Chapter 469: Go Find Wang Wang

Xue Shao shook his head: "They won't win. The Emperor's nature is such—they can at best not lose, and if they don't lose, it's the Emperor who loses."

Pan Yun, seeing his grim expression, asked: "What if the Emperor loses?"

"If the Emperor loses, he'll need Wang Zhen even more as his knife. Wang Zhen's power will grow greater. To secure Wang Zhen's position and authority, my uncle and your father may face even harsher charges."

Pan Yun pressed her lips: "Will the Yue and He families' wrongful case be revisited?"

Xue Shao stared steadily at her; their gazes met, each reading the other's unease.

Xue Shao gently nodded: "Don't worry. It won't be revisited again."

Pan Yun bowed her fists: "I entrust Jingcheng to you. Farewell!"

Xue Shao nodded: "Take good care."

The Brocade Uniform Guard prepared a carriage and horses to escort Pan Yun all the way to the Yunnan Prince of Qin's mansion.

Pan Yun climbed into the carriage and saw Wang Cong holding a bamboo tube, walking beside it; she pulled back the curtain and said: "Cong'er, get in!"

Wang Cong quickly glanced at the nearby Brocade Uniform Guard, saw the man's eyes straight ahead, and hurriedly climbed onto the carriage.

Pan Yun's hands no longer trembled or weakened; after converting the essence of food, she now felt full of strength. She grabbed Wang Cong's hand and transmitted: 【Has your master a message for me?】

Wang Cong looked at her, nodded slightly, and transmitted back: 【Yes. Master told you to behave yourself on the journey, suppress your aura. Also, Master has written to the Celestial Master's Mansion, requesting Long Hushan send someone to escort you, to prevent further demonic attacks.】

【That's all? No instructions about the case?】

Wang Cong glanced at her and said: 【Little Auntie, the court is in chaos right now. My master says, at this point, even you and Xue Shao, or even Xue Xuan, can only drift with the current.】

No matter how noble or large a leaf is, once it falls into the river, it can only follow the current—no control at all.】

Pan Yun fell silent.

Wang Cong followed her out of the city.

The carriage carrying Seeing Miao Zhen and the other two with the fox stopped at the city gate. Wang Cong stepped forward to speak with the Brocade Uniform Guards; their carriage then joined the procession, falling in behind Pan Yun's.

Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He chattered endlessly.

Pan Yun, meanwhile, was thinking about Wang Zhen's words: "the coastal ledgers." She lifted her eyelids, grabbed Wang Cong's arm: "Where's the dog?"

Wang Cong blinked: "What?"

Pan Yun pointed at Hong Yan: "The fox is here. Where's the dog?"

Wang Cong: "The dog… it was very happy at Bai Yun Temple. We left in a hurry and didn't bring it."

"Go back and get it," Pan Yun rummaged through her space, pulled out a box, and shoved it into Wang Cong's hands: "Have it lead you to the person. Once found, bring them safely to me."

Wang Cong froze.

Pan Yun gripped his hand tightly, her eyes locked on his, speaking slowly and clearly: "Whether the Emperor wins this round, whether my father lives or dies—depends entirely on whether he can return safely."

Wang Cong's expression turned solemn: "I'm going now."

Wang Cong halted the carriage, jumped down, and apologized repeatedly: "We forgot something—we need to go back. Please proceed ahead. I'll catch up soon."

The Brocade Uniform Guard, who had been scowling, sized Wang Cong up, hand resting on his saber hilt: "What were you whispering in the carriage just now?"

Wang Cong: "The dog. Our Qingdao Temple raised a highly spiritual dog. It can sniff out corpse worms—it might help treat Elder Mu Two. I must go back for it."

An Chen didn't believe him and moved to interrogate further, when Pan Yun suddenly pulled back the curtain, scanned him from head to toe, and said: "Ah, it's you. No wonder I felt familiar—you're the Brocade Uniform Guard who pried open my roof tiles, aren't you?"

An Chen's face turned black. Pan Yun: "The Emperor ordered me to Yunnan. He didn't say my disciples had to come along. If you keep dawdling, I'll send the rest away too."

Mu Yuan from the Prince of Qin's mansion stepped forward immediately: "Chief An, the Prince of Qin and the Emperor are deeply worried about Elder Mu Two's injuries. They instructed us to hurry. If you provoke her now and she delays the journey, failing to report is minor—but if this delays Elder Mu Two's treatment and causes unrest in the southwest…"

An Chen finally scowled and waved his hand, letting Wang Cong go.

Wang Cong shot Pan Yun a quick glance, then lowered his eyes and stepped back.

He didn't fully understand, but he obeyed. As soon as he left the procession, he headed straight for Bai Yun Temple.

Wang Wang was running wild inside Bai Yun Temple.

He had his own companions, preferred sleeping with them at night, and ran through the forest every morning.

After his wild run, he'd return to Miao He for food. Today, as he dashed into the guest courtyard, he sensed something was wrong—it was unnaturally quiet.

He was startled. He panicked. He dashed into every room to check.

He smelled the human scent fading—meaning they had left last night.

!.

Wang Wang's eyes filled with tears he refused to shed. He let out a piercing "Wang Wang!" and bolted out of the courtyard.

He knew the way back to Yin Zhai. He would go demand why they had abandoned him!

Wang Wang burst out the side gate and crashed straight into Wang Cong's arms.

Wang Cong felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if struck by a boulder. He hugged Wang Wang tightly, rubbing his chest: "What are you running for?"

Wang Wang saw him. His pained expression vanished, replaced by fury. He barked furiously at Wang Cong.

Wang Cong didn't understand dog language—but now he felt he understood. His ears rang with its accusations.

Wang Cong paused, realizing: Little Auntie was right. Even if it's all "Wang Wang," each "Wang" is different—you can tell what each one means.

He truly understood now!

He hugged Wang Wang tightly and explained: "We didn't abandon you. I came back to get something from Little Auntie. I'll return for you—we have another mission. After we finish, we'll catch up with Little Auntie."

Wang Wang's round face was full of doubt—he clearly wasn't fully convinced.

Wang Cong pulled out the box, tore off the yellow talisman, and opened it. Inside was a robe.

Wang Cong held the robe before Wang Wang's nose: "Do you remember this person? He's our companion. Find him!"

Wang Wang sniffed, remembered. He growled softly from his throat, then turned his head.

Wang Cong wisely set him down.

Wang Wang sprinted down the mountain.

Wang Cong hurried after him.

Dog and boy darted swiftly through alleyways. No one knew how Wang Wang found the trail—but he led them from the eastern city to the western, finally slowing near the market by the city wall.

Wang Cong made no sign of his presence, keeping watch on his surroundings as he followed Xiao Huang forward.

His gaze swept over the people seated at the stalls on either side, then casually scanned the second floor of the teahouse nearby—his heart pounded: How are there so many Jianghu Alliance members here?

No, those few aren't Jianghu Alliance—they have the bearing of that brocade-clad imperial guard, An Chen, from earlier.

Wang Cong's mind raced: Could his junior uncle have foreseen that Master Hu was in danger?

Good night

(End of Chapter)