Chapter 7: The Mystery of the Attack

Of course. She was seriously injured at that time, and there were Noga soldiers searching the area, claiming they were after some robbers. It was truly bizarre; what trouble had this girl gotten herself into? We were afraid she might actually be from the Security Agency and involved in something serious, so we had no choice but to hide her. We even went to great lengths to get her medicine, but it didn't work very well. The situation outside was tense, and we didn't dare to go out. We only heard that three or four people had died in a grocery store, and it was the work of robbers. I can't express how scared I was; could it be that this girl really killed someone?

Mina was in a drowsy state, half asleep and half awake, when her father brought her to the plump nanny. Winnie looked at Anlong with confusion and asked what was going on. Anlong simply replied that there were guests at home with no place to rest, and left his daughter with her.

Having settled Veronica, Anlong noticed that the true energy his father had infused into her body was taking effect, which eased his mind. He retrieved two pills sent by his father that could quickly replenish vital energy and fed one to her. Xiao Tianjian observed his son's actions and suddenly asked, "Are you hiding something from me?"

Anlong furrowed his brow and said: "This makes no sense. Why is Nuojia resorting to such ruthless measures? Although the relationship between the two countries cannot be described as good, it is not hostile either. Moreover, I heard from the merchant who escorted you back that they publicly claim to be hunting down bandits. If they want to capture spies, they should just say so; why do they need to find an excuse? I refuse to believe that Nuojia is not afraid of us knowing and will retaliate against the people they sent to Yisite."

Marshall listened quietly to her words and smiled, saying: "The young master and the lord earl are engaged in important matters; they do not let you know because you are still a child and cannot be of any help. Since that is the case, you should focus on your own tasks and not give them cause for concern."

Xiao Tianjian was momentarily at a loss for words, but he still said: "No matter how grandiloquent the words may be, I simply do not like you doing this kind of work. If it were a clerical position at the headquarters in Yidong, that would be one thing, but why must you work as a grassroots operative at the border? Is it that my name cannot secure you a better position? Your brother is already the assistant director of the Finance Department; you would be more than capable of being a team leader at the Security and - Map - Book Department."

Xiao Tianjian silently looked at his son's resolute expression, sighed, and patted his shoulder, saying: "Alright, I won't stop you, but you must remember that no matter what happens, your safety comes first. If you encounter danger, you must escape at the first opportunity." He secretly resolved to teach his son a few good sword techniques and also to impart some lightness skills for escaping.

At this moment, Dora had already woken up and stood at the door, questioning her husband about what had happened. Anlong pushed her back into the room, saying, "It's nothing, just go back to sleep." He then closed the door and went back downstairs.

Marshall laughed: "Your abilities are still far from sufficient, Xiaomingna. Be obedient and do not provoke the adults."

Xiao Tianjian's expression was quite grim: "So you mean, it's the grassroots personnel? Do you realize how dangerous this is? Why did you join the Security Bureau? I never imagined that my own son would become a spy! And also work part-time as a Jinyiwei! You can enjoy doing business, you can like being an official, you can even join the military, but why take on this kind of job?"

Anlong, upon hearing his words, inexplicably felt a significant reduction in his anger: "Rest assured, I won't easily find myself in trouble. My swordsmanship is better than that of many, and I am not foolish. This time, Veronica went alone, which is why she encountered danger. If I had gone with her from the beginning, perhaps we would have escaped by now." Reflecting on this, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and remained silent for a while before continuing: "In any case, I am a part of East, and I should contribute to the nation."

Xiao Tianjian glanced at his son, his expression growing even darker. Anlong turned his head away, dismissing Old John’s question: "The market had just ended at that time, right? That was seven or eight days ago. Have you all been in Mai City these days?"

Dr. Anlong and the nurse pursued the truth about Maicheng. She gritted her teeth and said: "Our people have been discovered! Nomongka has sent someone over, bringing soldiers from Maicheng to conduct a sweep. The people from the intelligence station hurriedly evacuated the grocery store. That scoundrel, Jama, claimed to know a safe place and took everyone to his mistress's house, only to be betrayed by that woman, resulting in almost everyone being killed. Jama was injured and escaped, hiding away, which is why there has been no news. When I went over, Noga's people had set a trap in the grocery store to ambush me. During my escape, I encountered Jama and learned the truth of the matter. But he was too severely injured and died that very night."

Anlong silently nodded, and Xiao Tianjian simply waved his hand to let him go. He did not mind at all and left with a cheerful smile.

Mina has been feeling quite down lately. She has noticed that both her father and grandfather are too busy to spend time with her, always preoccupied with their own affairs. Even when they occasionally have time to offer her some guidance in martial arts, they seem distracted. Moreover, her new bed sheets and quilt have gone missing, despite the fact that she has only slept on them for two nights. Unable to contain her frustration, she complained to her mother, but Dora was too busy trying on a newly made dress and preparing for the May Festival ball, telling her to entertain herself. Thus, she retreated to the kitchen to vent her grievances to the old butler, Marshall.

Xiao Tianjian took out a precious herb from his storage ring, crushed it, and applied it to Veronica's wound. It seemed to have some effect, but in order to provide her with better treatment, the next day, he quietly invited the only physician in the small town. The old physician examined her for half a day and concluded that the room here was not suitable for the patient's recovery; it would be best to move her to his clinic, where he could also keep a close watch on her. Thus, Xiao Tianjian, using some unknown method to secure Veronica's body, quietly transported her to the clinic with his son.

"This is truly unbelievable. How could it be you, old fool? How could I have saved your niece?" Old John muttered a few words, dejectedly sitting on the sofa, revealing everything he knew. "I can't figure out what happened either. There are plenty of people who usually hitch a ride with us to Mai City, but I've never seen this girl before. She was dressed in men's clothing, claiming she was visiting relatives, and we didn't say anything. When we arrived in Mai City, she left us, but just a couple of days later, she burst into our yard covered in blood, asking us to take her to Anlong Kado in Qidun, saying that all her people were dead, that it was a trap, and there were traitors involved, and then she fainted and hasn't woken up since." He glanced at Anlong: "You are spies from the Security Agency, right? Is something serious going on?" Is something serious going on?

As Veronica remained in a coma, he tightly grasped the merchant, refusing to let go, and pressed for the details of the matter. The merchant, with a reluctant expression, said: "I have been engaged in the grain trade between Maicheng and Meidun for many years; I am a businessman and know nothing else. This girl hitched a ride with us to Maicheng to visit relatives. After two days, she suddenly returned covered in blood, and we were all terrified. We only heard her mumbling something about a safety agency, which is why we brought her back, but it was a great risk. We know nothing else."

Xiao Tianjian was speechless; this was indeed his oversight. Glancing at his son, he sighed and said: "In any case, this job is still too dangerous. If it were just in Qidun, it wouldn't be a big deal, but you originally planned to go to Maicheng with Veronica, right? Fortunately, you didn't go! Otherwise, if something were to happen to you, what would happen to your wife and children?" Fortunately, you didn't go! Otherwise, if something were to happen to you, what would happen to your wife and children?

Xiao Tianjian touched his nose and remained silent

It would have been better if he hadn't said anything; as soon as he did, Anlong's expression darkened: "In your name? On what grounds? I have never received the recognition of the 'Xiao family'; I am merely an adopted son of the Kaduo family, and being able to stand on my own in their territory is already quite an achievement."

Anlong cleared his throat: "The people in that shop are our companions; Veronica will not harm them." Old John exclaimed, "Oh," and glanced at Xiao Tianjian: "The searchers from a couple of days ago went elsewhere, and we secretly hid this child in the compartment of the cart to bring her back to Meidun. It's truly outrageous; do you know how many days of business I lost? I suffered a huge loss, an enormous loss!" He glanced at Xiao Tianjian again: "The searchers from a couple of days ago went elsewhere, and we secretly hid this child in the compartment of the cart to bring her back to Meidun. It's truly outrageous; do you know how many days of business I lost? I suffered a huge loss, an enormous loss!"

Anlong did not understand what the Jinyiwei was, and he noticed a flicker of disdain in his father's eyes. He said in surprise, "Aren't you the founder of the Security Agency? You also said that information is everything, and that possessing the fastest and most up-to-date intelligence is essential to remain invincible in war. Although the methods of the Security Agency are sometimes not entirely above board, they can effectively strike at the enemy and reduce casualties in war. These are your own words; do you despise the institution you established?" Although the methods of the Security Agency are sometimes not entirely above board, they can effectively strike at the enemy and reduce casualties in war. These are your own words; do you despise the institution you established?"

They were doing these things in secret, fearing that any leaks would lead to unnecessary speculation from others. However, their concern for Veronica's injury led them to visit the clinic from time to time, which still aroused the suspicions of Dora and Winnie. Dora had once inquired about it, and seeing that her husband was adamant in not revealing anything, she began to harbor doubts.

Two days later, after careful treatment, Veronica finally woke up. Although she was still very weak and unable to move, she could speak without any issues. Upon receiving the news, Anlong and Xiao Tianjian rushed to the clinic immediately. Veronica was somewhat surprised to see the latter, and upon hearing that he had brought herbs to treat her injuries, she said nothing.

Mina, somewhat unconvinced, said: "I am not a child anymore! I have learned swordsmanship and lightness skills; I am very capable. If my father and grandfather do not say anything, how would they know that I am not of help?"

Xiao Tianjian threw a bag of items over with irritation: "Consider this as compensation for your loss, is it enough?" Old John opened it and saw it was filled with gold coins, quickly grinning and saying: "That's enough, that's enough, you really are generous as always." He stuffed the gold coins into his pocket and glanced at the two in front of him: "This is all I know, can I leave now? I really don't want to deal with any spies; if anyone finds out I have ties with them, I can forget about doing business in Mai City for the rest of my life"

After Old John left, Anlong was busy arranging for Veronica to be settled in. Since there were no vacant rooms in the house, he was feeling troubled when Xiao Tianjian suddenly spoke up: "Send her to Mina's room, let Mina sleep with the nanny." Anlong thought for a moment and then called his daughter up.

Mina pouted and reluctantly agreed, yet she still felt a sense of unwillingness in her heart, wanting to know what secrets her father and grandfather held.

At this point, she narrowed her eyes and remarked, "This superficial dandy is indeed entangled with women! He actually believes his charm is so great that he can dazzle a woman of Nuo Jia! He doesn't even consider that his own identity is tainted; how can he ensure that woman is trustworthy?" She cast a glance at Xiao Tianjian, saying, "In his life, he admired Lord Earl Xiao the most, claiming he would strive to emulate you in every way. Unfortunately, he lacks your capabilities and ended up causing his own demise."

Anlong's hand trembled slightly; after a moment of hesitation, he confessed: "As you can see, both Veronica and I are members of the Security Agency. She is from the headquarters in Yidong City, and this time she was sent on a mission to gather intelligence. I am disguised as a knight in Qidun, responsible for overseeing the armaments depot, and sometimes I also assist in reconnaissance."

Anlong merely smiled, yet he felt unconvinced. His father actually taught him to flee in the face of danger? What difference was there between that and being a coward

"Has she not woken up at all? How do you know about me? Where did you save her? If everyone at the intelligence station is dead, did you not hear any news in Maicheng?" Anlong kept pressing for answers. But the merchant only insisted that he was unaware and was eager to leave.

Anlong was shocked, wondering why this was happening. Logically, Nuo Jia and Yi Si Te were not hostile towards each other. Even if they were to take action against spies from other countries, it should have been after Prince Mario came to power. Which country does not send spies to others? Typically, even if foreign spies are caught, unless they are from an enemy nation, they are at most tortured a bit and then expelled from the country, or used in exchange for captured nationals. The fact that an entire intelligence station was wiped out is simply unreasonable.

"Old John, is that you?" Xiao Tianjian silently entered the hall, his gaze fixed on the merchant. "Indeed, it is you. You sly fellow, claiming you don't know? Who are you trying to fool? Quickly tell me what happened. This girl is my niece; considering our long-standing friendship, just spill the beans." He reached out and took hold of Veronica's hand, transferring some of his energy to her, and at last, a bit of color returned to her pale face. "Quickly tell me what happened. This girl is my niece; considering our long-standing friendship, just spill the beans." He reached out and took hold of Veronica's hand, transferring some of his energy to her, and at last, a bit of color returned to her pale face. Anlong watched his actions, opened his mouth, but still said nothing.