Chapter Fifty: Settling Down in Dragon City
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An An was well aware that this unicorn was Autumn Yingying’s most cherished possession. She remembered how, back then, she had merely wanted to borrow it for a ride, only to be coldly refused. Never had she expected that today, Yingying would be willing to gift it to Lin Cheng.
Lin Cheng, too, could not fail to notice the value this unicorn held in Autumn Yingying’s heart. He immediately decided there was no need to conceal anything from those present.
Fixing his gaze sincerely upon Autumn Yingying, he saw the intention in the girl’s eyes.
Feeling his eyes upon her, Autumn Yingying’s cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.
Just as Lin Cheng was about to say something heartfelt, An An—standing beside him—pinched his arm with her jade-like hand, twisting it sharply.
“You two... you’re not allowed to flirt in front of me...” An An chided coquettishly.
Lin Cheng laughed awkwardly and, with a wave of his right hand, a massive azure sword appeared before everyone’s eyes.
Seeing this, Autumn Nan in the rear exclaimed, “A flying artifact?”
Lin Cheng nodded slightly.
Forming a hand seal, the great sword expanded until it was large enough to accommodate three people, and he motioned for the two girls to stand firm.
The others gradually recovered from their shock.
An An turned back and gave some instructions to Uncle Fu and the others. Then, exchanging a glance with Autumn Yingying, the two stepped onto the Azure Wind Sword together.
Autumn Nan cupped his hands to Lin Cheng. “Brother Lin, you never cease to amaze me... For the days ahead, I’ll entrust Yingying to your care...”
Lin Cheng returned the gesture. “You may rest assured, Brother Autumn. I will certainly protect Miss Yingying. Until we meet again...”
“Take care, Brother Lin!”
With these words, he looked at the two girls once more and nodded in satisfaction.
Whoosh!
The Azure Wind Sword soared into the sky.
In a flash, the three vanished from sight, leaving behind the awed and envious gazes of those at the escort agency, including Li Chuang.
“To Longcheng, let’s move!” Uncle Fu was the first to mount his horse, leading the grand procession of the Righteous Escort Agency away.
———
High above, the sky was a brilliant blue, the clouds as white as snow.
Guiding the sword through the air—at times intentionally, at times not—Lin Cheng felt both girls clinging tightly to him, one in front and one behind.
An An’s head was nearly buried in Lin Cheng’s chest, while behind him, he could feel the warmth of Yingying pressed close.
The fresh fragrance from the girls’ hair, the heat along his back—Lin Cheng’s heart pounded wildly, and a certain part of him stirred to life.
He silently cursed himself for being a scoundrel.
Trying to shake off these impure thoughts, he accelerated once more, transforming into a streak of light that shot across the horizon.
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———
Longcheng.
Situated in the northeast of the Zhao Kingdom, it was a city even more prosperous than Autumn Bright City.
A rainbow-like streak flashed across the sky, landing on a hillside not far from the city gate.
It was Lin Cheng and his companions.
An An and Autumn Yingying still clung to him, clearly not yet recovered from their flight.
With a gentle pat on their shoulders, Lin Cheng stepped forward and, with a wave, stored the Azure Wind Sword in his storage ring.
Both girls thumped his chest with a mock punch. “You’re terrible...” they pouted.
Lin Cheng rubbed his nose and changed the subject. “There’s Longcheng ahead—its grandeur is truly impressive...”
The girls rolled their eyes at him. An An said, “Come on, my father and the others probably don’t know we’ve already arrived.”
Outside the city gates, two squads of black-armored soldiers stood in formation, as motionless and solemn as statues.
Atop the city wall, a captain of the guards seemed to notice the trio below. He leapt down and landed steadily before them.
He swept his gaze over Lin Cheng and Autumn Yingying, then gave An An a slight bow, saying, “Greetings, Miss An. May I ask where you are returning from?”
An An glanced at him and replied, “Why should I report to you where I’ve come from?”
The captain’s face darkened slightly, but he still bowed and said, “Forgive my rudeness, please proceed, Miss An...”
With a light snort, An An raised her chin and led Lin Cheng and Autumn Yingying into the city.
Watching them go, the captain beckoned to a guard, who hurried over.
“Go report to the young lord that Miss An has returned,” the captain commanded.
“Yes, sir.”
———
Amidst the bustling streets of Longcheng, the three indulged in some merriment.
An An’s cheeks were puffed out as she chewed on a candied hawthorn skewer, mumbling, “That lackey just now is a captain of the Black Armored Guards from the City Lord’s Mansion... The Black Armored Guards are the elite of the City Lord’s forces, many of them cultivators. Every year during the mining disputes, countless members of our An family have perished at their hands...”
Autumn Yingying chimed in, “Indeed, they don’t look like good people to me.”
Lin Cheng said, “That mere captain already has the strength of a fifth-level True Qi cultivator. It seems the City Lord’s Mansion is quite formidable.”
An An replied, “With you here, I’m not afraid.”
Autumn Yingying retorted, “Shameless...”
...
Watching the two girls bicker again, Lin Cheng could only sigh in resignation.
Soon, the three arrived at the gates of the An family estate.
The guards at the door, seeing their young lady return, rushed excitedly toward the inner courtyard.
“Master... Master... the young mistress has returned...!”
Inside, An Zhan was pacing anxiously with furrowed brow. Hearing the commotion, he perked up and hurried out of the room. “The young mistress has returned?”
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“Reporting to the master, it is indeed the young mistress,” the steward replied.
“Go inform the madam at once,” An Zhan ordered.
“Right away, sir,” the steward answered.
Before Lin Cheng and the others even stepped through the gate, An Zhan’s booming voice rang out from afar.
“An’er...!”
Seeing her father striding over, An An pouted and said, “Father, as the master of the house, how can you appear so flustered... and with guests present, too...”
An Zhan burst into hearty laughter. “Hahaha... So my An’er has made friends outside at last?”
Coming up to the three, he said, “Ah, niece Yingying is here as well—how rare! You must stay in Longcheng for a good long while...”
Turning to Lin Cheng, he added, “This must be the young hero Lin Cheng of whom An’er spoke in her messages?”
Lin Cheng bowed. “Junior Lin Cheng, at your service.”
An Zhan quickly waved his hand. “There’s no need for such formality, young hero Lin. You saved my daughter’s life—I don’t even know how to repay you.”
“You are too kind, Master An. An An and I are friends now. There’s no need for thanks between friends,” Lin Cheng replied.
“It is truly An’er’s good fortune to have made your acquaintance. Please, come inside...”
An Zhan signaled for An An to lead Lin Cheng and Autumn Yingying in. Then he summoned the steward and instructed, “Gather all officials of steward rank or above in the clan to attend a banquet in the main hall.”
“Yes, master.”
The steward bowed and departed.
———
Within the main hall of the inner courtyard, An Zhan and Lady An sat in the place of honor.
Below, Lin Cheng and the two girls were seated, and the tables on either side were already full.
The tables were laden with delicious dishes and fine wine, but no one moved; all eyes were fixed on An Zhan.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, An Zhan rose and raised his cup.
“This first cup is in honor of young hero Lin. Had it not been for him, my daughter An’er might have perished on her journey...” With that, he drained his cup.
Those seated below now turned their attention to Lin Cheng, their faces filled with confusion at the master’s words.
Sensing their puzzlement, An Zhan explained, “A few days ago, Brother Autumn Nan entrusted our family with bidding on a Spirit-Breaking Pill on his behalf. Because I was occupied, I asked An’er to escort it to Autumn Bright City...”
“Who could have known... on the way, bandits set an ambush, placing An’er in grave danger. Were it not for young hero Lin, those villains would have succeeded...”
Hearing this, those below finally understood.
An angry uproar erupted.
“What sort of bandit dares lay a hand on the An family’s daughter?”
“Outrageous...!”
“In this region between Longcheng and Autumn Bright City, all heroes who see our An family’s banner steer clear. Who could be so bold...?”
“Truly deserving of death...”
———