Chapter 252: Marching on Qingyun City (Subscriptions and Donations Requested)

Seeing the black panther's reaction, Shi Lan felt somewhat puzzled. Normally, the panther was not so easily approachable with strangers. After a moment, she asked Xiao Xie with a hint of uncertainty, "Brother Xiao, are you using your internal energy to heal Xiao Hei's injuries?"

"That's right, this way Xiao Hei can recover a bit faster," Xiao Xie smiled and said.

"Thank you, Brother Xiao," Shi Lan said with a moved expression upon hearing his words. She understood that Xiao Xie was doing this primarily to help her, knowing very well that using internal energy to heal others consumes a tremendous amount of mental and physical focus.

Xiao Xie gently ruffled Shi Lan's soft hair and smiled, "There's no need to be so formal between us."

Feeling the warmth radiating from the top of her head, Shi Lan nodded shyly.

"Roar-woof..."

Sensing that Xiao Xie's hand had lifted and that the comfortable sensation had vanished, the black panther let out a dissatisfied growl. It then actively pushed its head back under Xiao Xie's palm, elbowing Shi Lan aside in the process.

"You really know how to enjoy yourself, don't you?" Xiao Xie said with a helpless chuckle at the panther's antics, before continuing to channel his internal energy into its body.

"Roar-woof..."

Feeling that wonderful, comforting sensation return, the black panther let out a low, blissful growl and flopped straight onto the ground, exposing its belly with an expression of pure enjoyment.

"Chuckle, chuckle..." Seeing Xiao Hei looking so blissfully content, Shi Lan couldn't help but giggle softly, reaching out to stroke the panther's soft belly.

Half an hour later, midway up a large mountain outside Sanghai City, two people and a panther were gazing at the night view of the city. Bathed in the evening shade, Sanghai City was brilliantly illuminated, glowing like countless scattered stars twinkling in the heavens.

After over half an hour of healing, the panther's internal injuries had been completely cured by Xiao Xie. Naturally, the beast felt extremely close to him. Xiao Xie half-reclined, leaning against the panther's body while his gaze drifted toward Shi Lan beside him.

At this moment, Shi Lan looked down at the myriad twinkling lights of Sanghai City below, her eyes filled with deep longing.

Xiao Xie gently stroked her hair and asked, "Are you feeling homesick?"

"Mm," Shi Lan nodded softly.

"Tap, tap."

Xiao Xie patted his own shoulder and smiled at her, "If you need some comfort, my shoulder is available for you to borrow, free of charge!"

"Hehe." Shi Lan couldn't help but chuckle at his gesture.

Xiao Xie gently pulled Shi Lan close, resting her delicate head against his shoulder, and said, "Shi Lan, if you have something weighing on your mind, you can tell me. You'll feel much better once you let it out."

"Brother Xiao, I am from the State of Shu. Shi Lan is our clan name, and my personal name is Xiao Yu," Shi Lan murmured as she leaned against his shoulder.

"Xiao Yu?"

"In the language of the State of Shu, 'Yu' means rain. My mother said it was drizzling lightly the day I was born," Shi Lan explained.

"Xiao Yu. What a lovely name," Xiao Xie said, looking at her earnestly.

"Not really, it's just a very ordinary name," Shi Lan replied, a trace of secret joy blossoming in her heart, though she still spoke with a touch of shyness.

Seeing this, Xiao Xie wore a doting smile and said nothing more, though his arm tightened around her waist.

The two of them quietly gazed at the stars in the night sky, the distance between their hearts growing closer and closer.

The jade rabbit sinks in the west, the golden crow rises in the east.

The first ray of morning light slowly emerged from the eastern sea horizon. The meeting point of water and sky shifted gradually from red to golden-red, and soon a brilliant, fiery morning sun leaped into view! In an instant, the entire Sanghai City appeared vibrant and full of life, welcoming the arrival of a new day.

"It's dawn. Time for the little sleepyhead to wake up," Xiao Xie said dotingly, gently flicking the delicate nose of the slumbering Shi Lan in his arms.

"Mm-nah." Shi Lan's eyelashes trembled slightly as she sleepily opened her clear eyes. Seeing the smiling face right in front of her, her mind went completely blank for a second. Then, realizing the situation, a rosy blush crept across her pretty face, and she whispered softly, "Good morning, Brother Xiao."

"It's time for us to head back," Xiao Xie said gently, tidying up her hair.

"Mm," Shi Lan nodded obediently.

Holding her delicate hand and bidding farewell to Xiao Hei, Xiao Xie walked back with her toward the Youjian Inn.

...

"Knock, knock, knock..."

Arriving at the entrance of Youjian Inn and finding the doors closed so early in the morning, Xiao Xie and Shi Lan guessed that something must be under discussion inside.

"It's Young Master Xiao!" Fatty Ding opened the door, looking pleasantly surprised upon seeing Xiao Xie. Then, noticing Shi Lan in her women's attire beside him, he cried out in astonishment, "You're... you're Shi Lan!"

"Fatty Ding, this isn't the time to be surprised. Aren't you going to let us in first?" Xiao Xie said, somewhat speechless.

"Oh, oh! Come in quickly," Fatty Ding snapped back to his senses and hurriedly ushered Xiao Xie and Shi Lan into the house.

"So Master Zi Fang is here as well!" As soon as he stepped inside, Xiao Xie spotted Zhang Liang standing in the center of the main hall.

"Young Master Xiao, and this is?" Zhang Liang cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Xie, then looked curiously at Shi Lan by his side.

"Her name is Shi Lan, a friend from Mount Shu." Knowing Zhang Liang's cautious nature, Xiao Xie promptly introduced her.

Zhang Liang paused slightly, then said with some surprise, "She's the young helper from Manager Ding's place!"

"Previously, for convenience of movement, I dressed as a man. I hope Manager Ding will forgive me," Shi Lan said with a smile upon seeing Fatty Ding's still-shocked expression.

"Hahaha, it's fine! I always thought you were out of the ordinary, but I never expected you to be a young lady," Fatty Ding laughed heartily upon hearing this.

He had known all along that Shi Lan was no ordinary person, but the realization that she was a woman made this encounter all the more startling.

"Zi Fang, Fatty Ding, both of you looked so gloomy just now. Did something happen here?" Xiao Xie asked aloud.

Fatty Ding smacked his own forehead and wailed, "Ah, if you hadn't mentioned it, I almost forgot! Tianming just delivered the Black Dragon Scroll to Master Zhang Liang, but that kid managed to lose it."

"The Black Dragon Scroll has already been retrieved? That was fast!" Xiao Xie said in mild surprise. He then looked at the anxious Fatty Ding and smiled, "Relax, Fatty Ding, there's no need to panic like this. Look at how composed Zi Fang is. Although Tianming can be unreliable at times, he's actually quite dependable when it comes to major matters. Besides, Shi Lan and I haven't had breakfast yet. Go and prepare something for us quickly."

"..." Looking at the utterly unconcerned Xiao Xie, Fatty Ding truly didn't know what to say. Since Xiao Xie, the leader of the Mohists, wasn't panicking, there was no use in him worrying either. With a helpless shake of his head, he went off to prepare breakfast.

...

Back in Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng gazed at the secret report sent back by Li Si, his face dark and gloomy. A chilling glint flashed in his eyes as he roared angrily, "Good, the Tower to the Heavens! Good, Xiao Xie! How utterly audacity!"

Ying Zheng slammed his palm onto the desk and said coldly, "Pass down my decree: mobilize the nearest troops to the vicinity of Qingyun City. I want the Tower to the Heavens razed to the ground within three days! I want to see what capital Xiao Xie has left for his arrogance once his Tower to the Heavens is gone!"

"Understood!" A dark shadow suddenly appeared, respectfully acknowledged the command, and vanished just as quickly.

"I originally didn't want to make a move against you, but since you are so ungrateful, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Ying Zheng muttered, glaring in the direction of Qingyun City with eyes full of killing intent. Originally, he had intended to acquire the papermaking method through peaceful means, but Xiao Xie's attitude had thoroughly displeased him. In that case, he would simply eradicate the Tower to the Heavens first and then seize the papermaking method afterward.

...

Inside Youjian Inn, after finishing breakfast, Xiao Xie and Zhang Liang leisurely began a game of chess, while Shi Lan sat quietly beside Xiao Xie, watching their match.

"You guys still have the mood to play chess at a time like this?" Fatty Ding muttered, feeling thoroughly exasperated when he saw Xiao Xie finish his meal and start playing Go with Zhang Liang instead of taking charge of the situation.