Chapter 100

Chapter 100: The Princess Was Abducted and Wanted

After sending off Yi Jin Guan and the others, Lou Yun took Wan Huier straight toward Cang Lan Nation.

They were still riding two snow-white dragon horses, but their moods were utterly unlike before. And because of Wan Huier’s low self-esteem, they both tried to follow small paths as much as possible to avoid crowds; even for meals and lodging, they waited until deep night. Along the way, Lou Yun constantly tried to amuse Wan Huier to cheer her up a little.

Wan Huier naturally knew of Lou Yun’s effort and cooperated as best she could. In any case, her spirits gradually lifted slightly, and occasionally she bantered with Lou Yun.

However, Lou Yun’s mood grew more troubled, because he knew Wan Huier’s cheerfulness stemmed from her trust in him—her belief that Granny Bai Cao could heal her face. But if Granny Bai Cao refused or failed to cure her face, the fragile confidence Wan Huier built would instantly shatter, and restoring it would be near impossible.

Although half the journey remained, they rested little and traveled much, plus the dragon horses’ pace was extremely swift, so in just a week, they already reached Cang Lan Nation’s territory.

But after arriving in Cang Lan Nation, a considerable distance was still left. Lou Yun had heard from others that Granny Bai Cao lived not far from the border; about another week’s travel should suffice. Plus, lacking a jade tablet for legal entry and being illegal trespassers, they avoided bustling cities and kept to small paths.

Along the way, they encountered a few dim-witted thieves, but Lou Yun easily dispatched them.

Finally that day, they reached the familiar bamboo grove. Lou Yun exhaled deeply in relief, safe at Granny Bai Cao’s abode. Yet the next task loomed larger: whether Granny Bai Cao would lend aid, and if she could heal Huier’s wound, remained uncertain.

Wan Huier’s mood grew anxious too. To soothe her, Lou Yun feigned ease as before, tapping her forehead with his finger and soothing, "Don’t worry. Granny Bai Cao is agreeable; else we’d not find her home so easily. Plus, with her sixth-rank alchemist title, she’ll find a way."

Wan Huier nodded in silence without speaking, her true thoughts unclear.

Lou Yun pulled Wan Huier and walked into the grove. After a quarter-hour, a small grass hut appeared ahead.

This time, Lou Yun didn’t charge in. Instead, he halted and called out loudly, "Granny Bai Cao, your junior Lou Yun seeks an audience!"

The words barely faded when Granny Bai Cao’s astonished voice echoed, "You! Boy, what brings you here?"

Immediately, Granny Bai Cao materialized before them, beaming with surprise—she rather liked Lou Yun but hadn’t expected his visit. However, after a glance at him, her gaze shifted to Wan Huier beside him.

Lou Yun tugged at Wan Huier and bowed first. "Granny, I have a favor to ask."

Wan Huier promptly bowed. "Junior Wan Huier seeks an audience."

Granny Bai Cao, noting their closeness, unconsciously tightened her old face. "Lou Yun, who is this?"

On his prior visit seeking medicine for Xia Zhilan, Old Man Feng schemed against him, trapping him into declaring Xia Zhilan his fiancée. Granny Bai Cao knew this and had urged him to treat Xia Zhilan properly. Now, seeing another girl beside him and their intimacy, naturally her expression hardened.

Knowing Granny Bai Cao’s temperament, Lou Yun hurriedly explained, "Granny, this is Wan Huier. She’s my sister!"

"Sister?" Granny Bai Cao kept a stern face and frowned. "What sister? You’re a Lou; she’s a Wan. Is she your cousin?"

Not daring to lie, Lou Yun answered truthfully, "Not a cousin. Actually, she’s the daughter of the Sixth Prince from our Gu Feng Nation, Princess Huier."

At this, Granny Bai Cao’s face chilled further, her tone sharpening. "Lou Yun, your boldness knows no bounds!"

Lou Yun didn’t grasp this. He looked up, bewildered. "Granny, what do you mean?"

"Hmph!" Granny Bai Cao said coldly. "You’ve smuggled the princess all the way to me! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Little Lan?"

Lou Yun relaxed, having expected worse. Calmly, he responded, "Granny, you’ve misunderstood. Between Huier and me, it’s pure sibling affection—no romance. Little Lan wouldn’t get upset even if she knew."

He spoke firmly, oblivious to Wan Huier hearing this, lifting her head, giving him a profound look, then immediately lowering it again.

Granny Bai Cao observed both. Familiar with Lou Yun, she knew if he dared say this, he meant it. Yet, little Wan Huier seemed to have developed feelings for him.

"So why bring her here?" Granny Bai Cao pressed on.

"Her face was burned in a fire. I brought her seeking your aid!"

Granny Bai Cao shook her head. "Lou Yun, you know my rule. This is your second request; I won’t break it."

Lou Yun, ready with a response, said swiftly, "Granny, I know your rule. But this time, I’m not the one seeking medicine—I’m bringing my sister for her own first request. She herself will provide your exchange."

After hearing this, Granny Bai Cao showed no reaction. Instead, she glanced at Wan Huier before turning her gaze back to Lou Yun. "Young man," she said. "Did you risk arrest by kidnapping the Princess to bring her here, guiding her all the way to beg me for medicine?"

At these words, both Lou Yun and Wan Huier froze. They exchanged a look, each seeing bewilderment on the other’s face. Then Lou Yun asked in confusion, "Granny, what are you talking about? Arrest? Kidnapping the Princess?"

Frowning, Granny Bai Cao looked equally puzzled. "Do you truly not know?"

"Know what?"

Seeing their expressions, Granny Bai Cao knew they were absolutely not lying. They genuinely had no idea!

Shaking her head, she turned away, her back facing them. "I am old," she said. "Standing for long tires me. Let us speak inside the cottage!"

After speaking, she walked towards the thatched cottage without waiting. Lou Yun hurriedly pulled Wan Huier along and followed her inside. Yet, at that moment, both their hearts were filled with profound confusion.

Inside the cottage, though not large, everything was extremely tidy. Granny Bai Cao sat down on the bed herself, then pointed to two small stools. "You must be weary from your long journey. Sit."

They obediently sat down. Lou Yun, unable to contain himself any longer, blurted out, "Granny, what did you mean earlier? About the arrest, and kidnapping the Princess?"

Granny Bai Cao didn’t answer directly. Instead, she countered, "First, tell me your story. Start from when you left the prince’s residence."

Though anxious, Lou Yun dared not refuse. He recounted their experiences simply, though he gave more detail when describing how Huier was burned rescuing Zuo Mingyang. Naturally, he hoped this would move Granny Bai Cao to help Wan Huier.

After Lou Yun finished speaking, Granny Bai Cao’s expression gradually softened. She believed he was telling the truth.

"Is that everything?"

"Yes," Lou Yun nodded.

"You said you fell off a cliff, survived, but stayed there for nearly half a year?"

"That’s right."

Granny Bai Cao nodded. "Then the timing matches."

"Granny, what happened? What timing matches?"

"Don’t rush," she said, glancing at the teapot on the table, clearly wanting a drink. Before she could speak, Wan Huier, ever obedient, quickly picked up the teapot, poured a cup of water, and offered it respectfully to Granny Bai Cao.

This gesture made Granny Bai Cao nod inwardly. This little Princess was quite sharp.

After taking a sip of water, Granny Bai Cao finally spoke. "About half a year ago, that old monster Old Man Feng from your Ancient Weapon Academy and Xia Guanqiu suddenly came here. They asked if I had seen you. Naturally, I said no. Those two looked extremely frantic. After hearing me, they turned to leave immediately. I was furious! Coming to my place, asking a random question without explanation, and then just wanting to leave? That was not so easy. So I stopped them."

Honestly, Lou Yun felt Granny Bai Cao was rambling. She’d spoken a lot but hadn’t gotten to the point. But he didn’t dare to rush her and forced himself to listen patiently.

"The old monster complained I was meddling. I almost came to blows with him! It was Xia Guanqiu who eventually mediated. Only then did I let him go. Then, he told me this: You were originally escorting the Princess to Cang Lan Nation as part of a mission with others from the Ancient Weapon Academy. But who could have guessed? The moment you reached a border town in Sanhe Nation, you colluded with bandits! Using some excuse about wanting to see the excitement, you kidnapped the Princess and ran off!"

"What?!"

Lou Yun couldn’t stay seated any longer. He sprang to his feet, his body quivering with rage. That was complete slander! A lie! A smear against him! Wan Huier also covered her mouth, clearly unable to believe it.

Granny Bai Cao shot him a cold glance. "Sit down! I’m not finished!"

Lou Yun could only grit his teeth and sit back down.

"After hearing this," she continued, "I was furious. I yelled at the old monster. How could they send you on such a dangerous mission? But the old monster said there was a reason behind it. Ultimately, he ended up blaming the reason… on me! That angered me again, I almost had to fight the old monster…"

Granny Bai Cao seemed to wander further off-topic. Lou Yun wanted to interrupt several times. But little did he know, the root of why he ended up on that mission could indeed be traced back to Granny Bai Cao herself.

Had she not mentioned that ancient edict about the nine clans, both Old Man Feng and Xia Guanqiu wouldn’t have worried about Lou Yun needing fame, and none of the subsequent events would have happened.

"Anyway, Lou Yun," she went on, "even though you are a magical weapons master and a student of the Ancient Weapon Academy, the crime of kidnapping a Princess is far too severe. No one could shield you. The imperial family of the Gu Feng Nation even issued a warrant for your arrest! Oh yes, it seems your clan was also implicated because of this. They were all seized by the imperial guards and imprisoned!"

"What!" This time, Lou Yun literally sprang up from his seat! He spun around, ready to bolt out the door. Accusing him was one thing, he could endure it. But dragging his clan into this mess with false charges? That was beyond anything he could tolerate!

Granny Bai Cao certainly wouldn’t let him run. "Halt!" she bellowed. "What do you think you’re doing?"

Lou Yun didn’t dare disobey her. He stopped, though he didn’t turn back. "I’m going back to rescue my clan!"

"Hmph!" Granny Bai Cao sneered. "If you go back like this? Forget rescuing your clan. You’ll be arrested the moment you set foot in Gu Feng Nation’s borders! Do you have any idea how many forces the imperial family sent to hunt you? Not to mention countless mercenary groups itching to make a fortune off your capture!"

Lou Yun was stunned. He truly hadn’t anticipated such a dire situation. But his mind worked quickly. A crucial question surfaced. "Granny," he asked, "who exactly claimed I kidnapped the Princess?"

"Han Tianxiao!"