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The one who found the current scene most strange was none other than Edward. He simply couldn't understand what the two were talking about! Moreover, the tacit understanding between Mengdie and Xiu, conveyed through simple gestures like a glance, a nod, a smile, or a cryptic phrase, made him feel uncomfortable. Immediately, he moved closer with a dissatisfied look, tightly clutching his sword, and said, "Mengdie! What are you guys talking about? Why can't I understand anything?"
Sometimes, Mengdie really despaired over the prince's intelligence! Did everything have to be spelled out for him to grasp the situation? Couldn't he think for himself, to seek answers? If he became "king" one day, would he continue like this, not thinking for himself, just waiting for others to give him answers?
Mengdie looked at Edward's puzzled face, sighed helplessly, and thought to herself. She wasn't sure if her conjecture was realistic. Without evidence, telling Edward might only add to his unnecessary worries. So, she decided to tell him only the most obvious things.
"In short, our current situation is very dangerous. As a prince of Silver Moon, if you recklessly show up in Lowell territory, do you think the Lowell military would easily let you roam around? They would capture you as a hostage. I'd stake my head on it."
Edward was about to retort, "I don't want your head," but seeing Mengdie's serious look, he kept quiet.
"Alright, that's enough for the blockhead's issue. Xiu, now that we're in the same boat, help me think. If you stole a bunch of jewels and valuable items from Silver Moon and ran to Lowell territory, what would be the first thing you'd want to do?"
Xiu snapped his fingers and immediately wore a knowing smile, "Isn't that obvious?"
"So, where would be the most suitable place for that?"
"Hahaha, Miss Mengdie, the answer is clear as day."
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Mengdie nodded and smiled again, "Then, given how chaotic this city is, do you have any leads?"
"Of course. As soon as it's light tomorrow, I'll lead the way for the beautiful Miss Mengdie."
The two exchanged glances and smiled simultaneously. Everything was communicated through their simple conversation. However, to Edward, their smiles seemed "ambiguous." All night, he was in a state of half-sleep, half-awake, alert, fearing that Mengdie and Xiu might leave for a secret meeting if he fell asleep. In reality, Mengdie slept soundly, holding Nia.
※※※
The next morning, Mengdie woke up early. After gently setting down Nia to continue sleeping, she got up to check her wounds. Like always, a night's rest had fully restored her body. Clenching her fist, she felt very energetic, not at all tired from sleeping on the ground, thanks to the rigorous training and battles she had experienced over the past four months.
Exercising her limbs in the alley, stretching her legs, and working her ligaments, the sky gradually brightened. The layer of dust in the sky hadn't dispersed, but the light made the city seem a bit more lively. Listening carefully, she could hear sporadic footsteps from the street outside the alley. In a while, these sounds became busier, mixed with the occasional sound of passing carriages.
"Are you ready?"
Mengdie removed her gloves and stuffed them into her jacket, smiling at everyone.
Xiu readied his staff and shrugged. Edward gripped his sword's scabbard and nodded. Little Nia, who had been active the previous night, also stood up and declared her readiness, though her eyes were still drowsy.
"Good, Xiu, lead the way. Whether the black market is big or small, I want to check them all!"
Xiu nodded, draped his cloak over Mengdie, and smiled, "But to avoid unnecessary trouble, Miss Mengdie, please cover up your beauty. It will make our movements faster."
Mengdie hummed internally but didn't lose her temper.
※※※
As they walked, Mengdie began to explain the reasons to Edward. From the Black Flame Snake's act of stealing so many jewels and even the King's Cup from the treasury, it seemed their finances were not as abundant as imagined. Since all these jewels were labeled "Silver Moon," finding buyers in Silver Moon itself was unlikely.
Looking around, Mavi City, on the shoreline of Lake Missouri, had the worst security and the most black market transactions. It was likely that the Black Flame Snake and his gang, always moving with so many jewels, would want to sell them for Sulas to lighten their load. Therefore, the black market here was the most likely place to find what they were looking for.
"But..." Edward suddenly had a doubt while listening, "Mengdie, do you think the Black Flame Snake, after going through so much effort, even assassinating me, to steal the King's Cup... would they just sell it here?"
Honestly, Mengdie didn't think so either. But there were no absolutes in reality. Who could say for sure? Besides, she didn't want Edward to worry too much. As long as she found her ruby necklace, with her abilities, it wouldn't be hard to help Edward retrieve the King's Cup.
Thus, Mengdie gave Edward a perfunctory answer and continued following Xiu through various underground black markets, looking for her belongings. Edward wanted to ask more but was silenced by Nia's hostile glare and had no choice but to follow obediently.
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