IDWBE -Chapter 320 The Roundworm in My Belly

Lin Yi said calmly, “Perfect. The Yuan family is aging, the Pillar of the State is old, and the others can’t handle major responsibilities. If something happens to my uncle, the Yuan family will truly collapse. With the Wadan advancing south, are there any experts among them?”

Pan Duo replied, “I grew up in the northern frontier. The person people talk about most is Wadan’s greatest warrior, Ali. He is sworn brothers with the Khan Xulie Wu, and Xulie Wu’s unification of the north owes much to him. But Ali is cruel by nature. When his concubine made a mistake, he steamed her alive in a bamboo steamer, tore her thigh meat, and ate it. He also loved eating infants and often used them to entertain guests. In the north, when children misbehave, their parents would call for Ali. The children immediately stopped crying. By my estimation, his skill is comparable to a Grandmaster. Now the Wadan vanguard general, Bodu, is his top disciple. It is said his skill is equally unfathomable. He personally killed Kuang Daxiang.”

“Steamed people and ate them?”

Lin Yi shivered, his teeth grinding. “Damn, this is truly monstrous. If I ever encounter them, capture them alive if possible. Don’t bring them to me—just execute them by dismemberment, cutting them into pieces to feed the dogs.”

Pan Duo bowed. “Thank you, Prince.”

The people of the northern frontier all spoke of Ali with teeth-gritting hatred.

Lin Yi continued, “Since Ali and Xulie Wu are sworn brothers and Ali is already a Grandmaster, what about the Khan Xulie Wu himself who is personally leading the campaign?”

Pan Duo said, “Xulie Wu is a strategist with strong will and talent, but his martial skill is not remarkable.”

Lin Yi stood barefoot on the wet stone floor, smiling. “Issue the orders. We depart first thing tomorrow. I’m missing the girls of Ankang City.”

“Yes.”

Pan Duo quickly left.

Lin Yi stretched, then noticed someone sneaking in around a corridor pillar. He walked over without suspicion; after all, Ye Qiu and the blind man were here, so ordinary people couldn’t enter—only familiar faces could.

“Your Highness,” The person behind the pillar poked his head out and immediately knelt.

“Xiao Xizi,” Lin Yi said irritably, “You little bastard, what are you doing here?”

“Prince, as soon as you left the mansion, I followed,” Xiao Xizi said with a shy smile. “I was worried about you. Even if you’re angry with me, you can’t go without someone taking care of you.”

He had sulked for days after being sent to the Consort, ashamed to see the Prince. But who would have expected the Prince to set out north again?

If the Prince went north, and news reached his master in Chuanzhou, his master would inevitably follow to Ankang City. Without him there, even if he survived, his life would be ruined.

No matter what, he had to come along.

“Hmph,” Lin Yi angrily kicked him. “I’m the king of eight states; do you think I lack people to command?”

“I am incompetent. Please punish me, Prince.”

After being kicked, Xiao Xizi suddenly felt relieved. Being scolded and struck meant the Prince still considered him one of his own.

Seeing the Prince turn to walk away, he hurried after him.

Lin Yi sat in the main hall, yawning. Just as he reached out, a cup of tea appeared in his hand, the floating leaves occasionally stirred by his breath.

“What are you staring at? You’re filthy, like a beggar. Go change your clothes quickly,” he scolded Xiao Xizi.

“Thank you, Prince.”

Xiao Xizi was so happy he could have jumped for joy.

“Ah,”

Lin Yi looked at his retreating back with helplessness. He really couldn’t live without Xiao Xizi; he had simply gotten used to being waited on.

Fools like Xiao Guizi had already been sent back to the barracks. Now only Jiao Zhong remained—acting both as bodyguard and servant.

But every trade has its mastery. The service profession isn’t for just anyone. Jiao Zhong was a rough man, slightly smarter than Xiao Guizi, but still far behind Xiao Xizi.

Just now, Lin Yi reached out and Xiao Xizi immediately handed him tea.

One could even call him “the roundworm in my belly.”

With anyone else, Lin Yi would have to shout: “Someone, bring tea; a pot of green tea; this time, black tea.”

Sometimes, if his throat was dry, people wouldn’t even understand what he meant.

When he was tired, others were tired too.

Fortunately, this time Xiao Xizi had been given enough lessons—bringing him along was no problem.

With Xiao Xizi back, Lin Yi’s life finally returned to normal. At least now he could have four dishes at every meal.

Unlike before, when the kitchen asked for his opinion every time, he lazily suggested two dishes, and none of them were to his liking.

Along the way, many ragged refugees appeared, dragging their families along.

Pan Duo reported, “Prince, the Huangshui River flooded, rising one chi per day. In just over ten days, it overflowed the dikes, causing massive casualties.”

Lin Yi sighed. “Send a letter to Mr. Xing. Do everything possible to aid the disaster victims.”

After the weather cleared, Lin Yi accelerated the march, reaching Ankang City in just ten days.

“Travel is difficult, harder than ascending to the heavens.”

He was extremely dissatisfied with the state of transportation.

Over the past year, he had spent half the time on the road.

The Sanhe army camped outside the six gates of Ankang City, their tents stretching from the city to nearby hills, banners blotting out the sky.

“This time, we’re really here to save the old emperor. Why won’t they open the city gates?”

The butcher sighed, looking up at the tall walls. “They can’t just block us outside like this.”

Having tried twice and failed to enter, he was disappointed.

Zhu Ruorong laughed. “Do you think Ankang City is a place you can enter at will? Even if they opened the gates, we wouldn’t necessarily get in.”

“That’s true,” the butcher said, rubbing his head. “Last year at Jinling City, we initially couldn’t enter either. When finally allowed, it was in batches.”

Zhu Ruorong yawned, glancing at the tents on either side. “Those Qian people aren’t coming this year, huh? I didn’t see any elephants.”

The butcher snorted. “I’d rather they didn’t come. Elephants stink with their dung and urine. But opportunities like this, they wouldn’t miss. These Qian people aren’t that foolish. Elephants look strong, but their bodies are heavy; they can’t run fast and must rest along the way. They won’t arrive before next month. Unlike us, mules are slow but durable; they’ve never slacked off the whole journey.”

“What about Kangbao? Haven’t seen their people either?” Zhu Ruorong asked next.