Shi Yu heard Gu Nanxiao’s words and nodded slightly in agreement. “Understood, thank you all for your hard work.”
He then turned his gaze toward Ah Jiu, reaching out to gently stroke the boy’s head.
“Ah Jiu, we are leaving this place today. Is that alright?”
Upon hearing this, Ah Jiu was startled for a moment before a faint smile appeared on his face. He nodded vigorously.
“Yes, Ah Jiu will listen to Brother Shi Yu.”
Seeing Ah Jiu’s affirmative response, a look of relief appeared on Shi Yu’s face.
“Then Ah Jiu, please stay in the room and pack your things. We will return momentarily.”
After speaking, he and Mo Yuan followed Gu Nanxiao out of the room, leaving Ah Jiu alone on the bed, staring blankly at the familiar room. He carefully recalled every moment he had spent with his mother. Tears gradually blurred his vision; his eyes turned red, and he gave a soft sniffle. Slowly, he got off the bed and began to pack, feeling reluctant to leave behind every single item he touched.
Meanwhile, Shi Yu and Mo Yuan followed Gu Nanxiao to make final preparations around the village. By the time they looked up again, it was already noon.
“Senior Brother Shi Yu, as for the scale of this village, Nanxiao and the other junior brothers will work together to maintain the spiritual power for you.”
Hearing Gu Nanxiao’s meticulous arrangements, Shi Yu replied softly, “Very well. The time is almost upon us. Mo Yuan and I must return to the center of the village.”
They nodded to Gu Nanxiao and headed straight toward the dry well. When they reached the village center, the time was perfect. Shi Yu and Mo Yuan exchanged a knowing glance, confirming they were both fully prepared.
Shi Yu quickly formed hand seals with both hands, sending a bright signal into the dazzling sky. At the same time, the Lingxi Sect disciples scattered around the village periphery saw the signal and immediately focused their minds, channeling their spiritual power to the best of their ability.
“A-Yu.”
Mo Yuan softly called Shi Yu’s name. Shi Yu turned, his gaze meeting Mo Yuan’s. With a sudden movement, they rose slowly into the air. Standing opposite each other dozens of feet above the ground, they simultaneously performed incantations with their hands.
Countless translucent blue-silver threads emerged from all directions, wrapping around their bodies before gradually merging into them. Shi Yu quietly felt the spiritual power gathering within him. Both he and Mo Yuan opened their eyes at the same time, and a pale golden circle of magical light burst forth from them, expanding outward until it covered the entire village.
The village’s previously withered landscape was gradually overtaken by vibrant, lush life. As the light faded, Shi Yu and Mo Yuan slowly descended to the ground. Seeing the village now renewed, Shi Yu felt at ease.
The other disciples rushed back to the village, coming to Shi Yu and Mo Yuan’s side to bow respectfully.
“Senior Brother Shi Yu, Senior Brother Mo Yuan.”
Gu Nanxiao stood at the front of the disciples, his face beaming with joy. Shi Yu nodded, his expression calm.
“Yes. Junior Brother Gu, Mo Yuan and I intend to leave today. I leave the remaining matters to you.”
Gu Nanxiao’s expression was resolute and courageous.
“Yes, Senior Brother. You can rest assured.”
After bidding farewell to the junior brothers, Shi Yu and Mo Yuan returned to Ah Jiu’s home. At this moment, Ah Jiu was sitting obediently by the bed, swinging his small legs back and forth, his head lowered as if pondering something.
“Ah Jiu, have you finished packing?”
Shi Yu stepped into the room and asked softly.
Hearing Shi Yu’s voice, Ah Jiu jumped off the bed and ran to Shi Yu’s side, tilting his little face upward to answer,
“Yes, I have finished packing, Brother Shi Yu.”
Shi Yu nodded slightly, signaling Mo Yuan to pick up the luggage.
“Very well, let us go.”
As Shi Yu reached out to pick up Ah Jiu, Mo Yuan stepped in first and scooped the child up tightly. Mo Yuan’s peach-blossom eyes curved slightly, and he looked at Shi Yu with a smile.
“I will do it, A-Yu. This little brat is heavy; do not tire yourself out.”
Shi Yu looked at the small, thin figure twisting and struggling in Mo Yuan’s arms. His expression betrayed a hint of confusion, and he glanced at Mo Yuan as if asking if he was serious.
Mo Yuan held the struggling Ah Jiu firmly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a confident, self-assured smile directed at Shi Yu.
“A-Yu should just be responsible for the luggage. Let us leave quickly.”
After saying this, Mo Yuan walked out with the child in his arms. Shi Yu hurriedly caught up. When the three reached the village entrance, Mo Yuan suddenly waved his hand and soared into the sky. Ah Jiu, much like Shi Yu back in the day, was frightened by the sudden change, but he soon began to observe his surroundings with curiosity.
“So, is your Brother Mo Yuan impressive or not?”
Mo Yuan raised an eyebrow, looking at Ah Jiu with a face full of pride.
Ah Jiu turned his head in defiance, retorting stubbornly,
“It is only so-so.”
Below them, Shi Yu watched this scene in the sky, shook his head helplessly, and cast a spell to follow after them.
It was not long before Shi Yu and Mo Yuan arrived at the Royal City. Shi Yu raised his hand, whispered a spell, and instantly conjured a tracking butterfly, waving it outward. Watching the direction the butterfly took, Shi Yu and Mo Yuan followed closely behind, finally arriving before a rustic yet elegant mansion. The butterfly fluttered lightly through the tall gate and vanished inside.
Shi Yu stepped forward and reached the entrance. Just as he was about to raise his hand to knock, the gate was pulled open. Fuzhu stood there with a smile, his gaze calm and composed, as if he had anticipated their arrival.
“Senior Brother Shi Yu, I knew it was you when I saw the tracking butterfly.”
Fuzhu’s gaze shifted toward Mo Yuan, and upon seeing the child in his arms, he appeared somewhat surprised.
“And this child is?”
“His name is Ah Jiu.”
Shi Yu introduced him simply without detailing why he had brought the boy with him. Fuzhu nodded, understanding that Shi Yu might have his reasons and choosing not to ask further.
Mo Yuan, unable to wait any longer, set Ah Jiu down and strode into the mansion.
“Enough, stop talking. Let us go inside.”
Fuzhu quickly stepped aside to let Shi Yu and Mo Yuan enter. Seeing this, Ah Jiu followed behind them, his little legs working hard to keep pace, which made him look exceptionally adorable. Fuzhu led the three of them on a brief tour of the mansion’s layout.
“Over these past few days, I have equipped the house with all necessary items. You two Senior Brothers may reside in the Lan’an Court and Guanlan Court on the east side; both have been properly prepared.”
Fuzhu then looked toward Ah Jiu with some hesitation, seemingly finding it troublesome to decide how to accommodate him. Mo Yuan saw Fuzhu’s expression and spoke up, his thin lips parting.
“Let Ah Jiu stay with you. A-Yu and I should have many matters to handle during this time; I fear we will not be able to look after him.”
Upon hearing this, Ah Jiu’s little mouth pouted slightly, but he did not refuse. Fuzhu, seeing the situation, agreed.
“Very well. I will take Ah Jiu to arrange his room first.”
Once Fuzhu’s figure disappeared into the distance, Shi Yu and Mo Yuan headed to their respective quarters to tidy up. By the time everyone was settled, night had fallen. Since Fuzhu had not yet arranged for a cook, he proposed that they head to a restaurant for dinner.
The four of them arrived at Jing Shui Lou, the most prosperous restaurant in the Royal City. The interior was packed with people, and they could only find a seat in the main hall. Just after they had ordered their meal, Shi Yu overheard the people at the neighboring table discussing the plague in Lan’nan County.
“Have you heard? His Highness Shi Yi went to Lan’nan County for disaster relief this time, but he was beaten to the punch by those Celestial Officials from the Lingxi Sect.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? It means those villagers were saved sooner.”
The man Shi Yu’s back was turned to seemed to have downed a glass of wine, speaking in a carefree manner.
“For those villagers, of course it is a good thing. It is just not a good thing for His Highness Shi Yi.”
“How so?”
The man became instantly interested, leaning in to listen more closely.
The person who had started the topic lowered his voice.
“It is all for the sake of gaining merit. Our His Highness Shi Yi has been cowardly and incompetent since he was small. It was only after that person went missing that it became his turn to stand out.”
“Now that he is older, he naturally needs to accomplish great things to stabilize his position!”
Shi Yu listened silently to their conversation, lifted his teacup, and took a light sip. The two men continued their discussion.
“And now, that opportunity is gone.”
“Exactly! Just yesterday, the Prince of Bo was throwing quite the tantrum in his estate,” the other man chimed in.
“Sigh, all these high-ranking officials and nobles are busy scheming against one another, and it is always the poor common folk who suffer. Enough talk, let us keep drinking.”
Listening to their words, Shi Yu’s gaze deepened. He sipped his tea again, his heart churning like a tumultuous sea.