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Chapter 689: Chapter 693: What Exactly is Going On?
Bai Ling’s anger flared. She stomped her foot in dissatisfaction and pointed at Gaiyin, "It was he who stopped us from taking the cubs away. He tied us all up and even mocked me. He should be the one apologizing to me!"
Liao Li’s voice grew stern, "Lingling! I don’t want to say it a third time!"
Bai Ling’s eyes turned red in grievance. She glanced at Gaiyin, then at Liao Li, and eventually shouted very reluctantly, "Sorry! Are you satisfied now?!"
After screaming, she cried and ran to a far distance. Her sobs could still be heard.
Liao Li laughed awkwardly, "So sorry, I’ve spoiled Lingling too much. I will certainly discipline her appropriately in the future!"
Su Tang scratched her nose with a gloomy expression, not saying a word.
Baerde stepped forward in time and spoke lightly, "Honorable king, why don’t we move to the Tea House for a gathering? This isn’t the place for discussing matters."
Liao Li nodded, "Give the orders to prepare a banquet tonight to welcome our esteemed guests!"
After taking the instructions, Baerde retreated.
Perhaps knowing that Su Tang and the others were leaving, Si Zai climbed down from Granny’s arms and ran into a room to bring something out.
He came nervously to Su Tang’s side, tugging at the corner of her clothes.
Su Tang squatted down and gently rubbed Si Zai’s head, "What’s wrong?"
Si Zai’s eyes shone with innocence. Gathering his courage, he handed the little wooden doll in his hand to Su Tang.
"Sister, this, this is for you..."
Su Tang was taken aback for a moment before extending her hand to take the wooden doll. She smiled warmly at Si Zai, "Thank you, Si Zai, I love it~"
Si Zai’s little face turned red. He hurriedly ran back into Granny’s arms, shyly sneaking glances at Su Tang. Every time he caught Su Tang looking back at him, he would bashfully bury his face into Granny’s bosom.
Watching this, Su Tang couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Xi suddenly turned to Liao Li and asked, "Are you still going to capture this cub, Sovereign?"
Liao Li’s face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly recovered, "Of course not."
He walked up to Granny and looked down at her.
Granny was nervous. Holding Si Zai tightly in her arms, she was afraid that they might snatch him away from her at any time.
Si Zai grumbled in Granny’s arms, "Granny, you’re hurting me."
Upon hearing this, Granny immediately relaxed her grip.
However, when she looked up again, she saw Liao Li smirking and reaching his hand out towards Si Zai.
Granny got frightened and backed several steps, holding Si Zai tightly. She kept her eyes on Liao Li.
Liao Li’s outstretched hand suddenly stopped midway, the smile on his face gradually freezing.
Granny stared intently at Liao Li, her heart pounding as if it were about to burst out of her chest.
Liao Li tried to compose himself. He casually withdrew his hand, speaking lightly, "Citizen, don’t be afraid. I won’t harm your cub.
Previously, we took away cubs in order to train them for survival. We didn’t explain this properly to you, leading to misunderstandings. But rest assured, the training will end soon, and the cubs will be released."
Granny looked incredulously at Liao Li, asking with a bewildered expression, "Really, really?"
Liao Li nodded with a light smile, "Of course."
Not giving Granny a chance to ask any more questions, he turned towards the town center, "Let’s go, we will sit at the Tea House first. Tonight, you can have a taste of my Kingdom’s delicacies!"
No one said anything further, they just followed Liao Li as he left.
Granny just sat there dumbfounded, staring at their retreating figures. She hugged Si Zai tightly in her arms, laughing and crying at the same time, her body trembling uncontrollably.
...
The Tea House.
Actually being slightly larger than a primitive house, it was rather dimly lit inside, hence torches were inserted into the walls.
In the middle of the house were tightly arranged tables and chairs, while the peripheral area was divided into several small compartments.
Considering Liao Li’s status, it was obvious he wouldn’t be sitting in the main hall, so everyone gathered in a compartment.
The compartment had a large window. It was sunset time, and the sunlight poured directly through the window into the room. Therefore, despite the lack of torches, the room didn’t seem dim.
Inside was a neatly arranged square wooden table. Eight of them were there, perfect for occupying all four sides of the table, two on each side.
Baerde called out loudly, "Waiter, bring some tea!"
Almost as soon as his voice fell, a server from the inn came forward with a pot of tea, trembling in fear of any possible mistake.
After pouring the tea for everyone, he retreated from the room as if avoiding some Flood Beast.
Su Tang touched her chin in amusement. ’Waiter, huh? That’s solid proof that the Emperor is undoubtedly from ancient times. I wonder if I’d ever have the chance to meet him.’
Then she shook her head.
’Forget it. The full replication of ancient feudal systems, exploiting and compressing the living space of ordinary people, can’t be a good thing. If I were to reveal any abnormalities to him, it would be more of a loss than a gain.’
Thinking this, Su Tang picked up the tea cup on the table, blew lightly on it, and then took a small sip.
Liao Li’s gaze briefly swept over her, not a hint of extra attention in his eyes.
He turned to Gaiyin, smiling cordially, "What is the White Tiger Young Master called?"
"My name is Gaiyin. You can call me Gaiyin, Sovereign."
Liao Li seemed like a grinning tiger, he nodded, "Gaiyin, good name. Don’t call me Sovereign. Judging by your looks, you’re about the same age as my cub. How about you just call me Uncle, it sounds more intimate."
Gaiyin just smiled without saying anything.
Liao Li didn’t seem to mind, he continued, "By the way, speaking of cubs, I have something to ask Gaiyin."
Gaiyin: "Speak, Sovereign."
Liao Li: "During the last rainy season, I sent my cub, Bai Zheng, to the White Tiger Clan to borrow the Gold Crystal Stones. However, he suddenly lost contact and until now has not returned. Have you seen him, Gaiyin?"
While saying these words, Liao Li was fixedly staring at him, his fist involuntarily clenching tighter.
Gaiyin looked confused. He shook his head, "Bai Zheng? Never heard of him, never seen him."
Liao Li’s face turned a shade paler.
His hand tightened into a fist, his breathing slightly faster.
’What on earth is going on?’
Before Bai Zheng left, the Emperor bestowed him some rare medicine for protection. If he really had reached the White Tiger Clan and had an accident there, this shouldn’t be the White Tiger Young Master’s reaction.
’What’s going on?’
’What happened to Zhengzheng?’
He shouldn’t have agreed to let Zhengzheng take such risks. If it hadn’t been...
Liao Li was steeped in deep self-blame.
Just then, as if recalling something, Gaiyin added, "Oh right, when I came here, I heard that there were landslides caused by the anger of the mountain gods in the Wilderness during the rainy season. To get to Tiger Valley, you might need to pass through the Wilderness, right?"
"What did you say?!"
Liao Li looked horrified. He slammed his fist onto the table, spilling much of the tea from his cup.
