The Crown Prince's residence was the center of the empire's power struggles. Every major faction had arranged personnel outside to gather intelligence.
After Wu Qi and Chang Kong were invited into the Crown Prince's residence by Xue Qinghe, many forces had already begun secretly investigating their identities and backgrounds.
To prevent their younger members from offending people they could not afford to provoke, various noble families had posted portraits of the two within their households.
Wu Hao and the other two stood there in a daze, unable to help doubting themselves.
Did we not act convincingly enough as wastrels?
Ordinary people would not have seen through their performance. It was simply that Wu Qi knew the Wu family too well.
Before long, a deep voice sounded from behind the crowd.
"Do not make things difficult for them. I am the one who came to see you."
The lackeys quickly made way. Wu Qinan stepped forward, gently rolling a jade bead in his left hand while his right rested behind his back.
"Greetings, Marquis."
As Spirit Masters, they did not need to kneel before nobility, but proper courtesy was still required.
Chang Kong reluctantly offered a salute before stepping aside.
"Father, he—" Wu Hao tried to make an excuse for their failure, but a glare silenced him.
Wu Qinan waved his hand, and the Three Young Masters of the Wu Family left with their followers without another word.
He did not act arrogantly. Instead, he spoke in a calm tone.
"Young friend, would you care to step aside for a moment? I find you somewhat familiar. Perhaps we are even relatives."
Wu Qi responded calmly, "It would be my honor to be related to the Marquis. But unfortunately, I fear I must disappoint you. I was born in a small city. How could I possibly claim ties to such a distinguished house?"
Wu Qinan heard the dissatisfaction in his words but merely smiled. "Why not talk a little more? It is possible we truly are relatives."
Wu Qi had no reason to avoid him. Since he had already severed ties with the Wu family, he would not be swayed by a few words.
Turning his head, he whispered a few instructions to Chang Kong before leaving with Wu Qinan.
Inside a teahouse.
Earlier, Wu Qinan had been secretly observing Wu Qi's every move.
When confronted by arrogant young nobles, Wu Qi had remained calm and composed. This suggested he had strong backing. The rumors were likely true, Wu Qi had gained the favor of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
Yet the coldness and faint disgust in Wu Qi's eyes were puzzling.
It was unlikely that hostility would arise at a first meeting. Moreover, Wu Qi had accurately judged the temperaments of Wu Hao and the others, clearly showing familiarity with the Wu family.
Wu Qinan was well aware of the unsavory matters within his clan.
Thus, he suspected that Wu Qi might actually be from the Wu family, but had been forced to leave due to exclusion and suppression.
"You are from the Wu family," Wu Qinan tested him.
Clap, clap, clap—
Wu Qi applauded lightly. "Marquis, did you bring me here just to tell a story?"
"I must admit, it is quite an engaging story. But surely you cannot conclude that I am from your household simply because we share the same surname?"
"After all, there are many people in this world with the surname Xue."
Wu Qinan had earned his noble rank through military merit. Such keen observation was unsettling. It was no wonder he could grasp battlefield situations and achieve distinguished accomplishments.
"Oh? Perhaps I have overthought it. Young friend, where were you born?"
The only cities Wu Qi was truly familiar with were Heaven Dou City and Spirit City. However, from reading about the continent, he also knew of Nuoding City and Suotuo City.
"I was born in a border city of the empire—Nuoding City. It is merely a small place. I imagine the Marquis has never heard of it."
Unfortunately, two years earlier Wu Qinan had passed through Nuoding City with his army and was somewhat familiar with it.
He immediately asked about several details concerning the city. Wu Qi answered fluently, dispelling his suspicions.
No one would pay such close attention to a remote border city unless it was their birthplace.
Since Wu Qi spoke with confidence and detail, Wu Qinan no longer doubted him.
"It seems I truly overthought the matter. Young friend, please do as you wish."
Wu Qi did not linger and took his leave.
Watching his departing figure, Wu Qinan muttered, "If he is not from the Wu family, why does he feel so familiar?"
After temporarily dispelling Wu Qinan's suspicions, Wu Qi and Chang Kong purchased sufficient supplies. Three days later, they set out by carriage for Suotuo City.
Inside the carriage, Chang Kong could not help but complain, "These rumors are really something. The moment the carriage company heard we were heading to Suotuo City, the price immediately doubled."
Wu Qi offered no explanation, but he understood the reason clearly.
On the Douluo Continent, the importance of public opinion was often overlooked.
The rumors circulating in the city had drawn large numbers of nobles and merchants who wanted to visit Suotuo City. Supply and demand determined prices. The carriage company only had a limited number of carriages. With more people going, prices naturally increased.
However, Wu Qi had no intention of wasting money. Using the map in his hand, he had chosen a destination in a city near Suotuo City, one that the route would pass by on the way.
Although the journey was longer, the rental price was much cheaper.
This arrangement could not be revealed to the driver. Once they reached Suotuo City, they would simply disembark midway.
In Heaven Dou City.
Ning Rongrong had already resolved to run away from home. Before leaving, she went to the Crown Prince's residence, intending to briefly bid Wu Qi farewell.
After learning from Xue Qinghe about Wu Qi's destination, she could not help but feel delighted.
That way, they would meet again in Suotuo City.
Without Ning Fengzhi's excessive protection, she could associate with whomever she wished.
Next, Ning Rongrong arranged for someone to provide cover and successfully slipped away from the guards assigned by Ning Fengzhi. She boarded a carriage bound for Suotuo City.
What she did not know was that the driver was a hidden guard sent by Ning Fengzhi.
After all, she was the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect. If she ran away alone, Ning Fengzhi would certainly make proper arrangements.
If she were ever kidnapped, it would be a disaster for the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.
Inside the carriage, the driver spoke to Ning Rongrong with a kindly expression.
"Miss, traveling alone so far from home—didn't your family arrange for a powerful Spirit Master to accompany you?"
Having left home, Ning Rongrong was more cautious and did not answer directly.
"Old sir, what are some interesting places in Suotuo City? This is my first time going."
Ning Fengzhi had already instructed the driver about this matter. Since Ning Rongrong asked on her own, it saved him the effort of bringing it up.
"I don't mean to boast, but I'm very familiar with everything in Suotuo City. Miss, at your age, you should have just graduated from a junior Spirit Master academy, correct?"
"There is a rather good academy in Suotuo City. If you plan to settle there, it would be a fine choice."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Sect had already investigated Shrek Academy in secret.
The driver repeated the same self-promotional claims that Flender often used, successfully arousing Ning Rongrong's interest.
As a talented auxiliary Spirit Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, Ning Rongrong naturally wished to witness the continent's other talents.
Without realizing it, she had already stepped into the carefully arranged "trap" set by Ning Fengzhi, yet she still felt fortunate to have escaped the sect's control.
-----
If you like story please donate some power stones and leave a review
For additional chapters
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu