Chapter 248

He recounted his drunken antics from the previous day.

Gu Zhongtai waited for her to turn around and add charcoal to the charcoal brazier, then fetched water to wash her hands before she could finally finish digesting everything.

There was some awkwardness, but it was just a minor incident.

The important thing is to figure out how to deal with what happens next.

He put on his outer garment and then draped his cloak over his shoulders.

Fan Xiaoxiao was surprised: "You just woke up, where are you going?"

"Let's go check on things." Actually, we can't just stay in that girl's room forever; if word gets out, it'll damage our reputation.

Gu Zhongtai squeezed the sachet Fan Xiaoxiao had given him in his arms, and then said, "Didn't I tell you yesterday after I was drunk that your godfather and godmother are still alive?"

"When my men rescued them, they were slightly frightened and had some minor injuries."

“I’ll go over and make some arrangements. You can go and check on things so you can feel at ease. We won’t be bringing them back for now.”

Upon hearing this, Fan Xiaoxiao's initial elation turned into a sense of doubt and worry: "Why can't we bring them back?"

Gu Zhongtai paused for a moment: "Recently, my people have noticed strangers entering the Tianshan area. They will arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"I suspect it might be someone from the imperial court."

"I had heard about it when I discussed it with General Yu before. I heard that the emperor has a secret guard organization called the Dark Pavilion."

His expression turned serious, and he turned to say, "These people are highly skilled; they are not people that ordinary people can guard against."

“The Celestial Venerable is seriously injured and needs to recuperate. Your godfather and godmother will be safer with him.”

Upon hearing this, how could Fan Xiaoxiao possibly refuse?

Nothing is more important than safety.

"Alright, let's not delay, I'll go with you to take a look."

"OK."

After the two of them reached an agreement, Fan Xiaoxiao immediately informed Master Lu, Sister Fan, and others that the two elders of the Wang family were still alive.

However, the details were not mentioned in detail.

They also prepared a lot of delicious and easy-to-preserve foods and brought them with them.

Seeing Xiao Hei carrying large and small bags, Gu Zhongtai smiled: "Does this mean you don't trust me and are afraid I'll mistreat them?"

"No way, it's no easier to get food in the Tianshan Mountains than in the outside world."

She pointed to the snow-capped mountains in the distance: "Just you wait. If it snows heavily for days on end, you just keep giving orders, but what will your men do?"

Gu Zhongtai did not stop walking and retorted, "They naturally hunt and eat meat nearby."

"I've done this kind of thing before."

Fan Xiaoxiao thought to herself, "You're a big shot. Not every subordinate has your abilities."

Most importantly, I dare not tell you about the hardships and toil I endure.

Furthermore, Fan Xiaoxiao had watched many documentaries before, which were practical survival guides.

With continuous heavy snowfall, there are few animals in the mountains, so it's best to keep some food on hand.

"Alright." Seeing her thoughtful yet slightly unconvinced expression, Gu Chongtai was happy to give in in the end.

He only mentioned, "Look at all this meat and vegetables, there's way too much of it."

"The Tianshan Mountains have many medicinal herbs, but also many poisonous plants. I know you're worried about the safety of wild game. I'll instruct people to be more careful."

"Furthermore, bringing too many new things might cause them to spoil."

Fan Xiaoxiao did take the last sentence to heart.

The climate in the Tianshan Mountains is cold, so things can indeed be kept for a long time, just like in a refrigerator.

However, one thing is certain: the secret agents dispatched by the emperor are about to arrive.

Nobody knows what will happen.

A head-on confrontation won't work.

It's good to be prepared and have some food on hand.

She stroked her chin thoughtfully, when suddenly a thought struck her: "That's it! Why didn't I think of that before?!"

"What?" Gu Zhongtai was surprised to see this.

Fan Xiaoxiao slapped her fist into her palm: "When we get back, I'm going to make some pork jerky."

She looked around and said, "That thing can be kept for a very, very long time in the Tianshan Mountains."

"Oh?" Gu Zhongtai became interested: "What if it's not Tianshan?"

“If stored properly, it can last much longer than ordinary things.” She knew what he meant: “It can be used as dry food, and it tastes good too.”

That means it can be directly used as supplies during wartime.

Even in times of peace, they could sell their goods all over the world through traveling merchants!

This is far more practical than glass bottles and wine in chaotic times.

Along the way, Fan Xiaoxiao had planned this matter out.

After successfully meeting with the Wang family elders and the Celestial Venerable, she took her leave.

Before leaving, Gu Zhongtai called her aside: "Xiaoxiao, I have something for you."

"Huh?"

Fan Xiaoxiao was pondering something when she heard this, and she was puzzled for a moment.

"Consider it a return gift."

Gu Zhongtai casually pulled her hand and quickly placed it in hers.

It's a small object, made of iron.

But it's not cold.

Because it was worn close to his body, it still retained his body temperature.

In an instant, Fan Xiaoxiao thought of the gift she had given him when they were drinking that day.

Although it's meant to be an apology sachet, it somehow seems to have the connotation of a confession.

So she was a little embarrassed to accept the gift from her palm.

"Why are you being so polite? There's no need to return the courtesy." She quickly tried to back down.

Gu Zhongtai quickly stopped him: "It's for self-defense."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xiaoxiao finally took a closer look.

It's a cylindrical iron object.

It has some auspicious cloud patterns printed on it in relief, making it look like an ornament, but I never expected it to be for self-defense.

Turn it over and you'll see there are many ingenious mechanisms on it.

"What's this?"

Fan Xiaoxiao discovered a switch of a different color, which seemed to change something when flipped.

Of course, she wouldn't rashly court death, so she looked up at Gu Zhongtai.

The latter smiled and took the item, then turned it slightly.

After a "click," nothing happened.

"..." So it's actually just a decoration?

I saw the dissatisfaction in her eyes.

Gu Zhongtai laughed and said, "How could I lie to you? This thing can be unscrewed and used to release flying needles."

"Being poisoned is more difficult to guard against than anything else."

For no apparent reason, Fan Xiaoxiao thought of the phrase "Rain of Pear Blossom Needles" and asked, "Does this thing have any name?"

How could something so exquisitely crafted be an ordinary item?

Gu Zhongtai said, "This thing can hold 999 flying needles. Turning it to the left releases half of them, and turning it to the right releases the other half. It's both dense and easy to use."

"Although the needles inside are thin, if they are made of meteorite iron, they can penetrate armor."

It truly is a deadly weapon!

Fan Xiaoxiao was pleasantly surprised.

Just the ability to penetrate armor alone puts it miles ahead of everything else.

It's a pity that meteorite iron is so precious. Although it's easy to reload, it can only be used twice at a high price. It's a real shame.

Sure enough, Gu Zhongtai took out two sealed cylinders from his pocket: "The gold one is a meteorite needle, and the silver one is ordinary iron."

"If we encounter a powerful enemy, we will use meteorite iron."

"As for the poison, for safety reasons, it wasn't added. If needed..."

"Okay." Fan Xiaoxiao decisively accepted the items. After all, this world was not a peaceful and prosperous place, and such life-saving items were most suitable for her.

Besides, she didn't consider herself a ruthless person, so she wouldn't use those kinds of deadly needles.

Applying a little anesthetic is still an option.

(End of this chapter)