In the dense forest.
Big Fat Dragon chewed his flatbread and replied mildly, "The Southern Border has Twenty-Four Tribes, and the forces within each tribe are complicated. The martial world and the court, struggles between grown princes, factional disputes, former officials of the previous dynasty, abandoned generals' orphaned sons, scum from Great Qian-there are always higher mountains and taller towers... though my imperial father unified this land, beneath its prosperity, the treacherous currents are hard to conceal."
"You mean...?" Ren Ye asked tentatively, leaving his question unfinished.
"I mean, don't run your mouth without evidence." Big Fat Dragon glanced at him and declared with magnificent loyalty, "The bond between my imperial brother and me is stronger than gold!"
Heh.
Ren Ye sneered inwardly. He already understood what Big Fat Dragon meant.
Without evidence, their brotherly bond was stronger than gold; with evidence, it would be a fight to the death and a frenzy of backstabbing.
"I really envy your brotherly affection...!" Ren Ye only harbored a slight suspicion, so naturally, he could draw no conclusions yet.
"Eat your flatbread." Big Fat Dragon could not be bothered to bicker with him. He simply watched the road ahead and said, "This investigation probably won't be easy...!"
"Mm." Ren Ye nodded.
Big Fat Dragon's presence undoubtedly gave Ren Ye a much greater sense of security. His thinking was very kindhearted, too-if they all got wiped out, at least the Southern Border's Second Prince would go down with them... that felt pretty good.
Between three and five that afternoon.
The Wuyao Kingdom's "imperial investigation team" galloped off on horseback, heading for Zhangzhou at full speed.
Ren Ye's party consisted of Ai Fei, Xu Bangzi, Li Yan, Fenglin, Wu Pangzi, and the Four Child Attendants, while Big Fat Dragon brought eight Golden Scale Owl