Chapter 272: Oh No, I’ve Become a Stand-in!
“Brothers, we’re retreating!”
Zhang Hu immediately turned around and prepared to escape.
The reason he had survived up to now was because of one word: “stability.”
Absolutely never fight an uncertain battle, absolutely never fight a dangerous battle; this was his life principle.
“Boss, why are we running? The advantage is clearly on our side!”
“Where did all this nonsense come from? If you’re not going to run, then just stay behind!”
Zhang Hu cursed angrily. As soon as he finished speaking, his underlings immediately took orders and chose to make a strategic retreat.
“Don’t think you’ve won for sure; we will be back!”
One member of the treasure-seeking team was frustrated and let out a harsh remark, only to receive a heavy slap across the face.
“You talk so much; shut your mouth! No one can sell you as a mute!”
Zhang Hu was furious; they were already fleeing, yet he was still mocking that monster. If it chased after them, who would be responsible?
“Is that it?”
Watching the treasure-seeking team flee in a cloud of dust, the Li family’s convoy looked at each other, only Zhong Ningxue understood the reason behind it.
“Is that guy really that perceptive? He managed to dodge a bullet!”
“What are you talking about, sister?”
Li Xin Rou, standing nearby, didn’t catch her mumbling.
“I’m just a bit puzzled; why did those bandits suddenly run away?”
As soon as these words were said, everyone was stunned, because the other side’s behavior was just too abnormal.
“I get it!”
Suddenly, Li Xin Rou looked at Zhou Tong, her eyes filled with expectation.
“Oh no, this woman wouldn’t have figured out the truth, would she?”
Zhong Ningxue felt a slight shiver in her heart, but immediately, the other party’s words dispelled her worries.
“Those bandits must have mistaken your cousin for a Guest Senior of the Soaring Empire, which scared them to the point of fleeing!”
As soon as this was said, Zhou Tong’s expression twitched slightly.
“Is that person really that famous? Such a deterrent force!”
“If you don’t know this, you’re too ignorant!”
Miss Li said somewhat displeased: “You don’t understand! That person is the object of admiration for countless people in the Central Continent!”
“To see him once, some strong warriors even personally went to the Soaring Empire; even prepared astonishing gifts, but were rejected by Her Majesty the Empress!”
“So he’s rather full of himself, somewhat disdainful then!”
“You’re not allowed to say that about him!”
Miss Li became anxious and quickly replied, “That’s not called being full of oneself, that’s called being transcendent. If you had one-tenth of his strength, you’d understand this mentality!”
“Ah, yes, yes, yes, you’re right!”
Zhou Tong raised his hand, wearing a helpless smile, indicating his surrender.
In an instant, Li Xin Rou actually turned red, unconsciously stepping to the side.
“Don’t be so smug when apologizing; that person should be standing high above!”
Hearing this, Zhou Tong suddenly felt an extremely ominous sensation arise in his heart.
“Could I have encountered another pervert? Does this woman take me for a stand-in of a Guest Senior?”
“Miss, we probably can’t continue on our journey now.”
At this moment, the Guard Leader limped forward, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said with a worried expression.
“You have a point.”
Li Xin Rou instantly became serious: “The timing of these people’s appearance was just too coincidental, and their targeting was very strong; they even incited our people. They certainly have a backup plan!”
With this thought, she anxiously paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.
Grandfather’s condition could no longer be delayed; time is life.
“I have made my decision. No matter what lies ahead, I must return to the family on time.”
She looked at everyone with resolute eyes: “This is a dangerous road; I don’t want to bring you all to your deaths. You may part ways here…”
“Miss, don’t say such things; we are willing to follow you forever!”
Everyone spoke in unison, showcasing an extremely strong sense of cohesion.
“Okay… if we can return alive, I will not treat everyone poorly!”
Li Xin Rou smiled in comfort, her gaze turning again to the Guard Leader.
“We can continue forward, but we must be discreet.” he suggested.
“No! Not only can we not be discreet, but we must travel boldly! Display our flags loudly, do whatever it takes to be flamboyant!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the Guard Leader’s pupils suddenly constricted, and then he gave a thumbs up.
“Miss, you’re brilliant! This can showcase our fearless mindset, making others think we have a trump card and thus hesitant to act rashly!”
Hearing this, Zhou Tong slightly nodded, appreciating the Guard Leader’s insight.
Who would have thought he understood the utilization of illusion and reality? This kid is quite skilled in strategy!
“Even so, it’s still not safe enough; we need more deterrence.”
Li Xin Rou pondered for a moment before finally fixing her gaze on Zhou Tong.
“I want to leverage the reputation of the Guest Senior of the Soaring Empire so that no one dares to act recklessly!”
“Listen to my command; immediately have the Soaring Empire’s flag and the Guest Senior’s flag made. Then dress Xue’er’s cousin up as a Guest Senior and place him in the most conspicuous position in the convoy!”
“Oh no!”
Zhou Tong felt his heart leap: “I’ve become a stand-in!”
Still, hold off a bit; do you all know the consequences of this action?”
Zhou Tong suddenly said coldly, “Illegitimately borrowing the name of the empire and using the title of a Guest Senior, if this matter gets exposed, it could very well spark a war!”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone fell silent, and Li Xin Rou was drenched in cold sweat, caught in immense turmoil.
Zhou Tong was not exaggerating; if they really impersonated a Guest Senior, they would inevitably face retribution from the Soaring Empire afterwards.
However, they hadn’t realized that the Guest Senior before them was indeed the real deal!
“Let them have their way this time.”
Zhou Tong softened in his heart; barring any accidents, Li Xin Rou was very likely his blood-related sister.
“I will bear all consequences!”
In the end, Li Xin Rou made her decision.
“Understood!”
With a single command, everyone began to get busy, starting to produce the flag of the Soaring Empire.
“Miss, the empire’s flag is easy to make, but we’ve never seen the Guest Senior’s flag. If there are any experts among the enemies lying in wait, we will completely expose ourselves.”
The Guard Leader’s expression became somewhat serious.
“This is indeed a tricky problem. I’ve heard that the Guest Senior’s flag bears the Mountain and River Stabilizing Cauldron Seal; I don’t know if it’s true.”
“If it is, then what? The Mountain and River Stabilizing Cauldron Seal is a symbol of the empire’s authority; who usually has a chance to see it?”
“Never mind; let’s treat it like a dead horse being a live horse doctor, and just randomly draw a design!” Li Xin Rou decisively said.
“Only this way then!”
Watching Miss Li walk away, the Guard Leader let out a long sigh, his expression unprecedentedly grave.
“You come here.”
Suddenly, Zhou Tong’s voice came, causing him to frown.
“What’s the matter?”
The Guard Leader asked impatiently, still looking down upon this boy who couldn’t even fight back against a chicken.
“You’ll know when you come here.”
Zhou Tong’s voice was unhurried, which ignited a flicker of anger in the other’s heart.
“What game are you playing? It’s so urgent now, do you think everyone else is as free as you are?”
While grumbling, he still walked over.
“Don’t think you can do as you please; if Miss is delayed, don’t blame me…”
As his words fell, he saw Zhou Tong flip his wrist, and a large seal suddenly appeared in his palm!
“See clearly? Just draw this!”
In an instant, the Guard Leader felt like he had been struck by lightning, every part of his body going numb!
