deltrittennovels #201 - Treasure
#201 - Treasure
Liang Jin's heart sank.
It seemed something had gone wrong.
Could it be that the Emperor was busy with the New Year and temporarily forgot about this matter?
That was understandable.
But even if the Emperor forgot, wouldn't someone remind him?
The guards from the previous shift saw Liang Jin and Xue Feng and couldn't help but ask in surprise:
"Why are only two of you coming to take over this shift?"
"Your superior is really bold, arranging things so laxly?"
Hearing what these guards said, Liang Jin realized that the superior of this shift of guards was taking the matter of the Prince of Huaiyang very seriously, fearing something would go wrong.
So this shift directly transferred dozens of elites to guard him.
Now, Liang Jin couldn't help but frown.
Was his shift indifferent?
Letting him and Xue Feng guard the Prince of Huaiyang with just the two of them?
But Liang Jin quickly understood.
As the saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth.
The fewer people involved, the easier things are to handle.
After completing the handover, they quickly left.
This remote post was now left to Liang Jin and Xue Feng alone.
The surroundings quickly quieted down.
Soon, night fell.
But after nightfall, it suddenly started snowing heavily in the palace.
The surroundings became even colder.
Liang Jin slightly turned his head to look at the Prince of Huaiyang in the iron cage.
In such cold weather, he didn't even have a piece of clothing on his body.
He could probably endure it during the day, but he would likely freeze to death tonight.
This made Liang Jin hesitate whether to report this matter to his superior.
At this moment.
Xue Feng suddenly spoke:
"Liang Jin, you are already a sixth-rank official, why are you still a soldier?"
Liang Jin shrugged his shoulders:
"I am an orphan."
Xue Feng instantly understood.
An orphan's status indeed made it difficult to be promoted in the Imperial Guards.
Immediately, Xue Feng asked again:
"But you are already a sixth-rank official, why not leave the Imperial Guards and seek a future elsewhere?"
A sixth-rank martial artist could achieve great things in many places.
Liang Jin retorted:
"Are you investigating my background?"
"I'm afraid you've already investigated it, so why ask so much?"
"If you think I will ruin your plans, then find a way to transfer me away as soon as possible."
"I don't want to stay in this broken place, and I don't want to be involved in your mess."
Xue Feng fell silent for a moment.
He had, of course, investigated Liang Jin's background, but he hadn't found out that Liang Jin was actually a sixth-rank martial artist.
He didn't expect Liang Jin to hide so deeply, which made him hesitate.
After a moment, he suddenly asked:
"Liang Jin, is there anything you want?"
"Just name it."
Hearing this, Liang Jin guessed Xue Feng's intentions.
But he didn't want to get involved in their affairs.
However, today Liang Jin inexplicably received a favor from Xue Feng, and it was clear that Xue Feng and his group had been trying to drag him into the water.
So Liang Jin said:
"Didn't we say that?"
"I can't see your affairs, and you can't see my affairs."
After speaking, Liang Jin walked away two steps on his own, looking elsewhere.
Xue Feng cupped his fist and said:
"Thank you."
Afterward, Xue Feng actually pulled out a large cotton coat from his bulging breastplate.
He hurriedly came to the front of the iron cage and stuffed the large cotton coat into the cage:
"Your Highness, please put it on to keep warm."
It was unknown whether the Prince of Huaiyang, Zhao Yu, in the cage was truly mad or pretending to be.
After receiving the large cotton coat, he quickly put it on, only making pig-like grunting noises.
Xue Feng then took out a few meat cakes from his bosom and handed them in:
"Your Highness, and these."
Zhao Yu snatched the meat cakes and then shrank into a corner of the cage, gobbling them down.
Xue Feng looked at Zhao Yu's appearance and sighed slightly.
Afterward, he continued to return to his post.
Xue Feng's eyes kept looking around, and his ears were perked up, listening carefully.
He was afraid of being discovered giving food and clothing to the Prince of Huaiyang, Zhao Yu, in secret.
He had basically bribed the people in the Imperial Guards.
But he needed to be vigilant about the people in this palace.
At this time.
Fireworks suddenly exploded in the night sky.
These fireworks were like magnificent paintings, slowly unfolding in the night sky.
They bloomed in the darkness, overflowing with radiance, as if illuminating the entire world.
Some were like twinkling stars, gorgeous and colorful; some were like rainbows spanning the horizon, with bright colors; some were like blooming flowers, clustered together.
At this moment.
The Emperor and his concubines, princes and princesses, princes, dukes, and ministers, and other high-ranking people would also enjoy such a brilliant and beautiful scene together with the people of the entire city.
It was the New Year, and whether they were nobles or commoners, they all had the opportunity to enjoy this moment of relaxation and joy.
It could be said that the whole world was celebrating.
Xue Feng looked at the fireworks blooming in the sky, somewhat lost in thought.
It was unknown whether he was thinking of his family.
In the iron cage, Zhao Yu was also attracted by the fireworks in the night sky.
He raised his head, pointing at the fireworks in the sky and giggling foolishly.
Liang Jin also felt some emotion.
In his previous life, fireworks always brought joy.
But now, the fireworks of this Great Qian Dynasty, for some reason, could evoke melancholy and sadness.
Liang Jin composed himself, only hoping that the matter of the Prince of Huaiyang could be resolved quickly, so that he could continue to easily and steadily guard his post and develop.
… … … … … …
… … … … … …
Western Desert.
The bright moon hung high.
The faint moonlight scattered on the vast desert.
Several tents had already been erected, and a bonfire had been lit.
Cang Du of the Secret Affairs Bureau and a group of henchmen all raised their heads and stared blankly at the bright moon in the sky, silent.
It was the New Year.
They all missed their homes.
Unfortunately, because of the mission on their shoulders, even during this New Year, they could only be in the great desert thousands of miles away from home.
Liang Jin sat by the bonfire, adding a little firewood.
On this New Year's night, the only ones who hadn't had emotional fluctuations were the camels and horses next to them.
They had already left Dingfeng City and were on their way to Liusha City.
"Young Hero Meng, where is your hometown?"
Cang Du regained his senses and asked.
Liang Jin raised his head and glanced at him:
"Lord Cang is indeed from the Secret Affairs Bureau, always liking to inquire about people's backgrounds."
Cang Du smiled.
He heard that Liang Jin was unwilling to answer, so he didn't force him, but instead said to himself:
"When I came to the desert this time, my youngest son couldn't even walk yet."
“By the time I finish my mission and return, he'll probably be running around calling me 'Daddy'.”
Cang Du had a smile on his face, but his tone was melancholic.
From the desert to his hometown in Daqian, a round trip would take several months.
Within the Bureau of Investigation, the core members are eunuchs, but most are not actually castrated.
They can also marry, have children, and have their own lives.
Cang Du was not someone who easily revealed his emotions.
But today, being the New Year, he found it difficult to control himself.
Liang Jin was about to speak when his expression suddenly turned stern:
“Someone's coming!”
Cang Du also noticed at the same time. He coughed dryly and then gestured to his subordinates.
The henchmen immediately sprang into action, beginning to stand guard.
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For someone to still be wandering in the desert during the New Year, they probably aren't ordinary people.
After a while.
They heard the sound of horses' hooves.
In the vast night, several riders were approaching.
The henchmen slowly reached under their clothes, where small hand crossbows were hidden.
If the newcomers were hostile, they would immediately unleash a volley of crossbow bolts.
Soon.
The crowd could clearly see the appearance of the riders.
There was a group of people dressed very strangely, completely different from the attire of the Daqian people.
A total of four people, one woman and three men.
The woman in the lead had her black hair hanging down freely, without any jewelry to restrain it.
She also wasn't wearing a skirt, but rather a tight-fitting outfit, with a dark red cloak draped over it, exuding an exotic charm from head to toe.
The other three men were tall and burly, with prominent cheekbones and fierce faces, their heads shaved.
They wore necklaces made of wolf teeth around their necks, and their arms and faces were tattooed with special symbols.
“Chief, they're from the Siha Li Kingdom!”
One of the henchmen said.
The customs of the Siha Li Kingdom are very different from those of Daqian; they do not celebrate the New Year.
Liang Jin looked at these people, feeling that they looked somewhat familiar.
Then he quickly remembered that this group had done business with him in the Green Robe Tower.
Cang Du said in a low voice:
“Be careful!”
“The opponents are four fifth-rank experts; their strength is not weak!”
Upon hearing this, the henchmen immediately felt a wave of pressure.
Although the opponents didn't have any top experts, the number of four fifth-rank experts was a bit frightening.
Among the henchmen, there was only one fifth-rank martial artist, plus Liang Jin, making it only two.
If a fight broke out, it would probably be a fierce battle.
Soon.
The four people from the Siha Li Kingdom had approached.
One of the henchmen immediately shouted a few sentences at them in the Siha Li language.
But the other party completely ignored them.
Just as Cang Du was about to order them to shoot arrows.
Among the four people from the Siha Li Kingdom, the leading woman named Ayina saw Liang Jin.
“I know you!”
“Why are you here?”
Ayina pointed her horsewhip at Liang Jin, speaking in broken Daqian language.
Then, Ayina dismounted and approached with the others.
Cang Du looked at Liang Jin in confusion.
Liang Jin explained:
“They did business with me a while ago.”
Upon hearing this, Cang Du signaled the henchmen to be calm.
The henchmen then hid their hand crossbows back under their clothes.
Soon.
Ayina and her group arrived, leading their horses.
She came to the campfire, sat down next to Liang Jin, and then took out a small knife to cut the roasted meat on the fire.
“You, why here?”
Ayina asked, while rudely stuffing the roasted meat into her mouth.
This wasn't Ayina being impolite.
It was just that the etiquette of the Siha Li Kingdom was different from that of Daqian.
In the customs of the Siha Li Kingdom, whoever you meet at night in the desert or Gobi is a guest.
As a guest, you have the right to receive the best food.
Liang Jin smiled and said:
“How is it? Was my information accurate?”
Seeing Ayina's relaxed expression, he knew that their mission had gone smoothly.
Ayina nodded and said:
“You, good!”
“Next time, still do your business!”
The three strong men following Ayina vigilantly scanned their surroundings.
How could they not see that the Daqian people by the campfire were all fierce and imposing, with murderous auras, not a single one of them being easy to deal with.
Immediately, a strong man named Hagon leaned close to Ayina and whispered:
“Ayina, these people are not right.”
Ayina had been busy eating meat and talking to Liang Jin, but now hearing Hagon's reminder, she began to seriously look around.
Upon this look, she also discovered that this group of Daqian people was staring at them unkindly.
So, Ayina suddenly stood up, kicked open the campfire, and questioned:
“Who are you people?!”
At the same time, she had already drawn the two scimitars behind her.
The Bureau of Investigation's henchmen also instantly took out the hand crossbows from under their clothes and aimed them at Ayina and her group.
In an instant.
The atmosphere was tense, and a battle seemed imminent.
“Don't be nervous!”
“Don't be nervous, everyone is a desert traveler.”
“It's the New Year; it wouldn't be good if blood was shed because of a misunderstanding.”
Liang Jin hurriedly stood up, trying to smooth things over.
He believed that Ayina's group was not the enemy.
If they were the enemy, they wouldn't have waited until now to prepare to attack.
Cang Du and Ayina both looked at Liang Jin.
Liang Jin could only helplessly say:
“These friends and I are going to Flowing Sand City.”
Ayina said:
“We are also going to Flowing Sand City.”
Liang Jin shrugged, then gathered the scattered campfire:
“Since we're going the same way, let's sit down and eat something together.”
He brushed the sand off the roasted meat and continued to put it on the rack to roast.
After that, Liang Jin didn't bother with them.
Both sides were very strong, and neither was weak.
If they fought like this, neither would benefit.
For two unfamiliar groups to inexplicably fight like this, it probably wouldn't be in either side's interest.
Liang Jin believed they were all smart people and could think clearly.
Ayina and her group still glared fiercely at Cang Du and the others.
The Eastern Depot's henchmen naturally refused to be outdone.
They confronted each other like this for a while.
In the end.
Cang Du hesitated slightly, then raised his hand.
The henchmen then put down their hand crossbows.
Seeing this, Ayina snorted coldly, put away her scimitars, and sat down next to Liang Jin again.
The three strong men stood vigilantly behind her, ready to respond to any unexpected events.
After Ayina sat down, a sentence she said stumped Liang Jin:
“You, are also going to look for the treasure, right?”
Liang Jin was stunned.
Treasure?
What treasure?