Chapter 337: Secret Realm
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It all seemed a bit eerie and not at all like they were going hunting or having a barbecue. Moreover, the dense forest felt a bit desolate and eerie. Unable to hold back, Mingzhu wanted to ask Yuwen Chu, but seeing him walking ahead talking quietly with Jing Song, she rode her horse over to Fu Mingzheng and asked softly, “Where are we going?”
“Don’t be afraid, nothing’s wrong.” Fu Mingzheng comforted her, leaning over to gently pat her horse’s neck. Just as he was about to answer Mingzhu’s question, Yuwen Chu turned back, reached out, grabbed Mingzhu’s reins, and pulled her and her horse over, saying in a low voice, “The mountain path is rugged. If you don’t want to fall, walk properly!”
“Oh.” Mingzhu obediently turned her horse’s head, followed closely behind Yuwen Chu, and meekly explained, “I just feel that this place is a bit strange.”
Yuwen Chu said indifferently, “This is my territory. Do you think I would harm you?”
Mingzhu was surprised, “How could you think so, Your Highness? That’s so strange!” It was really amazing that he could come up with this idea. Even if she felt something was strange and wanted to ask Fu Mingzheng about it, it didn’t mean she would think he was trying to harm her. Moreover, since the mountain path was rugged, he had to forcefully push his way from the front to the back, leading her horse’s reins and walking alongside her. Why didn’t he think the path was too narrow?
Yuwen Chu was taken aback by her response and said in a deep voice, “You’re the strange one! When something happens, you don’t ask me. Instead, you run to ask your Fourth Brother. Would he know more than me?”
“Isn’t His Highness talking to Yang Dianjun?” Mingzhu complained in a low voice, “It’s the same whoever I ask. You’re just being verbose. I don’t know who’s the strange one.”
“What did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly.” Yuwen Chu tugged at her reins, pulling her and her horse together, and smiled with bright teeth, “Speak louder.”
Fu Mingzheng followed behind, saying with a smile that seemed like a joke, “Silly little sister, you must remember, no matter whether you know or don’t know, when something happens, you should ask your husband first. And if you’re scared, you should first hide by your husband’s side. That way, it won’t be strange.”
Yuwen Chu turned back and gave him a cold glance, telling him to shut up! If you don’t talk, no one will treat you as a mute!
Fu Mingzheng looked back openly, saying that if you have something to say, say it clearly; if you’re jealous, then it serves you right to choke on it! If you have the ability, then don’t be afraid of others saying anything!
After the two stared at each other for a moment, Yuwen Chu was the first to laugh. I’m open and aboveboard. Who am I afraid of? Come on, give it your best shot!
Fu Mingzheng also laughed along, saying that with me around, don’t even think about bullying people. Don’t think you’re the only one with a scheming mind.
One laughed with a gentle breeze, the other with a sinister demeanor. After a while, they both understood each other’s intentions.
Mingzhu couldn’t understand why these two were looking at each other so affectionately, so she nudged her horse between them and said, “You’re blocking the way! If you don’t move, I’ll go ahead!” With that, she really urged her horse forward.
Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng immediately withdrew their gaze and followed behind, one after the other.
As they went further in, the trees grew taller and thicker, the light dimmed, and the thick layers of fallen leaves rustled underfoot. Jing Song, who was leading the way, stopped and dismounted, walking up to Yuwen Chu and said, “Your Highness, it’s not easy to ride horses here.”
Yuwen Chu nodded and raised his hand, signaling everyone to dismount.
Mingzhu was beside him and saw his movements. She quickly slid off her horse and squatted down, poking the fallen leaves on the ground with her whip, then pulling them out and measuring them with her hand, trying to see how thick they were. Seeing Yuwen Chu’s boots stop in front of her, she raised her head with a smile and said, “This forest must have grown for many years. These fallen leaves must be at least five inches thick.”
“These fallen leaves hide many pitfalls and various traps. If you’re not careful, accidents can happen. You must stay close to me and not wander off alone.” Yuwen Chu held her hand tightly, looking serious.
Because of the intrusion of strangers, the animals in the forest were startled. A group of squirrels, busy storing winter food, jumped up and down frantically, and the hunting dogs inevitably became restless but were ruthlessly suppressed by the guards holding them. Everyone walked forward with serious expressions, paying no attention to the animals at all.
Mingzhu was led by Yuwen Chu, and her deerskin boots made no sound as they stepped on the fallen leaves. She had already guessed what they were up to. After the model of the bed crossbow was made, Fu Mingzheng cooperated with Yuwen Chu to find a place to manufacture the real thing. That place was in the Great Temple, so this time they were probably using the pretext of hunting to test the power of that thing. Thinking that she could witness such a spectacle, Mingzhu couldn’t help but feel excited.
After a short walk, they reached the end of the forest, and a narrow natural stone path appeared in the middle of the tall mountains, just wide enough for one person to walk sideways. Jing Song stood in front of the stone path and whistled twice short, once long, then again short. The same whistle came from the front, and then a group of people silently entered the stone path one by one.
Mingzhu noticed that she, Fu Mingzheng, and Yuwen Chu were walking in the middle. Except for her, everyone else was holding a horse with one hand and a weapon with the other, including Yuwen Chu, whose free hand was tightly gripping the sword at his waist. She felt that this stone path was definitely not as simple as it seemed. Perhaps there was a cold and fierce arrow hidden in some dark corner. When an intruder was seen, it would silently shoot out and be fatal with one hit. Thinking about it, if there wasn’t such a safe and secret place, how could they deceive others so successfully?
After passing through the narrow path, they mounted their horses again and followed a swift-flowing river for about half an hour before stopping at a small village. Someone came forward to greet them and spoke quietly to Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng. Although he tried to appear calm, the excited tone of his voice and the joy on his face couldn’t be concealed.
Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng were in a good mood. “Let’s go take a look first.”
So the people quickly dispersed, leaving only Jing Song and a few familiar people to accompany the three. Mingzhu followed them, twisting and turning until they reached an open area. Ban Jian’s figure came running towards her, shouting loudly, “Fu…”
Fu Mingzheng cast a cold glance at him, and his voice lowered. Dejectedly standing there, he bowed with both hands, “Greetings, Your Highness, Wangfei, Fourth Master.”
Yuwen Chu nodded with a smile, approvingly saying, “Well done.”
Ban Jian’s eyes lit up, and he stuttered as he gestured, “Your Highness, you don’t know, this big silly thing is so powerful! After loading with thirty-six giant arrows, when it’s fired, not to mention people and horses, even the roofs and walls can be pierced through. If many bed crossbows attack a city together, it will be absolutely devastating! The range can reach up to a thousand steps!”
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