"Mm, and it's not far from us."
Aether nodded in response.
"Not far? That's great!"
Paimon threw her hands in the air, excited.
Everything she and the Traveler owned was inside the Serenitea Pot. Now that they could sense it again, everything could be recovered!
"Traveler, let's go get the Serenitea Pot back!"
"Yeah."
Since they had a lead, they needed to retrieve it quickly.
Inside, apart from Paimon's hoarded food and the Mora they had earned from odd jobs, there were also many weapons, artifacts, and various other items.
Judging by the Dull Blade Aether had taken out earlier, every item still retained its original power in this world.
If someone had accidentally opened the Serenitea Pot after it was lost and those strange items scattered across the Douluo Continent… Aether didn't even want to imagine the kind of chaos that might unfold.
"Hyah~"
Just then, two horse-drawn carriages thundered past along the nearby official road, startling the commoners into scattering. The commotion also drew Xue Qinghe's attention.
"Aren't those carriages from Xue Beng's estate?"
Xue Qinghe squinted at the quickly disappearing carriages, recognizing the distinct designs used by his younger brother.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, nobles would embellish their attire and belongings with symbols of rank to flaunt their status. This was especially true for royalty.
Thinking of this, Xue Qinghe turned to Aether and said:
"Brother, since we're heading out to search for the treasure, why don't I summon a carriage for us? It'll save time and energy."
"Alright, I'll trouble you then, Your Highness."
Aether gave a nod of thanks.
He was so used to traveling on foot across Teyvat that he'd nearly forgotten that this world actually had functioning transportation.
It wasn't that Teyvat lacked transportation, but he and Paimon had always scaled mountains and crossed rivers. In comparison, transport often felt more like a hindrance than a help.
Judging from Xue Qinghe's behavior, it seemed he intended to stick with them. Making a crown prince walk on foot would indeed be a bit inappropriate.
"Very well, wait here for a moment."
Xue Qinghe walked some distance toward the city gate and gestured. Two guards stationed there quickly approached.
After a brief conversation, the two guards hurried back into the city.
Soon after, a royal carriage exclusive to the Crown Prince's estate arrived before them.
"Your Highness, my lords."
The elderly coachman stepped down to salute.
"Brother, please."
Xue Qinghe nodded to the coachman and gestured for Aether and the others to board.
"Your Highness, Keke, and Paimon, please go inside. I'll sit outside to better track the direction."
Aether politely offered, opting to ride with the coachman.
"This… very well."
Xue Qinghe glanced at the coachman, a flicker of concern in his eyes, but recalling Aether's abilities, he chose not to object.
The carriage sped along, raising clouds of dust.
"My lord… perhaps you should ride inside. The wind and dust out here are rather harsh."
The coachman looked visibly nervous, sweat beading on his hands gripping the reins.
"It's fine, uncle. Please turn right up ahead."
Aether waved it off. For someone who had journeyed through the wilds, this little dust was nothing.
"Understood…"
Seeing Aether still calmly seated beside him, the coachman braced himself and continued driving.
As they passed a village, Aether remained focused on sensing the Serenitea Pot, unaware of the small child—six or seven years old—suddenly crossing the road up ahead.
Startled by the oncoming carriage, the child froze in the middle of the road.
"Whoa~!"
The coachman yanked the reins immediately, but the carriage was moving too fast. Just as it looked like they were going to hit the child, a surge of soul power burst from the coachman's body. In a flash, he snatched the child away, tumbling onto the roadside.
"What happened?"
The sudden stop made Xue Qinghe and the others peer out from inside the carriage.
"It's alright, Your Highness. There was a child in the road, but we avoided him in time."
The coachman looked behind them, still shaken.
"Where is the child? Is he alright?"
Frowning, Xue Qinghe lifted the curtain and stepped out.
"I'll go check at once."
"I'll go with you."
Aether, now snapped back to awareness, followed the coachman toward the roadside brush.
"Maomao, my child…"
They soon found the child already in the arms of a plainly dressed woman, her weathered face etched with worry.
"I'm fine, Mama! Here~"
The child giggled as he handed her a small basket he had been clutching.
"You little rascal, don't ever do that again. You scared me half to death."
She took the basket and set it aside, running her hands over the boy's limbs to check for injuries.
"Okay, let's eat quickly while it's still hot, or it'll go cold soon."
Grinning, the boy wriggled free and opened the tightly guarded basket. Inside were a few steaming buns and a small dish of pickled vegetables.
"Mmm, Maomao, have some too."
She took the bun he handed her and lovingly ruffled his hair. Sensing something, she looked up and saw the two men before her—and immediately paled.
"H-Hey, is your kid alright?"
It was the coachman and Aether. The coachman stepped forward and asked gently.
"My lords, I'm sorry! Maomao didn't mean it, please have mercy…"
Recognizing them as nobles from the speeding carriage, the woman dropped the bun in her hand and bowed repeatedly, terrified.
Even the young boy instinctively moved to protect her, spreading his arms in front of her and snarling:
"Don't you dare hurt my mama!"
"…"
The coachman glanced at Aether, who gave a nod. He then walked toward the mother and child.
Seeing the towering man approach, the boy reflexively stepped back. But realizing his mother was still behind him, he scrunched up his face and took a big step forward, eyes full of defiance.
"Please, sir, I beg you, forgive him! He didn't mean any harm!"
The woman yanked the boy into her arms and sobbed, apologizing again and again.
"…I just came to check if the little brat got hurt."
Was he really that scary-looking?
The coachman sighed inwardly as he looked at the trembling pair.
"He—he's fine. Maomao's not hurt."
The woman, still expecting to be scolded, finally relaxed after hearing his words.
_
Please support my patreon, patreon. com/TravelerDouluo
And get early access to my 50 advance chapters.