Chapter 141: Entry by Invitation Only

Wu Qingsong didn’t see any reason for Feya to harbor romantic feelings for him. After delicately probing Liuli for more insights about her, he became more convinced that what Feya really sought was the warmth of family. A desire to be doted on like Liuli, rather than loved like Ram.

This was something he was not only willing to provide but also capable of offering.

Having discerned this distinction, he began to cautiously change his behavior toward her. After initial bewilderment and a period of adjustment, Feya finally warmed up to his brotherly affection and swiftly grew content with their relationship.

“You’ve finally done something right,” Ram acknowledged with a nod.

Wu Qingsong, somewhat dissatisfied, grabbed her, “What’s that supposed to mean? When have I ever not done the right thing?”

As time sped by amidst a flurry of activities, Orgrimmar was subtly transforming each day. Loads of grain and hard leather for crafting, along with a variety of daily goods, were brought in, while only a modest amount of armor was exported.

The fact that the Thirteenth Mercenary Group had acquired the Dark Hand’s treasures had become widely acknowledged across the Esola Hills. Despite the cautionary tales still fresh in memory, as more mercenary groups passed through or even began using Orgrimmar’s lower town as a supply base, Orgrimmar’s burgeoning power became the subject of widespread speculation.

The monthly duels had become a staple entertainment in Orgrimmar, with the 13th Mercenary Group’s well-trained, well-equipped, and highly spirited soldiers becoming its trademark. The speculation about Wu Qingsong’s background grew amid such circumstances, to the point where even the city’s guards and the sheriff started showing friendliness.

The sole point of contention remained More’s persistent pressure on Wu Qingsong and Ram to resume iron ore production, which began to concern Wu Qingsong.

Xeila didn’t appear to be someone who would go back on her word, but her prolonged absence was also troubling.

What could have gone wrong?

“Do you really believe she’ll come to teach you the Batiz script?” Ram asked during a moment alone with Wu Qingsong. “The magic book is, after all, a sacred relic of their people. Even if Nina and you saved her life, would she be willing to let the book fall into your hands without any second thoughts? And even if she were willing, what about her people? I think you still need to be careful.”

“I don’t think she would,” Wu Qingsong mused, recalling everything that happened in the desert, though he grew uncertain by the end.

“So much trust in her, and you say there’s nothing between you?” Ram remarked, her voice tinged with jealousy.

“Look, I don’t even know what she looks like, how could there be anything between us?”

“Well, I can’t say for sure. Just to be safe, we should send someone to check,” Ram suggested.

Descending from the tower together, they both cherished their dates in this spot. As Orgrimmar’s highest spot, it afforded them a view of every nook, overseeing the town they had built together, which brought them extra satisfaction.

“Ah!”

Suddenly, Ram let out a shriek, nearly sending her picnic box flying. If not for her adeptness in swordsmanship, she might have tumbled down the stairs.

Wu Qingsong quickly steadied her.

“Why weren’t you careful?”

“It wasn’t that…” Ram glanced back at the staircase confused, but it was nothing there.

***

“Sir, a catwoman claiming to be Xeila is at the city gates, requesting entry to the inner city,” reported a hound soldier.

“What? She’s finally here!” Wu Qingsong immediately abandoned his documents, exclaiming with joy. “Quick, let her, no, wait, I’ll go welcome her myself.”

Ram looked at him meaningfully and followed him out.

From afar, they saw a catwoman of elegant stature, her face obscured by a veil. Who else could it be but Xeila?

“Xeila, you’ve finally come. We’ve been eagerly awaiting for you.”

“You might have, but it seems not everyone else was,” Xeila responded coolly, while she took something very familiar to Wu Qingsong from her horse and handed it over to him.

“This is…” Wu Qingsong’s complexion shifted, and Ling exclaimed in shock.

Unless Xeila had stumbled upon some adventure recently, wasn’t this the Book of the Dead he had given to Ling for safekeeping?

“You have…” Wu Qingsong realized she must have secretly entered his territory and might have overheard many of their discussions. At the very least, she definitely caught Ram’s remarks. Her act of stealthily taking and then returning the Book of the Dead was an overt affront to Ram.

Ram’s expression grew stern.

Wu Qingsong felt a mix of annoyance, but Xeila asked, “What, am I not welcome now?”

“Don’t you think what you’ve done is somewhat over the line?” Wu Qingsong said, yet he accepted the book back since it was rightfully his.

“That’s better than some people who constantly talk about me behind my back.”

Wu Qingsong was momentarily embarrassed. Ram often teased about Xeila and his relationship when they were alone, but no matter what, the severity of such jokes didn’t compare to Xeila’s actions.

Private jests had limited consequences, indeed reflecting some disrespect toward Xeila, but were essentially harmless flirtations between partners. However, if Xeila had secretly uncovered all their secrets and eavesdropped on their numerous conversations, that was far from trivial.

His expression darkened as he said, “If that’s how you see it, then there’s nothing I can do. Ling and I considered you a friend and welcomed you as our guest. However, since you don’t respect our relationship, I must ask you to leave.”

This stance took both Ram and Xeila by surprise, as they were aware of Wu Qingsong’s yearning for magic.

Xeila felt emboldened by this desire, sneaking into Wu Qingsong’s town to discover what kind of place it was and, more crucially, to overhear his private talks about her. While Wu Qingsong’s trust was flattering, Ram’s comments had irked her. Thus, she deliberately tripped Ram and then sneakily stole the Book of the Dead, only to return it directly to Wu Qingsong.

She didn’t anticipate Wu Qingsong’s outright rejection of such tactics.

“Indeed, we joked about you in private, it was a mistake, and I apologize for that,” Wu Qingsong said. “But what about your actions? I’ve made it clear long ago that I don’t want such incidents to happen again. Maybe you think it’s no big deal, but for me, it’s a serious violation. If you can’t acknowledge or understand this, then there’s nothing left to say. It was a pleasure to know you, but if this happens again, we will be enemies. I’m grateful you kept your promise to come here, but now, I’m sorry, please leave.”

“You don’t want to know what’s in this book?” Xeila abruptly said.

At that moment, Ram anxiously tugged at his sleeve.

“I do, but that’s a different matter,” Wu Qingsong replied. “If you lack even the most basic respect for someone’s privacy, how can we get along?”

Xeila’s eyes reddened slightly. She nodded and mounted her horse. 

But then Ram intervened urgently, “Wait!” and rushed towards her.

“Ram…”

Wu Qingsong tried to hold her back, but she shot him a glare, “Why are you so harsh with a girl? Show some grace. Don’t complicate things further. Ling, come with me. We’ll bring Xeila inside.”

Ling glanced at Wu Qingsong but ultimately did as Ram suggested. Xeila, seizing the opportunity to gracefully back down, halted. She cast a covert, tearful look at Wu Qingsong before following Ram and the others into the city.

Wu Qingsong shook his head.

Deep within, he truly didn’t want Xeila to just walk away, but certain matters, if not addressed clearly from the start, would inevitably lead to more problems later on. It was better to be forthright and clear things up from the get-go.

Xeila’s abilities, when deployed against foes, were exceptionally effective, far more so than Ram’s. Unless someone was as skilled as Nina, it would be challenging for the average person to detect her infiltration.

However, employing those abilities on allies could prove disastrous and would assuredly trigger a serious crisis of trust, fostering a profound sense of insecurity.

This outcome might be for the best, with Xeila understanding his boundaries, and any rift between her and Ram being mended. Yet, inexplicably, he now had an ominous feeling.