Lin Xiao's gaze shifted back and forth between Xu Tianran and Ju Zi, then glanced at the line of refugees waiting for porridge.
Seeing this scene, Lin Xiao somewhat understood why Xu Tianran had suddenly decided to take in a child.
Ju Zi hadn't been here from the start. Just moments ago, she had been like the other refugees, standing in the long queue waiting for the city's porridge distribution.
Yet, upon seeing their group, she resolutely gave up the food that was almost within her grasp and instead came here, kneeling on the path leading out of the city.
This might have been her only meal of the day, yet she could decisively abandon it to chase a fleeting opportunity. Such resolve was something even adults might not possess, yet this twelve-year-old girl had made that choice.
It was hard to say whether she was truly clever or simply naive from a lack of experience. But now, she had succeeded.
Watching the person beside Xu Tianran wipe the dirt from Ju Zi's face, Lin Xiao understood. As Xu Tianran had said, her ability to appear here was itself a kind of skill.
Ju Zi was young, and while her appearance wasn't stunning, it was still quite striking. The border area was a chaotic mix of various forces, from evil soul masters like those of the Holy Spirit Church to groups like the Common Alliance that specifically recruited girls left without support due to the war.
Even some older people vanished without a trace, yet she had managed to wander here. It wasn't entirely due to luck.
Perhaps this was exactly what Xu Tianran valued.
The group continued out of the city. Ju Zi cautiously followed along, not sparing another glance at the refugees.
As they traveled, stopping intermittently, the closer they got to the border, the more signs of chaos they saw. When Xu Chang was in power, there were still some people living near the border. But since Xu Jing ascended the throne, the constant friction between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire had inevitably affected those living here.
"Your Highness!"
Before they reached the border, several dark figures appeared ahead. The soul power fluctuations emanating from the person in front clearly marked them as a Titled Douluo.
"Liao Mengkai, Commander of the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Corps, greets Your Highness."
"Commander Liao, please rise," Xu Tianran said, still hovering in the air with the aid of his flying soul tool, only able to gesture with his hand.
Liao Mengkai dispensed with further pleasantries. "Please, Your Highness and esteemed guests, proceed to Pingxing City to rest."
Pingxing City was a city built by the Sun Moon Empire along the Mingdou Mountain Range. It wasn't one of the empire's original cities but was constructed along the mountains after the collision of the Sun Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent formed the Mingdou Mountain Range.
Its name alone hinted at the Sun Moon Empire's ambitions.
"Your Highness's arrival is timely. The army has prepared a grand spectacle to welcome you," Liao Mengkai said.
"Oh?" Xu Tianran's interest was piqued.
"Since the border conflicts escalated last year, the Star Luo Empire has sent a significant number of troops, and their White Tiger Duke has personally come to the front lines to command the army. Their forces have been quite active in the Mingdou Mountain Range lately."
As they flew, Liao Mengkai began reporting the border situation to Xu Tianran. "It just so happens that a batch of secret weapons from the capital has arrived at the front. Tonight, we invite Your Highness to witness the might of our Sun Moon Empire's military."
"Your Highness, for tonight's operation, may I have this disciple of my church accompany and observe?" Zhongli Wu suddenly interjected, interrupting the conversation between Xu Tianran and Liao Mengkai.
Liao Mengkai turned his gaze to Zhongli Wu, his brows slightly furrowing.
He could sense that Zhongli Wu's cultivation surpassed his own, but he assumed Zhongli Wu was merely one of the escorts protecting Xu Tianran. How could he be so presumptuous? Before Liao Mengkai could respond, Xu Tianran nodded in agreement. "Since Consecrator Zhongli has spoken, there's no issue. Commander Liao, how should this be arranged?"
Liao Mengkai gave Zhongli Wu a serious look, as if realizing something. "It's a simple matter. However, the battlefield is unpredictable. For safety, those accompanying must follow military orders."
Lin Xiao, following behind and hearing Zhongli Wu's arrangement for him, naturally had no objections. Instead, his mind kept turning over that familiar name.
Perhaps it was at this very moment that the White Tiger Duke had to leave his ducal estate, leading to so many events that followed.
The place where Liao Mengkai greeted Xu Tianran wasn't far from Pingxing City, and the group soon arrived in the city.
Xu Tianran had other matters to attend to here, but those were not things Lin Xiao could participate in.
Returning to the room prepared for them in the city, Lin Xiao quickly entered meditation. There was action planned for the evening, and though he was only observing, it was still a battlefield. Lin Xiao needed to prepare in advance.
Knock, knock, knock—
Not long after entering meditation, a knock came at the door.
Lin Xiao snapped his eyes open and looked toward the entrance. They hadn't been in Pingxing City for long, and Xu Tianran was likely still exchanging pleasantries with the generals. It shouldn't be time for action yet, should it?
He got up and opened the door. Standing there was not a soldier from Pingxing City but a petite figure.
"What are you doing here?" Lin Xiao looked at Ju Zi, his brows furrowing slightly beneath his mask.
Pingxing City was large, and neither of them held any official positions, so few would notice them. But if someone saw this scene and it reached Xu Tianran's ears, Lin Xiao wasn't sure if the petty Xu Tianran would take offense.
"I… you saved me, so I came to thank you," Ju Zi said, her voice stumbling slightly. After glancing at Lin Xiao, she quickly lowered her eyes to her toes.
"That was all His Highness's decision. It has nothing to do with me."
"Then… is there anything I should be mindful of while serving His Highness?" Xu Tianran hadn't hidden his identity, and through their conversations along the way, Ju Zi had learned who he was.
"Someone will teach you those things once you enter the palace. For now, just don't do anything out of line. You should go back."
Lin Xiao didn't want to linger with Ju Zi and was about to turn and close the door when she interrupted again. "Still, thank you. Is there anything you need?"
As she spoke, she glanced into the room.
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Ju Zi.
Though her voice sounded somewhat weak, she likely wasn't as timid as she appeared. Her coming to him probably wasn't just to express gratitude.
"Who sent you to find me?"
Ju Zi felt a chill run down her spine under Lin Xiao's gaze, a wave of fear rising in her heart. Still, she forced herself to stay calm. "I came on my own."
Lin Xiao looked at her for a moment longer. "Nothing. Go back."