" Your Highness, it's done." A shadow like a man appeared out of nowhere and whispered beside Xiao Tingfei, who stood at the centre guarded by his men.
Xiao Tingfei's eyes flashed and his expression was no longer nonchalant, " All clear?"
" Yes." The man responded with his head bowed.
All the assassins who had been lurking in the dark secretly spying on the situation had been caught and killed by him before they could get the chance to report anything back.
This was the first batch of assassins they encountered since they set out from the capital but Xiao Tingfei knew very well that it wouldn't be the only one. There were more to come. After all, he knew how much his brothers cared about him.
But so what?... He came well-prepared. He would definitely receive them well.
"Hmm." Xiao Tingfei nodded, quite satisfied with the man, " Hurry up clean up the rest."
Mo Qi nodded, his head still bowed, turning to signal in a certain direction when he heard Xiao Tingfei speak again, " Remember to get the evidence. Father would like it very much."
Xiao Tingfei's voice was mirthful but his eyes were full of chill. He would like to see how his dear Emperor father would react when he came to know how his capable sons were raising their own assassins behind his back.
Tsk, tsk, it would be fun.
On the other side, the timid and fragile-looking maids and servants cowered behind the trees and bushes shivering from fright as they watched the killing in horror.
The fighting was very intense at the beginning both sides fought fiercely, however, after a while when both parties were starting to wear off with their moves getting slower and sluggish.
At this moment, a shrill cry rang out all of a sudden bringing a momentary halt amidst the chaos, " Kill!!"
The assassins were all alerted as they frantically looked around only to realise they had long been besieged by the other party.
Those weak-looking servants who didn't seem capable enough to truss a chicken now all showed frightening lethality as they brandished their weapons and surrounded them.
Oh, no, they had been tricked!
"Ugh!..."
" Come on, it's not fun~"
" Xiao Tingfei, this sneaky bastard!"
"...."
Hushed curses and exasperated groans rang one after another behind the bushes across the stream. People looked dejected and very displeased. Gloom was thick in the air. These people never expected Xiao Tingfei to play so sneakily using his brain and all.
That guy was as annoying as ever.
They had been very much looking forward to Xiao Tingfei's glorious demise, and even if that sneaky guy somehow escaped his death they dearly hoped he would lose a limb or two.
However, now that guy was standing there scot-free looking all smug Tian Shan and others couldn't help feeling stifled.
Ah, that dog had a big life!
" Umm...let's get going there's nothing else to see here." Tian Shan turned around and walked out while gesturing to the other two that it was time to go. His tone was a bit regretful.
Others also followed behind closely not at all feeling that Tian Shan was acting a bit dramatic because they felt him too.
They were all compatriots and ought to share the same sentiment when it came to hating a person.
After arriving near their camp Tian Shan paused in his steps, turning to Jiang Ying Yue to make a request," Xiao You..." He looked a bit embarrassed and awkward as he continued, "Umm... I know it's a bit too much for us to ask this and it also doesn't sound appropriate given how you are much younger than Lanlan. But still, please help me take care of Lanlan in our absence, she may look mature on the surface but in fact, she's very impulsive and her temper is not very good and she's also--"
" Fourth brother!" Tian Lan cut him mid-way knowing that he was going to speak all sorts of nonsense trying to cover up his awkwardness.
His fourth brother was just like that. He was not used to asking others for a favour. It had always been him helping others, so he didn't know how to phrase his request when he finally had the chance to make an actual request. This resulted in his awkwardness which led to him talking nonsense.
Others may not know about this habit of his but three of them who had grown up with him knew it very well.
" Hehe...alright, alright, I won't say it." Tian Shan dodged the hand that was about to hit him while accepting his defeat but Tian Lan wouldn't let him go that easily. One kept hitting and one kept dodging and went on.
" Hmm...this two brother and sister!" Xiang Qingling shook her head letting out an exasperated sigh knowing very well of Tian Lan's intention as she took Tian Shan's place and spoke to Jiang Ying Yue, " Xiao You, it'll take at least two weeks for us to return if everything went well but we'll try our best to return as soon as possible till then please take care of yourself and also please help us take care our Lanlan."
Xiang Qingling who usually doesn't speak much spoke so much at once that it could be seen how deeply she cared about Tian Lan. Although they were not related by blood or family she treated her as one of her own. And Jiang Ying Yue could tell that Xiang Qingling's care towards her friends was very genuine and came from her heart because one's eyes never lied.
Jiang Ying Yue glanced into her eyes and then glanced at the playful pair of siblings and also unsmiling Yuan Fang who was smiling like a fool by the side and the indifference hidden deep within her eyes melted a bit making her countenance appear brighter and warmer.
Jiang Ying Yue had seen what they had done and she envied their friendship. They were very few people who were lucky enough to encounter such a friendship in their lifetime. In this world where most of the time personal interest dominated a relationship, it was very refreshing to encounter such a scene, sincere care and love transcending blood ties and interest.
Jiang Ying Yue sincerely hoped that this friendship would stand the test of time and last for a long time.
" Don't worry, sister Xiang, you don't have to hurry. Just take care of yourselves." Jiang Ying Yue smiled slightly revealing her shallow dimples, " We'll be waiting here for you. You take your time and just make sure to return within these two weeks. Otherwise, we'll go looking for you."
As she said this Jiang Ying Yue took out a few packets of medicinal powder and stuffed them into her hands, " Here, take this. Sprinkle it all over your body and the places you'd stop for resting, it will help deter beast to some extent."
Jiang Ying Yue didn't know how effective this powder would be on the spirit beast but in the case of the normal beast, it seemed pretty effective.
Look, their camp was so peaceful.
" Thank you, Xiao You " Xiang Qingling thanked her sincerely as she took out one of the packets ripping it apart to sprinkle it on her robe.
Taking a generous amount she sprinkled it all over her body not leaving a single space as she did it she took a pinch and brought it under her nose and sniffed it but other than the mild medicinal smell she couldn't find anything special. However, it didn't stop her action of sprinkling.
Jiang Ying Yue witnessed all this and her smile deepened.
" What are you doing?" Tian Shan asked curiously seeing Xiang Qingling's strange action. Yuan Fang, who was standing beside him also showed an inquisitive look.
However, Xiang Qing Ling didn't explain a word and directly stuffed the medicinal packets into their hands.
" What?" Two stood there looking at each other speechlessly.
Seeing that the two were still standing stupidly Xiang Qing Ling couldn't help nudging, " This is medicinal powder given by Xiao You. Help yourselves."
"Oh, all right." Two were quite obedient and quietly followed her advice. They had no idea how the powder worked but they didn't hesitate a bit to use it. Anyway, it was a bit of powder it wouldn't be causing them anything.
The three hurriedly bid their goodbyes and prepared to set off.
Tian Shan took the lead dragging behind the reluctant Yuan Fang, followed by Xiang Qing Ling behind him.
Yuan Fang kept looking backwards until that slender figure disappeared from his view.
" Stop looking. She's going to be alright " said Tian Shan still dragging the person.
Yuan Fang didn't seem to hear what he said and just hummed absentmindedly.
He was worried that Tian Lan would encounter a mishap during their absence. Not only that he was also worried that someone would steal his girl.
The way his Lanlan was fond of that half-grown brat made him ring his alarm bell. He wished he could stick to her and guard her closely. Yet, knowing all this danger they themselves had delivered Tian Lan on a silver platter at that brat's door. Yuan Fang's mood was too gloomy.
Tian Shan couldn't understand him but Xiang Qing Ling was a woman and was very sensitive to this regard. She sniggered secretly.
As the trio walked farther and the forest grew dim and denser several shadows leapt out from the darkness and walked behind them.
" Young master, let us scout the way." said one of the men, his tone extremely respectful.
" Alright." Tian Shan nodded and let a few of them pass to scout the road ahead.
With the help of the guards, the trio relaxed and their steps turned leisurely as they chatted lightly among themselves.
" Ah Shan, you say why do you think those people are helping the royal family?" asked Xiang Qing Ling.
Tian Shan held a small dagger in his hand, his feet kept moving forward as he responded to her after a moment, " Who knows?...." He paused slightly, " Those people are too sneaky and alert it's very difficult for my people to track them. After so long they only managed to dig out this small piece of information. Only God knows what they are doing here helping people fight a war and all. Was our place not chaotic enough to suit them so they ran all the way here trying to cause all sorts of racket? Huh, annoying people!"
After he finished speaking he waited for a response but the two kept silent.
" What?" Tian Shan turned back deciding to direct his gun at Yuan Fang, " Ah Fang, didn't you send a batch too, what happened to them? Why haven't heard of anything?"
Upon hearing him ask this Yuan Fang pursed his lips and his footsteps paused looking a little hesitant. And Tian Shan caught this without missing a bit and he was enraged, " Yuan Fang, you even learned to hide from your brothers?"
" No, it's not like that." Yuan Fang sighed looking a bit troubled finding it difficult to explain, " I....Actually, I am not so sure whether the clues my people found are real or fake."
" What clues?" Seeing that the guy looked bad the two couldn't help but be serious.
Yuan Fang saw how nervous both looked and decided to tell them, " The people I sent accidentally discovered that the people who helped the Xiao family this time might have something to do with the clan that disappeared three decades ago."
Xiang Qing Ling and Tian Shan both stared at him both dumbfounded and disbelieving.