The first rays of morning sunlight shone quietly into the room. Shi Yu, still bleary-eyed, slowly opened his eyes and reached up to gently touch his forehead.
Counting the days carefully, six years had passed since he first arrived here, and today he was finally leaving.
Shi Yu slowly sat up, a touch of melancholy in his eyes as he focused on the view outside the window, which looked like a picturesque painting.
“Knock, knock,” an abrupt sound of knocking echoed, interrupting Shi Yu’s thoughts.
“A-Yu, are you awake?” Mo Yuan tapped gently on the door, his tone soft and filled with a sense of tentativeness.
“What is it?” As Shi Yu spoke, he climbed out of bed. The door creaked open, and he was met with the enthusiastic face of Mo Yuan. His originally heavy mood seemed to be infected by the other’s warmth, and he felt slightly better.
Mo Yuan curved his handsome eyes, smiling brightly at Shi Yu. “We are going down the mountain today. Master wants us to set off early.”
“Yes, I know.” Shi Yu’s voice was as calm as a lake without a single ripple, devoid of any fluctuation.
However, Mo Yuan still keenly captured the fleeting trace of melancholy hidden deep within Shi Yu’s eyes.
“Are you unhappy, A-Yu?” Mo Yuan tilted his head slightly, his gaze like a torch fixed firmly on Shi Yu’s face, as if trying to look through his expression to spy on his innermost thoughts.
“It is nothing.” Shi Yu lowered his eyes slightly, attempting to conceal his emotions, then shook his head at Mo Yuan to signal he was fine, and turned to walk back into the room.
His long eyelashes acted like a fan, shading the look in his eyes and making it difficult for anyone to discern his true feelings. He shook his head again, a minimal gesture to show he was not troubled, and walked deeper into the room.
Mo Yuan pondered in his heart, seemingly having guessed the reason. He followed with light steps into the room.
“Are you reluctant to leave this place, A-Yu? It is alright. We can come back to visit whenever we have time, just like when I first brought you here, we can fly back!”
Shi Yu watched this eccentric person with interest. He saw him waving his arms and fluttering them like wings, looking both funny and ridiculous.
Shi Yu could not help it and chuckled.
Seeing that Shi Yu had regained his usual spirit, the stone hanging in Mo Yuan’s heart finally fell, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
“Mo Yuan, I do not like that place. There is too much sin there.”
Shi Yu could clearly feel a heavy, gloomy emotion pressing down on his chest. It stemmed from a deep-seated hatred and aversion for that filthy place.
“I am…”
Just as Shi Yu was speaking, Mo Yuan suddenly reached out and pulled him tightly into his embrace, his strength as if he were trying to merge Shi Yu into his own body.
“I know you have to go, A-Yu. It is fine. I will always stay by your side.”
Shi Yu was startled by the sudden move. He remained stunned for a moment before his body instinctively retreated a few steps, his eyes revealing shock. He steadied himself.
“If you have something to say, say it! What is the meaning of being handsy!”
As he spoke, he pushed Mo Yuan away forcefully, keeping a distance from him.
“You are so cold-hearted, A-Yu. I was sincerely expressing my feelings.” Mo Yuan wore an injured expression, staring fixedly at Shi Yu, as if Shi Yu were a faithless and heartless person who had betrayed him.
“Enough, hurry up and pack. We need to leave.”
Shi Yu looked away, pretending not to see his pathetic expression.
The two hurriedly packed their belongings and walked quickly toward the main hall.
When they stepped into the main hall, they immediately saw their master sitting in the center and Fu Zhu standing quietly to the side.
They hurried forward to salute. “Thank you, Master, for your years of teaching and cultivation. We are departing today, and we hope you take care of your health!”
Zemian Zun nodded with a faint smile, signaling for them to rise, and then spoke slowly.
“You two must be extra careful on this journey. If you encounter difficulties or danger, you must return to the sect immediately to inform me.”
“Yes, the disciples will act with caution.”
Shi Yu bowed his head slightly, continuing to listen intently.
Zemian Zun nodded, putting down the book in his hand. “You are going to the Cloudmist King City this time, and you will pass through Lannan County.”
“A servant reported this morning that an epidemic has broken out in Lannan County. The situation is critical, and you must assist while you are traveling down the mountain. Fu Zhu will head to the King City first to find a place for you to stay.”
Zemian Zun placed the heavy book on the table and reached out to pick up a slip of paper from the side. He cast a calm glance at Shi Yu and handed the paper over.
Shi Yu stepped forward, took the paper, and a flash of confusion crossed his eyes, but he quickly unfolded it to read. As his gaze drifted across the page, his expression gradually became serious, as if he were deeply captured by the content.
Mo Yuan leaned in to look at the information, a profound look flashing in his own eyes. The whole room was silent, save for the faint sound of paper turning. The atmosphere was exceptionally heavy.
“How can this be? Who is King Bo?”
Shi Yu stared tightly at the name, a trace of doubt and confusion in his eyes. He frowned slightly, seemingly trying to contemplate the matter.
After a while, he could not help but raise his head and look at his master. His master stood tall like a pine tree, his face calm and majestic. Those deep eyes seemed able to perceive everything, yet at this moment, they held a look that was difficult to fathom.
Zemian Zun stood up, walked over to Shi Yu, and handed him a secret letter.
“Shi Yu, this is information on the various powers currently in the Cloudmist Dynasty. You are returning to the King City for the first time, so you must be extremely cautious.”
Shi Yu accepted the secret letter with both hands, his confusion deepening, but he did not ask any further questions. He reached out, his gaze locked on the envelope.
He pulled out the letter inside. As the words entered his sight, his expression became even more profound, and the initial confusion in his eyes grew even heavier.
“Thank you, Master.” After saluting, Shi Yu backed out of the main hall, his footsteps light yet firm.
Mo Yuan lowered his eyes and followed Shi Yu out.
Outside the hall, Shi Yu gripped the secret letter tightly, his eyes sharp and focused. He frowned slightly, secretly pondering the origin and importance of this letter.
“Collecting this kind of information is incredibly difficult. When do you think Master began gathering it?”
Mo Yuan frowned slightly, his eyes filled with doubt and contemplation. He shook his head slowly, indicating he did not know.
“Forget it. Let us rush to Lannan County first.”
Shi Yu looked hurried, a trace of anxiety on his face. He quickly tucked the letter into his robes and quickened his pace.
When the two of them hurried to Lannan County, the place was already a scene of chaos.
Corpses of those who died from the epidemic were everywhere. The air was filled with an intense, pungent smell of blood and decay, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Only tattered clothes fluttered in the wind. The once prosperous and lively Lannan County was now dead silent, as if shrouded by an invisible fear.
Mo Yuan quickly took out a veil and a medicine bottle and handed them to Shi Yu.
“Wear this, A-Yu. To be safe, you must also take this pill.”
Shi Yu nodded slightly, reached out to take the veil, and gently tied it over his face.
Just as he had finished putting it on, an abrupt cry of a child suddenly sounded from nearby.