A handful of thousand-people troops rode along a secluded pathway. As for why they chose a pathway, that was because they needed to avoid being sighted. Furthermore, everyone knew that if they approached the south in an grand and imposing manner, they would likely get ambushed and separated before they could reach their destination.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âCrown Prince, there is an inn ahead. Will we be resting in the inn tonight?â Leng Yu Feng returned on his horse. Theyâd already traveled for 3 days and stayed overnight in the forest for all three.
Although nobody didnât really mind, after seeing the pale crown prince, Leng Yu Feng hadnât been able to resist riding ahead to inquire around.
âThereâs actually an inn in such a remote place. Looks like this inn isnât simple!â Huan Mo Cheâs gentle smile was mingled with silken coldness, but he looked at Shang Wuxin and knew that Shang Wuxinâs decision was the most important and resolute.
Shang Wuxin looked skeptically at Leng Yu Feng. Right now, their best option was to bivouac in the forest, and she believed he was also very clear on that, so why was he doing this? She didnât feel any malice.
âCan you guarantee its safety?â She asked. She didnât ask about the dangersâshe knew that since Leng Yu Feng brought up the inn, that meant he had a certain grasp on its nature. This man, although heâd been indifferent for the past few days, he was thoughtful.
Leng Yu Feng peered at the crown princeâs incomparably exquisite face. These few days, he dared not gaze at the prince excessively, but the prince seemed to have a bewitching charm that attracted attention.
At night, Leng Yu Feng would feel restless and crack open his eyes to furtively stare at the slumbering crown prince. The darkness concealed Leng Yu Fengâs burning gaze but did nothing to counter his rapidly skipping heartbeat.
âI can!â He affirmed. He originally wanted to say more, but all that came out of his mouth were those two icy words. However, beside him, Huan Mo Che noticed the warmth in his friendâs voice and wrinkled his eyebrows, feeling a bit uncomfortable in his heart.
Shang Wuxin nodded. Bai Shaolin gathered some people to arrange for accomodations. After all, their party did not just consist of a few people, but a few thousands of people, so even with an inn, it would be impossible to accommodate everyone.
Huan Mo Che noticed he seemed to be ignored. He opened his mouth and said laughingly, âIâm afraid itâll take another seven or eight days to reach the south!â
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âIâm afraid weâll be very busy from now on.â Leng Yu Feng said with a sigh, but his tone betrayed his eagerness to go all out. After all, theyâd been walking quickly for the past three days, but after crossing those mountain woods, they would reach the mountain banditsâ territory. In the coming days, the journey wouldnât be as easy and relaxed.
Shang Wuxin urged the horse, leading everyone to the remote inn. The inn appeared to be awfully shabby, and with only a few rooms. Fortunately however, it had a courtyard and at nightfall, the soldiers could also rest inside it. Shang Wuxin sized up the inn at a glance. Her eyes were still so deep, one couldnât see the bottom; pitch-black and profound like a serene deep pool without any ripples.
Bai Shaolin was already waiting outside the inn since earlier. Seeing Shang Wuxin, he stepped forward. âGongzi!â1 Because they were outside, Shang Wuxin had already instructed everyone not to reveal their identities. But looking at the innkeeperâs eyes now, Shang Wuxin could clearly see through her.
âOh my, distinguished guests, please come in quickly, quickly! Waiters, serve some tea without delay, the kitchen has already prepared food!â In charge of the inn was a graceful middle-aged woman. She was looking at them as if she was seeing money. As she was speaking, she wanted to get closer to Shang Wuxin, but Leng Yu Feng and Huan Mo Che blocked her path.
âOur gongzi2 doesnât like people approaching him. Just concentrate on preparing the meals, thatâs good enough!â Seeing that General Leng and Huan gongzi didnât have good expressions, Bai Shaolin hastened to give instructions.
The innkeeper laughed a few times, then told the waiters to receive the guests. She went to urge the kitchen for the meals, while the waiters, also looking at everyone with big smiles covering their whole faces, endlessly served the soldiers tea or handed them water.
âGongzi, your room is ready.â Bai Shaolin said. Although he wanted to find a nice room at all costs, the inn was in this condition. He still made people clean the room up everywhere, until he could let the crown prince reluctantly put up with it and rest inside.
Shang Wuxin nodded, then glanced at Leng Yu Feng and Huan Mo Che, and the three of them entered the well prepared room.
âYou noticed?â Shang Wuxin asked as she pondered. Originally, she was prepared to wait awhile; she didnât expect that some people would lose their patience so quickly.
Huan Mo Che sat at Shang Wuxinâs left side. He poured a cup of water for her and carefully made sure the water didnât have anything peculiar inside, before he felt reassured. After pouring himself a cup, he spoke straightforwardly, âIn this inn, whether itâs the innkeeper or the waiters, all of them know decent martial arts!â
From the moment Huan Mo Che entered the inn, he realized it wasnât an ordinary inn. Even though the innkeeper successfully camouflaged herself as a greedy merchant, aptitude and caution flashed through her eyes, making Huan Mo Che understand things at a glance. Moreover, when the innkeeper left, her measured pace was similar to that of a martial arts practitioner. Also, all the waitersâ technique in wiping the tables or pouring the tea hinted that they were greatly unaccustomed to the task. More importantly, Huan Mo Che discovered that all the waiters had thick calluses in the web between their thumb and forefinger.
Shang Wuxinâs glance swept over Huan Mo Che. He unexpectedly surprised her. She already knew he wasnât an ordinary person. Even if he looked like a precious, overly pampered young master from the capital, at present, Shang Wuxin was aware that Huan Mo Che wasnât simple at all. On the contrary, he was immeasurably deep.
Seeing the crown princeâs line of sight on himself, Huan Mo Che suddenly held his breath. He hoped this line of sight would stay on him for a while longer, but unfortunately, the crown princeâs pair of clear as ice black eyes stopped over him for a second, then immediately left.
âThese people arenât mountain bandits!â Leng Yu Feng stated with certainty, but thinking a bit more, he added an explanation, âOne can tell at a glance that these people are well-trained, and itâs absolutely impossible for mountain bandits to reach this level. Furthermore, theyâre clearly here for us, but itâs unlikely that the mountain bandits know weâre delivering grains to the South!â
After Leng Yu Feng was done speaking, both he and Huan Mo Che looked at the crown prince. They wanted to find out what he would do, but based on their reasoning, they also knew the present predicament was definitely not so simple. Within the span of a single breath, Shang Wuxinâs chilly voice resounded, accompanied by a difficult to detect trace of ruthlessness.
âGo inform Bai Shaolin to pay attention to the meals tonight. If anyone gets drugged, tell him he no longer needs to return to the capital,â Shang Wuxin said with a faint smile. Not returning to the capital meant that if he couldnât even accomplish this small thing, he would be directly discarded.
Originally, Leng Yu Feng shouldâve gone for this task, but Huan Mo Che rushed to do it. In the past, he simply disdained getting involved in the Imperial Courtâs matters. But now he thought that only getting himself involved in those matters would perhaps make the crown prince gaze at him a few more times like earlier.
âTonightâ¦â Shang Wuxin mumbled in a low voice, âWill be funâ¦â
Leng Yu Feng was looking at the crown prince, who was deep in thought over something with his head lowered. He was dressed in white brocade clothes with black edges. His black hair was like a waterfall, a jade hairpin holding it up as it draped over his shoulders and spilled over his back. He gave a cold impression, unable to be melted. Pale red lips, profound eyes, extraordinarily dignified, giving off a trace of ice-cold, bewitching flavor. A matchless cool elegance. As he looked on, Leng Yu Feng got somewhat obsessed. He was even imagining, if the crown prince didnât have that kind of chilly manner, he ought to have such a graceful bearing.
âHm?â Shang Wuxin suddenly raised her head and looked at Leng Yu Feng as she approached him, stopping a short distance away from him. âGeneral Leng wonât go rest?â
Startled, Leng Yu Feng immediately retreated several steps. Previously, whether he was facing thousands of enemy soldiers or facing life and death, Leng Yu Feng had never retreated. But now, simply because the crown prince got near, Leng Yu Feng became a little terrified and withdrew several steps. He was afraid the crown prince would find out about those indistinct, unbearable thoughts of his. He was even more afraid that he wouldnât be able to restrain himself⦠As for what he would be unable to restrain, even he didnât know.
Without saying a word, Leng Yu Feng hurriedly walked out of the room. Looking at Leng Yu Feng, who seemed frightened, Shang Wuxin felt a little helpless. Was she too scary, frightening such a valiant generalâ¦