"Ling Xiao, I’d like to... walk around a bit. Is that okay?" Ye Wen Ni said, her expression a little unnatural as she looked to Ling Xiao for an answer. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Ling Xiao paused for a moment, then said, "That’s probably not a good idea. This is a restricted military area. I can’t let you just wander about as you please."

"Haha, it’s no problem. Brother Ling, saying that makes you sound like a stranger. You’re being too serious. Ye Zi, if you want to look around, go ahead. The restricted areas will be marked anyway, and no one will stop you!"

"Oh... in that case, thank you, Li Tianluo."

The corner of Ye Wen Ni’s mouth twitched. Her bright eyes swept over Ling Xiao, and she seemed to want to say something but stopped herself. Instead, she gave Ling Xiao a faint smile and pursed her lips. The moment she turned away, her face tensed, and she headed in the direction where she had just seen that familiar figure.

Ling Xiao frowned slightly. ’He knew perfectly well that Ye Zi wasn’t the type to cause trouble for no reason. In fact, ever since she had insisted on coming along, Ling Xiao had felt something was off. But since she wouldn’t say anything, he couldn’t very well press her. Now that they were here, her reaction was even more bizarre. Perhaps... she was the only one who didn’t realize it.’

Li Tianluo smiled. "Brother Ling, please rest assured. I guarantee you, nothing will happen to Ye Zi here!"

A muscle in Ling Xiao’s cheek twitched. He glanced at Uncle Fu, but the old man was staring at one of the barracks, lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.

Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from within the barracks. "Welcome, Hu Zi of the Ling Family!" Li Wutong, a man of average height, emerged. His complexion was fair, his face clean-shaven, and his eyes were incredibly deep. He seemed to naturally possess the aura of a ruler, yet the smile on his face was exceptionally warm and friendly.

"Ling Xiao, it is an honor to meet you, Second Prince!" Ling Xiao said with a deep bow. ’No matter what, I have to keep up appearances.’

"There’s no need for such ceremony. Your father and I both serve in the military, so let’s speak as soldiers do—without all the tedious formalities!"

Li Wutong spoke with great candor, presenting a different side of himself from the passionate and fiery Southern King of Cameron Town.

He ushered Ling Xiao inside, and only after they were seated as host and guest did a soldier bring them tea. When Li Wutong saw Uncle Fu standing beside Ling Xiao, he hastily stood up and slapped his forehead. The gesture was identical to Li Tianluo’s—they were father and son, through and through.

"My goodness, I didn’t recognize you! It’s General Fu! Please forgive my discourtesy, General Fu. Please, have a seat!" Li Wutong’s face was a picture of sincerity and courtesy.

Uncle Fu smiled faintly. "Your Highness is too kind. I am only the young master’s steward now, so... I am perfectly fine standing."

Li Wutong gave a wry smile. "Very well. I know your temperament, General Fu. Please, do as you wish. Back in the day, Marshal Qiu and yourself were the greatest of heroes in my eyes. My idols!"

Li Wutong then turned to Li Tianluo. "Tianluo, I heard there was a young lady with you. Why didn’t she come in?"

Li Tianluo quickly replied, "Father, she’s Ling Xiao’s... er, friend. She’s my friend as well. I suppose a young lady like her wouldn’t be comfortable in this kind of setting. She said she wanted to walk around, so I..."

"Haha, I see. Well, that’s no problem at all. Our own people are free to tour the base as they please!"

Li Wutong smiled nonchalantly. "To be honest, I’ve wanted to meet you for some time, but as you know, things don’t always go according to our wishes. General Ling is a pillar of loyalty, guarding the Empire’s Western Border. I am deeply impressed! When I first heard you were a Celestial Vein Master, I felt it was a great shame for the longest time. I never expected you to be so resilient and actually manage to open your Celestial Vein. Such perseverance is admirable. Truly, congratulations are in order!"

Ling Xiao gave a placid smile. "My father also holds you in high esteem, and I, too, admire you greatly. Back in Cameron Town, if you hadn’t been there, the situation would have been perilous! Speaking of which, it seems I’ve stolen the Viscount title that should have belonged to Brother Tianluo."

Standing to the side, Li Tianluo quickly murmured a few modest words, his expression nonchalant, as if he paid the Viscount title no mind at all. ’Then again,’ Ling Xiao thought, ’how many legitimate Royal Family Members would care about a paltry title like Viscount?’

Li Wutong sighed softly. "I heard that on the day of the Blast Flame Lion King Carnival, Penzes City suffered a large-scale bandit attack? It was all thanks to your resistance; otherwise, the losses would have been far more devastating. Have you found out who they were? To act so audaciously... they clearly have no regard for me!" Li Wutong’s face filled with indignation as he added gravely, "If you discover who was so bold, you must tell me. I will tear them to pieces!"

Ling Xiao sneered inwardly. ’Of course you want him torn to pieces. I’m sure your brother, the Crown Prince, feels the exact same way about you!’

Ling Xiao nodded. "Those mercenaries weren’t from our Empire. They were from the Zichuan Empire’s Divine Wind Legion. I’m told it’s a level-two Mercenary Corps and very powerful. I have no idea why they would target a place like Penzes City. Perhaps... they came by sea."

Li Wutong nodded. "Mm, that’s possible. Perhaps they heard of Penzes City’s wealth and decided to take advantage of our most unguarded moment to launch a raid. Those damned animals! They have no respect for our holidays. Sooner or later... I will make that day a holiday for them, too!"

A thought flashed through Ling Xiao’s mind. ’What he said didn’t sound like a lie. It looks like this Southern King’s ambitions extend far beyond his own throne.’