358: Chapter 358 A Prosperous Frontier

The military camp in the Western Frontier city was brightly lit, and the banquet lasted from dusk until late into the night.

Li Shengyuan was surrounded at the head table like the moon among stars, with frontier generals and local officials taking turns to offer toasts, their words filled with awe and excitement.

The gray-haired frontier garrison general even raised his wine bowl, his hand trembling.

"Marquis Li! Your deeds of slaying the Yao Race Demon King and the Demon Cult Leader in the Demon Domain, and shaking all races with your might, have spread throughout our small frontier city!"

His voice was booming, yet his eyes were slightly reddened. "You wouldn't know, but ever since the news returned, those Yao Race tribes outside the border have all become much more obedient!"

"In the past, they would come every few days to harass us and prey on the border citizens, but now, they actually take the initiative to send over game, claiming it is to 'honor' you!"

The whole hall burst into laughter, but as they laughed, their eyes turned red again.

Li Shengyuan raised his cup in return, took a small sip, and asked, "How is the situation in the Great Qian recently? Is the frontier still peaceful?"

Another civil official hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, thanks to your blessing, the frontier is safe and worry-free."

"Ever since the Dragon Emperor of the Demon Domain issued the decree declaring you an honored guest of the Yao Race, the Yao Race tribes in the wild lands beyond the border have one after another sent envoys to pay respects, and their attitude is very respectful."

"The trading caravans between the two domains have also increased several times over, and there have been no reports of caravans being plundered along the way."

"Indeed!" An official in charge of border trade excitedly took over the conversation. "Now, spiritual mines, beast materials, and rare Spiritual Plants transported from the Demon Domain are continuously pouring into the Great Qian."

"Our silk, porcelain, Medicinal Pills, and books are also being sold thousands of miles away via the Demon Domain trade route. Commercial tax revenue has more than doubled compared to last year! The people all say this is thanks to the blessing of Marquis Li!"

"Peace in the Western Frontier is the lifelong wish of countless people in our Western Frontier. To see it today is a great honor, and it is all thanks to you!"

"..."

Li Shengyuan nodded slightly, but his mind was occupied with deeper thoughts.

He knew that the current peaceful trade between the Human Race and the Yao Race was largely built upon his relationship with Long Qingcheng.

Long Qingcheng's decree of him being an "honored guest of the Yao Race," combined with the battle at Holy Dragon City, allowed him to travel unhindered in the Demon Domain and also ensured that Great Qian caravans received unprecedented courtesy in the Demon Domain.

But how long could this peace last?

If he and Long Qingcheng were to leave this world in the future, and the Human Race and Yao Race lost this bond, would the suppressed conflicts and covered-up prejudices erupt once again?

Li Shengyuan lowered his eyes, choosing not to dwell on it.

At least for the moment, the people of both races were benefiting, and that was enough.

As for future matters... those could be dealt with later.

Li Shengyuan raised his wine cup and said in a clear voice, "The peace of the frontier relies entirely on your day and night vigil. I, Li, offer you all a toast!"

The officials were flattered and hurriedly raised their cups in response.

In a corner of the banquet, Long Yun sat beside Pei Shuyun, her eyes curiously surveying her surroundings.

This was her first time stepping into a purely Human Race city, and everything felt fresh to her...

The Human Race attire, the delicate porcelain wine cups, the dishes she had never seen before, and the undisguised reverence in the eyes of the officials when they looked at Li Shengyuan.

She quietly leaned closer to Pei Shuyun and lowered her voice, "Sister Shuyun, they seem to be very afraid of Shengyuan?"

Pei Shuyun covered her lips and chuckled, "It is not fear, it is respect."

Long Yun blinked, seemingly understanding but not quite.

She had stayed in the Yao Race for too long; although there had recently been more of the Human Race's cultural influence, it was still mostly a world where the strong were respected.

If you are stronger than me, I fear you; conversely, you must kneel.

After the banquet, Li Shengyuan took the two women to change their attire, concealed their auras, and quietly stepped into the frontier city's night market.

Although it was not a prosperous town on the border, the nightlife was quite lively, and because of the frequent trade between the two races recently, it was becoming increasingly prosperous.

Lanterns hung high on both sides of the street, with vendors selling snacks, general goods, and street performers; everything one could ask for was there.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the sweetness of rice wine, completely different from the grand and solemn atmosphere of Holy Dragon City.

Long Yun looked around excitedly, one moment attracted by candied haws, and the next moment held up by a figurine-making stall.

She mimicked the passersby, took a bite of the candied haw, and as the sweet and sour taste melted on the tip of her tongue, her eyes instantly lit up.

"Delicious!" She waved the candied haw toward Li Shengyuan. "Shengyuan, this is so delicious!"

Li Shengyuan smiled and shook his head, then paid to buy her several more skewers.

Pei Shuyun was also rarely relaxed; she held Li Shengyuan's arm, strolling leisurely, occasionally stopping at a jewelry stall to pick up a wooden hairpin to examine.

The three of them strolled along, smiles on their faces.

Long Yun suddenly stopped in front of a teahouse, where the modulated voice of a storyteller could be heard.

She listened for a moment, and her expression turned strange.

"Shengyuan, that storyteller seems to be telling your story..."

Li Shengyuan tilted his head to listen, and sure enough, the storyteller was excitedly recounting the tale of "Marquis Li entering the Demon Domain alone, single-handedly slaying the Demon King and the Demon Cult Leader." The plot was so bizarre and the details so rich that even he felt like a stranger to the story.

Pei Shuyun couldn't help but laugh. "Husband, when did you learn to 'shatter the Nine Heavens with one palm'?"

Li Shengyuan rubbed his nose and pulled the two of them away quickly. "Let's go, let's go, stop listening."

They strolled until the moon was high in the sky, and only then did the three return, fully satisfied.

Upon returning to their lodging, Li Shengyuan washed up, changed his clothes, and sat by the window. He suddenly spoke, "Shuyun, before returning to the capital, I want to go to the Pei family in the Southern Frontier first."

Pei Shuyun was facing a bronze mirror, undoing her hair bun. Upon hearing this, her hand paused slightly.

She was silent for a moment, put down the comb in her hand, and turned to look at Li Shengyuan, her eyes filled with gratitude and apprehension.

She walked up to him, held his hand, and nodded heavily. "Okay."

Li Shengyuan gripped her hand back and squeezed it gently.

Long Yun poked her head out from the room next door, smiling brightly. "I'm going too! I've been wanting to see what Sister Shuyun's home is like for a long time!"

The next morning, the civil and military officials of the frontier city gathered at the city gate, reluctantly seeing Li Shengyuan off.

"Marquis, are you really not staying a few more days?"

"Marquis, take care on your journey!"

"Lord Li, see you in the capital!"

Li Shengyuan cupped his hands to bid farewell. Before leaving, he said to the frontier garrison general, "I must trouble you to inform Your Majesty when you submit your report to the imperial court... I, Li, am going to the Southern Frontier first and will return to the capital after some time."

The garrison general hurriedly agreed.

The flying boat ascended into the sky, slowly moving away under the gaze of the crowd, speeding toward the Southern Frontier.

Long Yun leaned against the ship's railing, watching the mountains and rivers rushing by beneath her feet, her eyes filled with anticipation.

The Southern Frontier, the Pei family...

What exactly was that place, which Sister Shuyun described as "not feeling like a home," like?