Why was it so big? This little glutton had always been greedy when eating. It was already good that it didn't eat the entire prison cell - for it, this was already quite small.
Not only that, it also casually bit a few pieces of wood blocking its way, causing the broken wood situation in the prison cell, making passage from Xiaoyao's side to there completely smooth.
"You little glutton..."
Xiaoyao patted Chi Chi's head. Chi Chi showed nothing but confusion and grievance - it didn't understand what it had done wrong. But soon it returned to normal, continuing to play by itself.
With Chi Chi around, this prison cell was actually like nothing to Xiaoyao. Even higher-security prison cells would be the same for Chi Chi - it could eat them all.
Eating everything under heaven - this was Chi Chi's special trait. In the entire world, there was nothing it couldn't eat.
Xiaoyao actually didn't know this at first. His purpose in raising Chi Chi wasn't this either. Only later did he discover Chi Chi's ability. He studied it for a long time but couldn't understand at all - he could only describe Chi Chi's phenomenon as mutation.
Never mind, rest first, continue tomorrow...
"You, come with us."
The next day, when guards brought Xiaoyao out, he thought he could achieve "rebirth." Following the guards to an open area outside, he waited.
Yes, he felt he should wait now because there wasn't just him in the open area. He felt these people should also be getting out today - they should handle procedures here, and after names were called, they could leave.
Name-calling had already begun...
"Le Xiaoyao."
"Present."
Xiaoyao came to the queue of those whose names had been called, then continued waiting - waiting to be released.
"Alright, now you people all come with me."
Xiaoyao boarded a cargo wagon. All the people whose names had just been called were on it, filling the cargo wagon. Then the people behind continued to crowd onto other cargo wagons.
Eh, this prison's service attitude was quite good - they even provided wagon transport.
At this moment, Xiaoyao didn't think crowding was a problem. He just marveled that the capital was indeed the capital - even prison service attitudes could be this good. Really nice.
However, Xiaoyao's amazement didn't last long. Soon he discovered he had marveled wrongly. This wagon wasn't sending people home but taking them to another place.
"Hey hey, Constable brother, why are we leaving the city?" Xiaoyao asked an escorting constable.
"Taking you to a place to work. We're short-handed recently. Don't worry, you'll be paid wages." The constable replied casually.
What? Going somewhere to work? Though such things existed, they were generally for long-term prisoners. Someone like himself didn't have this "qualification" at all.
Xiaoyao looked at that constable in surprise and asked: "Constable brother, I was only held for one day for buying flatbread and should be released today. Did you make some mistake?"
"No mistake. We're short-handed recently, so even short-term prisoners are called upon. But it's just a few days - it'll be finished quickly." The constable was very patient in explaining.
"But I should be released now..."
"But you haven't reached the time yet."
"..."
"Actually, you can't blame us. You can only blame your bad luck. If several prisoners hadn't escaped yesterday, you probably wouldn't need to go. Alright, it's just a few days. Your wages will be doubled - we won't treat you unfairly." The constable said.
"..." At this moment, Xiaoyao wanted to knead Chi Chi thoroughly, but it wasn't convenient now. Most importantly, Chi Chi had gone to find food in the morning and wasn't by his side.
Fine, just a few days. Then he'd go do it. Anyway, he could catch up with Boss and the others later. He had nothing to do these few days anyway.
Go to the royal palace? Even if Xiaoyao followed, he couldn't enter inside the royal palace.
After reaching the destination, Xiaoyao understood one thing - he didn't need to chase after Guxing and the others because where he was located would definitely be where they had to come.
Xiaoyao found it very amusing. He hadn't expected to be arranged to work here. This was too interesting.
...
This day was an exciting moment for the Heavenly Wind King because he would receive Heavenly Wind Kingdom's elites here - future pillars of the nation.
That's right, today was the day Dragon Gate Tournament members went to the royal palace.
Almost everyone participating in the Dragon Gate Tournament felt very excited at this time. But at this moment, several people were indifferent to the Dragon Gate Tournament - they cared more about a little servant.
"Why hasn't Xiaoyao appeared yet? It's already the third day. Could something have happened to him?" Young Miss frowned. She felt this matter was somewhat strange.
"There probably won't be any problems. He often disappeared before..." Guxing said calmly, but in her tone there seemed to be somewhat different flavor, letting people understand she wasn't that calm.
This wasn't like before. When out and about, Xiaoyao shouldn't stay away for such a long time.
"How about we go look for him?" Third Miss asked weakly.
"No. At least not today. Don't forget - today is the day we enter the royal palace." Nangong Suxin shook her head. For her, entering the royal palace was definitely more important than finding Xiaoyao.
"If you want to go, go yourself. I want to find him." Young Miss said directly. For her, Xiaoyao was more important.
"Yes." Guxing nodded. For her, Xiaoyao was everything - all other matters could be set aside.
"I'll also go look. I have nothing to do today." Third Miss said. Her imperial examination was already completed. Imperial examinations were much simpler than the Dragon Gate Tournament - settled with one test paper.
"Good, it's decided. We'll split up to ask..." Young Miss said.
"No need." At this time, Nangong Suxin spoke again.
"Nangong Suxin, if you won't do it yourself, don't stop others from doing it. We have better relationships with Xiaoyao than you, understand?" Young Miss said very disdainfully.
Nangong Suxin said calmly: "I admit the better relationship point. But my reason for not letting you go now isn't that. Look over there."
"What? Eh, Chi Chi..."
Young Miss looked in the direction Nangong Suxin indicated and discovered Chi Chi was hopping over, making people feel cute while also feeling somewhat speechless.
"Chi Chi..."
After Chi Chi hopped in front of Guxing, it made a strange sound - like coughing but not quite, an indescribable strange sound. Then everyone was surprised to see Chi Chi spit out a note from its mouth - complete, without any moisture.
This made people feel strange. This didn't seem like it had been eaten by Chi Chi, nor like it was held in its mouth. Why was this?
The four girls didn't ask about this question because Chi Chi simply wouldn't answer, and even if it answered, they couldn't understand what Chi Chi was saying.
Now they had only one thing to do - look at that note and see what was written on it.
"Boss, I'm currently working somewhere. Don't worry about me, and don't wait for me. You all follow the Dragon Gate Tournament arrangements and participate in the Dragon Gate Tournament. I'll be there when the time comes."
So it was Xiaoyao's letter. At this time everyone discovered one of Chi Chi's functions - serving as a carrier pigeon.
"This handwriting is very beautiful, showing great family style. Did Xiaoyao write this?" Third Miss noticed not the content of Xiaoyao's letter but the elegant yet powerful calligraphy.
At this time, everyone looked toward Guxing.
"Yes, this is Xiaoyao's handwriting." Guxing nodded. She was the only one here who knew Xiaoyao's handwriting - the others had never seen it. If she didn't know, then no one would.
"Damn. This guy really isn't decent, leaving us to go work. Are we less important than work?" Young Miss said very unhappily.
"Of course, he'd think work is more important than you." Nangong Suxin said with a smile. Such a good opportunity - of course she wouldn't miss it. She had to properly stimulate Young Miss.
"Hmph. At least I'm more important than you. I have this sword - what do you have?" Young Miss showed off her sword to Nangong Suxin with an expression that made people think she was very "cheap" and deserved a beating.
"..." Nangong Suxin had nothing to say.
Along the way, she had long discovered Young Miss's and Guxing's swords. She had also extracted the swords' origin from Young Miss's mouth - she could only get it from Young Miss's mouth. From Guxing's mouth, she had no way at all.
She also wanted a sword with such styling. Though it might not necessarily be better than the sword in her hands, she wanted that feeling. She felt this type of sword could better display her sword techniques.
However, Xiaoyao played dumb about this, saying he couldn't do it - that sword was made with others at the Mo family forge. Regarding this, Nangong Suxin felt Xiaoyao was brushing her off. She knew very well what level the Mo family was at. Perhaps some middle parts were done by the Mo family forge, but this factor could be completely ignored.
But even so, Nangong Suxin had no way. If Xiaoyao was unwilling to give, she had no method at all. She had tried threats and bribes, even seduction. Xiaoyao was unmoved by either soft or hard approaches and even took advantage of her. In his words, since she delivered herself, she should have the awareness of being taken advantage of.
Originally, Nangong Suxin thought Xiaoyao was somewhat lustful, but later she was certain that Xiaoyao's behavior wasn't lust. He took advantage without any emotion, just to make people retreat when faced with difficulty.
This made her angriest. It would be better if Xiaoyao were somewhat lustful - at least that would prove she had charm. But his completely uncaring appearance, as if anyone would do, as if no one would change his attitude - this attitude was unbearable for her.
But even if unbearable, what could she do? She had finally given up and could only vent some resentment toward Xiaoyao along the way. But Xiaoyao was like cotton - no force could be applied, giving her a feeling that her anger couldn't be vented.
Regarding this, Young Miss was very pleased and comfortable.
(End of Chapter)