More and more strangers were flooding into Wuyue Kingdom, disguised as merchants coming to trade. As soon as they entered, they began to inquire everywhere, searching for locations suspected to be treasure vaults.
The city guards appeared to be vigilant, but for ten copper coins, anyone could pass. Wuyue Kingdom itself was a commercial hub, and in no time, it was packed with people. Inns were full, restaurants and teahouses overflowed, and those who couldn't find lodging simply found a spot to sleep wherever they could.
Yan Chi changed into the attire of a Wuyue native and blended in with the common folk. He was naturally tall and powerfully built, quite similar to the people of Wuyue. As long as he didn't speak, even the locals couldn't tell where he was from.
In the backyard, Yan Chi was sharpening his sword. The owner of the house cowered in a corner, fearfully watching the one-armed man. This person had broken into their home the previous night, taken it over, and began sharpening his sword as soon as dawn broke. The blade gleamed cold and sharp, indicating its formidable edge.
"Esteemed warrior, we will give you all our money. Please spare us."
Yan Chi said without looking up, "I don't want money."
"Warrior, then what do you want?"
"The inns are full, and there's nowhere to stay. I'm borrowing your place for a few days," Yan Chi said lazily. "I've searched all the inns in the city. Even the woodsheds are full of people. I had no choice but to find a place to stay. Unfortunately, I chose your home. Don't worry, I'll pay."
The couple, hearing that he had nowhere to stay and thus intruded into their courtyard, didn't believe it at all! Who would break into someone's home in the middle of the night and then sharpen their sword in their house?
"Is it true?" The couple tacitly did not voice their suspicions. "Are you really just looking for a place to stay?"
"Yes," Yan Chi tossed a bag of silver in front of the couple. "A month's stay, is that enough?"
The man picked up the silver bag and opened it. Inside was a full bag of silver, likely about fifty taels. It was more than enough for a month's stay.
"It's enough, it's enough."
"And prepare food for me, is that enough?"
"It's enough, it's enough," the couple nodded incessantly. "Warrior, shall we go prepare something for you to eat?"
"Don't tell anyone I'm staying at your home, or else..." Yan Chi gently swung his sword. The stone bench in the courtyard split neatly in two. Terrified, the couple huddled together, trembling and nodding repeatedly.
Just as Yan Chi was contemplating how to infiltrate the palace to capture someone, Wulana surprisingly came out alone, accompanied by a young man. He recognized the young man; he was a vanguard by Zhan Tianque's side. What was his name? Ah, Pei Jun.
Yan Chi watched them laughing and chatting, a strange emotion surfacing in his eyes. They had all been so happy and joyful together, their daily training filled with a sense of happiness. But that happiness had been shattered.
"Princess, the flatbreads from this shop are particularly delicious, with lots of sesame seeds. Wait, I'll pick one with the most sesame seeds, fragrant and tasty for you." Pei Jun selected a flatbread and handed it to Wulana. Wulana split it in half, sharing it with him. They strolled from one end of the street to the other. Wulana often walked this street, but never had she been so happy. It turned out that walking with a different person made the street look different. Sultan Novel Network
"Princess, the sugar-roasted chestnuts from this place are the most fragrant and soft. Try them." Pei Jun wished he could buy all the delicacies on the street for Wulana. Wulana smiled brightly, diligently tasting everything Pei Jun bought for her.
"I never knew these things were so delicious," Wulana said happily. "I never ate these things before; I always thought they were..."
"Commoner food," Pei Jun finished her sentence. "But commoner food is the most real, the closest to the people. My master once said that a ruler must experience the fundamental needs of the people to become a true ruler."
"What is the fundamental need of the people?" Wulana asked in confusion.
"The food, clothing, housing, and transportation of the subjects. Only by personally experiencing it can you know what kind of life your subjects are living, and then you can find your goals and move forward step by step, rather than being blindly confident and living in a lie constructed by others." Pei Jun spoke with conviction. "My master often disguised herself as an ordinary person and mixed with the lives of commoners."
"That sounds very interesting. I like His Majesty too," Wulana affirmed. "If only I had met her earlier."
"I only met my master a few years before you did," Pei Jun said, holding food and playthings in both hands, handing Wulana what she wanted at the appropriate time, showing utmost thoughtfulness.
"At first, I didn't like her at all. But after getting to know her, I found I really liked her," Wulana said, munching on snacks. "What about you?"
"I was recruited by Boss Zhan. As soon as I joined, I faced hellish training. Back then, I didn't like her either. But when we were on the battlefield, fighting ten against one, and our survival rate was much higher than others, I understood. Her strictness was only to ensure we could return alive."
"Recently, a troupe came to perform; it's very interesting. I'll take you to see a play." As he spoke, Pei Jun pulled Wulana onto another street, then quickly pulled her into a hidden spot to conceal her. "Hide well, and don't make a sound!"
"Long time no see, you've grown quite a bit, kid," Yan Chi said slowly, appearing before Pei Jun. "The mischievous brat of the past has now grown up."
Pei Jun's brows furrowed. Yan Chi was formerly the deputy commander of the Red Feather Army. His abilities in leading troops and formations, as well as his personal combat skills, were extraordinary, comparable to Boss Zhan. He was definitely no match for Yan Chi.
"Traitor!"
Yan Chi's gaze did not waver in the slightest. "For the sake of our past relationship, I won't kill you. Hand over Wulana."
Pei Jun immediately drew his sword. "To harm the princess, you must step over my corpse," Pei Jun said coldly. "You traitor, my master spared your life, yet you still haven't repented!"
"A traitor?" Yan Chi stared at Pei Jun for a long time. He remembered how this kid used to follow Zhan Tianque around, chirping incessantly like an annoying cicada. Now he had become a composed young man, but his innate hatred for evil had not changed. "I am a traitor, what will you do?"
"Purge the ranks!" Pei Jun charged forward with his sword. Yan Chi thought, this kid still has some spirit. To his surprise, halfway through his charge, Pei Jun pulled out a hidden weapon and aimed it at Yan Chi. Yan Chi was taken aback and quickly retreated. It turned out not to be a hidden weapon, but a signal flare!
The signal flare bloomed in the sky. In a moment, reinforcements would arrive. He had alerted the enemy and it would be difficult to find another opportunity to capture Wulana. He had to seize this chance!