Chapter 104
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A venerable elder with snowy hair and youthful face?
Standing at the foot of the mountain, Xue Yao carefully scrutinized each passing face at the entrance of the small eatery.
The ethnic minorities here were residents within the vast territory of Great Qi. Their appearance was not significantly different from the Han Chines. The only noticeable difference, if one insisted on pinpointing it, was their slightly elongated eyes. There was no trace of any magical feature like the combination of white hair and a youthful face.
Moreover, how could the chubby cub possibly be associated with such a strangely looking old man?
According to the old father’s understanding of the chubby cub, besides seeking food, the cub couldn’t possibly engage in any communication with strangers.
Even if the old man had provided food, the chubby cub, after finishing it, would still turn hostile, refusing to acknowledge anyone. He wouldn’t just team up with strangers like that.
The chubby cub wasn’t fond of spending extended periods with unfamiliar people.
Due to different thought patterns, Lu Qian’s behavior couldn’t completely align with that of normal people. However, this didn’t mean he enjoyed being different. In fact, discussions from strangers, whether malicious mockery or well-intentioned affection, made Lu Qian feel uneasy.
Xue Yao could sense it. Every time there was a gathering with many people, familiar elders would intentionally coax Lu Qian into speaking with a tone of endearment. They used this child’s distinct words and actions to provoke hearty laughter from the guests.
This behavior often left the chubby cub awkwardly frozen in place.
The chubby cub worried that when he displayed peculiar behavior, he would freeze in place. Since childhood, he had been scolded by the Third Prince as “fool” and “dim-witted.” Subconsciously, the chubby cub felt that being different from others was not a good thing.
Over the years, only Xue Yao patiently understood and adapted to this naturally distinct chubby cub. Xue Yao tried to live and communicate in the chubby cub’s unique way, never mocking or attempting to correct his quirky behavior like others did.
So, Lu Qian preferred being with Xue Yao, surpassing his Mother Consort and his big brothers.
This genius young one mistakenly believed that in this strange world, Xue Yao was his only companion of the same kind.
Hence, Xue Yao truly couldn’t imagine the chubby cub teaming up with strangers.
He planned to wait a day. If it didn’t work out, he would look elsewhere.
The couple who managed the camels didn’t wait with him. Xue Yao sat alone under the awning.
By afternoon, the scorching sun drove everyone away from the eatery.
Drowsy Xue Yao suddenly heard the system prompt — sense of security -2.
Startled, Xue Yao jumped to his feet, inadvertently startling someone behind him.
Almost simultaneously, there was a muffled “thud” sound from behind.
Xue Yao turned alertly and saw a dirty youth tumbling by the wall.
The youth made eye contact with Xue Yao, then suddenly stood up and hid behind a pile of firewood.
Xue Yao recognized the boy as the milk thief he had redeemed.
After a brief hesitation, Xue Yao walked over cautiously and inquired behind the firewood pile, “You didn’t leave? Why are you following me?”
The youth didn’t seem eager to escape. He hesitated, unsure how to approach his lifesaver.
After a moment, the youth peeked out and looked at Xue Yao, answering in an oddly-toned Han Chinese, “I can’t leave.”
Xue Yao felt his accent was off. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the youth had a broad forehead and narrow single eyelids, somewhat resembling the locals.
“Why can’t you leave? Where is your home?”
The youth looked at him for a while, then whispered, “On the grasslands beyond your territory. If you’re willing to help me pass through the next two garrison checkpoints, my Father King will generously reward you.”
Father King?!
Xue Yao’s mind went blank for a moment. Regaining his senses, he immediately reached out and grabbed the youth’s wrist, afraid he might run away!
“You’re a Khitan Prince!” Xue Yao exclaimed urgently.
With no way out, the youth could only place his bet on this kind-hearted Han Chinese. He nodded without resistance.
“How did you escape?” Xue Yao asked anxiously.
“Your Third Prince wanted to assassinate me.” The youth straightened his posture, not pulling away from Xue Yao’s grip. He raised his chin, adopting a reluctant Khitan warrior’s demeanor. “A clever person released me, letting me return in exchange for your Fifth Prince.”
Xue Yao quickly figured out what had happened. The Third Prince had already killed the envoy and had no intention of letting the hostage go.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince now controlled the situation. As long as Xue Yao brought the Khitan Prince back to the camp, the Crown Prince could take charge and negotiate the hostage exchange.
Xue Yao immediately said, “Don’t worry, no one will harm you now. Come with me. We’ll send envoys to escort you across the river for the exchange.”
“I can’t go back.” The youth stared at Xue Yao warily. “I escaped the desert to shake off pursuers. Now, I can only exit through the eastern pass and take a detour back to the camp. But I don’t have a waist token and can’t pass through the garrison checkpoint.”
Xue Yao hurriedly explained, “The ones trying to kill you are no longer a threat. I was pursued by them before. Now, they are under the control of the Crown Prince.”
The youth’s eyes lit up, and he said in Khitan language, “Are you also a Khitan?”
“What?”
The youth’s gaze dimmed again. “The ones hunting me are here, wearing civilian clothes. They’ve already arrived in this village.”
Xue Yao was alarmed, looking around cautiously. “Where are they?”
“In the village. You’re also being watched.”
Xue Yao was skeptical. “I’ve been wandering in this village all day, and no one is chasing me.”
“They are tracking you, seemingly trying to find someone else through you. That’s why they haven’t arrested you. Because you’re unaware, they’ve relaxed their guard. I’ve been following you to protect you. There are only two of them now, but more will come soon. We won’t be able to escape.”
Hearing this, Xue Yao’s heart rose to his throat.
Busy searching for the Seventh Prince these days, he hadn’t returned to the camp to check the specific situation. Could it be that the Third Prince intended to secretly eliminate the Seventh Prince?
With a new heir named, the Crown Prince might not ascend the throne legitimately. The Third Prince might still harbor malicious intentions.
Xue Yao was caught in a dilemma. If what the youth said was true and the Third Prince’s men had infiltrated the village in disguise, then bringing the youth back to the camp would surely lead to an ambush.
But if he helped the Khitan Prince escape the checkpoint, what if the Khitan people didn’t keep their promise?
Sensing his concern, the youth suggested, “As long as you take me through the checkpoint, I can give you letters and tokens. You can give these to the patrol guards. They will take you to meet the envoy. Once the envoy reads the letter, he’ll release your prince first. You can safely return to your side, and then let me go.”
Xue Yao hesitated.
“Do you want to watch your Fifth Prince die in the enemy camp?” the youth threatened in a low voice, “There’s no time.”
•••
“Be a man, make up your mind!” Old Xu, circling around Lu Qian, grumbled all morning. “Promised to apprentice under us, and we’ll immediately rescue your fifth brother!”
“Your grandpa wants to return to the palace.” His Highness sat on a circular chair, unmoved.
“Why spend all your time in that small realm of the imperial palace? South of the Baixing Mountain is full of flowing waterfalls, and to the north, there’s a vast grassland. Isn’t that better than your tiny dragon’s nest?”
“There are no palace maids here.” His Highness, not understanding how to live in the mountains, was being asked by these two old men to learn martial arts before leaving the mountains.
“You have hands and feet. Do you need others to serve you? Taking care of yourself is much more comfortable. Besides, we can take care of each other. This old man’s massage skills are unparalleled in the world. You won’t get this kind of care in the palace!” Old Xu said, nodding at the Sword Saint.
The Sword Saint, understanding without words, immediately ran to the bed and lay face down.
“Kid, watch closely!” Old Xu walked over to the Sword Saint, rolled up his sleeves, gathered his energy, and demonstrated his unparalleled massage skills right there.
“Mmm… oh!” The Sword Saint, rarely enjoying the massage technique of the former Qinglong Sect Master, immediately fell into a blissful state.
“Is the pressure alright?”
“Very good.” The Sword Saint turned his head, giving a approving smile to Master Xu.
Master Xu nodded as if basking in the spring breeze, then sneakily glanced back to see if the young prince was envious…
Lu Qian, whose usually expressionless little face had now crumpled into a frown!
It was as if witnessing Mother Consort picking her toes right in front of him, causing unbearable discomfort!
The Sword Saint, ethereal and untainted by the world in Yaoyao’s stories, shattered completely in His Highness’ eyes at this moment!
“What’s with that expression?” Old Xu noticed something amiss and turned around to interrogate the stinky kid.
“Don’t stop, continue,” the Sword Saint tugged at Old Man Xu’s robe, gazing expectantly at the “massage master.”
Old Xu clicked his tongue, a bit smug as he turned back. “Coming, coming, look at how impatient you are.”
Lu Qian furrowed his eyebrows, finally realizing something was off.
“Big Grandpa Xu, are you the Sword Saint’s wife?”
Yaoyao had said that as long as he married his Princess Consort, they could accompany each other until old age without parting ways.
Mother Consort, when massaging Father Emperor’s shoulders, was always so gentle.
His Highness had never seen anyone marry a male Princess Consort before, but today he finally witnessed it.
However.
This question.
Turned the two old men stiff as mud statues.
In the next moment, the two old men simultaneously jumped to the sides, wearing expressions of disgust as they brushed off the traces the other left on them!
“What nonsense are you talking about!” Old Xu exploded in anger. “If you dare to speak nonsense again, even if you’re my disciple, I’ll still beat you!”
“Aren’t you two married?” His Highness tilted his head.
“Of course not! You foolish whelp!” Old Xu was extremely indignant. “Even if we were married, I should be the husband! What are you thinking!”
With a “thud,” Old Xu was kicked away by the Sword Saint on the bed.
The Sword Saint elegantly stood up with a spin, looking down on Old Xu with a cold expression. “What kind of husband are you? Even a child can see it. You can only be the wife to the real master.”
“You old bastard!” Old Xu grabbed his cane, beginning their daily routine of sparring.
As the two old men exchanged affectionate banter and engaged in playful sparring, His Highness watched with a tilted head, his expression filled with surprise.
Back when Mother Consort playfully hit Father Emperor, it was with gentle, small fists.
Exceptional martial artists were different. Even when expressing affection between husband and wife, they sent each other flying.
With a loud “bang,” the Sword Saint’s “little pink fist” hit, knocking down trees as Sect Master Xu, the “little charming wife,” took the brunt of it.
His Highness’ eyes gleamed, suddenly finding the life in this mountain forest quite fascinating — much more interesting than the palace.
•••
Using the military pass, Xue Yao, accompanied by the Khitan Prince, passed through two garrison checkpoints. By the second evening, they arrived at the western riverbank and found a ferryman to cross to the other side.
It wasn’t until they had a break sitting on the boat that Xue Yao noticed the Khitan Prince’s eyes were bloodshot, lips cracked and bleeding.
Quickly retrieving the seasoned milk and pastries he had prepared for the chubby cub from his bag, Xue Yao provided the youth with refreshment and sustenance.
As the Khitan Prince took the food, his expression suddenly froze.
Xue Yao, puzzled by his gaze, was about to speak when he realized the youth’s eyes weren’t on his face but behind him.
“Don’t turn around,” the Khitan Prince lowered his head, whispering to Xue Yao, “There’s a boat with soldiers coming from that direction.”
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