Chapter 8: Blood Calamity

  Even if someone else had taken his place, they might not have been able to smell it out, but Li Hua was born with a nose more sensitive than a dog's, and as soon as he smelled it, he detected the problem.

  He turned back to look at the lantern stall again, and as soon as the owner saw him sniffing the flower lantern, he looked guilty and lowered his head.

  Li Hua gave a signal to Yan Ting, who was not far away. Yan Ting, being his personal bodyguard since childhood, naturally knew what had happened. Without saying a word, he jumped up and pinned the stall owner to the ground with his backhand.

  The stall owner was in so much pain that he fell to the ground, wailing loudly and startling the surrounding tourists. Only then did Li Hua instruct Liu Jin to have him taken away to the Temple of Great Awakened Wisdom for interrogation.

  He then turned his head to look at Long Xilan, if it wasn't for her seemingly careless words just now, he wouldn't have noticed the problem from a small flower lamp.

  At this moment, looking at her innocent and naive little face, is she really unaware of what happened or pretending to be stupid? Li Hua had doubts in his heart, but he didn't show too much on the surface.

  With just a glance at the crowd in the bustling city, he sighed and said: "Seasonal commander is really kind to his own sister, even if it's the king who invites you out to see the lights, he's still worried, sending so many people to secretly protect her."

  When Li Hua spoke, her beautiful eyes sparkled with an unusual light in this lantern festival filled with bright lights, like shining pearls.

  Long Xilan had already roughly understood some of this person's temperament after talking with him.

  He appears humble and courteous, but that's just a show of his upbringing as a prince. However, he is still an arrogant and spoiled royal, and being the emperor's favorite son makes him even more so. Yet, he never takes advantage of his privileged position to be arrogant, always conducts himself with restraint and tact, and never reveals his sharp edges. A person like that is truly formidable.

  Long Xilan knew in her heart and replied carefully: "Brother also heard those rumors from the streets, worried about my comfort, next time I will tell brother not to be so tense."

  Upon hearing Long Xilan's words defending Ji Jinjiang, Li Huan's gaze scattered, as if he didn't really care. "As an older brother, having some worries is only natural, Your Majesty understands."

  The two continued to move forward, and Long Xilan lowered her head in thought. Suddenly, a person darted out from the front, startling her into taking a step back. Meanwhile, Li Hua, who was by her side, immediately shielded her behind him, and his wrist also transmitted a warm energy.

  That was Li Hua's hand, which looked white and slender on the surface but was strong and powerful.

  When she first met Ji Jinjiang, Long Xilan saw at a glance that he was a practitioner's son, but as for Xi Wang Li Hua, she really didn't see through him. If it wasn't for his quick and swift movements this time, Long Xilan would have thought he was a weak and delicate prince!

  "Young master, don't be nervous. The old Taoist just has something to say to this young lady." The speaker was the person who had suddenly appeared in front of Long Yulan, and it turned out to be a Taoist wearing a yellow robe.

  But looking at her attire, she still looks familiar. Logically speaking, the ancestors of the Long family also used to study Taoism in the past. Later, relying on their own talents and enlightenment, they derived a more subtle and mysterious technique from it, so the overall direction is consistent with that of the Taoist school.

  "This girl is born with a good appearance, but unfortunately has an inauspicious mark on her forehead, I'm afraid there will be a bloody disaster soon!"

  Li Hua was already displeased with the appearance of this Taoist priest, and at this moment, upon hearing these words, his face suddenly turned gloomy.

  This was the first time Long Xilan had seen a sinister and ruthless aura on the face of the benevolent King Wang.

  "Nonsense!"

  Several guards nearby heard Xū Wáng's voice and quickly came over to chase the Taoist away!

  Then, another attendant walked over cautiously and whispered something in Li Hua's ear. Long Xilan saw it with his own eyes and knew that something must have happened, otherwise, with Li Hua's deep city mansion, he would not easily show it on his face.