524: Chapter 524 Arrival in Northern Frontier City

Half a month later, beneath the gates of Northern Frontier City, a travel-worn figure stood quietly.

Madam Xiangyu was dressed in plain white clothes, which had long been mottled by the dust of the mountain roads; her temples were slightly messy, a few strands of hair clung to her cheeks, and the fatigue of the long journey was condensed in the depths of her eyes.

But even so, it could not hide the natural beauty of her features; the plain clothes made her skin appear as white as snow, and instead of the elegance of her former life in a grand mansion, she possessed a heart-stirring, clear beauty.

She slowly raised her hand and took out the dragon phoenix jade pendant from her bosom; the suet-white jade felt cool to the touch, and the intertwined dragon and phoenix patterns had been rubbed until they were warm and smooth.

The coldness coming from her fingertips gradually suppressed the surging nervousness and anxiety in her chest, allowing her chaotic thoughts to settle slightly.

Taking a deep breath, she hid all the unease in her eyes and, with light steps, walked toward the guarding Guards.

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a hint of tension that was hard to conceal, clearly reaching the ears of several people:

"Could I trouble you brothers to pass word that an old acquaintance from Qingshan Town, holding City Lord Situ Jun's token, seeks an audience."

The Guards had been stationed at the City Lord's Manor for years and were used to guests coming and going, but very few dared to call the City Lord by his name.

Their gazes fell in unison on the jade pendant in her hand; its Spiritual Qi was restrained and not ostentatious, and its patterns were ancient and grand. One could tell at a glance it was an extremely precious token, definitely not an ordinary item.

The few men exchanged glances, not daring to be even slightly negligent. The leading Guard immediately cupped his fists and said:

"Please wait a moment, Madam. This Subordinate will report immediately."

Having said that, he turned and quickly stepped into the manor.

In just a moment, a figure in black robes strode out from within the City Lord's Manor.

It was indeed the City Lord of the Northern Frontier, Situ Jun.

He had just finished handling the complex affairs of the city's expansion. Hearing that someone was seeking an audience with his jade pendant, his heart was full of doubt.

But when he clearly saw that figure outside the manor gate, his whole aura suddenly paused, and a flash of complex, hard-to-discern emotions flickered in his eyes—there was the surprise of a long-awaited reunion, the guilt buried deep in his heart, and a throb of excitement that even he hadn't deeply explored.

They hadn't seen each other for a whole year.

The woman before him had long since shed the luxury and dignity of her former life in a grand mansion. Dressed in plain clothes, she was gentle and elegant, yet the haggardness and weariness that could not be hidden between her brows added a touch of pitiable fragility to her.

"Xiangyu... Madam, we haven't seen each other for a year. How have you been lately?"

Situ Jun stepped forward quickly, his gaze unconsciously falling on her dust-stained hem and her slightly reddened eyes. His originally steady tone actually softened a few points involuntarily.

He had never imagined that their reunion after a year would be her crossing thousands of mountains and rivers to find him in this Northern Frontier.

Wan Xiangyu raised her eyes and looked at the man before her.

In just a year's time, Situ Jun's Aura had become increasingly steady. His black robes were embroidered with gold and cloud patterns, and his spiritual power was as restrained as a mountain. With the majesty of a City Lord, he no longer looked as disheveled as he did in the secret room that day.

Thinking of the scene of that night's passion, her cheeks quietly flushed. She quickly lowered her eyes and spoke softly:

"City Lord Situ, I have come this time to ask for a favor—I wish to request the title deed for a residence within Northern Frontier City."

"A title deed?"

Situ Jun was slightly stunned, the doubt in his eyes deepening.

Wan Xiangyu's fingers hanging at her side tightened slightly. In the end, she didn't dare to reveal her heart's desire of rushing to the Northern Frontier out of longing. She only detailed her experience of the Black Tiger Gang coming to her door to force debt collection and injuring Steward Wang, and how she had fled to the Northern Frontier to avoid disaster, seeking only a place to settle down.

Her voice was soft, yet it carried an irrepressible helplessness.

After Situ Jun finished listening, his brows suddenly furrowed, and a flash of cold anger flickered in the depths of his eyes.

The Black Tiger Gang actually dared to target Wan Xiangyu; they had already touched his reverse scale.

He immediately said in a deep voice:

"Rest assured, Madam, I will take charge of this matter for you. I will immediately send people to Qingshan Town to wipe out the Black Tiger Gang and seek justice for you."

Wan Xiangyu's heart warmed. The panic and unease of the past days suddenly dissipated, and her eyes felt slightly hot.

It turned out that he did care about her after all.

She raised her eyes, which were full of gratitude, and said softly:

"Thank you, City Lord Situ. It's just that I have no other requests, only a place to settle down. I wonder if the City Lord..."

"Such a small matter is not worth mentioning."

Situ Jun raised his hand to interrupt her, his gaze falling on her exhausted face, his heart full of pity:

"You have crossed mountains and ridges all the way; you must be physically and mentally exhausted. Follow me into the manor to rest first. As for the title deed, I will arrange it myself; there is no need to rush."

Madam Xiangyu hesitated for a moment but finally nodded gently.

She was now penniless and had no one to rely on. If she refused, she wouldn't even be able to afford a room at an inn, let alone anything else.

Following Situ Jun into the City Lord's Manor, the scene before her eyes made her slightly dazed.

Inside the manor, pavilions and towers were arranged in a well-ordered fashion, with upturned eaves and painted rafters, every part exuding exquisite luxury.

Rare spiritual plants were planted in the courtyard, and the misty Spiritual Qi surrounded her. As the sunlight fell, fine spiritual light flickered like stars, which was very eye-catching.

The passing attendants and maids walked with light steps, their expressions respectful and orderly. Such grandeur was far beyond what the residences in Qingshan Town could compare to.

Situ Jun remained silent throughout the walk but intentionally slowed his pace, fearing she wouldn't be able to keep up.

Finally, he led her to a secluded and elegant courtyard in the North Courtyard. The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and several quiet Spiritual Orchids were in full bloom, their faint fragrance refreshing the heart and sweeping away the clamor of the outside world.

In the living room, freshly picked Spiritual Fruits were placed on a stone table, the Spiritual Qi misty. One could tell at a glance that it had been carefully arranged.

"Rest here first. I will order the maids to prepare hot water and food for you, and then bring a set of clean clothes. I will come to see you later."

Situ Jun spoke in a gentle tone, giving careful instructions.

"I've troubled you, City Lord Situ."

Madam Xiangyu bowed slightly and watched him leave, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

A gentle breeze blew through the courtyard, carrying the elegant scent of the Spiritual Orchids and stirring the stray hairs on her forehead.

She walked to the table and sat down, picking up a Spiritual Fruit and taking a bite. The sweet juice dissolved in her mouth, and the Spiritual Qi spread down her throat, dissipating most of the fatigue from her journey.

Her fingertips unconsciously brushed the jade pendant on her chest, and the scenes from the secret room that day surged into her mind uncontrollably—his burning body temperature, his hurried breathing, and that final "I'm sorry" full of guilt. Each scene was incredibly clear, making her heart suddenly race.

She knew better than anyone that her feelings for Situ Jun had long since taken deep root unknowingly.

But he was a high and mighty cultivator, the lord of a city, and he already had peerless Dao Companions by his side.

And she was nothing more than a woman who had been divorced by her husband's family and whose reputation was completely ruined.

The difference between them was like cloud and mud, like a natural chasm lying between the two.

When she entered the city, she had already inquired clearly. Situ Jun had several Dao Companions by his side, each of whom was a cultivator with peerless beauty and extraordinary Cultivation.

Precisely because of this, when she requested an audience just now, she only dared to mention the title deed and did not dare to reveal even a hint of her feelings.

Before long, a maid knocked respectfully and entered, bringing hot water and brand-new clothes, carefully serving her as she bathed and changed.

The warm water washed over her body, washing away the dust of the journey, but it could not wash away the turmoil in her heart.

Wan Xiangyu changed into soft, plain-colored clothes and sat before the mirror. Looking at her haggard yet still bright and beautiful self in the mirror, her heart was full of bewilderment.