Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Go Kill A Person

　　A few days later, the official list responsible for receiving the Qi Kingdom’s envoy delegation was finally released.

　　Ming wasn’t on the list, but Pengda and the Minister of Rites’ son could each bring a servant along, having a familiar person around to avoid excessive tension.

　　Ming would go as Pengda’s servant.

　　And regarding who the servants accompanying Pengda and the Minister of Rites’ son were, no one cared.

　　On the day the list came out, Pengda and Ming went together to the Hall of Worthies to learn etiquette. After learning, they would be tested and had to pass.

　　The Wu Kingdom established itself through martial prowess, so most of its etiquettes were rather rough, not overly complicated, making it easy for Ming to learn. He smoothly passed the Hall of Worthies’ examination.

　　During this period of learning etiquette, Ming wasn’t without gains.

　　Crackling firecrackers sounded in front of the Sifang Pavilion, two rows of Blood Floating Pagoda warriors clad in heavy armor held large halberds, striking the ground heavily and uniformly, with an air of solemnity.

　　“There’s something else you need to do; after you finish it, you can go back.”

　　These two young children should be the prodigies long heard of in the Qi Kingdom.

　　Ming’s gaze was immediately drawn to the two young children.

　　The other is a little girl, wearing a pink dress, her forehead adorned with a curved fringe, her almond eyes blinking curiously, revealing intelligence, her oval face very cute, with a pert nose beneath which her cherry lips add a classical beauty.

　　“Can I go back then?” the man said joyfully, “Not that I’m complaining, but I really don’t like the human race’s food; the seasoning is too strong.”

　　One glance is enough to see the girl’s liveliness and wisdom.

　　An elder stepped forward, smiling and bowing in return: “Master Xiao, what are you saying? Your country welcomed us with such high standards, we’re quite overwhelmed.”

　　“Clap clap clap”

　　In the Qi Kingdom’s convoy, everyone got off their vehicles one by one.

　　“Hahaha, Master Xiao is being too modest.” The elder named Jingchun smiled, clearly pleased by Xiao Mochi’s praise.

　　Just when the men looked drowsy, a woman dressed in a black robe walked straight into the courtyard without knocking.

　　The man shook his head, feeling troubled: “What matter?”

　　The black-robed woman gave the man a look: “Would you report me and have me arrested?”

　　Pengda returned home, and he also wasn’t relaxed. As expected, there would be a literary contest tonight, and he needed to prepare in advance.

　　Black-robed woman: “No.”

　　“How dare I, how dare I.” Jingchun laughed, “I’m just hungry myself.”

　　“Please come in, everyone.” Xiao Mochi stepped aside.

　　The girl noticed that the people of Wu Kingdom wore similar clothes to those in her own Qi Kingdom.

　　“Hmph.” The black-robed woman coldly chuckled a few times, “The Chancellor says stop looking for now, someone else will be sent.”

　　Four dogs, about three feet seven inches tall, looked very lazy, all showing an attitude of indifference.

　　Ming stood among the welcoming group, watching the Qi Kingdom’s convoy.

　　Xiao Mochi: “We’ve prepared some simple tea and food for you all, to wash away your travel fatigue. Please don’t mind.”

　　The Qi Kingdom’s envoy arrived at the Wu Kingdom’s imperial city.

　　“What else could it be?” The black-robed woman said irritably, “Did you find the princess yet?”

　　In the middle of the envoy, a young girl secretly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, her bright big eyes blinking as she looked at the foreign royal capital.

　　After lunch, the Qi Kingdom’s envoy needed rest, so naturally, Ming and Pengda returned home. There would be a banquet in the evening.

　　“Go kill a person.”

　　But Moqi麟lin can travel a thousand miles a day without tiring, and has a gentle nature.

　　The man slowly opened his eyes: “In the Wu Kingdom, breaking into someone’s home privately is punishable by law.”

　　Xiao Mochi stepped forward, bowing to the envoy: “You’ve traveled far, my reception was late, please forgive me.”

　　Ming couldn’t help but recall something Mr. Xiao said to him during his etiquette lessons at the Hall of Worthies—”I view the Northern Wilderness as barbaric, and Qi views me the same way.”

　　“Didn’t find her.” The man answered straightforwardly, “Perhaps the princess isn’t even in the city.”

　　By the man’s feet, four dogs lay sprawled.

　　For the girl, this was her first time leaving her homeland.

　　Soon, more than twenty days passed.

　　On the main street of the imperial city, the common people of the Wu Kingdom’s capital all curiously looked around, wanting to see the grandeur of this millennium-old dynasty.

　　Lady Zhu gently rubbed her daughter’s head: “Because the Wu Kingdom values martial arts, the ancestral teachings require every household’s sons to practice martial arts.”

　　It was merely some idle chatter among adults, and mutual flattery.

　　This lunch was eaten quite ordinarily.

　　The Qi Kingdom’s convoy was neatly arranged, consisting of ten carriages, each pulled by Moqi麟lin.

　　The girl put down the curtain and asked her mother: “Mother, why do most people in the Wu Kingdom carry swords?”

　　“Ah.” Lady Zhu nodded, “That’s what the book calls a rugged populace.”

　　When most of the people in the Wu Kingdom’s capital were discussing the Qi Kingdom’s envoy, in a secluded courtyard in the eastern part of Wudu, a man was basking in the sun in the yard.

　　The Sifang Pavilion, as the name suggests, is a place built by the Wu Kingdom to welcome guests from all directions.

　　But Ming could obviously sense it.

　　Approximately half an hour later, the Qi Kingdom’s envoy gradually stopped.

　　The welcoming party from the Wu Kingdom had already gathered at the Sifang Pavilion.

　　The sound of firecrackers faded, and the Blood Floating Pagoda’s strikes ceased.

　　“Who, Emperor of Wu? No way, I can’t beat him.” The man shook his head.

　　Lady Zhu was momentarily stunned, then smiled and nodded: “You can understand it that way.”

　　The Wu Kingdom’s welcoming party had already arrived at the Sifang Pavilion.

　　Black-robed woman: “Not that either.”

　　“That’s Xiao Mochi? Not good to handle. That scholar currently has fortune on his side, his realm isn’t low either. I’ll need to plan more carefully, at least get him out of Wudu.”

　　“Then who?”

　　“A kid.”