62: Chapter 62 Spirit Summoning Technique

"Creak." After the father and son departed, the door slowly closed, and the room returned to silence.

Yun Song couldn't wait to pick up the book placed on the table. His movements were slightly hurried, and his rough palms gently caressed the cover, as if sensing the texture of time.

Opening it slowly, he saw three ancient, large characters written strikingly on the cover— "Spirit Guiding Art," the calligraphy vigorous and powerful.

He gently turned to the first page; the paper emitted a faint, crisp sound. The handwriting on it was neat, recording:

"Spirit Guiding Art, First Layer: Initial Perception of Spiritual Qi. To begin the path of Cultivate, one must use breathing techniques, taking the Spiritual Root as a guide to explore the Spiritual Qi drifting between heaven and earth."

After reading this sentence, Yun Song couldn't help but sigh softly. That sigh seemed to carry countless helplessness and loss, his expression full of disappointment.

"Sigh! As expected, it's another method that requires a Spiritual Root to Cultivate. I risked my life to obtain a useless item."

His words were tinged with bitterness, and the light in his eyes instantly dimmed.

His original expectations shattered like bubbles, leaving only a heart full of melancholy.

"The matter of this Storage Pouch and the 'Spirit Guiding Art' must have already reached many people's ears."

"Given the current situation, this place is like a Dragon's den and a tiger's lair, with incalculable hidden crises. Staying for even one more moment means one more degree of danger; I must leave as soon as possible."

Thinking this, he hid the Storage Pouch close to his body, tucked the 'Spirit Guiding Art' into his chest, and patted it gently, as if comforting this hard-won yet useless treasure.

Afterward, he picked up his mining hoe and pushed open the door.

Heavy snow fell in profusion, scattering wantonly; the silence was permeated with a bone-chilling cold.

He moved lightly and cautiously toward the hole in the backyard wall.

Arriving at the wall hole, he squatted down and slipped through it without a sound, his figure instantly disappearing into the vast curtain of snow.

After exiting the wall hole, he dared not stop for a moment, rushing all the way along the snow-covered streets until he arrived at the inn where he was staying.

Walking into the inn's lobby, he saw the innkeeper dozing behind the counter, the sound of slightly rhythmic snoring echoing in the quiet lobby.

Yun Song stepped forward and softly woke the innkeeper, his voice kept extremely low.

"Innkeeper, I have something to attend to and must leave first."

After giving a simple explanation, he hurried toward his room.

Entering his room, he quickly picked up his bundle and strapped it onto his back.

Daring not to delay for even a moment, he turned and headed straight out of the inn, his hurried footsteps creating a light breeze that made the paper on the table rustle.

At this time, the city gates were already open. The streets were desolate, with almost no trace of pedestrians, only the snow-filled sky dancing wantonly.

He strode toward the city gate, the wind and snow hitting his face. The guards at the gate saw his hurried demeanor but did not stop him much, only casting a few suspicious glances.

No sooner had Yun Song's figure disappeared outside the city gate than the expression of one of the guards changed abruptly, and he immediately ran rapidly back into the city.

With every step he took, he splashed up fine snowflakes, as if there was an urgent matter waiting to be reported.

...

Inside the courtyard of Nanyue Escort Agency.

"Brother Yun, the banquet is prepared."

"Young Master Yun."

Ye Hua and his sister stood outside the room, calling out several times, but there was only silence inside.

Ye Hua felt suspicious. He raised his hand to knock, but the moment his fingertips touched the door panel, it let out a "creak" and slid open a crack on its own.

The two walked into the room, only to find it empty, and Yun Song's mining hoe was gone.

The siblings looked at each other, their eyes full of surprise and confusion.

Ye Hua was stunned for a moment, then said anxiously:

"Oh no, Young Master Yun has already left!"

His sister also panicked, her face full of anxiety.

The two dared not delay in the slightest, turning and running toward Chief Escort Ye's room.

Hearing the news of Yun Song's unannounced departure, Chief Escort Ye frowned slightly. A flash of worry crossed his deep eyes as he fell into deep thought.

He had already guessed the general reason for Yun Song's departure; it must be that he did not want to invite fatal disaster because of these two treasures, so he chose not to appear before everyone and left quietly.

Now that more and more people were involved in this matter, and the hidden dangers were becoming increasingly complex, he decided to make a decisive move after pondering for a moment.

With a grave expression, he lowered his voice and said:

"You two siblings, go quickly and pack up the silver and valuable items. You must be fast; do not delay."

Ye Hua and his sister stood to the side, their eyes full of confusion.

Seeing this, Chief Escort Ye explained softly:

"There are not a few people in the city now who know I obtained items in the cave. Continuing to stay here will only bring great disaster upon us."

"It would be better for our family to leave. Bring some silver to the main hall."

"Coincidentally, it is the birthday banquet; I will announce it while all the escort guards are gathered together."

Upon hearing this, although Ye Hua and his sister felt reluctant, they understood their father's good intentions. They nodded silently and went out to pack their things.

"Everyone, I have an important matter to announce."

Chief Escort Ye's expression was grave, and the originally lively atmosphere in the main hall instantly froze.

Everyone looked at Chief Escort Ye's serious expression, feeling a faint sense of unease in their hearts.

He looked around at everyone, his gaze sweeping over every familiar face, and took a deep breath.

"Our Escort Agency is dissolved, effective immediately."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's faces showed astonishment, as if they had heard the most incredible words.

A noisy buzz of discussion immediately arose; the escort guards looked at each other, unable to believe their ears.

Chief Escort Ye's gaze was steady, his expression carrying a hint of determination and reluctance.

"Yesterday, the Escort Agency went through such a disaster; I fear such incidents will happen repeatedly in the future."

"But you have all followed me, Ye, for so many years, through thick and thin. I cannot let you have no livelihood after we disband."

Although his voice was steady, it carried a trace of an imperceptible tremor.

He first walked to the most senior Escort Guard Chen, picked up a heavy money bag from the table, and handed it over with both hands, his movements solemn and sincere:

"Brother Chen, I am sorry. You were frightened these past two days. You have been in the Escort Agency the longest, worked wholeheartedly for the agency all these years, and have elderly and young at home to take care of."

"Take this bag of silver; it will be good for you to enjoy your later years when you go back."

Escort Guard Chen's eyes reddened, his lips trembling as he took the money bag. His voice was choked with emotion, carrying a hint of vicissitudes and gratitude:

"Chief Escort Ye, thanks to your care all these years. In the future, if there is anything you need this old man for, just ask."

Next, Chief Escort Ye walked to the young and strong Escort Guard Li and patted his shoulder, the force neither light nor heavy, but full of strength.

"Little Li, you are still young; it is the time for you to venture out."

"Here is some silver; you can take it to do some small business. Remember, whatever you do, you must be down-to-earth."

Escort Guard Li's eyes reddened, his lips pressed tightly. He clasped his fists forcefully and bowed deeply; everything was understood without words.

The wind and snow howled outside the door. Inside the hall, silver changed hands with light clinking sounds, mixed with exhortations and choked whispers.

A Jianghu gathering and parting that had continued for many years, just at this moment when the wine and food were still warm and the snow sealed the door, silently and resolutely reached its final chapter.

And deep within the wind and snow filling the sky outside the city, a lonely figure, carrying the useless Secret Manual and unknown dangers, headed toward the more bewildered distance, rushing forward with head bowed.