370: Chapter 37 Understanding Each Other

Yue Mang waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the Alchemists present. Xing Fangsong understood immediately and waved his hand to dismiss everyone. Once only the two of them remained in the hall, Yue Mang slowly spoke, "Feng Ming is leaving the capital with the Xun Luoyuan tonight. Are you aware?"

Xing Fangsong nodded hurriedly. "Young Master Feng is our guild's Honorary President, so naturally, this subordinate is aware. Does Your Highness have instructions for him?"

"Precisely." Yue Mang's eyes darkened slightly. "Teacher instructed me to use this opportunity to test Feng Ming and see if he is truly loyal to me. Tonight, I will personally go to the city gates to see them off. You shall accompany me, and when the time comes, give this item to him as I instruct."

After saying that, Yue Mang leaned close to Xing Fangsong's ear and whispered a few instructions.

Xing Fangsong's expression changed drastically after listening, and his voice couldn't help but tremble. "Your Highness, the accounting deficit of the Qian Prefecture branch is enormous. If he notices it, I'm afraid it will cause a major upheaval!"

Yue Mang waved his hand dismissively, his tone carrying a hint of certainty. "Since Teacher dares to use this as a test, he is not afraid of him finding out. Just do as I say. If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility."

Xing Fangsong didn't dare to argue further and could only bow in response. "This subordinate obeys."

At the imperial capital's city gates late at night, the moonlight was like water, pouring down and illuminating the entire city as if it were day. Feng Da looked up at the bright moon in the sky and couldn't help but sigh softly, "Tonight's moon is too bright, it's actually like daytime. This is truly rare."

Feng Ming nodded slightly, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Indeed. The time the Xun Luoyuan chose is both low-profile and secure."

“Isn't it? His Majesty only said to leave the capital in three days and didn't specify a time. The Xun Luoyuan choosing to set off late at night happens to avoid the eyes and ears in the city, preventing unnecessary trouble,” Feng Da quickly agreed.

Just as the two finished speaking, a rhythmic sound of horse hooves came from the distance. A group of over ten people galloped over, their Aura imposing. The person in the lead wore tight-fitting clothes, standing tall with a hint of heroism between her brows; it was none other than the Xun Luoyuan, Luo Yuan.

The cold moonlight fell upon her, adding a touch of the valiant spirit of a female warrior from the battlefield, making everyone's eyes light up.

The mounted troop stopped before the city gates. Luo Yuan's gaze swept over Feng Ming and Feng Da as she spoke indifferently, "You didn't prepare horses?"

Feng Ming and Feng Da looked at each other, both stunned. "No one informed us that we needed to prepare horses in advance."

Luo Yuan's brow arched slightly, and she immediately ordered, "In that case, Feng Ming will ride with me. Who among you will give Feng Da a lift?"

"I will!" a guard nearby immediately responded and stepped forward.

Just as Feng Ming was about to step forward, two figures suddenly emerged from the shadows by the city gate and called out to stop them, "Everyone, wait!"

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw the Second Prince, Yue Mang, walking side-by-side with the Alchemist Guild President, Xing Fangsong, with composed expressions. Everyone present hurriedly dismounted and bowed, "Greetings, Second Prince!"

Yue Mang waved his hand, his tone gentle. "No need for such formality. This Prince has come specifically tonight to see you all off."

His gaze fell on Feng Ming, carrying a seemingly sincere expectation. "Feng Ming, do not worry too much. Although this Prince was previously enamored with the Xun Luoyuan, I also know that forced love is never sweet. Now that the Xun Luoyuan has chosen you, this Prince wishes you two to be of one heart. You must treat her well in the future."

"When you go to Qian Prefecture to take up your post, you and I will have many interactions in the future. I also hope you will fulfill your duties and not fail the trust placed in you."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your blessing and reminders. Feng Ming will keep them in mind." Feng Ming bowed, his manners impeccable, though in his heart, he already understood their mutual schemes.

"Lord Xing, don't you have something to tell Young Master Feng?" Yue Mang turned his head to look at Xing Fangsong and reminded him indifferently.

Xing Fangsong hurriedly took a step forward, pulled out a Black Iron Medallion engraved with the Alchemist Guild's emblem from his robe, and handed it to Feng Ming with both hands. "Little Friend Feng, this is a medallion personally decreed by the Second Prince. By His Highness's order, once you arrive in Qian Prefecture, all affairs of the Alchemist Guild's Qian Prefecture branch will be placed under your control."

"The most critical among them are all the accounting records of the Qian Prefecture branch. From now on, we will have to trouble you to take care of them."

Hearing this, Feng Ming instinctively looked up at Yue Mang, waves of shock rising in his heart. Who could have thought that the Alchemist Guild of the Bright Moon Dynasty had already fallen under Yue Mang's control?

This was the Bright Moon Dynasty's literal purse. Such generous treatment was enough to see who King Haoyue truly favored in his heart. However, Feng Ming remained expressionless, bowed, and reached out to take the medallion.

His fingertips brushed over the cold patterns on it, a nearly imperceptible glint flashing in the depths of his eyes, though he remained calm on the surface. "Your Highness and Lord Xing, rest assured, Feng Ming will certainly do his best."

"Good!" Yue Mang laughed heartily and raised his hand. "The hour is late, so I won't delay your journey further. Set off immediately. We shall catch up on old times when we meet again."

Feng Ming and the others said no more. Luo Yuan was the first to mount her horse. Looking at the position on the horse's back, Feng Ming immediately felt unhappy. This clearly meant she wanted him to sit in front and have the Xun Luoyuan hug him from behind?

That wouldn't do; he was never used to being approached by women in such a way. With a thought, Feng Ming yanked the reins, his figure leaping nimbly behind Luo Yuan, his arm naturally circling her waist.

Caught off guard, Luo Yuan glared at him in shame and annoyance. Feng Ming lowered his voice and whispered in her ear, "The Crown Prince is still watching. You are supposed to be deeply in love with me; how could a man sit in front of a woman?"

"A girl should have a girl's gentle appearance. Otherwise, who would dare to marry you in the future?"

"You!" Luo Yuan's eyebrows shot up in anger as she gritted her teeth in retort. "Even if no one dares to marry me, it won't be your turn!"

Feng Ming chuckled, his tone teasing, "Then that's quite unfortunate. This time, I am precisely following you back to Xun Prefecture to marry you."

Having said that, he raised his voice and cupped his hands toward Yue Mang and Lord Xing, "Crown Prince, Lord Xing, farewell!"

As his voice fell, Feng Ming took one last glance toward the imperial city and thought coldly to himself: Old thief King Haoyue, don't blame me for being heartless. Blame yourself for setting a trap to scheme against me before. As for the matter of the evil cultivators, you're on your own.

He kicked the horse's belly hard, and the steed let out a long neigh, galloping toward the city outskirts under the moonlight.

Seeing this, Luo Yuan's followers didn't dare to delay and galloped after them one after another.

The group completely left the imperial capital's gates under the cover of night.

During the journey out of the capital, Feng Ming was full of curiosity and turned to look at Luo Yuan in front of him. "Why must we travel at night?"

Luo Yuan snorted and turned her head away. "Why should I tell you?"

Feng Ming laughed, intentionally teasing her, "This attitude won't do. If you keep a cold face, how will our fake marriage act fool your father? If he notices something is wrong, I'm afraid he'll fall ill from anger."

Mentioning this, Luo Yuan instantly became nervous. She turned to glare at him and warned sharply, "I'm warning you, you must not let my father know even a hint of the truth! Even if it's an act, you must play it to the end!"