245: Continue the journey to southern Xinjiang

By the time she finished changing and came out, Situ Jun had already washed up and was sitting at the table, holding a Southern Border sound transmission talisman and examining it.

The morning light fell upon him, outlining his tall figure, lending an unexpected elegance to the otherwise simple inn room.

“Husband, I'm ready.”

Hua Hanxiang walked up to him and gently tugged on his sleeve.

Situ Jun put away the Jade Talisman and looked up at her.

She wore a light pink Ruqun, her long hair loosely pulled into a bun, adorned only with a simple Jade Hairpin. Her face was bare of makeup, yet she appeared exceptionally fresh and lovely.

He reached out to straighten her collar and said softly:

“Truly beautiful.”

Hua Hanxiang's cheeks flushed from his praise. Just as she was about to speak, the Waiter's voice came from outside the door:

“Sir, the washing water and breakfast have been delivered.”

Situ Jun responded. The Waiter quietly walked in, placing the copper basin and cloth on the shelf in the corner, and then carefully arranged the breakfast from the food box—a bowl of warm millet porridge, a plate of refreshing pickled cucumbers, two white steamed buns, and a small dish of sweet sauce nearby.

“Thank you.”

Situ Jun offered his thanks, and the Waiter quickly acknowledged him and retreated.

The two sat down to eat. Hanxiang drank a mouthful of millet porridge; the warm porridge slid into her stomach, making her close her eyes in comfort.

She bit into a steamed bun, dipping it in a little sweet sauce, finding it even tastier than yesterday's roast meat.

Seeing her enjoy her meal, Situ Jun also drank half a bowl more porridge.

After they finished eating, Hua Hanxiang voluntarily tidied the dishes. Situ Jun wanted to help, but she stopped him:

“Husband, just sit. I can handle this small matter.”

She quickly put the dishes back into the food box and wiped the table clean before walking over to Situ Jun and taking his hand:

“Husband, let's go out.”

Situ Jun smiled and nodded, leading her out of the room by the hand.

There were already quite a few guests in the inn courtyard; some were drinking tea and chatting, while others were carrying their bundles, preparing to leave.

The morning sunlight scattered across the bluestone slabs, reflecting dappled light and shadow. The air carried a faint scent of vegetation and breakfast, making it particularly pleasant.

The two walked out of the inn gate onto a bustling street.

Most of the shops lining the street were already open—selling breakfast, fabric, and small trinkets. Shouts and calls rose and fell, filled with the vibrancy of daily life.

Hua Hanxiang's eyes immediately lit up. She pulled Situ Jun's hand, looking curiously at everything around them.

Having grown up in the Poison Scorpion Cult and spent long periods in secluded Cultivation, she had never seen such a lively small town, finding everything novel.

“Husband, look at that!”

She pointed at a small stall selling Sugar Paintings not far away, her eyes full of curiosity.

The vendor was quickly tracing shapes onto a stone slab with a spoon. In a moment, a lifelike butterfly took form, emitting a faint sugary aroma.

Situ Jun followed her gaze and said with a smile:

“Do you want one? Let's go take a look.”

Hua Hanxiang nodded vigorously and quickly pulled him over.

Seeing them approach, the vendor quickly greeted them with a smile:

“Young Master, Miss, what kind of Sugar Painting would you like? Little rabbits, little tigers, and even a Phoenix—I can make them all!”

Hanxiang stared at the Sugar Paintings on the stone slab, hesitated for a long time, and whispered, “I want a... little rabbit.”

“Alright!” the vendor responded, picking up his spoon and scooping some melted Syrup. With a light twist of his wrist, he quickly drew a hopping little rabbit, adding two strokes to the rabbit's ears, making it look exceptionally lively.

He handed the Sugar Painting to Hua Hanxiang and said with a smile, “Hold it carefully, Miss, it's hot.”

Hua Hanxiang took the Sugar Painting and carefully licked it once. The sweet taste spread across her tongue, making her involuntarily curve her lips into a smile.

She turned to Situ Jun and held the Sugar Painting to his mouth:

“Husband, you try some too. It's so sweet.”

Situ Jun lowered his head and gently took a bite. The sweetness instantly spread.

He looked at Hanxiang's satisfied expression, his eyes filled with tenderness:

“If you like it, eat more, but don't eat too much, or you won't be able to eat lunch later.”

Hanxiang nodded, obediently holding the Sugar Painting and taking small bites as they walked. Situ Jun held her hand, walking slowly down the street, patiently accompanying her as she looked at the roadside shops... After walking for more than half an hour, they reached the end of the street, where there was a small river.

The river water was clear. Several willow trees were planted on the bank, their branches drooping onto the water surface, swaying gently in the wind. Several women were sitting on the stone steps by the river, washing clothes, their laughter drifting over with the wind, making it especially lively.

The most beautiful sight, however, was the stretches of Secluded Orchids along the bank.

Among the dark green leaves, pure white flower buds were dotted. Morning dew hung on the petals, reflecting the sunlight, beautiful like a painting.

Hua Hanxiang joyfully pulled Situ Jun to play beside the flower bushes. Before long, she ran to the riverside again, squatted down, and reached out to touch the river water.

The river water was slightly cool, carrying the chill of the morning, causing her to involuntarily retract her fingers.

“Be careful not to catch a cold.”

Situ Jun smiled slightly, took her hand, wiped the water droplets from her fingertips, and then took off his outer robe and draped it over her:

“It's windy by the river; don't get cold.”

Wrapped in his outer robe, which still held his body heat, Hanxiang felt a warmth spread through her heart.

She looked up at Situ Jun and suddenly spoke:

“Husband, do you think the place we live in later will also have a small river like this?”

Situ Jun sat beside her, pulled her into his embrace, and said softly:

“Yes, it will. Even if there isn't one, I'll dig one for you. Then we'll plant willows and flowers by the riverbank, and I'll accompany you for a walk by the river every day, okay?”

Hanxiang leaned against his chest and nodded hard:

“Okay!”

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the willow branches, scattering dappled light and shadow onto the two of them.

The river water flowed slowly, carrying their laughter, gently filling this tranquil morning.

Situ Jun lowered his head, looking at the satisfied profile of the person in his arms. He secretly vowed that he must quickly finish the matters in the Southern Border, then accompany her to sever ties with the Poison Scorpion Cult, allowing her to live such a stable and happy life sooner.

Just then, the jade pendant tucked at his waist suddenly vibrated softly.

Situ Jun's expression changed slightly. He subtly pulled Hua Hanxiang closer into his embrace, his fingertips gently rubbing the Jade Talisman—this was a Jade Talisman belonging to Wang Yingzi. The talisman's flashing light indicated that urgent news had arrived.

The movement of Situ Jun's fingertips was extremely light, afraid of disturbing the person in his arms.

Hanxiang was staring blankly at the willow leaves floating on the river surface and did not notice his abnormality. She only snuggled closer into his embrace, her voice soft and sweet:

“Husband, look at that leaf, it's floating so slowly.”

He followed her gaze, softly acknowledged her in his throat, but his eyes subtly scanned the surroundings.

The women washing clothes by the river were still laughing and chatting, the willow branches swayed in the wind. Everything seemed normal, but the Jade Talisman close to his body was still slightly warm, transmitting an urgent signal that could not be ignored.

“Hanxiang,”

Situ Jun spoke carefully, his voice still gentle:

“When we passed the end of the alley just now, there was a roast meat vendor whose aroma was richer than the inn's yesterday. Shall we go try it?”

Hua Hanxiang's eyes brightened. Just as she was about to nod, she caught sight of Situ Jun's hand hanging by his side, his fingertips holding a sound transmission jade talisman.

Her heart stirred slightly. She reached out and grasped his hand, whispering:

“Husband, is something urgent happening?”

Situ Jun was momentarily stunned, then laughed, rubbing her hair:

“Silly girl, what urgent matter could there be? I just worried you might get bored staying here too long.”

Although he said that, Hua Hanxiang did not let go of his hand; instead, she gripped it tighter:

“Husband, if you have important business, don't hide it from me. I'm not a little girl. You should deal with the sound transmission talisman first.”

Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Situ Jun felt a warmth in his heart.

He nodded, walked aside, picked up the Jade Talisman, and extended his Divine Sense into it.

The Shadow Guard's voice transmission came from inside the Jade Talisman:

“Master, according to news from the Royal Capital Shadow Guard, State Preceptor Xuan Qingzi has personally rushed to the Southern Border, his motive unknown. The people brought by Wang Cheng have been integrated by the Azure Dragon Guard, subtly indicating an intention to surround the Legacy Immortal Cave.”

Situ Jun's pupils contracted. This Mysterious Clarity Master was most likely aiming for Daoist Ming Ya's Legacy, and even if not, he was targeting someone related to Daoist Ming Ya.

Situ Jun's expression grew a little serious. He took out a blank sound transmission talisman, branded a few sentences into it with his Divine Sense, performed a special Hand Seal, and the talisman flashed and flew toward the depths of the Southern Border.

Situ Jun quickly walked back to Hanxiang, reached out, and pulled her into his embrace:

“Hanxiang, we must set off and continue rushing toward Daoist Ming Ya's Immortal Cave.”

Hearing this, Hanxiang looked up and kissed Situ Jun, saying:

“Husband should decide; besides, I've been very happy these past two days, so you don't need to deliberately delay time for me.”

Situ Jun could clearly feel the affection of the person in his arms. He gently wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer to him.

A moment later, Situ Jun led Hua Hanxiang by the hand toward the inn.

At the entrance to the inn's backyard.

The Guard, having received Situ Jun's message to depart, had already prepared the carriage. Seeing them approach, he immediately lifted the curtain:

“Sir, Madam Hua, please board the carriage!”

Situ Jun nodded and helped Hua Hanxiang into the carriage. The Guard cracked his whip, and over a dozen Guards on horseback quickly drove the carriage out of the small town.