At the top of the military tent, there was a pattern of a two-colored Divine Lotus.
While the two were in a daze, a dignified woman in a purple dress walked in from outside the tent with fiery intensity, launching into a scolding right away.
"You two rascals, sneaking off when no one was paying attention. It was bad enough to run off and play for two days, but you even wanted to sneak out of Hexi and go to Jianye Prefecture. Are you tired of living?"
It was the first time they had seen Hou Yuling with such a stern expression. The two immediately wilted like frost-bitten eggplants, lowered their heads, and said in unison:
"Aunt, we were wrong!"
Seeing the two boys frightened, a hint of amusement flashed in Hou Yuling's eyes. Pretending to be serious, she said: "Apologizing to Aunt won't help. Big Brother will be furious when he hears you sneaked out. He said he'd severely punish you this time, and I reckon you'd better prepare to spend another twenty years in Five Elements Heaven."
Hearing they might be in Five Elements Heaven for twenty years, the two boys' handsome faces turned pale with fright. They exchanged glances, then rushed forward, clutching onto Hou Yuling's arms, pleading with tears in their eyes.
"Aunt, please plead with Dad for me. Wuji promises not to run around anymore. I don't want to return to Five Elements Heaven. Please let me stay outside, I beg you."
"I don't want to go in either. Aunt, please talk to Uncle for me. I promise to behave and won't run off anymore, I'll just stay in Hexi."
Hearing her nephews' pleas, Hou Yuling could barely contain her smile, but she managed to hold it in and pretended to consider, clearing her throat lightly, saying: "All right, all right. I'll say a few nice words for you later. Come along, let's go see Big Brother now. Let's go!"
"I knew it, Aunt is the best..."
Following behind Hou Yuling, as soon as they stepped out of the tent, a strong aura of blood and energy hit them, causing both to shudder and their pupils to contract abruptly.
While inside the military tent, they hadn't actively sensed the outside situation. Upon stepping out, they were awestruck by the sight of countless tents, thousands or even tens of thousands within sight.
Each military tent could accommodate ten people, which meant just from what they could see, there must be over a hundred thousand soldiers stationed there.
Tents stretched endlessly, with countless soldiers bustling between them, all uniformed in red armor. Clearly, they belonged to the elite Red Flame Army of the Hou Clan. As they passed by, soldiers continually bowed to the three of them.
"Greetings, Young Masters!"
"Greetings, Commander."
"The young masters are awake. Did you sleep well last night?"
"Greetings, Young Masters!"
The two, having arrived last night, exchanged puzzled looks when hearing the soldiers' greetings. They had clearly slept at an inn in Jiujun County City last night, so how did they end up here? More importantly, they didn't even know where they were now.
And how exactly did they get here?
With a stomach full of questions, they followed Hou Yuling forward. Shortly, they arrived at the entrance of a massive military tent. Seeing the white-clad guards by the entrance, Hou Wuqie and Hou Wuji instantly recognized them as the White Feather Guards who were often by Hou Yuxiao's side. Realizing that Hou Yuxiao was inside the tent, they shrank their necks and instinctively hid behind Hou Yuling.
"The Family Head is in a meeting. No one is allowed inside without a summons. Third Miss, Young Masters, please wait a moment!"
Hou Yuling nodded, turned to look at the two brothers behind, who were as silent as cicadas in winter, her eyes filled with amusement and teasing.