EBE Chapter 138 First, secure an ally
Chapter 138 First, secure an ally
The caravan leader was a seasoned and astute man. From afar, he noticed Centurion Xiong chatting and laughing with the young woman in front of him. Having traveled this far, he knew Centurion Xiong wasn't a kind person; he was cold and aloof to everyone. For him to be so polite to a young woman meant she was definitely not an ordinary woman.
As the group approached, he ordered them to stop and rode over to politely ask, "Lord Xiong, have you run into an old friend? It's almost noon, why don't we rest here for a bit and let you and the young lady catch up?"
Xiong Wei glanced at Ning Xiaoxi and nodded, saying, "Alright, let's rest here!"
After the team leader nodded politely to Ning Xiaoxi, he went to arrange for the caravan to rest.
The guards all recognized Ning Xiaoxi and came over to greet her before heading to look after the caravan.
A few soldiers quickly set up a small tent, took some firewood from a nearby supply truck, lit a fire inside the tent, and invited Xiong Wei and Ning Xiaoxi to go in and rest.
Xiong Wei deftly took a package off the horse's back and went into the tent.
Ning Xiaoxi followed Xiong Wei into the tent, took out two white fox pelts from her bosom, handed one to Xiong Wei, and placed the other at her feet.
Looking at the snow-white fox fur, Xiong Wei suddenly realized that his values seemed to be somewhat different from Ning Shuguan's.
Seeing Xiong Wei staring blankly at the fox pelt, Ning Xiaoxi finally realized what was happening. "Lord Xiong, is this pelt... good...?"
Xiong Wei pulled a rolled-up, hairless pelt from his bundle, placed it by the fire, and sat down. Pointing to the fox pelt, he said, "Pets of this quality are very popular with the wives and daughters of officials, and every winter they are in short supply. Because there wasn't enough snow this year, many snow foxes didn't come down from the mountains, making them even more scarce and expensive!"
Ning Xiaoxi rolled her eyes. This kind of leather wasn't the best among the supplies Shan Yue had given her, which was why she used it as a cushion.
"Lord Xiong, you can put this away now. I've already taken it out, are you still going to be polite with me?"
Xiong Wei hurriedly handed the hide to Ning Xiaoxi, "I've already accepted the dried meat from my subordinates, I can't accept such a precious hide, or I'll have to kneel before my ancestors when I get home!"
"It's not that serious!" Ning Xiaoxi didn't force the push, but her tone became indifferent. "Sigh, it seems I still need to keep my distance from Lord Xiong. Otherwise, my Ning family is now guilty of crimes, and it wouldn't be good if Lord Xiong were implicated."
Xiong Wei smiled helplessly, "Your subordinate is slapping me in the face! Don't worry, your family will take care of your maternal family's business in the north from now on."
“It’s mutually beneficial.” Ning Xiaoxi’s smile became more sincere. “If you need these furs in the future, just ask the shop. We can still figure out a way to get them.” As she spoke, Ning Xiaoxi took out an earthenware jar and hung it on the fire, then took out a water bag and filled it with mulberry sap.
At this moment, the team leader spoke up at the tent entrance, "Sir, I'll bring some food over."
"Come in!"
The team leader came in carrying the leg of some kind of animal and stuck the skewered iron sticks into the fire.
Ning Xiaoxi saw that the leg had been boiled; it could be heated and grilled and then eaten, saving time and effort.
The team leader was dressed in a furry outfit and wore a furry hat. If it weren't for the cotton cloth covering his mouth inside the tent, she really wouldn't have been able to tell what he looked like. His rugged eyebrows and thick lips gave him a northern appearance.
"Team Leader Ye, this is Ning Xiaoxi, an official under Lord Tianji. She will be stationed in Fufang County from now on. Since your caravan will be coming and going frequently, you can look after each other with Officer Ning," Xiong Wei introduced her readily.
"Oh, it's you, sir." Team leader Ye quickly bowed to Ning Xiaoxi. "I am Ye Guangyuan, the manager of Ye's shop in charge of the northern fur trade."
Ning Xiaoxi didn't move, but gently raised her hand, "Manager Ye, you're too kind."
Merchants are commoners, possessing wealth but lacking status. Whether before officials or celestial masters, they must maintain a humble demeanor. Moreover, Ning Xiaoxi, a petite woman who barely reaches his waist, holds the title of an official under the Heavenly Gang Lord. Celestial masters are few in number in the North, concentrated in ten border counties, making them virtually unseen. If he weren't a traveling merchant, he would only have heard of the celestial master's name.
Ye Guangyuan was very perceptive; he re-enriched the charcoal fire under the meat, added more firewood, and then took his leave.
"The Ye family has been merchants for generations. They were released by the servants of the King of You. If they want to do business in Youzhou, they must maintain good relations with the King of You," Xiong Wei said softly.
Seeing the tree sap boiling in the earthenware pot, Ning Xiaoxi scooped out a bowl and handed it to Xiong Wei, saying, "This is a specialty of the Sansang tree, Master Xiong, please have a taste."
Xiong Wei carefully took the bowl of white liquid. This was the specialty of the Kuafu tribe! He had only heard of it before, but never had the chance to taste it. The Celestial Master was indeed different from ordinary people; everything he offered was of the finest quality!
After drinking this bowl, Xiong Wei felt full of energy and wanted to practice a set of stick techniques right now!
Ning Xiaoxi noticed Xiong Wei's condition and suddenly kicked him in the chest.
Xiong Wei's eyes lit up. He stood up, flipped in mid-air, and jumped to the doorway. "Officer Ning, come and fight!"
Ning Xiaoxi drew out the Spirit Crystal Heart, which transformed into a long spear, and stabbed at Xiong Wei from behind.
Outside the tents, on the snow, the caravan's wagons were parked on the outer perimeter, with guards forming circles at the front and rear of the caravan, resting by fires. The drivers were all gathered around the wagons, about ten of them in a circle.
When they saw Xiong Wei suddenly rush out of the tent, followed by Ning Xiaoxi thrusting out with her spear, they were all stunned.
The soldiers were the first to realize that the two were sparring, and they all gathered around to cheer on their centurion or subordinate officer!
In truth, Ning Xiaoxi was unfamiliar with weapons; she only knew fist techniques, leg techniques, and footwork. Even with the spear formed from the spirit crystal heart, she could only thrust, parry, sweep, and strike vertically. However, her purpose was to provide training for Xiong Wei, not to compete, so her movements, combining the Dragon Step with the Wind Step, were incredibly stylish, making the spear seem like a mere stick.
Xiong Wei was not surprised by her chaotic marksmanship, but he was surprised by her footwork. Her hands were chopping wildly, but her feet were moving with a rhythmic and controlled pace, which made it quite difficult for him to deal with.
With his muscles and bones stretched and his blood and qi circulating, the yang energy contained in the sap of the three mulberry trees gradually merged into his bones and blood. The heat on Xiong Wei's face and body subsided, and his hands and feet became more agile.
Following Xiong Wei's flying kick, Ning Xiaoxi retreated to the edge of the tent, looking at Xiong Wei with a beaming smile, "Lord Xiong's skills are profound, I admire you."
Xiong Wei laughed and shook his head at Ning Xiaoxi, "You flatter me, Ning."