Nanda was far from satisfied with the outcome, but there was nothing he could do.Deep down, he had a rough idea of who might be trying to kill him.
"Let's go. Time to head home."
The group returned to the airport, where their private jet was waiting—a Gulfstream small jet, capable of seating a dozen people comfortably.
This was Cao Yang's second time on a private jet; the first was with Chu Baiwei.He was carrying his luggage, excited, ready to board.
Nanda, however, grabbed him before he could step on.
Cao Yang frowned. "What's up?"
Nanda signaled the airport security team to thoroughly check the aircraft.
Cao Yang exchanged a glance with Cao Yiyue, both thinking Nanda was overreacting.
But the result quickly proved otherwise.
Security personnel discovered two time bombs hidden behind the jet's fuel tank—set to detonate in one hour and ninety minutes respectively.
The airport erupted into chaos. Crowds were evacuated and bomb disposal experts were called in.
Nanda's face darkened. Whoever wanted him dead was deadly serious.Had he been careless like Cao Yang, today would have been the end of the line.
"Your Highness!" The pilot and several flight attendants dropped to their knees, terrified, insisting they had no knowledge of the bombs.
Nanda knew they were innocent—unless they wanted to die with him.
His only curiosity: Were the bombs planted before leaving home, or after arriving in Thailand?
Cao Yang wiped sweat from his brow.In his world, airplanes don't have hidden bombs.He had unintentionally stumbled into a high-level conspiracy.
Usually, slashing someone with a knife or taking a sniper shot felt "high-level" to him.But this… this was a whole different league.
He rested his index finger on his nose, thumb on his chin, eyes squinted, thinking deeply.He made his trademark left-hand gesture as he analyzed the situation.
He suspected the bombs were planted in Thailand.If they had been installed earlier, there would have been no need for a blatant airport attempt.The earlier assassination attempt had failed, prompting a "backup plan."But the plane was at the airport—who besides airport insiders could access it?
He shared his analysis with Nanda and the others. Nanda nodded in agreement.
Soon, airport security confirmed that the bombs were indeed planted by someone inside—surveillance cameras were malfunctioning, but the evidence was enough.
Nanda was furious.Thailand's officials were furious too.
How could their airport staff do such a thing without anyone knowing?What if it happened next time on the Thai King's plane?
They hurriedly assured Nanda that they were unaware and promised a thorough investigation.
Nanda, still angry, didn't dare remove the bombs himself.
The group drove off, escorted by the Thai military all the way to the border.Any mishap on the road would have triggered a diplomatic incident.
Crossing the border bridge, they were met by Nanluo Kingdom's military.They drove for tens of kilometers before reaching a fork in the road.
The group split here.
Nanda and Nancy headed to the capital, Luotai City.Cao Yang and Cao Yiyue were bound for Sangkan City—home of the Cao family and Cao Yang's great-grandfather.
Nanda got out to bid farewell, embracing Cao Yang once more, expressing heartfelt gratitude for saving his life.He repeatedly reminded Cao Yang to visit Luotai City for a meeting after the King's birthday in a few days.
Cao Yang nodded in agreement and shared a hug with Nancy before they parted ways.
In the car, Nanda's expression remained grim.
Nancy asked, "Brother, still wondering who it could be?"
Nanda nodded."Our exact return time wasn't even known to the King, yet assassins prepared in advance. Who else could it be?"
Nancy shook her head. "It can't be the Cao family. Cao Yang saved you."
Nanda sneered. "Cao Yang isn't really a Cao. He didn't even know about this."
"But Yiyue came with us. If it were only the airport assassins, fine—but the plane bombs? Cao Yang and Yiyue could have died too. There's no way the Cao family would risk that."
"Great men disregard trivialities. Sacrificing two juniors is nothing. Besides, Cao Yang doesn't count, and Yiyue is just a girl."
Nancy shook her head."Impossible. Yiyue isn't dumb. She knew the danger and still came."
"Maybe she didn't know?"
"No. Even if the Cao family wanted revenge, they wouldn't risk killing you. You die, they gain nothing. It's probably one of the uncles… or another sibling."
"Why so glum even after reaching home?" Cao Yang asked, curious, observing Nanluo's landscapes from the car.He noticed Cao Yiyue lost in thought.
She shook her head, smiling wryly, trying to push Nanda's suspicions away.Shaking off the annoying thoughts, she began explaining Nanluo's history to Cao Yang.
She told him how the Cao family took root here.
Nanluo Kingdom is a multi-ethnic country of over 20 million people.It has more than a dozen ethnic groups:
The largest is the Nanta ethnic group, with 15 million people.
Second largest, the Taye ethnic group, over 2 million.
Third, the Mona group, over 2 million.
Fourth, the Han group, over 1 million.
Historically, Nanluo was a Chinese vassal state. Han Chinese conducted trade here during the Ming Dynasty.
When the Qing Dynasty rose, some Han refugees fled to Nanluo, establishing roots.
During WWII, Nanluo was briefly occupied by Japan. After Japan's surrender, civil war broke out over the royal succession.
At this time, the Cao family, defeated in their homeland, retreated to Nanluo.Four and Seven Branches arrived with 8,000 troops—significant in a country like Nanluo.Instead of being expelled, they were invited to join the local faction.
They chose to support the current royal army, integrating with the local Han population.With this support, their forces grew stronger by the day.
After the war, Cao Tailin was appointed Grand General—Cao Yang's great-grandfather.
The old King's appointment was a temporary measure, intended to stabilize the situation while he built power to eventually remove them.
"Who sleeps on my bed?" Heh, not letting others settle in his domain.
Fortunately, Cao Tailin also amassed power—possibly surpassing the King's army.Had he revolted, he could very well have succeeded.
But he didn't. Whether it was due to lack of ambition or public support, the mostly Nanta populace would never accept an outsider ruling them.
Cao Yang gazed out the window, absorbing the history, and thinking—his path in Nanluo was only just beginning.