You're a Wu Family Member! (Request Follow-Read, Request Monthly Ticket)

The Crown Prince's Mansion was the center of the empire's power struggle. Every major faction had stationed people outside it to gather intelligence.

After Wu Qi and Qiangu Changkong were invited into the Crown Prince's Mansion by Xue Qinghe, quite a few factions began secretly investigating their identities and backgrounds.

To prevent their younger family members from offending someone they could not afford to provoke, the Nobles had already posted portraits of the two throughout their households.

Wu Hao and the other two stood there blankly, unable to help doubting themselves.

Did we not look enough like Profligate Sons?

Ordinary people could not see through their act, but Wu Qi knew the Wu Family far too well.

Before long, a deep voice sounded from behind the crowd.

"Don't make things difficult for them. I was the one who came looking for you."

The lackeys hurriedly made way. Wu Qinan lightly rolled a jade bead between the fingers of his left hand, his right hand behind his back, and walked through the crowd.

"Greetings, Marquis."

As Soul Masters, they did not need to kneel before Nobles, but proper etiquette was still required.

Qiangu Changkong reluctantly bowed, then turned and stepped aside.

"Father, he—" Wu Hao wanted to make excuses for his failure, but a glare silenced him.

Wu Qinan waved a hand, and the three young masters of the Wu Family left with their men without looking back.

He did not put on airs, speaking gently. "Young friend, would you care to move elsewhere? I find you somewhat familiar. Perhaps we may even be relatives."

Wu Qi responded calmly. "It would be a great honor for this junior to become the Marquis's relative."

"But unfortunately, I fear I must disappoint you, Marquis. This junior was merely born in a small city. How could I possibly climb such a lofty branch?"

Wu Qinan caught the dissatisfaction in his words and merely smiled. "Won't you talk it over properly? Who knows? We might truly be relatives."

Wu Qi had no reason to avoid him. Since he had already severed ties with the Wu Family, he naturally would not be fooled by a few words from the other man.

Turning around, he gave Qiangu Changkong a few quiet instructions before leaving with Wu Qinan.

Inside the Tea House.

Earlier, Wu Qinan had secretly observed Wu Qi's every move.

When Profligate Sons came looking for trouble, Wu Qi had remained composed and calm, proving that he had someone backing him. The rumors were most likely true: Wu Qi had earned the favor of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

Yet the coldness and disgust in Wu Qi's eyes were baffling.

The possibility of hostility arising at their first meeting was very low. Moreover, Wu Qi had accurately grasped the temperaments of Wu Hao and the other two, clearly showing that he knew the Wu Family very well.

How could Wu Qinan not know about the filthy dealings within his own family?

Thus, he suspected that Wu Qi himself had come from the Wu Family, but had been forced to leave after suffering exclusion and suppression.

"You are a Wu Family member!" Wu Qinan probed.

Clap, clap, clap!

Wu Qi applauded. "Did the Marquis summon me here merely to tell me a story?"

"I have to admit, it is indeed a fascinating story. But Marquis, you cannot conclude that I came from the Marquis Mansion simply because of my surname, can you?"

"Don't forget, there are plenty of people in this world surnamed Xue as well."

Wu Qinan had risen in rank through military merit. Such meticulous powers of observation were chilling. No wonder he could see through the course of battle and achieve such illustrious military feats.

"Oh? Have I overthought things? Young friend, why not tell me where you were born?"

The only cities on the continent Wu Qi was familiar with were Heaven Dou City and Spirit City. However, when he had read the novel in his previous life, he had also learned about Notting City and Suotuo City through its text.

"I was born in Notting City, a city on the empire's border. It is only a small city, so I imagine the Marquis has never heard of it."

Unfortunately, Wu Qinan had led his troops past Notting City two years ago and knew something about the place.

He immediately began asking about various things within Notting City.

Wu Qi answered every question fluently, shattering the suspicion in his heart.

In a small frontier city, unless it was one's birthplace, no one would deliberately pay attention to what went on there.

Yet Wu Qi spoke of it in great detail, and Wu Qinan no longer doubted him.

"It seems I truly did overthink things. Young friend, please do as you wish."

Wu Qi did not linger. He took his leave and departed.

Wu Qinan glanced at his receding back and could not help muttering, "If he is not from the Wu Family, why does he feel so familiar?"

Having temporarily dispelled Wu Qinan's suspicions, Wu Qi and Qiangu Changkong purchased sufficient Supplies and set out for Suotuo City by carriage three days later.

Inside the carriage, Qiangu Changkong could not help complaining, "These rumors are too powerful. The moment the Car Dealership heard we were headed for Suotuo City, the price immediately doubled."

Wu Qi did not explain, but he understood perfectly well.

On Douluo Continent, the importance of public opinion was often overlooked.

The rumors in the city had drawn large numbers of Nobles and merchants eager to visit Suotuo City. Supply and demand determined prices; the Car Dealership had only so many carriages, and with more people going, the price naturally rose.

However, Wu Qi would not waste money for nothing. Using the map in his hand, he had chosen a city near Suotuo City as their destination, one they would pass through Suotuo City on the way to.

Though the journey was longer, the cost of hiring the carriage was much cheaper.

They could not reveal this to the driver. Once they reached Suotuo City, they could simply get off midway.

In Heaven Dou City.

Ning Rongrong had already resolved to run away from home. Before leaving, she visited the Crown Prince's Mansion, intending to briefly bid Wu Qi farewell.

After learning of Wu Qi's destination from Xue Qinghe, she could not help feeling secretly delighted.

That way, they would be able to meet in Suotuo City.

Without Ning Fengzhi's excessive protection, she could interact with whoever she wanted!

Next, Ning Rongrong arranged for someone to cover for her, successfully shaking off the guards Ning Fengzhi had assigned her and boarding a carriage bound for Suotuo City.

What she did not know was that the driver was a hidden guard sent by Ning Fengzhi!

After all, she was the Young Lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If she ran away from home alone, Ning Fengzhi would certainly make proper arrangements.

Otherwise, if she were kidnapped, it would be an absolute disaster for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

On the carriage, the driver began chatting with Ning Rongrong with a kindly expression. "Young Lady, you're traveling far alone. Didn't your family arrange for strong Soul Masters to accompany you?"

Having left home, Ning Rongrong had become more vigilant and did not answer along the lines he expected.

"Sir, what fun places are there in Suotuo City? This Young Lady is going there for the first time."

Ning Fengzhi had already briefed the driver on this matter. Since Ning Rongrong had brought it up herself, it saved him the effort of saying more.

"It's not this old man boasting, but I am very familiar with everything in Suotuo City. Young Lady, at your age, you should have just graduated from a Primary Soul Master Academy, correct?"

"There is a rather good academy in Suotuo City. If Young Lady decides to settle there, attending that academy would be a fine choice."

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had long since secretly investigated Shrek Academy's background.

The driver repeated Flender's self-aggrandizing sales pitch, successfully arousing Ning Rongrong's interest.

Ning Rongrong was a genius of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Naturally, she wanted to see the geniuses of the continent for herself.

Without realizing it, she had already stepped into the "trap" Ning Fengzhi had carefully laid for her, yet she was still rejoicing at having escaped the sect's clutches.