Administrative City of Xi An

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After a short lunch, the group continued their trip.

Not far in front, of the big and majestic gate of Xi'an City. Lots of people were queuing to enter the huge gate.

"Wah It's awesome!" Hong poked his head out of the carriage. The kid's eyes glowed in amazement.

The city gate was indeed very big, majestic with tight guards. The huge banners of the Tang administration's symbol soared proudly against the wind above the gate.

Lu Yan had already put up the expedition of Jie's flag symbol, which instantly made the group become the center of attention. The guards' clothes had been changed to their family uniforms, so entering the huge city gate was no obstacle for them.

"Please enter, sir" After seeing the travel warrant stamped with Jie Valley and Xi'an City seal, the gatekeeper allowed the group to enter.

## The City seals were collected before and after every time the group entered the city. Jie Valley seal almost has some power as the Palace. They could travel most of the city around Tang, or outer without too much question.

Hong was so excited when they entered the gate. All the scenery was different from the outside.

"Wow, Brother, this is awesome!"

Neat streets, sturdy buildings, luxurious restaurants. Merchant stalls are arranged regularly on the side of the road. People with beautiful shiny dresses roam the streets. This is the city of Xi'an, which his Father often told him about.

Every time their Father visited there he would bring luxury gifts and rare items home. It wasn't strange after seeing the city with their own eyes. Everything there was indeed so good.

Hong was about to get off the carriage but Fei prevented him.

"Brat, where are you going?"

"Where else, of course, to go out? Look, there are so many beautiful items there, let's buy them for Mother, she must be very happy. Also Aunt Er Niang, Brother San Tu, and Sister Liu. They all will like it"

Fei didn't let his grip off from Hong.

"You bought a lot of souvenirs already. Is all not enough?"

Hong pulled his brother's hand off and got out of the carriage.

"It's not enough brother. Look, that hairpin is so pretty, Mom will like it."

He jumped off the carriage as it slowly drove along with the merchant.

Fei was annoyed. He was still enjoying his break and had to go down after his brother. Hong is like a magnet for trouble, if he had not accompanied him, don't know what else would have to that brat.

"Hong!"

Lu Yan shook his head. The little Young Master got off the carriage and soon blended with the crowds on the street.

Fei chased after Hong who ran like a kid.

"Hong! This brat!"

"This is so pretty, brother! Look at the pearls"

Hong held up one of the long earrings with a pearl knot at the end, but that wasn't enough, he also looked at the one next to him. On the other side, so many beautiful items made his eyes dance wittily in admiration one by one.

"Waaah, this is good"

Da Huang smiled.

The Little Young Master was always cheerful, shining even when sick or injured. His servant admired him beyond measure.

"Young Master Hong"

Song Er pursed his lips, eager to get off the horse and play with Hong Er. But, remember what he did to the child before, is he still worthy?

While Song Er was still daydreaming, suddenly someone tugged his hand. He almost fell.

"Come on Brother Song, join me there, Brother Fei is so fussy"

Fei chased the kid and both circled Song Er's horse.

"This kid. Hong, don't run around, quickly finish your shopping and get back to the carriage!"

Hong laughed out loud seeing Fei's face. Even though Fei was angry he couldn't help to smile at Hong's misbehavior. As usual, the kid would always shine like the morning sun and blow wildly like the summer wind. How could he stop him from running? Fei tried to hold on to Hong's very lively clothes.

"Stop it now!"

The sound of horseshoes treading the city streets slowly. They were steadily towards their destination as the sky began to lose its light right in front of the long main street.

"Hong!" shouts Fei.

"Hahahaha Brother Fei"

Hong's laughter echoed through the crowd.

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Night fell.

From the dark street, some people ran like hell.

"Help! Help me!"

A rather stocky man, dressed in silk-like any other merchant, fell. Two of his men helped him up and continued their run in a hurry. The fat man's voice was shaking, he was tired of running. Some shadows were still chasing them from behind.

The two men drew swords ready to fight. While the middle-aged man in luxurious clothes did not stop his run. He hugged something in a cloth wrapped in his chest tightly. No matter what happened, he refused to let go of something that seemed important beyond his life.

The man tried to knock the resident's door for help.

"Help!!! Help" but everyone had closed the door tight. Some just peeked through the window and didn't dare to come out. That's like looking for death, they thought.

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The carriage arrives on the next curve.

The road begins to desert, late at night, and cold air. The residents already enter their houses and leave the streets empty. They can even hear the sounds of wind blowing low on the street that is humid from the cold.

Not long after. They finally arrive at their destination.

Lu Yan approached Fei in his carriage. The group had already arrived in front of the gates of the Chang family's mansion, but it was too quiet. There was no one inside. The house looked abandoned.

Fei who had already gotten off the carriage frowned deeply, what happened? The house is so big, that not even a single person is there. It's been a long time since he visited old man Chang's house. As he remembered the place had always been busy because the expedition branch was quite successful.

"What happens? Why did it look like it's abandoned?"

Before long the big red door was opened from the inside. An old man was already standing inside holding the big door's handle.

"Young Master, welcome to the Chang family residence" the old man greets Fei and others.

Fei glances inside the house. It was too quiet, the lights weren't on, and there was only the old man in front of him now, a housekeeper.

"Old man, what happened here? Where's Old Man Chang and others?" Asked Lu Yan.

The old man shifts his body to show the inside wider. 

"Umm, there's.."

While everyone was still confused, something flew straight towards the carriage.

"Arrow!" shouts one of the guards.

Everyone alerted and drew their swords and eyes wide open. There were long arrows that were now stuck in the carriage door.

"Who is that!!"

"Brother Yan!" 

Lu Yan nodded. He looked around looking for the arrow source. It's all black around them, anyone can easily attack them in the open area.

With eyes wide open, Fei retreated closer to the carriage.

"Hong! Are you okay?" First thing on his mind.

Hong, who was sitting huddled in the carriage nodded. He knew he shouldn't move much at this time.

"Young Master, we must get out of here immediately" Lu Yan, come closer.

The surroundings were only Chang's mansion and dense trees in front of it. The resident's house was a bit further ahead. The arrows must have come from an area full of trees.

After a while, the arrows flew again.

Shocking the horses that pulled the carriage until it panicked and raised its front paws high.

"Heeeeeee!!!"

Fei was too late to grab the reins as the horses galloped away quickly, almost dragging him along.

"Oh damn it. Hong!!"

In a matter of seconds, the carriages run so fast to the empty road.

"Brother!"

Hong held on tight to anything near him. The carriage moved without the coachman.

Fei ran to his horse and hopped on. Without a second thought, all chasing after it.

"Hong! Hold on tight!!" shouts Fei.

The group left Chang's residence to chase after the carriage which ran from panic. After all, the situation was very dangerous. However, whether the arrows were deliberately launched to injure or just drive them away. Because no one was hit.

"Young Master, let me!"

Da Huang's horse, the fastest one Xiao Bai, passed Fei to chase the carriage whose horse ran frantically. It trespassing or even hitting all in front.

"Young Master! Hold on!"

"Akh, Brother. Please hurry!" Hong began to be overwhelmed. Try hard to hold on but the carriage runs too fast and bumps everything blindly.

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