was a modest eatery with an old wooden sign reading "Cheng's Eatery."

The eatery's facade was small, its two painted wooden doors tightly shut, with a red paper pasted on them, hastily scribbled with the words "Closed for Business."

It was not mealtime, and with the tense situation, the entire street felt cold and deserted.

Long Tuti stepped forward, tiptoeing, and tapped lightly three times on the door with her curled fingers, paused, then tapped twice more.

"All gone, all gone!"

A middle-aged man's voice, impatient and as if just woken, came from behind the door.

"Stop knocking! I said we're closed!"

Long Tuti turned to look at Chen Mu, a mischievous glint flashing across her small face, followed by a hint of embarrassment; she cleared her throat and, in a strange tone, spoke clearly but softly through the door crack.

"A dragon in the sky, three worms on the ground."

Silence instantly fell behind the door.

Then, with a soft "creak," the door opened just enough for one person to squeeze through sideways, revealing the face of a man around forty, dark-skinned, with a simple, sturdy appearance.

He first glanced warily left and right down the alley, confirming only Chen Mu and Long Tuti were present; when his gaze landed on Long Tuti's face, his tired, irritated eyes suddenly brightened with shock and disbelief.

He quickly lowered his voice and gestured.

"Quick! Come in!"

Chen Mu protected Long Tuti as he sidestepped through the doorway.

The man immediately shut and barred the door, his movements swift and practiced.

Inside the eatery, the light was dim; tables and chairs were neatly overturned on top of the tables, the floor swept clean.

A faint lingering odor of cooking oil hung in the air.

After closing the door, the man turned to face Long Tuti; his simple expression vanished, replaced by sincere excitement and reverence. He bent his knees, preparing to kneel.

"Your humble servant, Cheng Yong, pays homage to Fifth Young Lady!"

"Quickly rise, Uncle Yong, no need for such formalities."

Long Tuti stepped forward quickly, lightly supporting him; her small face tried to adopt an adult's composure, but her eyes betrayed her joy.

"I am Long Tuti. Here is my token."

She pulled from within her inner clothing a waist plaque, half the size of her palm, entirely dark gold, carved with a lifelike coiled dragon pattern, and handed it over.

Cheng Yong accepted the plaque with both hands; his excitement deepened.

But he did not speak immediately; instead, he carefully took out from his own inner pocket a palm-sized piece of special paper, faintly glowing a pale yellow hue.

Holding the plaque with both hands, he placed the yellow paper over the coiled dragon carving, then slowly infused it with a faint but exceptionally pure and substantial internal force.

A strange sight occurred.

The yellow paper, upon contact with the plaque, glowed faintly under Cheng Yong's internal force.

Then, without fire, it ignited—but the flame was not ordinary red or yellow; it was pure gold!

The flame spread rapidly, and above the burning ashes, a vivid, lifelike golden miniature dragon phantom coalesced, its head raised, tail swaying; it lasted less than a breath, then emitted a clear, soul-deep dragon cry, audible only to the three close at hand, before vanishing into the air, leaving not even ash behind.

"Undoubtedly correct—truly the Fifth Young Lady!"

Seeing this, Cheng Yong had no further doubt; his excitement transformed into complete reverence and a touch of relief.

He returned the plaque with both hands, his voice trembling with emotion, "The Young Lady is safe—this is truly wonderful. The Master and the other Young Masters and Young Ladies must have been utterly frantic."

"Uncle Yong, you've worked hard. This is Chen Mu, Elder Chen."

Long Tuti tucked away the plaque, her expression growing more serious. "I've come here for two reasons: first, to confirm safety; second, to ask—did my second brother come here? Did he leave any message?"

"I pay homage to Elder Chen."

Cheng Yong bowed to Chen Mu, then replied, "Second Young Master came. Four days ago, late at night, he arrived alone, seemingly injured, but his spirit was still good. He stayed only a little over half an hour, left a letter sealed with wax, and instructed me: if the Young Lady comes, deliver it to her personally."

"He also said that after settling some matters, he would return here as soon as possible to meet you. I'll fetch it right away!"

Saying this, Cheng Yong turned to walk toward the stairs beside the kitchen.

At that moment, a small door leading to the eatery's backyard opened quietly; a boy, around ten years old, sturdy and bright-eyed, poked his head in.

Behind him followed a plain-dressed, gentle-faced woman, her waist tied with an apron, holding half a stalk of un-picked greens.

Clearly, they had heard the commotion and came to investigate.

Seeing strangers, especially Long Tuti, both grew shy.

Cheng Yong immediately stopped and introduced them: "Fifth Young Lady, this is my wife, Lady Cheng Li; this is my son, Cheng Man. These are just womenfolk and a child, unaccustomed to the world—Young Lady, forgive their rudeness."

He turned to his wife and son, his expression solemn. "Don't you know how to greet the Fifth Young Lady? This is Elder Chen."

"Your humble servant (your humble boy) pays homage to the Fifth Young Lady and Elder Chen."

Lady Cheng Li and Cheng Man stepped forward quickly, bowing respectfully; their demeanor was tense but their manners were proper.

"Hello, no need for such formalities."

Long Tutu nodded, his tone mild.

Chen Mu also gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Cheng Yong waved his hand. "That's enough, this is none of your business. Go back to the rear courtyard, and shut the door properly."

"Yes."

Madam Cheng Li replied in a low voice, tugging her son—who was curiously sizing up Long Tutu and Chen Mu—and quietly withdrew, carefully closing the rear door behind her.

Cheng Yong himself also left swiftly.

Chen Mu's gaze lingered on the closed rear door for a moment, then shifted to Long Tutu, his tone giving away nothing of pleasure or displeasure.

"So this is the secret stronghold of your Long family?"