The gates of Qing Shan Town gradually disappeared behind them.
The convoy split apart soon afterward.
Some mercenaries remained in the town to celebrate a successful expedition.
Others accepted new commissions before their boots had even gathered dust.
Only a few chose the road leading back toward Wu Tan City.
Among them were Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan.
The Little Fairy Doctor stood outside the small clinic, watching them prepare to leave.
Neither side spoke immediately.
Some farewells became heavier the longer they were delayed.
“You really won’t stay another day?”
The Little Fairy Doctor looked between the two cousins.
“There are still injuries that need treatment.”
Xiao Yan scratched the back of his head.
“I would.”
“My teacher wouldn’t.”
Inside the ring, Yao Lao snorted.
“Correct.”
“We’ve wasted enough time already.”
“…See?”
Xiao Yan spread his hands helplessly.
“I have no authority.”
The Little Fairy Doctor laughed softly.
After spending enough time around Xiao Yan, it wasn’t difficult to tell when he was blaming everything on someone else.
Xiao Feng stepped forward.
“Thank you.”
She tilted her head.
“For what?”
“For the herbs.”
“For the medicine.”
“…and for answering far more questions than you needed to.”
She smiled.
“You asked interesting ones.”
“Most people only ask what a herb does.”
“You wanted to know why.”
Xiao Feng nodded.
“The answer is usually more valuable.”
The Little Fairy Doctor remained quiet for a moment.
Then she walked inside the clinic before returning with a small wooden box.
“I was going to keep this.”
She handed it to him.
“But I think you’ll make better use of it.”
Xiao Feng accepted it carefully.
Inside lay several handwritten notes.
Harvesting seasons.
Methods of preservation.
Many pages contained corrections written in the margins.
They were clearly personal notes gathered over many years.
He looked up.
“This is too valuable.”
She shook her head.
“I’ve already memorized most of it.”
“It’ll be wasted sitting in a drawer.”
Xiao Feng closed the lid.
“I’ll take good care of it.”
“I know.”
Her answer came without hesitation.
The morning sun had already climbed above the rooftops.
It was time to leave.
Xiao Yan climbed onto one of the wagons before looking back.
“Take care!”
“You too.”
The Little Fairy Doctor waved until the convoy slowly disappeared beyond the road leading north.
Only after the last wagon vanished from sight did she lower her hand.
The clinic suddenly felt much quieter than before.
The journey toward Wu Tan City was peaceful.
Without the pressure of exploration, everyone traveled at a relaxed pace.
The road wound through rolling hills covered with green grass.
Occasionally another merchant caravan passed in the opposite direction.
Travelers exchanged brief greetings before continuing onward.
Nothing remarkable happened.
And somehow…
That felt refreshing.
Around noon, Xiao Yan rode beside Xiao Feng.
“Cousin.”
“Hm?”
“You’re carrying another book.”
Xiao Feng glanced down.
“So?”
“…You bought it before we even reached the city.”
“I did.”
“…When?”
“Earlier this morning.”
Xiao Yan stared.
“There was a bookstore in Qing Shan Town?”
“There were two.”
“I’ve been there several times!”
“…”
“I was.”
Yao Lao burst into laughter inside the ring.
By afternoon, the familiar outline of Wu Tan City finally appeared beyond the plains.
Its tall walls stood proudly beneath the clear sky.
Compared to Qing Shan Town, the city looked far more prosperous.
Merchants entered through the gates in a steady stream.
Guards inspected each convoy before allowing passage.
Everything felt familiar.
Yet after spending time inside the Magic Beast Mountain Range…
The city somehow seemed smaller.
Xiao Yan noticed it too.
“We’ve only been gone a short while.”
“It feels different.”
Xiao Feng looked toward the crowded streets beyond the gates.
“We’re the ones who changed.”
Xiao Yan thought about those words.
Then slowly nodded.
Maybe…
That was true.
The moment they entered the Xiao Clan, several younger disciples hurried over.
“Young Master Xiao Yan!”
“Young Master Feng!”
“You’re finally back!”
News spread surprisingly quickly.
Within minutes, servants were carrying luggage while several elders asked about the expedition.
Questions came from every direction.
Was it dangerous?
Did you really fight magical beasts?
Did you find rare herbs?
Was the hidden cave real?
Xiao Yan answered a few before retreating as quickly as possible.
If he stayed any longer, the questioning would never end.
Later that evening, silence finally returned.
Xiao Feng sat alone inside his courtyard.
The wooden box given by the Little Fairy Doctor rested beside today’s newly purchased books.
He gently placed the handwritten notes onto the shelf rather than storing them away.
They weren’t merely references.
They represented trust.
Outside, the evening breeze stirred the leaves overhead.
Returning home should have felt like the end of a journey.
Instead…
It felt like standing at the beginning of another.