Chapter 80 He's concerned with... the prince's future

Horse hooves pounded the loose earth of Shaou City, raising fine dust.

Fangru tightened the reins, slowed down, and cautiously scanned the legendary "city" through the edge of her tattered camouflage hat.

My heart sank little by little.

How can this be considered a city?

Looking around, only a few large but gray tents were scattered like mushrooms across the desolate wilderness, forming the so-called "center".

Surrounding them were some even more rudimentary shacks and makeshift livestock pens. Scattered herders, dressed in bulky fur robes, were gesturing and trading cattle, sheep, and horses in a mumbled Northern Di language. Interspersed among them were a few people whose clothing clearly belonged to other small tribes, their faces roughened by the wind and sand, their eyes filled with the usual wariness.

The air was thick with the unmasked smell of livestock, the sour odor of fermented hay, and a desolate atmosphere typical of remote border regions.

Compared to the bustling and exquisite cities of the Xia Kingdom that she was familiar with, this place was simple, rough, and almost primitive, full of uncertain dangers.

"We must be even more careful," Fangru thought to herself.

Zhou Muchen is dead, and she is now truly all alone, with no one to rely on.

Prince Arslan's men would never dare to openly receive her, a "fugitive" from the Xia Kingdom, during this sensitive period when the Xia Kingdom and the Northern Di had just concluded a friendly treaty.

So, Hadan, Yingji, and Dolu, these influential figures in the Northern Di, must have also concealed their identities, just like her, hiding in this seemingly chaotic trading place like drops of water merging into the ocean.

Behind every seemingly ordinary face may lie a scrutinizing gaze.

She gently spurred the horse's belly, urging the weary horse to slowly make its way along the path Zhou Muchen had described in her memory, towards the large tent that combined fur trading and brewing.

With each step, she felt an invisible gaze upon her back, making her spine stiff, yet she had to force herself to remain calm.

The tent was right in front of me, larger than the surrounding ones, dark in color, and weathered by time.

She dismounted, deliberately mimicking the man's nimble movements, but the soreness from riding for a long time caused her to stumble slightly. She quickly regained her balance and casually tied the reins to a wooden post at the entrance.

Lifting the heavy, greasy, stained felt curtain, an even more complex odor wafted out. The strong, sour smell of fermenting lees mixed with the pungent odor of tanned leather, almost suffocating.

The tent was dimly lit, with only a few beams of light filtering through the gaps in the tent ceiling, illuminating the dust particles dancing in the air.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a dirty old leather apron and looking like a shopkeeper, was standing with his back to the door, head down, tanning a huge animal hide with great effort, making a monotonous "creak, creak" sound.

He seemed completely unaware of the visitors, or rather, utterly indifferent.

Fangru took a deep breath, suppressing her racing heartbeat caused by the unfamiliar environment and potential danger. She walked to the counter and, in a deliberately low, slightly hoarse voice, uttered the secret code that Zhou Muchen had repeatedly instructed her to use.

The shopkeeper abruptly stopped tanning the leather.

He didn't turn around immediately, but that momentary pause seemed particularly abrupt in the dimness and silence.

After a few seconds, he slowly put down his tools, turned around, and raised his eyelids. They were a pair of unusually sharp and calm eyes, completely out of place in this simple environment. Like a hawk, they quickly scanned her face and body, scrutinizing and assessing her.

Without any further pleasantries, the shopkeeper merely nodded almost imperceptibly, made a simple "follow me" gesture with his stained hands, and then turned and walked towards the area deep inside the tent that appeared to be a storage area for miscellaneous items.

Fangru followed silently. The shopkeeper moved aside several seemingly casual wine jars, revealing an entrance behind them that was tightly covered by a thick felt cloth.

A heavier feeling, mixed with the smell of strangers and a sense of oppression, emanated from it.

The shopkeeper stepped aside, gesturing for her to go inside.

Fangru paused, quickly going through the possible situations and coping strategies in her mind again, before reaching out to lift the curtain.

Behind the curtain was a relatively independent small space, lit by a dim mutton tallow lamp, its light flickering.

The two men sat on a simple felt mat and looked at her at the same time.

One man was dressed like a typical Xia Dynasty merchant, wearing a worn silk jacket, his eyes shrewd and calculating. The other man wore a fur-trimmed robe like an ordinary Northern Di herdsman, his physique robust and his skin dark, but his eyes were not as murky or straightforward as those of ordinary herdsmen; instead, they were calm as a deep pool, sharp yet restrained, exuding the composed demeanor of a superior or strategist.

The Xia Kingdom merchant claimed to be Chen Jian'an, a subordinate of Prince Kang, Zhou Muchen, while the herdsman was Hadan, an advisor to Prince Arsleng.

Fangru's heart tightened suddenly.

General Yingji and General Dolu, who were explicitly mentioned on the list, were not present!

This discovery was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the last glimmer of hope she had.

This wasn't simply a matter of being late or absent; it was a signal, a sign that the other side disregarded and doubted the value of this meeting and their so-called "surrender." They might believe that Zhou Muchen and she, having lost their powerful backing, were no longer worth the personal attention of two powerful generals. Perhaps they had even changed their minds, making the meeting itself fraught with unknown dangers.

She felt an invisible pressure, like a boulder, pressing on her chest, almost suffocating her. But she knew she must not show the slightest weakness.

As expected, Chen Jian'an spoke first, his tone filled with obvious urgency, even a hint of questioning: "Miss Fangru, where is His Highness now? The situation here is complicated, we must ascertain His Highness's safety as soon as possible!"

He stared intently at Fangru, as if trying to find a flaw in her face.

Fangru forced herself to maintain a calm expression, her mind racing. Zhou Muchen's death was a trump card that absolutely could not be revealed; if the other side knew they had no one to rely on, the consequences would be unimaginable. She had to continue using Zhou Muchen as a figurehead.

She lowered her eyelids slightly, as if considering her words, before replying in a deliberately slow, somewhat affectedly cautious and subservient tone: "Mr. Chen, please be at ease. The Crown Prince is always meticulous and cautious in his actions. He will not easily show himself until he has fully confirmed that this place is safe. He has specifically ordered me to go ahead and contact you all to handle all related matters."

She deliberately emphasized the word "full authority," both to enhance Zhou Muchen's mystique and importance and to try to gain more say for herself.

Hadan observed her silently from beginning to end, his sharp eyes seemingly able to see through her disguise.

Only then did he speak, his voice low and direct, with the characteristic straightforwardness of the Northern Di people, and also with a condescending scrutiny: "Since the Crown Prince sent you here to show sincerity, then the iron-smelting secret method that you promised us must have been brought along?"

Here comes the first test.

Without hesitation, Fangru took out the carefully preserved booklet, tightly wrapped in oiled paper, from her bosom and handed it over with both hands. Her movements were steady, without the slightest tremor.

Hadan took it, unwrapped the oil paper, and quickly and carefully examined the contents of the booklet. He read quickly, but his eyes were focused, clearly trying to distinguish between genuine and fake. After a moment, he closed the booklet, casually stuffed it into his pocket, his movements swift and decisive, indicating that the item was now under his control.

However, he was not satisfied with that.

He raised his head, his gaze locking onto Fangru once more, his eyes sharper than before, carrying an even stronger sense of pressure, like a hawk eyeing its prey: "Iron smelting, very good. But this is not enough to show the Crown Prince's full sincerity in surrendering. My prince needs to see a more tangible 'guarantee'." He paused, then uttered his request, word by word, "The latest and most detailed map of troop deployments on the border of Xia Kingdom."

The air inside the tent seemed to freeze instantly.

Fangru's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, almost stopping its beating.

The worst-case scenario has occurred. Not only did the other side despise them, but they also rudely demanded a sky-high price, requesting top-secret military intelligence that could breach the borders of the Xia Kingdom and cause countless soldiers to bleed!

This is treason! If she agrees, not only will she not be able to get it, but even if she could, she would become a sinner for all time.

Cold sweat almost soaked through her inner shirt. She could feel Chen Jian'an and Hadan's eyes fixed on her, awaiting her answer. Refusing would likely lead to an immediate breakdown in relations, leaving her alone and with no way out. Agreeing, however, would mean utter ruin.

Time seemed to stretch out, each second feeling like being fried in oil. She had to answer, she had to give an answer that could temporarily appease the other party, protect the interests of the Xia Kingdom, and also secure her own survival.

In a flash, the chaotic thoughts were forcibly suppressed.

She suddenly raised her eyes, and instead of showing panic, the corners of her mouth twitched up very slightly, outlining a curve that was a mixture of helplessness and a strange confidence.

Her voice was still not loud, but it was exceptionally clear and firm, as if she had already anticipated that the other person would ask this question:

"The defense map... concerns the Crown Prince's reputation and touches upon the bottom line of the Xia Kingdom. The Crown Prince once said that this is no small matter and he cannot comply."

She first clearly rejected the core request, but her tone was not forceful; rather, it carried a sense of regret that she "understood but could not comply."

Immediately afterward, before Hadan's expression could change, she abruptly changed the subject, looking directly into Hadan's sharp eyes, and continued, "However, I believe that Prince Arslan might be more interested in some... information that can solidify his current position and foresee future risks than a defense map that could change at any time."

Hadan frowned slightly, his gaze becoming more scrutinizing, but he did not interrupt her.

Fangru leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as if to share some great secret: "For example, the Chagan tribe outwardly submits to the Great Khan, but their leader is secretly using camel caravans from the west to acquire large quantities of high-quality iron ore and forging techniques; his ambitions are far from small. Another example is the most favored consort of the [unclear] leader; her background doesn't seem as simple as it appears. She seems to have an overly close relationship with a certain noble in the royal court..."

She slowly revealed two or three secret movements and conflicts among other tribes within the Northern Di, which she had learned through her rebirth.

Each item was specific and detailed, pointing directly to core interests and potential threats. Some of these were even things that Hadan had only vaguely heard about but had not been able to confirm.

As she recounted her points one by one, Hadan's expression, which had initially been dismissive and formulaic, gradually changed.

His initial doubt was replaced by surprise, which then turned into an incredulous solemnity. He unconsciously leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Fangru, as if he were seeing this seemingly frail "man" for the first time.

Fangru clearly noticed the subtle changes in his expression and knew that her bargaining chip was starting to work.

But that wasn't enough; she needed a stronger remedy to completely change the other person's attitude.

Just as Hadan fell into deep thought, and the atmosphere in the tent subtly tilted in her favor, Fangru, in an almost whispered yet weighty voice, threw out her most significant and long-prepared bargaining chip:

“Iron smelting, and the news I just received, may prove my worth, but they are merely a small gift to the prince.” She paused, making sure every word was clearly heard by Hadan, “If Your Highness is willing to provide us with the necessary protection and support during this time of crisis, I am willing to offer an even greater contribution, concerning the prince’s… future.”

She saw Hadan's pupils suddenly contract.

"As far as I know, in half a month, the Great Khan will personally lead his troops to conquer the Chameng tribe, which has always refused to submit to the Khan's rule. The Great Khan will surely win this battle." She first affirmed the Great Khan's victory, then her tone suddenly became deep and unfathomable, "But among the victorious prisoners, there will be one person... a seemingly insignificant person, who, in the next six months, will rise rapidly through the ranks by chance. He will gain the Great Khan's unparalleled favor, and may even... gradually shake the prince's position in the Khan's court, becoming the biggest obstacle on Prince Arslan's path to succession."

Her words were like a boulder thrown into a silent tent, instantly stirring up a silent storm.

Hadan's breathing visibly faltered.

He abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with extreme shock and a hint of instinctive suspicion. He stared intently at Fangru, his sharp eyes seeming to transform into knives, ready to dissect her head and see what secrets lay hidden within that dared to utter such a shocking prophecy.

This goes beyond the scope of ordinary intelligence; it's almost like divination!

A deathly silence fell over the tent. Even Chen Jian'an held his breath, looking at Fangru with suspicion and uncertainty, then at Hadan.

The light from the mutton tallow lamp flickered, casting swaying shadows on everyone's faces.

Fangru could even hear her heart pounding wildly in her chest, but she forced herself to suppress it, maintaining a calm facade and meeting Hadan's penetrating gaze head-on without flinching.

She was gambling, gambling on Hadan's concerns about Prince Arslan's position, gambling on his willingness to believe in the existence of unknown risks.

Time slips away, each second feeling like an eternity.

Finally, Hadan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if trying to expel the shock and doubt from his chest. The turmoil in his eyes gradually subsided, but his scrutiny became even deeper and more complex. He spoke slowly, his voice a few decibels higher and more solemn than before:

“Miss…what you just said,” he carefully chose his words, “is indeed…of great importance, far beyond the scope of a mere advisor’s decision.” He acknowledged the value of Fangru’s information and his shock. “I must report to His Highness the Prince immediately, in person.”

He stood up, his tall figure appearing even more imposing in the dim light. He looked at Fangru with a deep gaze: "Until we receive the prince's instructions, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you to stay here temporarily. This place is a mixed bag, and for your safety, and also to... prevent the news from leaking out, please do not move around unnecessarily."

He offered an arrangement that appeared to be out of concern, but was in reality a form of house arrest.

"As for the specific time and place of the audience with the prince," Hadan concluded, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "I will inform you of the young lady after consulting with my superiors."

Fangru's taut nerves eased slightly, but it was far from time to relax. She knew that she had barely passed the first hurdle thanks to the information from her rebirth and her quick wit. Hadan's change in attitude meant that she was temporarily safe and had also gained the opportunity to speak directly with Prince Arslan.

However, she was also acutely aware that she had stepped into a much larger, invisible cage. The surrounding dangers had not been resolved; they had simply shifted from the open to the shadows.

Will Prince Arslan believe her astonishing "prophecy"? What awaits her next—opportunity or a deeper trap?

She nodded slightly to indicate her acceptance of the arrangement, her voice calm and even: "I will follow Mr. Hadan's arrangements."

Hadan clearly did not want to stay there any longer.

He straightened his robes, which were slightly disheveled from his earlier excitement, and quickly regained the composure befitting a prince's advisor. However, a hint of doubt and uncertainty about what Fangru had said still lingered in the depths of his eyes.

He turned to Fangru, his tone returning to its previous aloofness and control: "Please rest here for now, young lady. I will arrange for reliable people to bring you food and drink, and ensure that you are not disturbed."

Chen Jian'an nodded to Fang Ru, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He seemed to be still trying to process her earth-shattering "predictions." His lips moved, but in the end, he only whispered, "Take care, Miss. Everything... awaits news from the Prince."

He deliberately emphasized the words "Crown Prince," as if to remind Fangru, and also as to remind Hadan, that there was a "mysterious" Zhou Muchen standing behind them.

The three of them fell silent, and the atmosphere became subtle and tense.

Hadan turned first and walked towards the tent exit, Chen Jian'an following closely behind. Fangru silently followed at the back, her steps slightly heavy, her mind a jumble of thoughts. The iron-forging technique had been revealed, part of her trump card had been shown, how would Prince Arslan react next? Would her all-or-nothing gamble bring a turning point, or would it hasten her descent into the abyss?

Just as Hadan's hand touched the heavy, greasy felt curtain, preparing to lift it,

"Whoosh!"

The curtain was suddenly and forcefully ripped open from the outside!

The blinding sunlight instantly flooded into the dim tent, and a tall, burly figure stood against the light, like a sudden mountain peak, firmly blocking the only exit.

The light outlined his blurry silhouette, and it took a while for my eyes to adjust before I could make out the person's appearance.

He was around forty years old, wearing a faded gray coarse cloth outfit with worn edges, and mud spots on his trouser legs.

His face was that of an extremely ordinary northern border dweller, with a sallow complexion, slightly protruding cheekbones, deep lines etched at the corners of his eyes by the ravages of time, and a naturally downturned mouth, exuding a kind of cunning and ruthlessness common among the lower classes.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a noticeable, slightly protruding belly common among middle-aged men, but standing there, he exuded a rugged and imposing aura.

What was most chilling was the machete in his hand, gleaming with an ominous light. The blade was somewhat worn, but the edge looked quite sharp. The tip of the blade was now pointing directly at the three people who had just reached the doorway.

"Don't move! Get back here!"

The man spoke, his voice rough and hoarse like sandpaper scraping wood, carrying an undisguised ruthlessness of a desperate man, "Be smart! I only want money, I won't kill you! Be a good boy and hand over the money, and I'll keep you safe!"

This sudden turn of events startled all three of them, and the air seemed to freeze instantly.

Chen Jianan and Hadan quickly exchanged a glance.

They were both seasoned men, and their initial shock was fleeting, quickly turning into rage. Especially Hadan; to be threatened at knifepoint on his own turf by a seemingly ordinary petty thief was an utter disgrace!

In a fleeting glance, an unspoken understanding was reached. Move! We cannot allow ourselves to be slaughtered!

Chen Jian'an moved even faster. He let out a low growl, suddenly lowered his body, and lunged forward like a cheetah, aiming for the man's lower body, intending to grab his legs and flip him over. His movements were swift, clearly indicating that he was also a trained fighter.

However, the middle-aged man, who seemed a little clumsy because of his belly, reacted with an eerie speed!

Faced with Chen Jian'an's swift attack, he did not retreat. Instead, he exerted force in his waist, and his slightly protruding belly seemed to contain a certain tenacity, meeting Chen Jian'an's shoulder head-on.

A muffled thud.

Chen Jian'an felt as if he had crashed into a resilient rammed earth wall. The expected impact force was strangely dissipated by most of it. Instead, a recoil force came, making his chest feel tight and his blood surge. His forward momentum came to an abrupt halt, and he staggered back two steps before barely managing to stand up, his face full of horror.

Almost at the same time as Chen Jian'an made his move, Hadan also moved! The Northern Di advisor's eyes sharpened, his body shifted to the side, his five fingers together like an eagle's beak, and with a gust of wind, he swiftly pecked at the tendons in the man's wrist holding the knife. It was a standard bare-handed attack, precise and ruthless!

But the man's wrist was as slippery as an eel!

Just as Hadan's fingertips were about to touch him, his wrist holding the knife twisted and twitched with an extremely slight movement. Not only did he skillfully avoid the fatal blow, but he also used the force of the rotation to use the heavy back of the blade to lift it up sharply and strike Hadan's elbow joint precisely!

"Well!"

Hadan let out a short cry of pain, feeling a sudden tingling and stinging sensation throughout his right arm, as if an electric current had surged through it. The strength he had gathered dissipated instantly, and his arm hung limply at his sides. Fine beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

In the blink of an eye, the two men's coordinated attack was easily thwarted by the seemingly ordinary robber, and they even suffered a considerable loss!

The man stood firmly in place, knife in hand, without moving an inch.

His ordinary features were now contorted with a fierce and menacing aura. He spat, his eyes sweeping over Chen Jian'an and Hadan like icy blades: "Damn it! You're asking for it! If you dare to play any tricks on me again, the next thing I'll chop down won't be wood!" He brandished his gleaming machete and shouted, "Get over there over there! Lie down! Face to the ground, hands behind your heads! Hurry up! Don't force me to start killing!"