69: Recruiting and Leaving

The next morning, the sun's rays shone through the broken window lattice, falling upon the air of Star South City, which still lingered with the faint scent of blood and scorched earth. Qin Feng had spent the night regulating his body; the side effects of the qi burst pill had slightly eased, but a dull ache in his Meridians and mental fatigue remained.

He straightened his somewhat tattered clothes, took a deep breath, and walked out of the temporary dwelling. Xiao Chun was already waiting outside the door. Her eyes were still slightly swollen, clearly indicating a sleepless night. The look she gave Qin Feng was full of dependence and an indescribable firmness.

"Brother Qin Feng, are we... going to the City Lord's Mansion?"

"Mm." Qin Feng nodded, looking at Xiao Chun with a faint sigh in his heart. His master's decision and that piece of information about the 120 favorability level made his feelings towards Xiao Chun quite complicated.

The two walked in silence towards the City Lord's Mansion in the core area of the inner city. Along the way, many soldiers and civilians who recognized Qin Feng cast grateful and admiring glances his way; some even stopped to bow respectfully. Qin Feng acknowledged each one with a nod, yet his heart remained largely unperturbed. Instead, it strengthened his resolve to leave. The halo of a hero was too heavy and too conspicuous.

The City Lord's Mansion, though repaired, still appeared solemn and dignified. After their arrival was announced, they were led to a side hall used for discussions.

City Lord Xia Wuyin was already waiting there. He had changed into everyday clothes, but the authority in his brow and a trace of weariness were still difficult to conceal. Xia Xue also stood to the side. Today, she wasn't wearing armor but a light cyan martial attire, which lessened her battlefield aura and added a touch of delicate beauty. Seeing Qin Feng and Xiao Chun enter, her gaze lingered on Qin Feng for a moment before she gave a slight nod.

"Young Friend Qin, Miss Su, you've arrived. Please, have a seat." City Lord Xia wore a gentle smile, his attitude extremely courteous.

"Thank you, City Lord." Qin Feng and Xiao Chun took their seats as instructed.

After a few pleasantries, City Lord Xia's expression turned serious. He clapped his hands, and attendants immediately brought forth several trays covered with brocade cloth.

"Young Friend Qin, great kindness is beyond mere thanks. But please, you must accept these small tokens of my gratitude." City Lord Xia personally lifted the brocade covers.

On the first tray lay a card shimmering with a dark golden luster. "This is a universal gold card from the Imperial Treasury. It holds one hundred thousand gold coins and can be withdrawn in any major city of the Qian Kingdom."

On the second tray were two exquisite jade vials. "These are third-grade 'peiyuan pills' and fourth-grade 'hunyuan pills,' ten of each. They are greatly beneficial for stabilizing one's Foundation and enhancing Internal Energy. Consider them my personal collection."

The third tray held an ancient-looking scroll, a set of black soft armor gleaming with a faint light, and a sheathed long sword with a simple scuttle bearing faint dragon patterns. "This scroll, 'Overlapping Waves Force,' is a Profound Rank High Grade Internal Skill application method. This set of 'Profound Tortoise Armor' is also a Profound Rank High Grade protective treasure armor. And this sword, 'qingming sword,' is a top-grade Profound Rank treasure sword nearing Earth Rank! All are fine items from the City Lord's Mansion treasury!"

This gift of gratitude was undeniably substantial! Enough to tempt any Grand Martial Master, even a Martial King!

Qin Feng's heart stirred slightly, but he quickly calmed himself. He stood up and cupped his hands in salute. "City Lord, your generous gifts are too much for this Junior to accept. Defending the city and repelling the enemy was merely my duty."

"Young Friend, do not refuse!" City Lord Xia waved his hand, his tone sincere. "If not for you saving Xue'er and joining forces to slay that barbarian Martial King, boosting the army's morale, who knows what the fate of my Star South City would have been! For such merit, these mere worldly possessions are nothing."

He paused, his gaze burning as he looked at Qin Feng, finally revealing his true intention. "Young Friend Qin, observing your youth yet possessing such cultivation and strength, coupled with extraordinary courage and insight, your future is limitless. I wonder, what are your plans next? If you do not mind that my Star South City is but a small pond, I, Xia, would like to formally invite you to the position of City Lord's Mansion Commander! No, I will directly appoint you as the Commander of the newly established 'Barbarian-Breaking Battalion,' an independent military unit with priority access to all resources! What do you say?"

Xia Xue, standing nearby, also spoke up. "Young Master Qin, Star South City needs talented individuals like you. Please stay." Her voice remained cool, but it carried a trace of barely perceptible expectation.

Faced with such favorable conditions and the earnest pleas of the City Lord and his daughter, Qin Feng fell silent for a moment. He glanced at Xiao Chun beside him, who seemed nervous because of this lavish gift and invitation, her small hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes. His decision was already made.

He raised his head, wearing an expression of appropriate regret, and cupped his hands again. His voice was clear and firm. "City Lord, Miss Xia, your high regard fills me with gratitude. However... to be frank, I am not a Loose Cultivator. I am a Disciple of the Hundred Flowers Palace."

As he spoke, he took out and briefly displayed the token gifted by the Hundred Flowers Palace emissary, intricately carved with floral vines.

"Hundred Flowers Palace?" Both City Lord Xia and Xia Xue were taken aback, clearly surprised.

"Indeed. Previously, an emissary from the Sect came to invite me back. However, with the barbarian siege, how could I, Qin Feng, a subject of the Qian Kingdom, stand idly by? Hence, I delayed until now. Now that the city's crisis has been resolved, it is time for this Junior... to return to the Sect and report." Qin Feng's tone carried a note of firmness.

A flicker of evident disappointment passed through City Lord Xia's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He laughed heartily, masking his regret. "So that's how it is! A distinguished Disciple of the Hundred Flowers Palace! No wonder, no wonder you possess such bearing! Since it is a Sect summons, I naturally dare not insist on you staying. What a pity, truly a pity!"

He composed himself and said solemnly, "Young Friend, if you have the chance in the future, you must return to visit Star South City! When that time comes, my Star South City will surely open its gates wide and line the streets to welcome you!"

"I will. Thank you for your understanding, City Lord." Qin Feng gave a slight bow.

After a few more polite exchanges, Qin Feng excused himself, citing the need to prepare for the journey, and left the City Lord's Mansion with Xiao Chun.

Returning to the temporary quarters at Huichun Medical Hall, Chu Tianhe seemed to have anticipated their return and was waiting in the courtyard.

"You refused?" Chu Tianhe looked at Qin Feng, his tone calm.

"Mm." Qin Feng nodded. "Master, I... am leaving."

Chu Tianhe was silent for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. "This master knows that this small Star South City cannot hold you. You are no ordinary creature confined to a pond." His gaze was complex as he looked at Qin Feng, then at his daughter, who was following closely behind Qin Feng with determined eyes.

"Feng'er," Chu Tianhe's voice held a note of earnestness, "take Xiao Chun with you."

"Father!" Xiao Chun exclaimed, her face instantly flushing, but her eyes grew even more resolute as she looked at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng's heart tightened, and he was about to speak.

But Chu Tianhe raised a hand to stop him and continued, "I know the path ahead for you is unknown and certainly perilous. But this girl, Xiao Chun... How could I, as her father, not know her feelings? Once she sets her mind on something, not even nine oxen can pull her back. Leaving her in the city would only make me worry. By your side, she might even be of some help. And besides..."

He paused, then took from his bosom a black box that felt neither metallic nor wooden to the touch, warm and smooth, carved with intricate medicinal herb patterns, faintly exuding an ancient aura.

"This is..." Qin Feng sensed the box's extraordinary nature.

"This is the core inheritance of my Huichun Medical Hall lineage, passed down from the ancient 'Medicine King Valley'—the Legacy Pill Formula." Chu Tianhe placed the box solemnly into Qin Feng's hands, his expression grave. "It does not contain physical pills but rather an inheritance imprint bearing many lost Pill Formulas, Alchemy insights, and a unique 'Spirit-Nurturing Art' from Medicine King Valley. Your master's Aptitude is limited; even after a lifetime, I have not comprehended one-tenth of it. You are exceptionally gifted and blessed with profound fortune. Perhaps... in your hands, it might restore a fraction of Medicine King Valley's former glory. Consider it... a dowry from this master of yours."

"Master!" Qin Feng's mind was profoundly shaken. The value of this gift far surpassed all the rewards from the City Lord's Mansion! This was a truly priceless treasure! He wanted to refuse.

"Take it!" Chu Tianhe's tone was resolute, brooking no refusal. "Take good care of Xiao Chun. Go now, while it's still early."

Xiao Chun was already in tears, throwing herself into her father's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

In the end, Qin Feng accepted the weighty Legacy and bowed deeply to Chu Tianhe.

Half an hour later, at the somewhat damaged northern gate of Star South City.

Qin Feng had changed into ordinary cyan cloth clothes, carrying a simple pack on his back, the qingming sword wrapped in cloth and slung over his shoulder. Xiao Chun had also changed out of her medical hall attire, wearing an elegant dress, her eyes still red-rimmed, following closely beside Qin Feng.

They did not disturb many people. Only Chu Tianhe, Second Uncle Father, and Xia Xue came to see them off.

"Take care."

"Master, take care. Miss Xia Xue, take care."

"Second Uncle and Father, take good care of yourselves."

"Feng'er, take care!"

After brief farewells, Qin Feng took the reins of two ordinary packhorses, helped Xiao Chun onto one, and then swung himself onto the other.

He took one last look back at this city, baptized by blood and fire, which had given him his initial foothold yet also brought endless trouble. He looked at the still-flying, tattered flag of the Qianyuan Kingdom atop the city wall, then gently nudged his horse's sides.

"Hyah!"

The two packhorses set off, carrying the two of them along the official road, heading north, slowly making their way towards the unknown direction that belonged to the Hundred Flowers Palace.

The sunlight stretched their shadows long, merging them into the wilderness of early spring.

A new journey had begun. And the hidden dangers and visible opportunities ahead were just like this path, full of unknowns.