OFTLHFRO C178

Chapter 178: It Seems a Little Embarrassing

Unable to make sense of it all, Luo Mingchen had no intention of expecting a three-and-a-half-year-old child like Huo Xinyue to explain everything clearly. Once they were out, he could simply ask the City Lord. Perhaps it was merely some unique phenomenon within this place that had affected her.

This underground passage was filled with the five elemental energies.

At first, Luo Mingchen had assumed that, since they were beneath a riverway, the abundance of water-element energy was only natural. His body had unconsciously been absorbing the surrounding water energy all along.

It was only after Huo Xinyue remarked that the ceiling was covered with eyes that Luo Mingchen deliberately examined the environment with his senses.

To a certain extent…

This place resembled the world he had come from.

Moreover, Lan Fei’s abilities truly felt remarkably similar to an ice-type ability.

This passage concealed far too many unanswered mysteries.

It was likely one of the reasons Wolf King Fortress never allowed outsiders to travel through it.

The mere fact that stealing one of those crystals would transform a person into a lifeless statue was enough to become the subject of endless stories once word spread outside.

Lan Fei led them past an enormous pool.

As they walked by, Luo Mingchen instinctively turned toward it.

The concentration of energy there was so immense that it almost seemed ready to overflow.

What… is this?

Huo Yan clasped Luo Mingchen’s hand.

Only then did Luo Mingchen emerge from his dazed state.

Lan Fei also appeared to sense something.

He glanced back once.

Passing through a concealed stone door, the group finally emerged into daylight once more.

Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

A wave of warm air washed over them.

Even if someone had beaten Luo Mingchen to death beforehand, he never would have imagined the climate of Wolf King Fortress to be this pleasant.

It was at least twenty-eight degrees Celsius.

It felt less like spring…

And more like early summer.

“It’s so hot…”

Huo Xiang looked miserably toward his two fathers.

Luo Mingchen chuckled.

“If you’re hot, then take off some clothes.”

Just as Huo Xiang prepared to do exactly that, he turned around—

Only to discover that his older brother and younger sister had already nearly finished stripping off theirs.

Removing the outer cloak helped somewhat.

But if he removed his padded jacket as well, he’d be walking the streets wearing only his undergarments, which would hardly be proper.

The carriage eventually stopped before the City Lord’s residence.

Lan Fei led them inside.

“Little Lan, those are mostly gifts we brought for your people. Remember to put the yogurt into the ice cellar, otherwise it’ll spoil… which means it won’t be edible anymore.”

The moment Luo Mingchen finished speaking, Huo Xinyue immediately added,

“Big brother! The yogurt is really delicious! You can’t waste it!”

“Alright.”

Lan Fei walked over to the large vat of yogurt and lightly touched its side.

Then he instructed someone to take it to the ice cellar.

Luo Mingchen noticed it very clearly.

Cold air truly radiated from Lan Fei’s hand.

“Is that what you meant by frost qi?”

Huo Yan had likewise been quietly observing Lan Fei.

Hearing the question, he leaned close to Luo Mingchen’s ear.

“It certainly looks like it.”

In truth…

If they wanted to determine whether Lan Fei was using an ability or internal energy, all they needed to know was where its source lay.

If it originated from the upper dantian—

Then it was like Luo Mingchen’s abilities.

If it came from the lower dantian—

Then it resembled Huo Yan’s internal energy.

Upon entering the City Lord’s residence, Lan Fei first arranged for them to change clothes.

They were brought into an enormous room filled with garments of every imaginable style.

Most of them sparkled brilliantly.

Still…

Compared to what the people of Wolf King Fortress usually wore, these outfits were actually rather understated.

After everyone selected fresh clothing and changed, they immediately felt much lighter without the bulky winter garments.

Only when they went to meet the City Lord did Luo Mingchen realize that only their family was present.

None of the others had come.

Wu Song’s entire party was absent as well.

“Uncle Luo.”

Lan Fei walked over and bowed respectfully.

“What happened in the secret passage must never be revealed. Everyone else will have that portion of their memories erased. They will simply believe that your group encountered danger outside and that we rescued you.”

“…How exactly do you erase memories? Will they become mentally unstable a few years later?”

“No.”

Lan Fei paused briefly before continuing.

“We use medicine… together with ocular arts.”

After hearing the explanation, Luo Mingchen nodded.

“Alright.”

Wolf King Fortress had its own rules.

Since they had entered by an exceptional route, it was only natural that certain consequences would follow.

In truth…

This was probably for the best.

Otherwise, Hua Yaoyue would undoubtedly begin asking endless questions.

He might even secretly restore everyone’s memories.

At that point, something that should have ended peacefully might instead leave people permanently insane.

“Hahaha!”

A hearty laugh echoed through the hall.

Lan Yiheng strode inside with a broad smile.

“You came all this way without even sending a letter ahead. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have had to wait outside the city for so long. I could’ve simply had Fei’er go and fetch you.”

Seeing the three children present as well, Lan Yiheng smiled warmly and rubbed Huo Xiang’s little head.

“Were you frightened last night?”

Huo Xiang blinked in confusion.

“Why would I be frightened?”

That response caught Lan Yiheng completely off guard.

“They… didn’t erase your memory too, did they?”

Luo Mingchen quickly explained,

“City Lord, the two younger children slept soundly through the entire night.”

Realization dawned upon Lan Yiheng.

“I see. That’s a blessing in itself.”

Huo Xiang quietly nudged Huo Yuhui’s arm.

“Brother… what happened last night?”

Holding Da Bai in his arms, Huo Yuhui replied softly,

“I’ll tell you later.”

Satisfied with that answer, Huo Xiang asked no more questions and simply reached out to stroke Da Bai’s long fur.

“You’ve all been through quite an ordeal this entire night,” Lan Yiheng said cheerfully. “Why not have breakfast first, then get some proper rest? Once you’ve eaten and slept well, I’ll have Fei’er show you around Wolf King Fortress.”

Lan Yiheng genuinely liked their family.

When they had first discovered Lan Fei’s identity, they had not tried to exploit him.

Their later cooperation had been equally pleasant.

Now they had even brought so many gifts.

Naturally, they deserved proper hospitality.

Besides…

Lan Yiheng’s gaze drifted toward the familiar red cord around Huo Xinyue’s neck.

That style of weaving—

With strands of gold and silver thread intertwined—

Was unmistakably the type of cord used in Wolf King Fortress to tie wolf fangs.

That meant…

He instantly knew exactly who now possessed the wolf fang his son had given away.

When bundled beneath thick winter clothing, it had been difficult to notice.

Now that such a long section of the cord was exposed…

Ignoring it was impossible.

Huo Yan inclined his head.

“Then we thank the City Lord.”

“No need for such courtesy between us. Ah, by the way—is there anything you don’t eat?”

“We don’t really have dietary restrictions,” Luo Mingchen replied. “Though we’re accustomed to food with a bit of spice.”

“Very well.”

Lan Yiheng instructed the servants to bring breakfast.

“As for the others—they’ll sleep until this afternoon after having their memories erased.”

“…I see.”

The way he said it was so utterly natural—

As casually as discussing the weather—

That Luo Mingchen found himself strangely unaccustomed to it.

Wolf King Fortress offered an impressive variety of breakfast dishes.

Several different meals quickly filled the entire table.

There were noodles…

Rice noodles…

Steamed buns…

Flower rolls…

Porridge…

Fried dough sticks…

The spread was remarkably lavish.

Seeing that Luo Mingchen’s family still felt somewhat unfamiliar with him, Lan Yiheng did not remain to eat.

Instead, he left Lan Fei behind to accompany them.

Once breakfast was over, the rooms prepared for them had also been made ready.

Luo Mingchen could only sigh inwardly.

As expected of Wolf King Fortress.

Gold, silver, jewels…

Treasure was everywhere.

The entire place resembled an enormous treasury.

Even the garden paths were littered with gemstones of every imaginable color.

More astonishingly…

Most of them were of genuinely fine quality.

Simply stepping upon them made Luo Mingchen’s heart ache.

After entering their room, Luo Mingchen crooked a finger toward Huo Yan.

Huo Yan stepped closer.

Luo Mingchen lowered his voice.

“How about… we secretly pick up some of the gemstones lying around outside?”

“Alright.”

Hearing Huo Yan agree so readily actually surprised Luo Mingchen.

“Seriously?”

“Mhm.”

Then Luo Mingchen hesitated again.

“But if we’re caught squatting on the ground picking up stones… that seems pretty embarrassing.”

“And if someone catches us… that’s even more embarrassing.”

Looking at him, Huo Yan asked calmly,

“So… are we doing it or not?”

The two looked at one another.

Luo Mingchen answered decisively,

“We’re doing it.”

Thus—

Instead of sleeping—

The two of them quietly slipped into the courtyard.

After dismissing everyone nearby, they crouched on the ground…

Picking up gemstones.

They even made sure to collect only a few from each spot so no one would notice anything missing.

Truthfully…

Their behavior was nothing more than childish.

The sort of thing people did simply because they had far too much free time.

If they truly intended to steal something valuable…

The luminous pearls embedded in the walls were worth infinitely more than the gemstones scattered across the ground.

Stealing even a single one of those would surpass gathering thousands of gemstones from the pathways.