FRGNM -Chapter 245 Spies

“They’re from outside the territory. They only asked about Danhuai Tower. I didn’t expect Your Highness to be so sensitive about it. Please forgive this old servant,” Wu Ma said softly, slowly kneeling.

Dongyang Ze took a deep breath and sighed. “Wu Ma, it’s not your fault. If someone asks about Danhuai Tower, do you have to answer everything? That place… I don’t want to hear anyone mention it. Don’t say anything in the future. You may leave for now. Oh, and bring those four people in.”

“Yes!” Wu Ma nodded.

Soon, the four who had entered the tent stood quietly to the side, heads bowed. Before entering, Ling Ruoxi had intentionally rubbed some soot from the pot on her face, telling Wu Ma it was an accident. Since they were in a hurry, she hadn’t wiped it off.

“Where are you coming from, and why are you asking about Danhuai Tower?” Dongyang Ze sat down, his sharp eyes scanning the four. He vaguely felt that the man standing there looked familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he had seen him before.

Green Robe glanced at the others, knowing it was her turn to speak. She cupped her hands respectfully. “General, we come from Duanyun Kingdom. We heard that Danhuai Tower is a world-renowned dance hall, with singing girls skilled in both arts and letters—poetry, song, calligraphy, everything. So we wished to pay a visit.”

“Pay a visit? And dress like this?” Dongyang Ze sneered, crossing his arms and raising his eyes in disbelief.

Silver Wolf spread his hands helplessly. “General, it’s not what you think. We’re really not spies. You can hear from our accents that we truly are from Duanyun Kingdom. On the way here, we were attacked by magical beasts and robbed by bandits. All our money was taken, so we have nothing left.”

Ling Ruoxi almost burst out laughing, nearly kneeling from frustration. Why did she have to mention magical beasts? Did they expect anyone who looked as weak as them to escape from a magical beast’s jaws?

“Magical beasts? Hah. So you’re skilled enough to fight magical beasts… but then you fell into the hands of bandits?” Dongyang Ze caught the flaw in Silver Wolf’s story, a glint of sharpness flickering in his black eyes.

“Magical beasts? Can they even be fought?”

Ling Ruoxi hurried forward, chuckling lightly. “General, the magical beasts we encountered were just newly awakened, not very strong. Before we could escape their encirclement, we were surrounded by bandits. They hunted the beasts and stole everything we had.”

“Oh? They stole from you but didn’t kill you? Were the bandits kind-hearted?” Dongyang Ze’s eyes shone sharply. He suddenly stood and strode to Ling Ruoxi.

He grabbed her jaw, meeting her clear eyes—utterly free of impurity, perfectly calm. Her expression didn’t waver at all.

But that very calmness was suspicious! Meeting bandits, attacked by magical beasts, robbed… would anyone remain so composed? Calmly referring to those who robbed you?

These people were clearly lying!

“Well, I don’t know. Maybe they saw we were honest and let us go. We’ve fallen on hard times, which is why we look like this. I suppose it amuses you, General,” Ling Ruoxi said coldly, raising her head, eyes sparkling, lips curling in a faint smile.

Dongyang Ze clenched his hands, cold light flashing in his eyes. He let go of Ling Ruoxi’s jaw indifferently, then looked at Luo Mingyu, head bowed, dust on his face, yet still exuding a distinguished air.

“General… you don’t believe us?” Luo Mingyu asked, slowly raising his head, a faint smile flashing in his black eyes.

So familiar… that gaze… Dongyang Ze frowned, trying to remember where he had seen such a smile. He gave up, speaking coldly: “After today, I don’t want to see you in the camp. Wherever you go, don’t come here again.”

“Thank you, General,” Luo Mingyu said lightly. The man seemed fierce on the surface but would not pursue other responsibilities—not too bad.

Dongyang Ze waved dismissively. “Leave. Wu Ma will arrange a place for you to stay. You leave tomorrow.”

“Thank you, General,” Green Robe and Silver Wolf said with a bow, then left.

Ling Ruoxi raised an eyebrow, walking beside Luo Mingyu. She chuckled softly. “Do you think this crown prince has a screw loose? He asked so much, knew we were lying, and still let us go.”

“Would you rather he had us captured and executed with arrows?” Luo Mingyu asked, patting her head with a smile.

Either way, they had a safe place tonight.

A gentle breeze blew. The dark night spread, scattered with lazy starlight. Ripples stirred on the shimmering lake, the ground trembling slightly.

The four, asleep, simultaneously stood up, alert. The soldiers inside the tent were deep in slumber, unaware of the unknown threat. Ling Ruoxi put a finger to her lips, whispering, “Something’s happening. Let’s go see.”

“Okay.” Silver Wolf leapt out, moving like lightning, landing silently.

Four figures appeared outside, eyes fixed on the ripples in the water. A shiver ran down their spines. Was this an enemy attack?

“You?” Dongyang Ze’s figure dropped quickly. Cold light flashed in his eyes as he gripped his longsword. “It’s you. You really are spies!”

“Look carefully before you speak. We’re not spies. Can’t you hear the commotion outside?” Silver Wolf snapped. Torches had appeared on the nearby mountaintop. If the soldiers didn’t wake soon, they’d be unarmored and slaughtered!

Green Robe frowned. “Hurry, wake them, or it’ll be too late…”

Bang! Dongyang Ze grabbed a nearby wooden stick and slammed it onto the large drum. The drum’s sound signaled an enemy attack. Soldiers immediately sprang up, donning armor and rushing outside.

Within a minute, the army formed in order, spears and shields ready, eyes on the approaching lights.

Yet Dongyang Ze snorted coldly. “Seize these four spies!”

“Wait! We’re not spies! On what basis do you accuse us?” Silver Wolf was furious. How could this man’s mind be so warped? They hadn’t come to spy—just happened to cross paths with him.

Cold light flashed in Silver Wolf’s black eyes. “Oh? Not spies? Then explain why, the moment we arrived, the enemy attack began. Why are you outside at night instead of sleeping inside? Answer me!”

“I… I can’t explain better than this! We’re just passing through to Danhuai Tower. We only came out because we heard a noise. Stop framing us!” Silver Wolf fumed, nostrils flaring, wishing he could yank Dongyang Ze’s ears off. When did human-monster encounters get so complicated?

Passing through…

Dongyang Ze’s expression changed drastically. He quickly focused on the two in front. Earlier that morning, they wore masks, faces unseen, but he remembered their eyes—so familiar. Now, the real people were in front of him, yet he couldn’t recognize them. One man and one woman—weren’t they on the battlefield?

“So it’s you… passing through. Earlier today, you were confident on the battlefield. Now you’re being chased by magical beasts and robbed by bandits? How did you end up like this in the wilderness between Yunshui and Jinqin?” Dongyang Ze said coldly, looking at the four.

Exposed. Ling Ruoxi sighed, glancing at Luo Mingyu. She swung her fist at Silver Wolf’s head. “Told you to say we were passing through—you blew it.”

“We were passing through!” Silver Wolf rubbed his head, exhaling. “Fine, fine. Your Highness, General, consider us a fart and let us go. We have no intention against Yunshui Country. We just want to visit Danhuai Tower.”

“To visit Danhuai Tower? Do you need to dress like this and sneak into my camp?” Dongyang Ze’s cold laugh carried disbelief. Soldiers quickly surrounded the four.

Archers deployed along the fence, holding back the army. The catapults were ready, and the troops below stood firm, hesitant to advance.

Dongyang Ze’s cold smile deepened. Raising his right hand, he ordered, “Seize them! Spies from Jinqin Kingdom! What military secrets did you steal? Now it’s too late to return. Watch how your princess falls to me!”

“What princess?!” Silver Wolf frowned, looking at the army advancing from below. Pouting, he thought: we only came out of curiosity, yet this brat thinks we’re spies. We don’t have time for that nonsense.