novelaction Chapter 1288 Changing Destiny
Chapter 1288 Changing Destiny
He seemed afraid Xiao Ce wouldn't believe him, so he spoke even faster, and because he spoke so fast, he started to stutter...
"That...that...that night, you and those three tough guys captured Scarface and were talking next to that dark, gloomy pipe. I...I was up there!"
He pointed to a very hidden corner above the confluence platform, a gap made of abandoned pipes and planks, at least seven or eight meters above the node below, and completely covered in shadow.
“I…I usually like to climb high places; that's where I hide things. After that incident, I wanted to find you…so I ran over there…I could see a little bit below. I…I heard Scarface Wolf's voice change, and then…then you changed back! I…I saw it!”
His voice was tinged with lingering fear, but also with an indescribable excitement: "I recognize your face! Every household in our village has your portrait on display, so back then, I knew... you were the savior of suffering, Lord Xiao..."
After hearing what the little mudfish said, Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er instantly understood.
This child has amazing observation and memory skills!
He not only remembered Xiao Ce's eyes, demeanor, and gait when he was disguised, but also witnessed the crucial moment when Xiao Ce subdued Scarface and revealed his true face from an extremely well-hidden high place!
Most importantly, this guy knows to keep quiet; it seems he hasn't told anyone about it...
That requires such quick wit and courage!
In that situation, instead of running away in fear, he held his breath and witnessed the whole thing!
interesting!
"How much did you see? How much did you hear?"
Xiao Ce's voice remained calm, but his eyes were even more profound, as if he wanted to see through the thin figure in front of him completely.
Little Mudskipper swallowed hard, puffing out his thin chest. His body trembled inexplicably, perhaps from excitement or some other emotion. "I...I saw you and those three brothers knock the real Scarface Wolf unconscious and take him away! Then...then you transformed into his likeness...After you left, everyone listened to you..."
He paused, lowering his voice even further, almost a whisper: "Later...later on that big platform, you exposed that weirdo and dismantled those scary things...I saw it all! Your Highness...no, God Xiao! You're amazing! More amazing than a true god...no, much more amazing than those swindlers! You're a true hero!"
His eyes gleamed with admiration, but this was quickly replaced by worry: "Don't worry, Your Highness! I, Little Mudfish, am very discreet! I haven't told anyone! Not even my parents! I know that if this gets out, it will... it will ruin your plans! It will also bring me to my death! I understand!"
He pounded his chest, making soft thuds, "I know the rules! I swear! I swear on my dead parents! If I utter a single word, may I...may I fall into the black water below and drown!"
The child's innocent yet incredibly earnest vow carried a ruthlessness unique to those struggling at the bottom of society and a deep respect for promises.
Yin Pan'er's tense fingertips relaxed slightly, and her gaze towards the little loach held a complex mix of emotions—amazement, pity, and a touch of emotion.
Xiao Ce silently watched the little mudskipper; everything was going much as he had imagined...
There was no deception in the child's eyes, only an eagerness to prove his sincerity and a well-hidden fear of being silenced.
He has clear logic, knows how to weigh the pros and cons, and understands the rules of survival in the cracks. Keeping secrets is sometimes his greatest protection.
Last time, Xiao Ce noticed the child's cleverness...
After a moment, Xiao Ce slowly extended his hand.
The little loach instinctively flinched, thinking it was about to be hit.
But the large, warm hand did not fall; instead, it gently landed on his dirty head, which was covered in grime and sweat, with a heavy, almost gentle force.
"A smart child."
Xiao Ce's voice rang out, not loud, but clearly reaching the little mudfish's ears, carrying a hint of almost imperceptible praise: "Observant, quick-witted, and even more commendable is his ability to assess the situation and know what to say and what not to say."
The hand rubbed his head, the movement a little clumsy, yet carrying a peculiar soothing power.
"Your name is Little Loach? That's a fitting name. To be able to live as slippery as a loach in this muddy water is quite a skill."
The little loach was stunned. The warm touch from above his head and the affirmation he had never received before from someone of such a high position made his nose tingle and his eyes well up with tears.
He strained to open his eyes wide, trying not to let the moisture drip down, and an excited blush rose on his dirty little face as he nodded vigorously: "Yes! Xiao Shen! My name is Little Mudskipper!"
Xiao Ce withdrew his hand, his gaze sweeping over the still noisy crowd around him, making sure no one noticed this corner.
"Remember your oath, little mudskipper. Some secrets are best kept to yourself; that's the key to survival. Too much curiosity isn't a good thing here."
"I understand! Xiao Shen! I promise I'll keep it to myself!"
The little loach thumped its chest again, this time even louder.
"very good."
Xiao Ce nodded slightly. He looked at the child struggling in the mud, yet whose eyes shone with light, and a thought stirred within him. Such keen observation and the instinct to survive in chaos—if guided a little…
He changed the subject, his voice still calm: "Since you're so smart and know this place so well, how about you keep an eye out for me?"
The little mudskipper's eyes lit up instantly, as if it had been struck by a huge surprise: "Your Highness, just say the word! As long as it's something I, the little mudskipper, can do, I'll go through fire and water!"
Being able to serve Prince Xiao is an incredible stroke of luck, a chance that has fallen from the sky! It's a hundred times more glorious than finding treasures in the ghost market, something he's dreamed of countless times!
Yin Pan'er looked at Xiao Ce and said softly, "Your Highness, this child... has an extraordinary character. He is bold, meticulous, and, more importantly, has principles and knows how to respect others. In this quagmire, he is a shining pearl covered in dust."
Xiao Ce's gaze followed the disappearing, thin figure, his eyes deep: "Sometimes, even in the mud, a resilient flower can bloom. The light in his eyes is the most precious thing here."
After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Yin Pan'er nodded and then looked at Xiao Ce.
Xiao Ce immediately recognized Yin Pan'er's expression.
"You want..."
Xiao Ce did not speak, but Yin Pan'er nodded.
“Your Highness, what do you think? In such a muddy place, to have such quick wit, courage and tact is truly rare. His words just now were insightful and meticulous. What’s even more remarkable is his ability to assess the situation, know when to advance and retreat, and keep secrets. This kind of character is something that many scions of noble families may not be able to match.”
After hearing Yin Pan'er's words, Xiao Ce smiled and then said, "I did indeed have the same thought..."
Yin Pan'er's eyes lit up, and she said, "Since Your Highness also admires him, why not... take him with you? Our journey west is long, and although we have no shortage of skilled guards, we lack a clever local like him who is familiar with the streets and has a clean background. This child is perfect for running errands, scouting the way, and noticing details that ordinary guards might miss."
She paused, her tone tinged with emotion: "A single decision by the prince could completely change the trajectory of this little mudfish's life. Taking him away from this quagmire, giving him a chance to see the outside world and learn some real skills, with his intelligence and the resilience he has honed at the bottom, he might very well amount to something great in the future."
Xiao Ce remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the dilapidated yet tenaciously vibrant environment around him.
Yin Pan'er's words touched him.
He has seen too many people crushed into the dust by fate, and he has also personally changed the fate of many people.
The undiminished spirit and yearning in the little mudfish reminded him of certain people from his past. Should he change his course? Perhaps.
“You’re right, Pan’er.” Xiao Ce nodded, a resolute glint in his eyes. “We do need an informant like this for our trip to the Western Regions. This child is a suitable candidate. Let’s take him with us.”
Yin Pan'er smiled with satisfaction: "Your Highness is wise."
As the two were talking in hushed tones, the little mudskipper, quite considerately, kept a distance from them...
Seeing this, Xiao Ce waved to him...
"Little mudskipper, come here." Xiao Ce's voice wasn't loud, but it rang clearly in the little mudskipper's ear, carrying an undeniable authority.
The little mudskipper shuddered, as if his thoughts had been read. He quickly crawled out from behind the cargo box, ran to Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er, his dirty little face filled with awe and expectation, and stood properly.
"Xiao... God Xiao! What... what are your orders!" His voice trembled slightly as he tried to appear calm.
Xiao Ce looked at him calmly and said, "My wife and I are going to the Western Regions, and we need a clever and sensible attendant. Seeing that you are quick-witted and familiar with the customs and cultures of various places, I would like to take you with me. Are you willing?"
boom!
The little mudskipper felt as if a thunderbolt had exploded in its head!
Overwhelmed with joy, he was instantly filled with no thought! The Western Regions? With Prince Xiao and his wife? Leaving this dark and gloomy place? To witness the legendary, vast, and magnificent Western Regions?
Although he said that many people here stayed voluntarily, it was mostly their parents...
For these children, the desire is even stronger: to go out and see the world...
But they also have a very strong bond here...
The overwhelming sense of happiness made him dizzy and almost unable to stand.
His mouth gaped open, his large, clear eyes widened, instantly filling with tears of disbelief and ecstatic joy, shining brightly.
"I...I'm willing! I'm willing! I'm willing a million times over!" The little mudskipper was so excited that he was incoherent, his voice rising several octaves, which drew the attention of several people nearby.
He suddenly realized he had lost his composure and quickly covered his mouth, but the light in his eyes couldn't be hidden. He just kept nodding frantically at Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er, his little head bobbing like a chicken pecking at rice, afraid that if he was even a second too slow, the other party would change their minds.
"Thank you, Master Xiao! Thank you, Madam! Little Mudfish is willing! I'd follow you through fire and water!"
Seeing him trembling with excitement, Yin Pan'er's smile deepened, and she said softly, "Don't rush, don't rush. Since the prince said he would take you away, he naturally wouldn't go back on his word. However, we still need to inform your family about this matter. Your parents are still alive, right? Take us to see them."
Mentioning his family calmed the little mudfish down a bit, and he nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes! Master Xiao, Madam, please follow me!" He turned and led the way, his steps so light they were almost flying, but he tried his best to restrain himself and maintain a respectful posture as he led the way.
The little loach's home was in a deeper area, closer to the bottom of the pit. Here, the light was dimmer, and the air was more polluted and damp. The boardwalk became narrower and more rugged, and the shacks on both sides were lower and more dilapidated, many haphazardly constructed from discarded planks, sheet metal, and even stones from collapsed buildings and broken boat planks, barely providing shelter from the wind and rain.
After winding its way through several bends, the little mudskipper stopped in front of a "shack" almost hanging on a cliff. It was less a house and more a "bird's nest" clinging to a huge rock crevice, barely held together by various discarded materials. The entrance was low, requiring one to bend over to enter.
"Father! Mother! I'm back! There are...we have distinguished guests!" The little mudfish's voice trembled with barely suppressed excitement as it darted inside.
Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er exchanged a glance, then bent down and followed him inside.
The shanty was cramped, less than ten square meters. Dim light shone through a few small holes and doorways, barely illuminating the interior. The air was thick with the smell of mildew, the smoke from cheap charcoal, and an indescribable, mixed scent of sweat and food—a truly "homey" atmosphere.
Against the wall was a kang (heated brick bed) made of bricks and planks, covered with a worn-out straw mat and several patched, dark-colored cotton quilts. In the corner were some simple pots and pans and a charcoal stove with a faint flame. On the stove, a small earthenware pot was bubbling something, emitting a faint, bitter herbal smell.
Sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) was a haggard-looking woman with gray hair, mending a tattered garment by the dim light. On the ground, a boy who was also thin and looked a year or two younger than Little Mudskipper, and a girl who looked about five or six years old with sparse yellow braids, were squatting on the ground playing with a few smooth pebbles.
A hunched-over, weather-streaked middle-aged man was sitting on a low wooden stool by the door, his rough hands mending a worn-out straw sandal. He looked up when he heard the noise.
"Loach? What do you mean expensive..." The man's words stopped abruptly, his eyes widening like copper bells as he stared intently at Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er, who were bending over as they walked in.
When Xiao Ce's extraordinary bearing, even in the dim light, and Yin Pan'er's strikingly beautiful face, so incongruous with the dilapidated surroundings, came into full view, the air in the shanty seemed to freeze...