152: Departing from Donglin City

At the horizon of the Northern Frontier City, a sliver of dawn light quietly broke through the darkness.

The mist, thin as gossamer, had not yet fully dissipated, casting a hazy glow over the solemn and majestic City Lord's Manor. The bronze bells on the eaves chimed occasionally in the morning breeze, making the surrounding silence even more pronounced.

Outside the main gate of the residence, a carriage crafted entirely from Black Ironwood—sturdy yet understated—was ready.

The animals pulling the carriage were no ordinary horses, but two exceptionally divine, snow-white "Cloud-Treading Colts" with faint clouds swirling around their four hooves.

Two Guards stood by the carriage, their postures as straight as spears. Their auras were steady and sharp, their gazes keenly scanning the surroundings; they were the capable men meticulously selected by Lin Suwan.

Situ Jun, dressed in a black brocade robe, stood by the carriage with his hands behind his back.

The morning light outlined his tall, pine-like figure. As the morning breeze brushed past, his ink-black hair moved slightly, adding a touch of coldness to his already handsome face.

At this moment, he looked at Lin Suwan and Hong Mei before him, a helpless, bitter smile appearing on his face.

Lin Suwan still wore that simple and elegant Moon-white Ruqun. The hem was stained with a bit of morning dew, reflecting tiny fragments of light under the early sun, making her appear even more pure and ethereal.

She walked slowly to Situ Jun, her beautiful eyes filled with subtle concern, and deep within them was an almost imperceptible trace of reluctance. She spoke softly in persuasion:

“Husband, you should still take the carriage. The journey will be easier, and it won't take much more time.”

As she spoke.

She handed over an exquisite and small Storage Sachet, her fingertips carrying a cool temperature as they brushed against him.

“Inside are some emergency Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones. You have always refused to use the manor's wealth and resources, but when traveling, how can you go without something to protect yourself?”

She paused, turning her gaze toward Hong Mei at the side, her lips curving into a faint smile:

“Hong Mei even went to the storehouse specifically to fetch these; don't let her efforts go to waste.”

Situ Jun took the sachet. It felt warm in his hand, and the faint, unique cold fragrance of Lin Suwan lingered at the tip of his nose—a scent that was crisp yet reassuring.

He nodded, his gaze softening:

“Thank you for your hard work with the manor's affairs.”

On the other side, Hong Mei was busy running around.

She was directing two sturdy servants, struggling to stuff a bulging parcel—several sizes larger than herself—into the carriage.

“Slow down, slow down! Inside are the candied fruits from 'Sufang Pavilion' for Lady Xuan'er, as well as Northern Frontier specialty Snow Lotus Tea...”

She supported the parcel, fearing the contents might be damaged, while counting on her fingers. Her small face was full of seriousness and a hint of irrepressible pride, as if this were a matter of the utmost importance.

The parcel was truly too large; after being stuffed into the carriage, it took up nearly half the space.

Situ Jun looked at the exaggerated parcel, then at Hong Mei, whose nose was sweating and whose face was flushed from the exertion. His lips couldn't help but twitch.

He crooked his finger and gave her smooth forehead a light flick.

“Ouch!”

Hong Mei covered her forehead and looked up at him pitifully, her watery eyes full of accusation.

“Little girl, why bring so much? It's not like Xuan'er isn't coming back. Are you trying to stuff her mouth full?”

Situ Jun looked at her with a half-smile.

Hong Mei's small face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple. She stomped her foot and huffed:

“Husband! This servant... this servant did no such thing! These are all things Lady Xuan'er likes!”

Her voice grew smaller and smaller until it was almost inaudible, but her eyes guiltily darted elsewhere.

Lin Suwan watched from the side, unable to help herself. she covered her lips with her sleeve and coughed lightly, though her eyes were brimming with laughter.

Just then.

A hunched figure walked soundlessly out from the shadows of the side gate, like a ghost blending into the morning mist, and quietly approached the carriage.

It was Bai Yu.

He had changed into clean, gray cloth servant's attire. His withered face was full of wrinkles, and his eyes were deep-set, exuding an air of old age.

However, in those seemingly cloudy eyes, a sharp light would flash from time to time, betraying the fact that despite his age, his cultivation was unfathomable.

He bowed deeply toward Situ Jun, his head lowered in a posture of extreme humility, his aged voice carrying absolute devotion:

“Master... this old servant... awaits your orders.”

Lin Suwan and Hong Mei's gazes immediately fell upon Bai Yu.

Lin Suwan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. She could clearly feel the flickering, powerful aura within this old man, which was by no means comparable to an ordinary Cultivator.

This filled her with awe, while she also secretly wondered when Situ Jun had acquired such a formidable subordinate.

Hong Mei instinctively shrank behind Situ Jun, a hint of fear showing on her small face—this old man gave her a feeling even more cold and terrifying than General Zhu, like a living corpse that had just crawled out of a grave.

In truth, Bai Yu was usually quite amiable, like an old farmer. It was only now, in front of Situ Jun, that he had to restrain his gentleness and assume the posture of a subordinate.

Situ Jun was only slightly surprised by Bai Yu's appearance, and he gave a slight nod in response.

He looked at Lin Suwan and Hong Mei:

“Go back. If there is any trouble in the manor, Zhu Changpo will handle it.”

“Take care, husband.”

Lin Suwan urged him once more, her tone full of concern.

“Safe travels, Manor Lord!”

Hong Mei also added quickly, her large eyes filled with care.

Situ Jun nodded and turned to Bai Yu:

“You drive the carriage. No one else needs to follow.”

Having given his instructions, he said no more. With a flick of his black sleeve, he boarded the carriage with fluid movements.

The interior of the carriage was spacious, covered with thick fleece rugs and equipped with low tables and soft cushions. It was arranged quite comfortably, though the massive parcel took up a significant amount of space.

Bai Yu silently took the reins and sat in the driver's seat. Then, with a low shout, he shook the reins.

“Neigh—”

The two divine Cloud-Treading Colts let out a clear neigh, their hooves kicking up faint dust. The wheels rolled, and the carriage smoothly and swiftly departed from the bluestone road in front of the City Lord's Manor, speeding away toward East Lin City.

Lin Suwan and Hong Mei stood before the manor gate, watching the carriage disappear at the end of the street, blending into the mist and morning light, before slowly turning to return to the manor.

In the shadows of the residence, Zhu Changpo's rock-like figure quietly vanished, leaving only the loyal Guards to continue their watch.

Inside the carriage, Situ Jun leaned against the soft cushions, eyes closed as he rested.

The wheels rolled over the official road, making a rhythmic and slight sound.

Before long, Situ Jun's Divine Sense transmission sounded in Bai Yu's ear:

“Didn't I tell you to return to the Zhou Dynasty? Why haven't you gone back?”

Hearing this, the wrinkles on Bai Yu's aged face twitched, and he responded respectfully:

“Forgive me, Master. This old servant was prepared to return to the Zhou Dynasty as ordered, but the State Protection Elder Council insisted that I remain in the Tianqi Dynasty to await deployment. Thus, I haven't had the chance to ask for Master's forgiveness. However, I have already sent a transmission to General Zhu to inform him of this.”

Situ Jun nodded and asked again:

“Tell me about the situation in your Elder Council, and how many experts the Zhou Dynasty has.”

Bai Yu organized his words and said slowly:

“The Zhou Dynasty, like the Tianqi Dynasty, is protected by a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor. This old servant does not know the specific cultivation level, but I imagine it would not exceed the Late Nascent Soul Stage.

This person remains in seclusion year-round, and some troublesome adversaries are handled by people sent by the State Protection Elder Council.

For instance, this time for the infiltration of the Northern Frontier, they sent me.

The Elder Council also has five Late Golden Core Stage Cultivators, of which I am one. Additionally, there are three Half-step Nascent Soul Enshrined Experts.”

“Three Half-step Nascent Souls? And one Nascent Soul Cultivator of unknown cultivation?”

A trace of thought flashed in Situ Jun's eyes.

If the Great Zhou Dynasty had such a foundation, then the Tianqi Dynasty, which had fought it for many years, must not be weak either.

And now, the Tianqi Dynasty seemed to have some ulterior motives regarding him, the City Lord of the Northern Frontier. Not only had they sent Shadow Guards to investigate his background, but they had also prevented Princess Li Danying from coming to the Northern Frontier.

Clearly, he, the new City Lord, had already aroused the dissatisfaction of the Sovereign. He just didn't know if this dissatisfaction was related to Princess Li Danying...