NCCnovel Chapter 187 Is that the brat from Liyue?
Chapter 187 Is that the brat from Liyue?
Yelan's planned attack location was the old palace in the Snow Burial Capital.
It's easy to find if you follow the old archway along the snow-covered road.
The road in front of the old palace has completely collapsed. To enter the old palace, one must go around the mountain wall on the left.
"Yes, this is a very good location."
Xu Ning looked around at the terrain.
The collapsed main gate of the old palace was the only way for the fools' entourage to pass.
Beside the archway, a square stone pillar, said to be inhabited by warm spirits, has transformed the open space in front of the gate into a pleasant resting place after a long journey.
Just imagine.
As the Fools' guards arrived at this point and relaxed their guard to rest, they suddenly launched an attack from the side, knocking them into a collapsed pit.
Then they drove off with their escorting carriage, it couldn't be simpler.
“I specifically told those guys not to touch this pillar of fire, lest the Fools and the others become suspicious. Let’s go in; they’re all hiding at the very back of the Old Palace.”
Ye Lan let Xu Ning go first, while she lagged behind, using a feather brush to remove the footprints they had left in the snow.
Once everything is cleared away, the wind and snow will blow again, leaving nothing behind.
Before Xu Ning stepped into the old palace, he stopped at the corner and listened carefully. It was quiet inside, without any sound.
"Not bad, their discipline is much better than before, there's no talking or unusual noise..."
Xu Ning had just finished praising him with a smile when he heard a complaint coming from inside.
"I'm freezing to death, how can I have the strength to talk? Boss, come in quickly, I've been craving your wine."
That sounds like that idiot Hu.
Xu Ning's face darkened, and he strode inside.
Inside, there were two tents set up, and a fire was burning in the center. Four or five people were huddled around the fire, shivering as they warmed themselves.
Tiger's face lit up with joy when he saw Xu Ning, and he was about to speak when he saw Xu Ning's unpleasant expression, so he immediately shrank back.
Li smiled and said, "I tested it yesterday. Unless it's a big opera performance with gongs and drums, no one can hear us talking from our ambush point here."
Tiger nodded quickly, "Yes, I can't hear you."
Xu Ning then smiled and said to Hu, "When two armies clash, it's a life-or-death struggle, and you can't afford to be careless in the slightest. Otherwise, you'll not only put yourself in a deadly situation, but you'll also endanger your brothers. You have a rough and carefree personality, so you need to be more cautious, especially at times like these."
Tiger nodded dejectedly. "Does that mean we can't drink the wine either?"
Xu Ning nodded and said, "Drinking is the easiest way to make mistakes. When carrying out a mission, no one is allowed to drink except me."
Tiger sighed, "This mission was really tough. I never knew I was so afraid of the cold. Last night I almost thought I would fall asleep and never wake up again, so I suggested that we all squeeze into one tent, take off our clothes, and sleep together. That way it would be a little warmer..."
Xu Ning laughed and said, "If we were trapped in a frozen wasteland, this would indeed be a good way to keep warm. However, given the current situation, I doubt anyone would agree to it, right?"
Li chuckled and said, "Boss, you're wrong about that. The vast majority of people agree, but the most crucial one disagrees."
Xu Ning was about to ask a question when Ya crawled out of a tent and angrily shouted, "Didn't you get enough of a beating yesterday?!"
Everyone coughed immediately. "Weren't you supposed to be catching up on sleep during your night shift? Why were you eavesdropping?"
Xu Ning looked at the girl with an angry expression and immediately understood. He laughed and said, "Alright, don't be angry. Now that I'm here, things won't be so difficult."
Xu Ning placed the Dust Concealment Gourd in place and sent them in one by one.
"Qingyi, prepare some food for them and let them rest here, but they are absolutely not allowed to drink alcohol."
After instructing Qingyi, Xu Ning then told the others, "I will keep watch outside. Once we spot them, everyone must be ready to engage in combat at any time."
Standing in this warm, spring-like cave, everyone was momentarily dazed.
Xu Ning repeated it twice before everyone hurriedly nodded in agreement.
He slipped out, and Ye Lan walked in just as she finished cleaning up the footprints.
"You threw them all in?" Ye Lan asked with a smile.
Xu Ning nodded and said, "Would you like to go in and rest for a bit?"
Ye Lan smiled and said, "I'm not tired yet."
Ye Lan saw Xu Ning leaning against the cave entrance, drinking wine and gazing absently at the snowy scenery outside.
"Actually, we don't need to keep an eye on it like that. When I was scouting the other day, I found a Hilichurl Frost Armored King wandering on the main road in the location of Sleeping Dragon Valley. The Fatui will definitely encounter it before they get here. We just need to keep an eye on the movements over there."
Two days later, just as Yelan had said, the Fools' wagons arrived amidst the roars echoing through the wind and snow.
Xu Ning stood atop the Wind God statue above the old palace, listened intently for a moment, and then said to Ye Lan, "The voice of the Frost Armor King of Qiuqiu disappeared almost immediately. There are experts in the guard team; quickly gather everyone."
After recuperating in the Hidden Cave, everyone in the Tiger Fang Squad had long since regained their energy. Upon hearing that their target was about to arrive, they were all eager to fight.
Xu Ning looked at them and said, "There might be an expert in the opposing team whom we didn't expect. This mission is to steal the item and not to get entangled. I'll give each of you a mask so you don't reveal your identities. After you succeed, Ye Lan, you lead them back towards Mondstadt. I'll cover the rear."
No one objected, after all, they had all personally experienced Xu Ning's power.
Although it's been so long since we last met, I'm afraid his growth will be even more astonishing.
The Fools were escorting a gondola powered by wind slimes, which was the most convenient means of transportation in this uneven, icy landscape.
The box hanging below contains Yelan's target for this mission.
Yelan carefully observed the mental state of the Fool's Guards and found that they all looked relaxed, as if the Hilichurls had not caused them any obstacles.
"They probably won't stay here to rest, let's go straight in."
After a brief discussion, Ye Lan and Xu Ning decided that Ye Lan and the Tiger Fang team would step forward to intercept the crowd, while Xu Ning would seize the opportunity to snatch the box.
Using the surrounding broken stone walls as cover, Ye Lan and Li silently fired an arrow at the same time.
However, Yelan's arrows were aimed at the Wind Fist Vanguard guarding the side of the vehicle, while Li aimed at the Wind Slime above the vehicle.
"Enemy attack!"
The Wind Fist Vanguard reacted very quickly, raising their wind shields almost the instant the bowstrings were drawn.
Yelan's arrow was blocked, but the wind slime in mid-air was left unprotected.
With a loud pop like a balloon bursting, the wind slime, along with the wooden fence that imprisoned it, shattered into pieces.
The cargo box below fell directly to the ground.
The Tiger Tooth Squad then charged forward together.
Everyone covered their faces, there was no shouting or yelling, and the two sides entered a fierce battle almost as soon as they made contact.
Xu Ning, naturally, was not to be outdone, and charged forward with a silver sword in hand.
To avoid revealing his identity, he even hid the wine gourd in his bosom.
Xu Ning cut the thick rope binding the box with a single sword stroke, then placed one hand on the gourd in his arms and reached for the box with the other.
If we can grab the box and throw it into the Hidden Dust Cave, we'll be halfway to success on this mission.
But at that very moment, a large hand wearing enormous boxing gloves blocked the box.
The palms and fists collided, and both exerted force simultaneously.
The Wind Fist Vanguard exchanged a punch with Xu Ning, then roared in shock and anger, "It's you! You brat from Liyue!"