After Zhu Sangao left, Xiaosuo and the other two cautiously discussed inside the carriage.
"Master, do you think Zhu Sangao's words are trustworthy?" the Shop Assistant asked carefully.
"He said at least a few hundred words when he came up. Which part are you referring to?"
"The part where he analyzed the situation with Wang Zhengwu offending the two ladies. According to Wang Zhengwu, it was a momentary lapse due to greed. But Zhu Sangao said there must be something fishy about it. I don't know if it's true or not."
Old Huang interjected, "Wang Zhengwu's excuse is just to fool children. I already felt Wang Zhengwu wasn't telling the truth before Zhu Sangao came up. The young master must have noticed too, right?"
"Indeed, I thought the same. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked Zhu Sangao a few more questions. As for Zhu Sangao, let's take his words with a grain of salt. The problem now is what Wang Zhengwu is planning and whether it will interfere with us."
Old Huang nodded. With his decades of experience navigating the world, this was also his concern.
Although Wang Zhengwu's appearance turned the tide of them being hunted, making him their savior, this man had other motives, and keeping him around was a variable.
"Should we find a way to send Wang Zhengwu and his group away?"
"Impossible. Even if he has his own plans, I believe his disciples are unaware. Wang Zhengwu openly treats me as his lifeline, so he will definitely stick with us at all times. If he could be easily sent away, wouldn't that raise suspicion? He also wouldn't be able to explain to the disciples he brought along."
"That's true. Young master, what do you suggest?"
Xiaosuo lowered his head in silence, contemplating a strategy. He neither wanted to believe Zhu Sangao's one-sided words nor could he figure out Wang Zhengwu's ultimate goal.
On the surface, it seemed like two teams were escorting him to the Zhu Clan, but he had no idea how many schemes were brewing in their minds.
Initially, he thought his luck had turned, meeting two capable assistants. But upon closer inspection, they were all wolves and tigers. Unfortunately, he was too weak, and even if there was danger, he had to wade through this muddy water.
Since he couldn't figure them out, he decided not to waste energy on it. It was better to think of ways to protect himself.
Xiaosuo leaned out of the carriage and called to Wang Zhengwu, "Master Wang, are all your disciples from the Zhu Clan?"
"They're all disciples I took in at the Zhu Clan. They used to have the surname Zhu, but they were mostly low-level gate guards. Does the young master have any instructions?"
"Alright, besides your nephew, pick one who resembles me in build to bring onto the carriage."
"Understood."
After speaking, Xiaosuo returned to the carriage. Wang Zhengwu watched Xiaosuo's carriage, his eyes slightly narrowed.
"Uncle, what does this kid mean?" a fair-skinned young man beside Wang Zhengwu asked in a low voice.
"I think this kid suspects the road ahead is unsafe and wants a stand-in."
Wang Zhengwu's nephew was puzzled, "He's only about twenty, still inexperienced. How could he come up with such a plan?"
"Maybe that old man gave him the idea."
In Wang Zhengwu's eyes, Old Huang, who knew Zhu Wuhua, wasn't a simple character. Old Huang was easy to deal with; protecting Xiaosuo could let Xiaosuo live a bit longer, which also helped him. But now, with Zhu Sangao's group interfering, he felt this journey wouldn't be easy.
His nephew said, "It's a pity. Zhu Sangao looks short and clumsy, but he's a cunning old fox. If he hadn't surrendered so quickly, we would have taken him down."
"Yes, I underestimated him. I didn't take Zhu Sangao seriously. I only thought Zhu Wuhua was still useful and might know something about the fight for the Vein Opening Pill, so I didn't act hastily. Either we should have surrendered with Zhu Wuhua or wiped out his group to dominate."
"Who would have thought it would turn out like this? Zhu Wuhua is gone, but we're left with a disgusting Zhu Sangao!"
Wang Zhengwu's nephew added, "Zhu Sangao is not a threat. He hasn't climbed up in twenty or thirty years, not your match, Uncle. I'm curious why Xiaosuo didn't let me be his stand-in."
Wang Zhengwu's nephew and Xiaosuo were similar in build and age, making it easy to pass off as each other.
"Besides, if I stayed in the carriage, wouldn't it be easier for him to control our group?"
"The stand-in is the most dangerous. Not letting you be his stand-in means he's either afraid of us or wants to show goodwill. Do you think the three in the carriage are cowards or honest people?"
"Uncle, I haven't spoken a word to them, so how can I guess what kind of people they are? But does it matter?"
"It may not matter now, but it might in the future. A young master daring to take a donkey cart to the Zhu Clan at this time can't be a coward."
Wang Zhengwu pondered.
Meanwhile, Wang Zhengwu and his nephew whispered, and inside the carriage, Xiaosuo and the other two weren't idle.
"Master, I noticed Wang Zhengwu's nephew is similar in build and age to you. Why not let his nephew be your stand-in? If the road ahead is dangerous, having his nephew as a shield would make Wang Zhengwu protect him with all his might, making the stand-in role more convincing."
"Yes, young master, I agree with the Shop Assistant. We should let his nephew on the carriage."
"I have my own plans."
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Xiaosuo didn't explain much, but he had a plan in mind. Wang Zhengwu was, at best, his subordinate, and at worst, a business partner with unclean investments. In such a situation, showing sincerity could increase his chances of success.
***
Soon, Wang Zhengwu brought a disciple similar in build to Xiaosuo, under twenty, onto the carriage. Following Xiaosuo's instructions, Wang Zhengwu disguised the two, making it hard to tell the disciple from Xiaosuo at a glance.
With the disguise, they naturally had to change clothes.
In this world, there wasn't much in the way of undergarments, making the change somewhat awkward. Fortunately, the carriage was filled with men.
But two naked men couldn't help but compare themselves with their eyes.
Xiaosuo smiled smugly. Despite Wang Zhengwu's disciple having a six-pack, Xiaosuo's physique was more solid.
The stand-in, somewhat embarrassed and angry, quickly put on Xiaosuo's clothes. Xiaosuo, satisfied, leisurely donned the stand-in's warrior outfit.
The remaining three, although avoiding looking directly out of courtesy, couldn't help but glance out of the corner of their eyes.
Old Huang sighed softly, seemingly reminiscing about past events.
Wang Zhengwu nodded thoughtfully, confirming something.
The Shop Assistant glanced once, then couldn't resist another look, suddenly recalling a scene and showing a face of disdain.
Shortly after the two finished changing, Zhu Sangao's voice came from outside the carriage.
"Grab your weapons, we're being ambushed!"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan