"Something this momentous will shake the entire nation...!"
Rat Lord's old face went deathly pale, and he looked almost deranged. "No, I must report this to His Majesty immediately."
After muttering a few distracted words, he instantly became a blur and vanished from the spot.
Xu Bangzi looked bewildered. "What's a destiny-sealing stone slab? Can you trade it for three pounds of rice?"
"Judging by the name, it does sound extraordinary." Ai Fei thought for a moment. "But I never heard of it while I was in Great Qian."
"Neither did I." Li Yan shook his head. "But since it involves secrets of the Southern Border's imperial family, it's only natural that we wouldn't know."
Fenglin smiled faintly and said nothing.
"Rat Lord's gone, so let's leave too," Ren Ye said softly to the others.
With that, the group swiftly left.
When they returned to the Northward-Looking Wall, Rat Lord had already finished writing his memorial in the carriage and dispatched it to the Capital using a Blood Spirit Pigeon unique to the Southern Border.
After a few brief pleasantries, the convoy set off again, heading straight south with no intention of stopping along the way.
That evening, midway through Xu Hour.
After dinner, Ren Ye saw that Rat Lord still looked weighed down by worries.
It was a long journey, and having his traveling companion wear that miserable mug the whole time really spoiled his good mood. So Ren Ye struck up a conversation. "My lord, I have something rather presumptuous to say, though I'm not sure whether I should."
Rat Lord came back to himself and rubbed his hairless, gaunt cheek. "Please speak freely, Your Highness."
"What exactly is this destiny-sealing stone slab, to make you so furious and shocked?"
"...!" Rat Lord hesitated, then said softly,