"I'll have to trouble you to make another trip, Elder Ling. I'm worried something might happen to Yu Er and the others on the way."
At his words, clever Xun'er naturally understood what he was worried about. After all, even she couldn't see through the forces behind Wu Ming. How could she not take precautions?
Besides, she and that not-so-bright Yu Er had now joined forces... She naturally couldn't let anything happen to her.
"Don't worry, Brother Xiao Ling. Elder Ling has already followed them. With his strength and skill, nothing will happen to Sister Yu Er and the others."
Xun'er copied his gesture, leaning her little face toward him and whispering into his ear.
Xiao Ling glanced at the young girl in surprise, then affectionately kissed her little cheek.
The kiss made the shy girl bury her face completely against his chest.
He burst out laughing, then whispered a few more words beside her ear. The young girl responded with a flurry of playful punches, pounding his chest with thuds.
The Xiao Clan members watching from behind were utterly baffled. Xiao Ling, of course, wasn't going to explain. He glanced once more toward the distant street, where the long-legged beauty had disappeared.
Then he suppressed his feelings, turned around with Xun'er in his arms, and looked at Xiao Zhan and the others. His expression grew serious as he gave them his instructions.
"Uncle Zhan, you and the three elders need to keep a close watch on things. The Xiao Clan should lie low for a while and preferably fade from everyone's sight.
"As for the Marketplace, there's no need to rush. I'm sure Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi have something backing them. Otherwise, with the Xiao Clan's current strength, how could they have the nerve to break their agreement?"