Ten days later, in the Sun and Moon Kingdom, in Dongshan City.
This city is located on the kingdom's eastern border, named for its location between two large mountains.
Dongshan City is the largest city in the eastern part of the kingdom and also forms part of the border. Anyone wishing to enter or leave the kingdom from the east must pass through this city.
The reason is simple: the eastern part of the kingdom is all cliffs and precipices. Except for this relatively flat area, the terrain is extremely steep and difficult to traverse.
Therefore, there are many travelers and merchant caravans passing through, making this border city prosperous.
...
In the early morning, Dongshan City was bustling with people, a scene of prosperity. Unlike the royal city, as the eastern border of the kingdom,
many merchants came and went. Besides humans, there were also many caravans from other races.
Of course, the traveling caravans from other races were mostly from the same Yellow-rank races as humans.
The Black-rank races disdained to come to human territory, even the relatively peaceful Elf race, which was nearby.
Inside the city, in a small inn, Li Mufan, dressed in a blue robe, was listening to Liu Long's report in his room.
For various reasons, they robbed a caravan of over three hundred people during their escape. Although the caravan had bodyguards, how could they be a match for the Imperial Guard?
They quickly scattered the caravan, seizing a large amount of food and over a thousand gold coins. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to escape here due to lack of food and clothing.
With the money, Li Mufan sent people to nearby villages to buy over two hundred sets of civilian clothes at a high price to avoid drawing too much attention.
"Young Master, your feint attack—no, it's a feint attack in the west—has worked! Zhang Tie reports that the rebel has mobilized ten thousand elite troops to the western border. You are truly a brilliant strategist! This humble general admires you!"
Li Mufan smiled smugly and said, "Of course, everything was within my expectations. Alright, stop flattering me. How are you doing with what I asked you to do?"
After spending these days together, Liu Long and the members of the Imperial Guard gradually came to understand the personality of their young king.
He wasn't the aloof king of popular imagination, but rather an ordinary person, capable of laughter, anger, sadness, and confusion. Aside from his frightening outbursts, he was generally easy to get along with.
As one of the few who frequently interacted with the king, Liu Long, who was also known for his playful nature, chuckled upon hearing this.
"Young Master, I have completed all your orders. General Fan and some of his men, disguised as horse traders, have already left the city. The other two groups are also in position, awaiting your command!"
Nodding, Li Mufan said, "Well done. When you went to the city gate, how was the defense? Were there any portraits of you hanging there?"
Liu Long replied, "Dongshan City is the eastern gateway to the kingdom. The city walls are fifteen zhang high, all built of bluestone, extremely sturdy. The city gate is constructed of ebony, solid and heavy, extremely difficult to breach.
"But strangely, I didn't find any wanted posters of us at the city gate."
Li Mufan frowned slightly upon hearing this, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Something unusual is amiss! You lot, as remnants of the previous dynasty, are already wanted nationwide. There's no reason why your portraits shouldn't be displayed in Dongshan City." "
This…Young Master, should we proceed as planned?"
Liu Long seemed hesitant.
Li Mufan replied, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Tell the brothers to proceed as planned!"
"Yes! This subordinate will arrange it immediately!" Liu
Long growled and left the room.
After he left, Li Mufan rested his chin on one hand, his index finger rhythmically tapping the table with the other, making a soft "thump-thump" sound.
This was a habit of his; in his past life, he would unconsciously tap the table when thinking about things or hesitating.
Although he had said everything was proceeding according to plan, he still felt a vague unease...
Suddenly, a mechanical female voice echoed in his mind.
"Ding, energy fully restored, and the system has been detected to have survived for more than twenty days. The system is officially activated and binding is in progress."
"Ding, binding successful, system is installing."
"Ding, installation successful, countdown begins."
"10"
"9"
"8"
...
Li Mufan's mouth dropped open; the sudden voice in his mind stunned him.