The iron-rimmed wagon wheels rolled slowly along the dirt road. The combined weight of the Black Taisui and Li Huowang's luggage pressed deep ruts into the muddy ground.
Holding the reins, Li Huowang glanced at Mantou, who was trotting alongside with his tongue constantly lolling out. Reaching out, he pinched a fold of skin on the back of Mantou's neck and simply hauled him up onto the carriage.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP! Mantou's wildly wagging tail struck the wooden carriage like a drumstick, making a loud racket.
Pushing away the affectionate dog's head that tried to nuzzle him, Li Huowang said impatiently, "Behave yourself!"
With that, he reached into his robes and pulled out the note Tuoba Danqing had given him. Just like before, it had an address. Unlike before, however, the note didn't specify what had happened there. All it said, quite pointedly, was that two Yellow-ranked Scouts had perished at the location, and that whoever went next should be extremely cautious.
