25: Explain your purpose

"G-Grand Commander?!" Chen Rongzhen's body trembled violently, his neck turning with a rusted difficulty as he looked at the deep doorway, his palms instantly drenched in cold sweat.

The crowd parted like a tide, retreating to both sides.

A fierce wind billowed a black cloak, making it flap loudly!

An old man with white hair styled in a high bun stepped over the scattered debris on the ground, walking slowly. Each step he took seemed to land on the tip of Chen Rongzhen's heart.

The newcomer was none other than the supreme commander of the City Guard—Ling Haoyue!

His hands clasped behind his back, his sharp, hawk-like gaze swept over them. Chen Rongzhen felt as if an ice pick had pierced his spine, and a chill shot straight to his head!

Black battle boots crunched over the gravel and stopped beside Chen Rongzhen. The air seemed to freeze solid.

"Go and hand over your waist token." Ling Haoyue's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable finality.

Seven words!

Like seven death knells, they boomed in Chen Rongzhen's mind!

His suspended heart instantly plunged into an abyss! He had never imagined that the Grand Commander would be so decisive, not even giving him a chance to argue, directly kicking him out of the City Guard!

His past merits and hardships were, in the eyes of this stern commander, not worth mentioning!

Ling Haoyue no longer looked at him, he flicked his sleeve, turned, and his voice, like a great bell, echoed in the empty doorway, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Wei Qingying framed the caravan, and the evidence is conclusive! Chen Rongzhen engaged in favoritism, shielding and derelict in his duties! He is immediately dismissed from his post and sent to the magistrate's yamen for investigation! The reputation of the City Guard will not tolerate such corrupt elements! I hereby swear that I will show no leniency!"

"Good—!!!"

Before his words even finished, the surrounding commoners erupted in deafening cheers and applause! Their pent-up anger had finally found an outlet!

Xiao Zhuo also released his control over the young soldier.

The young soldier collapsed to the ground, a dark wet stain rapidly spreading on his crotch, and a pungent, foul odor permeated the air.

Xiao Zhuo frowned, subtly stepping back a few paces.

The black cloak, carrying a formidable Aura, drew near.

"Who is the person in charge of the Wu Family?" Ling Haoyue's gaze was like lightning, his voice authoritative.

Wu Qianning stepped forward gracefully, the pearl hairpins by her temples gently swaying with her movements, her voice clear: "Wu Qianning of the Wu Family, greets Lord Ling."

Ling Haoyue's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then moved past her, taking a deep look at the silent black-clad young man behind her, his tone meaningful: "Wu Family girl, you are very good, and the young man... is even more formidable. Let today's matter end here. As for the Wei Family, I will personally give your Wu Family an explanation."

With that, he turned and left without any hesitation, his black cloak cutting a stern arc in the wind.

A moment later, the vermilion-lacquered carriage wheels once again rolled over the bluestone road, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

At the city gate entrance, only Chen Rongzhen's lingering figure remained, as if his soul had been extracted.

Passing through the deep gate arch, the hustle and bustle of Qingyang City unfolded like a scroll before Xiao Zhuo's eyes!

On the wide streets, various merchant caravans and carriages rumbled along.

Stalls lined both sides, and the fragrant steam of hot food mingled with the vendors' continuous shouts.

Less than a hundred meters from the city gate, an ornate building with painted eaves and upturned corners stood. Beautifully adorned women leaned on railings, smiling charmingly, beckoning to the dust-covered merchants.

In the street corners and alleys, children chased and played, eliciting feigned angry scoldings from adults.

It was a vibrant, lively scene.

Following the Wu Family's procession through four or five increasingly bustling streets, after a turn, the gilded plaque of "Wu's Trading Company" shone brightly in the sunlight.

Wu Youqian, with a blood-stained bandage on his head, loudly directed the porters to unload the goods.

Wu Qianning, holding the gem-encrusted silver-sheathed longsword, walked to Xiao Zhuo's side, her voice a few shades softer than usual, with an almost imperceptible intimacy: "Young Master Xiao, the caravan needs to unload here. My Wu Family residence is still ahead; please come with me to the mansion to rest for a while."

In her eyes, as she looked at Xiao Zhuo, a different kind of light seemed to flicker.

Xiao Zhuo nodded, dismounted, and led his horse to follow.

After walking about another li, an imposing residence came into view, with a plaque bearing "Wu Mansion" hanging high above the gate.

The Family servants at the entrance immediately smiled and greeted Wu Qianning, and one of them rushed inside to report.

As the two of them stepped into the main hall, a short, plump, and prosperous middle-aged man (Wu Longqing) emerged, accompanied by a lean and capable steward (Wu Qing), to greet them in a hurry.

"Ning'er! You've finally returned safely! Nothing major happened on the way, did it?" Wu Longqing's tone was anxious, his eyes filled with concern.

He then noticed the black-clad young man beside his daughter, his gaze scrutinizing.

Wu Qianning briefly introduced Xiao Zhuo to her father.

The father and daughter then conversed in low voices about the caravan's affairs and the dangerous situation at the city gate.

Xiao Zhuo had no interest in this.

Wu Longqing, observing their expressions, immediately ordered Wu Qing to take Xiao Zhuo to the guest room to rest.

Xiao Zhuo was happy for the quiet, and left with the steward.

After Xiao Zhuo left, Wu Longqing had a rough understanding of the situation. His thick brows furrowed into a ' Sichuan' shape, and he sighed deeply: "This time, we truly owe a great debt to this Young Hero Xiao! Not only did he save the blood pattern steel, but he also taught that arrogant brat from the Wei Family a harsh lesson, and even Chen Rongzhen stumbled... This favor is not small!"

"Father! Young Master Xiao is more than just powerful!" Wu Qianning's eyes curved, filled with undisguised admiration, "That Chen Rongzhen was simply no match for him!"

Wu Longqing keenly caught the unusual expression on his daughter's face, his expression sobered, and he said in a deep voice: "Ning'er! This young man's origins are unfathomable. To possess such astonishing Cultivation at such a young age, even if placed in the Yuyang Sect, he would likely be among the top Prodigies! When associating with him, maintain your distance, and by no means get too deeply involved!"

Wu Qianning was not foolish. Hearing her father's implied meaning, she retorted with dissatisfaction: "Although Young Master Xiao is a bit aloof, his character and martial arts are both of the highest caliber! Why can't I befriend him?"

Seeing his daughter's affection already evident, Wu Longqing sighed even more deeply in his heart: "Precisely because he is too outstanding, you must be even more cautious! Such a person is absolutely not someone our Wu Family, a merchant household, can aspire to. A slight misstep could bring immense disaster upon our Family!"

Upon hearing this, the light in Wu Qianning's eyes instantly dimmed.

Her father's words were like a splash of cold water, shattering the budding fantasies in her heart.

Yes, a person like Young Master Xiao was like the bright moon in the Nine Heavens; how could her humble Family background and Cultivation ever hope to reach him?

She lowered her head, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible disappointment and stubbornness: "Daughter... understands. However, since Young Master Xiao has fulfilled his promise, if he ever needs the Wu Family's assistance in the future, I ask Father... to do your best."

"That is natural." Wu Longqing looked at his daughter's disappointed expression and could only reluctantly agree.

The midday banquet was quite sumptuous, with only Wu Longqing and his daughter accompanying him at the table.

Wu Longqing tried several times to subtly probe Xiao Zhuo's background, but Xiao Zhuo lightly brushed off each attempt.

Seeing that Xiao Zhuo was very tight-lipped, Wu Longqing wisely did not press further.

Towards the end of the meal, Xiao Zhuo put down his silver chopsticks and finally stated his purpose: "Patriarch Wu, Young Miss Wu, my accompanying you this time is actually for a matter I wish to entrust to you. I would trouble the Wu Family to help inquire about the whereabouts of the latter part of the Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art. If you can find a way to obtain the Cultivation Technique, I will surely offer a generous reward!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Qianning's hand, holding the chopsticks, suddenly paused, her face filled with astonishment: "Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art? Young Master Xiao... why are you looking for this Cultivation Technique?" Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she explained, "This was passed down by our Yuyang Sect's Old Ancestor, it's just... although the Cultivation Technique is exquisite, Cultivating it consumes a great deal of time and resources, making it quite unpopular within the Sect, with few choosing it. You want it..."

A knowing smile, however, flashed in Xiao Zhuo's eyes—as expected, this Cultivation Technique was not valued in the Yuyang Sect!

Judging by Wu Qianning's tone, she was actually a Disciple of the Yuyang Sect, which was a pleasant surprise!

"I have my own uses. I wonder if the Wu Family can assist?" he pressed.

Wu Qianning's face showed difficulty, a hint of apology in her tone: "Young Master Xiao, this Cultivation Technique is not a top secret within the Sect. Outer Sect Disciples can exchange for the first four levels by paying a price, while Inner Sect Disciples can obtain the subsequent five levels. It's just..."

She paused, her tone serious.

"All core Cultivation Techniques of the Sect require Disciples to swear a Heart Demon oath when learning them, strictly prohibiting private transmission or leakage! To obtain it, one must either exchange it with the Sect for immense benefits, or..." She looked up at Xiao Zhuo, her eyes complex, "...or, become a Disciple of my Yuyang Sect! Besides these, Qianning truly cannot think of any other way."

"Become a Disciple of the Yuyang Sect?" Xiao Zhuo's fingers gently tapped the table, he pondered for a moment, and found this path quite feasible in his heart.

He looked up, his gaze calmly meeting Wu Qianning's: "Young Miss Wu, with my age and Cultivation... would the Yuyang Sect still accept me?"

"Ah?!"

These words, once spoken, were like a clap of thunder from a clear sky!

Wu Qianning's cherry lips parted slightly, and the silver chopsticks in her hand clattered softly, falling onto the delicate porcelain dish!

Even the usually composed Wu Longqing, beside her, instantly widened his eyes, his face filled with an expression of incredulous astonishment!