Chapter 118: The Mountain Villa

For the remainder of the journey, neither Chu Bing nor Li Mohan spoke a single word. After more than half a month, they finally arrived at the frontier.

When she climbed down from the carriage, Chu Bing felt as though her body had been split in two. Old Zhao was in no better shape. The entire group was covered in dust and looked utterly disheveled.

"Eldest Young Master, the estate ahead is the Prime Minister's residence here in the frontier. Once we arrive, things will be much easier!"

Prime Minister Li was well-versed in the strategy of "a wily hare having three burrows," and he maintained a residence in almost every major city. This particular mountain estate in the frontier housed hundreds of elite soldiers, each one fierce and capable of taking on a hundred men; the local bandits dared not even approach the perimeter.

Li Mohan stepped down from the carriage, looking at the estate before him with a complex expression, then cast a glance at Chu Bing, who was staring at him expectantly. Two soldiers stood outside the gate, holding long spears. Upon seeing Li Mohan approach, they immediately leveled their spears at him. "Who goes there?"

Old Zhao’s expression shifted. "How bold! This is the Prime Minister's eldest son!"

One of the soldiers sneered, "We have never heard of any eldest son! Here, we have only one young master!"

Chu Bing’s eyes lit up; this "young master" had to be Li Haoran!

Old Zhao’s face turned ghastly. It was clear from their attitude exactly how the Prime Minister regarded Li Mohan. In the Prime Minister's eyes, he had only one son. Gritting his teeth, he pulled a jade pendant from his sleeve. "This belongs to the Prime Minister. To see this pendant is to see the man himself. Do you recognize it?"

The two soldiers inspected the jade, finally confirming the visitor's identity, and allowed them to pass, though they were far from respectful.

Chu Bing followed closely behind Li Mohan, cautiously observing the estate. Every ten paces, a soldier stood guard, their long spears sharp and clearly well-maintained. These men carried a heavy scent of blood, a sure sign they were veterans of the battlefield.

"System, the security here is so tight. How am I supposed to get close to Li Haoran?"

The system’s voice was cold. "The host must solve this herself."

Chu Bing’s heart sank; she knew she had angered the "great master" earlier, so she could only plead carefully. "I am working hard for our shared mission. If you remain so cold, it will dampen my enthusiasm."

The system simply ignored her.

It wouldn't hurt to give this unreliable host a taste of reality!

Chu Bing felt like crying. She hung her head, losing all interest in observing her surroundings. Li Mohan, catching a glimpse of her defeated expression out of the corner of his eye, immediately understood what she was thinking. He whispered, "Don't worry. Since I promised you, I will make sure you see my third brother."

Chu Bing looked up in surprise, but she could only see the man’s back; the words felt like an illusion. Li Mohan... had he actually spoken to her? A glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes. She had nearly convinced herself that he would never acknowledge her again.

Chu Bing followed them to a small courtyard. More soldiers stood at the entrance, their eyes sweeping over her like sharp blades. Chu Bing kept her head down, not daring to breathe.

"Father." Li Mohan bowed toward the gate with respect. Old Zhao and the others lowered their heads, their demeanor extremely humble. Chu Bing imitated them, staring at the ground while keeping her peripheral vision fixed on the courtyard gate.

A hoarse, aged voice drifted from within. "Come in."

Li Mohan stepped inside. Chu Bing instinctively moved to follow, but was blocked by the soldiers at the gate. Their blades glinted coldly. "You wait outside."

Old Zhao pulled her back, offering a fawning smile. "The girl is young and ignorant, please forgive her."

Chu Bing bit her lip and had no choice but to wait. However, a long time passed, and Li Mohan did not emerge. Instead, a beautiful maidservant walked out. She looked at Chu Bing with a strange expression, tilted her chin, and said haughtily, "Follow me."

Chu Bing was stunned. Old Zhao asked the maid with a frown, "May I ask what this young lady wants with this servant girl?"

The beautiful maid covered her mouth and chuckled. "You old man are quite eloquent. Don't worry, it's nothing. The Eldest Young Master told me to take her to wash up and change her clothes."

Old Zhao was taken aback, then smiled. "Then many thanks, young lady."

"Don't call me 'young lady'; it wouldn't be good if the Prime Minister heard you. I’m just a maid; you can call me Xiao Tao." Pleased by Old Zhao’s flattery, Xiao Tao’s attitude toward Chu Bing improved slightly.

Old Zhao shoved Chu Bing, his face stern. "Why are you still standing there? Go with Xiao Tao."

Chu Bing nodded and followed closely behind her. Xiao Tao led her to a courtyard filled with a row of cramped, small rooms.

"This is where the servants live. Stay here and don't wander off. If you offend any of the masters in this estate, you'll be in for a world of trouble," Xiao Tao said, her face grim.

Chu Bing examined the room, finding it even more primitive than the servants' quarters at the Li estate. But she had no room to complain; her primary goal was to find Li Haoran. Her eyes darted around, and she asked timidly, "Sister Xiao Tao, how many masters are there in this estate?"

Xiao Tao glanced at her, playing with her fingernails. "It won't hurt to tell you. Originally, there were only two masters: the Prime Minister and the Third Young Master. Now that the Eldest Young Master has arrived, there are three."

Chu Bing’s eyes brightened. "The Third Young Master? I haven't met him. Is he in the estate?"

"Of course he is! He lives right behind the Prime Minister’s courtyard. The Prime Minister keeps a very close eye on him, teaching him every day and forbidding us from getting near. You must be careful; if the Prime Minister catches you, your life won't be worth much." As she spoke of Li Haoran, a trace of fear crossed Xiao Tao's face. Seeing Chu Bing’s young, innocent look, she couldn't help but add, "The Third Young Master is the apple of the Prime Minister's eye. If you dare to scheme against him, the Prime Minister will surely have you beaten to death!"

Chu Bing shook her head immediately. "Sister Xiao Tao, don't worry, I will be well-behaved!"

Yet, her heart was filled with questions. What exactly was the Prime Minister planning? Keeping Li Haoran locked in this remote estate, teaching him martial arts and military strategy every day? Could Li Haoran really endure such monotony? Chu Bing had a vague feeling that this entire family was plotting something enormous.

Xiao Tao glanced at her and slowly stood up. "I'm going back to report. Stay here and wait for the Eldest Young Master's orders."

Chu Bing nodded obediently. Once Xiao Tao was out of sight, she jumped out the window and used her teleportation ability to dash toward the inner courtyard.