Chapter 41 Falling from Horse (1)
Market, pottery exhibition.
There were still many people in the White Great City. Seeing the emissaries from the Crimson Great City coming to observe their pottery exhibition, their chests swelled with pride.
See that?
These are all pottery from our White Great City.
The emissaries from the Crimson Great City indeed gave a lot of face, continuously praising how beautiful and better looking they were compared to those from the Red Great City.
But it made the people of the White Great City proud.
However, they didn't hear what others were whispering behind them, planning to take everything away when they left, not leaving a single piece behind.
The people from the Crimson Great City seemed to be looking at their own things.
Shao Hao and Shao Yu couldn't help but feel puzzled. The reaction of the people from the Crimson Great City didn't seem right.
According to the current relationship between the White Great City and the Crimson Great City, when the people from the Crimson Great City see such good pottery, they should not be able to resist building closer ties with the White Great City, at least considering taking some pottery back with them.
But, looking at the people from the Crimson Great City, apart from continuous praises, there seemed to be no other expression.
They went from the entrance of the market all the way to the end, circling around.
In addition to the pottery exhibition, the emissaries from the Red Great City also interestingly looked at the stalls on the other side, "Not bad, not bad."
When they leave, they'll get one too, all from their Red Great City.
After strolling around, Shao Yu and several leaders were full of confidence, "Our market and pottery exhibition are not bad, right? Those people from the Red Great City always say we are barbarians. I really want them to come and see, I wonder what expression they'll have."
Han and Ba, as well as Yu Shi and Feng Hou, were proud, but it was all taught by their Young Prince.
Thinking about this, they felt extremely distressed. These were originally theirs, but the White Great City was taking advantage of them.
At this time, a leader said, "The emissaries from the Crimson Great City have come from afar, and since we haven't moved around for many years, I'll arrange accommodations for you."
As soon as the words fell, Han and Ba pointed to a nearby mountain, "I think this mountain is good, let's stay here."
Shao Yu and the others were all stunned, "This is just a remote little mountain. I'll rearrange accommodations for you in the White Great City."
Han and Ba waved their hands, "We like this mountain."
Let them stay in the White Great City? That giant turtle runs around everywhere. Who knows how far it will be from their Young Prince. It's better to stay on this mountain, right next to the Young Prince.
"But... there are already two people living on this mountain."
Han and Ba said, "It's okay, people from our Crimson Great City are not picky."
People from the White Great City: "..."
After accompanying them for a while, the people from the White Great City went to prepare for the grand hunt, and the people from the Red Great City went to their accommodations.
The people from the White Great City were still wondering. The mountain was simple, and the people from the Crimson Great City were too easygoing. But thinking about it, they did have a marriage alliance, so maybe their interactions with other forces were different.
Zhuang Yu also returned to Tongshan, thinking all the way.
Am I really a spy from the Red Great City?
Not only did I know the three giant beasts of the Crimson City Young Prince, but I might also be very familiar with these emissaries from the Crimson Great City.
In this case, I'm not just a spy, but probably also a confidant of the Crimson City Young Prince. Otherwise, I wouldn't know these important figures.
Zhuang Yu wiped his forehead. Such complicated relationships.
And if the White Great City finds out that their Grand Mage is actually a spy from the Crimson Great City, I wonder what expression they'll have?
This spy of mine should be very successful, climbing up to the position of Grand Mage, participating in any major discussions in the White Great City. With this, what kind of information can't be gathered?
However, if the people from the White Great City discover his secret...
Zhuang Yu couldn't help but shiver, the consequences could be dire.
After all, just like he toyed with the entire White Great City, manipulating them in the palm of his hand.
Zhuang Yu shook his head vigorously. It was too scary. He had to be careful in the future.
But... what to do in the future? He already considered Tongshan his home, but his identity was so complicated.
Sighing, fate really loved playing jokes.
Zhuang Yu now felt like heaven was playing a huge joke on him, not a very funny one though.
Returning to the cave, seeing a group of little kids, Zhuang Yu's mood improved slightly. Simple days like these were better, he wasn't suited to be a spy.
The group of kids were waiting for Zhuang Yu to come back to make honey snow pears. The pears were all prepared, washed clean and placed there.
Seeing Zhuang Yu return, the group of kids crowded around, "Brother Yu, we didn't eat without you, we waited for you to eat together."
Zhuang Yu smiled. He would bear the burden of complicated matters alone, these little kids being happy was the source of his happiness.
But once things went wrong, these little kids would probably be implicated too.
Worrying.
He wonder if Shao Hao, after knowing about it, would still treat him the same way?
Shao Hao returned with Zhuang Yu, of course, for protection.
Originally, with Shao Hao by his side, Zhuang Yu always had a sense of security, but now...
Perhaps those who protect themselves at all times will eventually turn their guns on themselves.
Zhuang Yu shook his head to clear his mind, starting to peel pears to make candied snow pears to relieve his anxiety.
Shao Hao and the group of kids, like little carrots, gathered around several ice buckets, eagerly waiting.
Zhuang Yu looked at Shao Hao, feeling a strange sensation at the thought that one day they might become enemies. He didn't know how long they could live in harmony.
Placing the frozen honey snow pears in white porcelain bowls, they looked extremely beautiful.
The group of kids smiled like crescent moons, so beautiful.
Then they began to drink the cool sugared water in the bowl, so sweet, with a hint of pear flavor.
Their pears were especially big, with a lot of juice, making them into candied snow pears, I wonder how delicious they would be.
After eating the pears, Zhuang Yu seemed unable to stop and went to move stone slabs. He planned to pave the road down the mountain with stone slabs.
Shao Hao frowned and looked at the sky. The sun was so strong. It was strange. Usually, when Yu came out in the sun, he wouldn't let anyone work. Why was he doing it himself today?
Shao Hao asked, "Do you have something on your mind?"
Zhuang Yu, feeling irritated, replied, "Nothing, just want to fix the road earlier. The road is really difficult to walk on. Last time, Feng Wen fell."
Shao Hao looked at Zhuang Yu, who had no expression. Yu seemed strange today, as if he were hiding something.
Shao Hao thought for a moment and said, "We've known each other for more than a year since we came from the Golden Centipede Tribe. We've experienced a lot together. How should I put it, we can also be considered friends. If you have anything, you can tell me. No matter what, I can help you solve it."
Zhuang Yu raised his head. He could solve anything for him.
Zhuang Yu opened his mouth, but this matter was too complicated and far-reaching. Not only him, but even a group of little kids would be implicated.
He had to be extremely cautious, and he just said, "Nothing."
Shao Hao furrowed his brows tightly. Clearly, something was wrong, why was he hiding it from him? He didn't like this feeling. In a deep voice, he said, "What's the matter? We've known each other for more than a year. What can't you tell me?"
Zhuang Yu, feeling irritated, raised his head, "Yes, we've known each other for a year, but do you really know who I am?"
They were friends, but only friends.
Friends weren't good enough to solve everything for him without hesitation. Zhuang Yu didn't dare to bet.
After saying that, he continued to bury himself in moving his stone slabs.
Thinking that the person who was now asking what had happened would turn against him once he knew the truth, Zhuang Yu felt oppressed.
Shao Hao frowned. What did he mean? Didn't he know who he was?
Just as he was about to continue questioning, several people walked up from below the mountain.
Zhuang Yu was stunned. It turned out to be Han and Ba from the Crimson Great City, along with Yu Shi and Feng Hou.
Shao Hao also furrowed his brows. What were they doing here?
"We admire the Grand Mage of the White Great City to the extreme. He can actually solve the White Great City's water problem and even teach them how to make pottery. So, we discussed coming to visit." Yu Shi said in a humble tone, but his eyes were on Shao Hao. What's up with this guy? Why does he always stick to our Young Prince?
He had noticed earlier that this guy had been following the Young Prince around since they first met. Strange, even though he and the Young Prince were engaged, he shouldn't know the Young Prince's identity.
But how could the illustrious Young Prince of the White Great City be like a follower?
This was unreasonable.
Then Yu Shi saw Zhuang Yu moving the stone slabs, and his face turned dark. Such coarse words actually made their Young Prince work for the White Great City. It was simply unforgivable.
He quickly ran to Zhuang Yu's side, looking excited, "Let me move..."
Zhuang Yu: "..."
Shao Hao: "..."
What's going on?
Yu Shi's body stiffened for a moment. "Um, I've always liked moving stone slabs since I was little, yes, yes, I have this hobby."
Zhuang Yu's stone slab in his hand was grabbed away.
Zhuang Yu's expression remained unchanged. No matter how he looked at these people, it seemed like they were deliberately approaching him, wanting to say something to him, but restrained by Shao Hao's presence, they couldn't speak.
Zhuang Yu calmly started to move another slab. Has it begun? After becoming the Grand Mage of the White Great City, his identity as a spy began to take effect, so people from the Crimson Great City started to contact him.
But damn it, he didn't know anything.
Zhuang Yu lifted the stone, only labor could make him stop thinking about other things.
At this moment, a group of little kids also finished eating the honey snow pears and ran out, "Brother Yu, we'll help move the stone slabs too."
One of them eagerly took the stone slab from Zhuang Yu's hand. The honey snow pears just now were so delicious, and now they felt cool and comfortable inside.
But as soon as he took the slab, another kid beside him grabbed it away and glared at him fiercely.
Feng Hou thought to herself, he and Yu Shi were the attendants of the Young Prince, who was this kid? How dare he come and snatch his business.
Feng Hou raised her small face, showing the pride of a little tyrant, and walked away.
The situation was a bit strange. The people from the Crimson Great City who came to visit Zhuang Yu began to help move the stone slabs.
Zhuang Yu's heart tightened. Could Shao Hao see through something?
Shao Hao did feel something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Zhuang Yu wanted to keep a distance from the people from the Crimson Great City, at least not let Shao Hao discover that he was a spy from the Crimson Great City.
But those two delicate kids always unconsciously approached him, especially when the little carrots from Tongshan helped him move the stone slabs. The two kids behaved particularly viciously, pushing others away as if they were little tyrants.
It didn't look like the normal interaction between two powers.
Zhuang Yu was nervous even when moving a stone slab, but what made him even more nervous was that these two kids, when no one was paying attention, would wink at him and even sneakily ask, "How's the plan going?"
At this moment, Zhuang Yu's heart tightened. Look, he was indeed a spy from the Crimson Great City, and they had started to make contact.
But the two kids seemed afraid of being found out too, so they were sneaky about it.
Zhuang Yu didn't answer. Firstly, Shao Hao was not far away, and he was afraid of being discovered.
Secondly, what plan? He didn't even know, so how could he answer?
Shao Hao furrowed his brows. Were the people from the Crimson Great City too concerned about their Grand Mage of the White Great City?
Yu was their Grand Mage of the White Great City, and had nothing to do with the Crimson Great City.
Shao Hao stepped forward directly, "The sun is so intense right now, let's take a break."
Zhuang Yu thought to himself, these stone slabs won't be moved anymore, the atmosphere is too strange.
And he couldn't let a group of little kids stay under the scorching sun with him to move stone slabs.
Zhuang Yu remained composed and looked at the people from the Crimson Great City, "We're heading back to the cave now. If you don't have any business..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yu Shi and Feng Hou interjected, "We'd love to visit the Grand Mage's cave."
Zhuang Yu frowned. Were they still unwilling to give up on making contact with him?
Since others were now envoys from the Crimson Great City, he couldn't refuse.
When they arrived at the cave entrance and saw the pool in front of it, Yu Shi and Feng Hou became excited and jumped in to play.
The group of little kids looked puzzled. What's going on with these two? They don't treat themselves as outsiders at all. They didn't even ask for permission and just jumped into their pool to play.
The group of little kids looked at Zhuang Yu.
Zhuang Yu: "..."
He was also puzzled now. Letting a group of little kids accompany the envoys from the Crimson Great City to play in the water was unexpected. With Yu Shi, Feng Hou, and Shao Hao, they headed towards the cave.
Upon entering the cave, the two big men marveled at it. "It's really nice."
Shao Hao furrowed his brows. Other than the group of little kids, he was the only one who had entered before. He didn't know why, but seeing others coming in, he felt somewhat displeased.
Inside the cave, a small figure shivered in a blanket.
Feng Wen followed a group of children to help Zhuang Yu move the stone slabs. But before they could make a move, they saw the people from the Crimson Great City and immediately turned around, running back to the cave and hiding in the blanket.
But they seemed curious and peeked their head out of the blanket.
Both Feng Wen and Han He were stunned and couldn't help but call out, "Feng Wen?"
Shao Hao looked over, "Do you two know Feng Wen?"
Feng Wen and Han He: "..."
As the first undercover guard personally appointed by the Young Prince, how could they not recognize him?
Feng Wen had already buried himself in the blanket, feeling terrified. These two were the bad uncles who set fires everywhere.
Feng Wen covered his head with the blanket, trembling.
Feng Wen glanced at Shao Hao's puzzled expression, while Zhuang Yu's heart was pounding. Feng Wen replied, "We heard earlier at the foot of the mountain that there's a particularly timid child named Feng Wen by the Grand Mage's side, so we remembered."
Feng Wen buried in the blanket didn't feel timid anymore. He was brave now and wasn't afraid of cuckoo birds, but sheep were still scary.
Then they changed the subject.
This place is really nice, and the cool feeling is great. Let's take some back when we leave.
But what's the deal with this Grand Mage of the White Great City? This is their Young Prince's cave. How could he come and go so casually? It's simply disrespectful.
Shao Hao was very puzzled. Why did he suddenly feel a hint of hostility from these two?
Zhuang Yu happened to be distributing the frozen honey snow pears to a few people.
Shao Hao wasn't happy. Why distribute to them?
Han He was happy, but also gave Shao Hao a glare. Why distribute to him?
Han He ate the honey snow pear casually and then began to ask, "How's the Grand Mage been lately?"
By rights, the Young Prince of the White Great City was also present, so he should exchange a few words with the other party, but these two carefree uncles, no, from start to finish, they were just chatting with Zhuang Yu.
Zhuang Yu answered every question with trepidation, carefully considering his responses.
It seemed like both sides were stalling for time. Han He and Han Ba wanted Shao Hao to leave first, while Shao Hao was waiting for the inexplicable envoys from the Crimson Great City to leave.
Seeing how concerned the people from the Crimson Great City were about Yu, he didn't like it. And what exactly was their purpose? He had to be cautious; he decided not to leave Zhuang Yu's side.
In the end, Han He and Han Ba couldn't wait any longer. As guests, it was getting late, so they had to leave, or else others would become suspicious.
Yu Shi and Feng Hou turned around several times, "The Grand Mage's pool is so much fun. Let's come back tomorrow."
Han He and Han Ba exchanged a glance. As war generals of the Crimson Great City, they couldn't come here often, or it would be too obvious. This was a chance for Yu Shi and Feng Hou to approach the Young Prince under the guise of childishness.
These two playful kids shouldn't raise any suspicion.
Finally sending away the people from the Crimson Great City, Zhuang Yu also breathed a sigh of relief.
Shao Hao frowned as he watched them leave. There was something strange about today's events that he wasn't aware of. He then called for people from the White Great City, "Investigate whether the envoys from the Crimson Great City have any other purposes for visiting us."
"Well... since we have an alliance with the Crimson Great City, investigating them like this..."
Shao Hao said, "It's okay. If they come with other intentions and we are unaware, it will be even more troublesome."
He wanted to see what these people's sudden interest in Yu was all about.
It was already getting late. Zhuang Yu took a group of children to move the stone slabs for a while, and then started laying down the stone slab path on the mountain one by one.
After laying some slabs, he brought the group of children back to cook dinner.
Today, in addition to braised chicken, they also made a special dish, chili stir-fried eggs.
It was a particularly strange way of eating, and the kids ate with gusto.
"What a strange taste, devil fruit with eggs, haha, but it's delicious."
Shao Hao also found the taste strange, but the more he ate, the more delicious it became.
Zhuang Yu thought about it. They had been eating meat recently, and the group of kids didn't mind, enjoying it immensely. But he was used to having vegetables with meat for a balanced diet.
As for vegetables, green peppers didn't really count because he planted a very spicy variety of chili peppers, not the kind used as vegetables.
Zhuang Yu thought for a moment, looking at the soybeans. He could sprout some bean sprouts.
Bean sprouts were crisp and stir-fried tasted very good. Since he didn't have any other vegetables to choose from now, bean sprouts became the only option.
So Zhuang Yu started soaking the beans to sprout them.
The group of children looked on for a while, "What is Brother Yu doing? Soaking so few beans doesn't seem like he's making tofu."
Zhuang Yu said, "It's a new dish."
The little mushrooms who were just about to grab some meat from Feng Wen's bowl ran towards Zhuang Yu upon hearing that. A new dish? Let the little mushrooms take a good look.
After soaking the beans, Zhuang Yu used a sieve to hold them, which he used before to dry the chili peppers.
Then he covered the beans with a layer of animal skin for insulation and brought them into the cave.
It was too cold outside at night, and the sprouted beans would probably freeze to death.
The little mushrooms chased after Zhuang Yu and wanted to uncover the animal skin to let the little mushroom see. The little mushroom could help water them.
As a result, Zhuang Yu grabbed them by the shoulder. "Save your bathwater for the seeds in the ground."
Zhuang Yu had just checked. The seeds he had just sown in the ground had already begun to germinate, especially the garlic, which had sprouts as long as fingers.
He didn't know if there was a chance to see them mature.
Zhuang Yu seemed leisurely, but his sense of crisis was getting heavier and heavier. Perhaps the situation would erupt in the next moment.
After letting a group of little kids go to sleep, Zhuang Yu, with a heavy heart, began to fall asleep.
Zhuang Yu had a dream. In the dream, Shao Hao stood tall on top of a giant beast, looking down at him, holding a three-meter-long stone spear aimed at him. Then the stone spear pierced directly into his chest.
Zhuang Yu was startled awake, his forehead covered in sweat.
Meanwhile, Shao Hao was sitting on the kang, looking at him.
Zhuang Yu looked at this face, his heart skipping a beat. He couldn't forget the scene from his dream.
After taking a deep breath, he asked, "How come you're awake?"
Shao Hao grunted, indicating he wasn't actually asleep. In fact, he hadn't slept at all.
He had been watching Zhuang Yu all this time, and today Zhuang Yu was too unusual.
Even Shao Hao didn't know, but these days of interaction had made him understand Zhuang Yu's every move. Even if it was a slight anomaly, he noticed it immediately.
Shao Hao looked at Zhuang Yu. "You asked me today, after knowing each other for more than a year, do I really know who you are?"
Zhuang Yu's heart suddenly tightened. Today, he was too suppressed, so his words were somewhat thoughtless.
Shao Hao continued, "Actually, I've always had a doubt. I used to think it was meaningless to ask, but since you asked me that question today, this doubt has resurfaced in my mind."
Zhuang Yu pretended to be calm. "What doubt?"
Shao Hao said, "During the first year we knew each other, you were like a little rascal, even pestering me persistently, saying... saying that you liked me. But why did you suddenly change, and even stopped saying that you liked me?"
Zhuang Yu swallowed a gulp of saliva, forcing a fake smile on his face. "What's the big deal? I just suddenly realized, you think I should always like you? You're too narcissistic. Besides, do you really wish I was still like before, pestering you all the time?"
Shao Hao's mouth twitched. That little rascal from before...
Zhuang Yu said, "Go to sleep, you're overthinking it."
After speaking, he wrapped himself in the blanket, trembling all over.
Shao Hao opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't ask the question he had in mind.
So, who are you really? Which one is the real you? He was afraid that if he asked, something would change. The little mushroom woke up groggily and saw Shao Hao's face beside the kang, quickly grabbing a small stick and poking at him. Shameless, actually flirting with Yu while the little mushroom was asleep. Constantly poking at Shao Hao's face, but Shao Hao surprisingly didn't react much. The little mushroom thought, what's wrong with this person today? Is he dumb? However, suddenly, Shao Hao opened his mouth, grabbed the little mushroom that was swaggering, and with a flick of his head, the little mushroom flew out of his mouth. The little mushroom was stunned, so powerful, what move was that? Don't think the little mushroom didn't have any tricks. When it landed, it did two backflips steadily, then started rushing towards Shao Hao again. Don't think just because you threw the little mushroom far away, the kang would be yours.
A quiet night passed.
The next day, when Shao Hao woke up, the scout he sent to investigate the purpose of the Crimson Great City's visit to their White Great City was already waiting.
The scout hesitated to speak.
Shao Hao frowned. "Speak."
"We didn't find out any other purpose for the Crimson Great City's visit to our White Great City, but..."
The scout looked at Shao Hao. "But we accidentally found out that the Water Marsh Tribe doesn't actually have a young Chieftain. The current tribal Chief of the Water Marsh Tribe has only one daughter. The news of the Water Marsh Tribe having a Young chieftain came out over a year ago, precisely when the Young Prince and various forces were all in that border area on a mission. And the strangers who went there, nine out of ten, appeared there for that legendary ancestral beast."
Shao Hao's eyes narrowed. The Water Marsh Tribe didn't have a Young chieftain before, then Yu is...