She spoke and was about to reach for the tea the soldier had placed on the table. The soldier, not expecting to encounter such a person, glared at Mu Qingyao in anger. "So you're deaf," he said, turning to a nearby soldier. "You go ask her, speak louder? She can't hear."
"Yes, my lord," the soldier saluted and turned to ask Mu Qingyao, "What are you doing going out of the city?"
"Oh, you're asking me? Good, good," Mu Qingyao nodded repeatedly, her old face breaking into a smile, seemingly very satisfied with the soldier's words.
The soldier was almost infuriated to death. Moreover, the smell emanating from her was extremely unpleasant, and the people behind them were getting impatient, constantly surging forward. The soldier had lost all patience, turning to the official.
"My lord, this person is deaf and can't hear at all. Let's just let them go. It's such a waste of time."
"Mm," the official nodded, glancing up at Mu Qingyao, then at the portrait in the soldier's hand. It truly bore no resemblance.
The three people in the painting were so handsome, but the person before him, she thought hatefully, was a complete waste of effort.
Seeing their actions, Mu Qingyao, Mochou, and Moyou breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they got out of Yanmen Pass, it would not be Qingluo Country's territory.
However, suddenly, the sound of neat and orderly hooves echoed from within the city gate. The hooves stopped, and a low, soul-less voice suddenly spoke.
"Pay close attention, and absolutely do not let the assassins escape, or none of you will live."
As this voice sounded, Mu Qingyao felt a string in her heart tighten sharply. This person was none other than Prince Yin, Changsun Yin. Although she had disguised herself now, Changsun Yin would not be able to recognize them.
But Changsun Yin was definitely not an incompetent person, so she feared he would cause trouble.
The three of them broke out in a cold sweat. At this moment, the official impatiently waved his hand, "Hurry up, hurry up."
After speaking, he stood up to greet Prince Yin. Mu Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led Mochou and Moyou towards the outside of the city gate.
Although she was so anxious in her heart that she wished she could run out in one step, she still calmly swayed as she walked. With great difficulty, they exited the city gate, and the three of them quickly sped up, following the crowd away from Yanmen Pass.
On the road, they bought a simple carriage at a high price and the three of them headed directly for the border between Huangyuan Country and Xianyue Country.
Yanmen Pass.
The official, leading a team of people, was being interrogated by Prince Yin and had checked their registrations. Generally, nothing seemed to be amiss.
Changsun Yin raised his eyes, looking at the fading sunset as the sky was about to darken. He frowned and pondered. By all rights, they should have reached Yanmen Pass by now. Why hadn't they?
That woman was no ordinary person. If she had indeed passed through Yanmen Pass, she would surely have disguised herself. Wait, disguised?
Changsun Yin seemed to recall something, and he flipped back to the registration area. His face suddenly turned cold, filled with killing intent. He abruptly dismounted and pointed at the people who had just registered.
"When did these three people pass?"
"Just passed the pass not long ago," the inspecting official said tremblingly, not knowing what had happened. He tried hard to recall. Those three people were old women, and they didn't look like the people in the painting at all. But why was Prince Yin angry?
Changsun Yin's dark pupils flashed with a cold, predatory light. He angrily pointed at the registration book, "You said they brought a gray fox?"
The official responded with a terrified "Yes, it seemed to be a fox."
After speaking, he looked at a nearby soldier, "Was that a gray fox?"
"Yes, Your Highness, it was a small fox, its fur was gray, and it was very cute," the soldier confirmed.
As their voices fell, Changsun Yin had already whipped out his whip. The whip carried a chilling killing intent and in an instant wrapped around the inspecting official. With a forceful swing, the official was thrown directly out, hitting the opposite city gate with a bang, and falling to the ground. He rolled a couple of times and then lay still.
In front of the city gate, hearts immediately stirred, and everyone retreated in panic. Those preparing to leave the city were frightened and scattered. In a blink of an eye, there was no one left.
Prince Yin, Changsun Yin, led his men and mounted their horses, swiftly pursuing them.
This time, the Crown Prince had been assassinated and had not woken up for two days. The Emperor was extremely heartbroken and had ordered him to capture the assassin.
This was his best opportunity. He never expected that fate would finally stand by his side, and someone would help him eliminate the Crown Prince without him having to lift a finger. It seemed that girl was worth killing.
Changsun Yin thought triumphantly and chased all the way out of Yanmen Pass.
Ahead was Huangyuan Country. He couldn't conduct a large-scale search, but that woman had a conspicuous flaw: they were carrying a small fox.
Perhaps people could change, and fox fur could change, but it was impossible to change a fox into a cat or a dog. Thus, this would give him a powerful opportunity.
Mu Qingyao, as long as I catch you, my dream of becoming Crown Prince will be fulfilled.
There was one thing Changsun Yin had not said incorrectly: people could change, and fox fur could change. Therefore, Mu Qingyao, Mochou, and Moyou were no longer disguised as old women and country folk.
Instead, they were three scholars, one holding a folding fan, another holding a flute, and a third holding a small fox in his arms. The fox's fur was neither white nor gray, but a mixture of gray and white.
But a small fox was always a small fox. It couldn't be turned into a kitten, nor could it be turned into a puppy. Thus, this was the flaw, and Changsun Yin followed this information all the way.
He lost the clue only after entering the mountain forest within Huangyuan Country's borders.
These mountains were continuous, shrouded in mist, and sunlight never reached them throughout the year. They were inhabited by many wild beasts.
Changsun Yin stood at the foot of the mountain with his guards, his expression solemn as he gazed at the mist-shrouded giant peaks. The towering forests penetrated the clouds, appearing sharp as knife edges from afar, with sheer cliffs and precipices.
Changsun Yin couldn't understand why that woman would lead her two subordinates into this mountain. Were they not afraid of death?
"Your Highness, what do we do now?"
A guard worriedly inquired of Changsun Yin. All of them were afraid of this mountain.
Not only were there poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts in this mountain, but also a chilling figure, the Ghost Doctor, Wuqing.
Wuqing Valley was located deep within this great mountain. If they were not careful, they might not even leave behind their bones.
It was said that when Wuqing was idle, he liked to set up formations around Wuqing Valley. These formations were filled with immensely poisonous pythons and ferocious beasts. If they entered, they would likely not survive.
"Enter the mountain."
Changsun Yin had gone all out for the throne. The Emperor favored the Crown Prince, his elder brother. If he captured the assassin this time, the Emperor would surely value him, and the position of Crown Prince would be his.
Upon hearing Changsun Yin's words, all the guards turned pale with fear, their knees trembling. To enter a known dead end, wasn't that equivalent to seeking death?