Two days later.
Bo City Train Station.
"I wonder if we're heading straight into the wilderness."
Fang Yu stood at the station entrance, waiting patiently, muttering to himself about where they were going.
"No."
A sudden cold voice drifted over.
Fang Yu's heart tightened, but he quickly relaxed.
He knew that voice well.
It belonged to the mysterious woman.
Turning around, he saw a woman in a pale blue-and-white dress standing behind him.
Leng Qing stepped forward from the rear.
Her hair was tied in a simple bun. A belt cinched her waist, and her skirt reached her ankles, plain and unadorned.
It seemed suitable for travel.
"Where are we going?" Fang Yu asked.
"Luo City," Leng Qing replied.
Luo City was the closest city to Bo City.
Bo City was located in the central region of the vast land of Qilu.
The Qilu region was expansive, consisting of sixteen cities, each extremely broad.
Within each city were numerous towns and villages.
"Let's go," Leng Qing glanced at Fang Yu and walked ahead.
Half an hour later.
The two of them got off the train.
People were coming and going endlessly.
On the signboard were the words: Luo City.
"We've arrived."
This was one of the central cities of Gui Metropolis. Compared to the surrounding areas, it was considered prosperous.
As for Luo City, Fang Yu had some impressions.
Though vague, they had never quite faded.
"Let's go," Leng Qing said, taking the lead.
Fang Yu stopped dwelling on it and quickly followed, offering a reminder out of goodwill.
"Senior, shouldn't you disguise yourself a little?"
"Disguise? Do you think I'm ugly?" Leng Qing stopped and stared at Fang Yu.
At that moment, a powerful magical aura faintly flickered around her.
It seemed she could act at any time.
"Senior possesses unparalleled beauty. Anyone would be drawn to you at first glance. You might attract attention and invite unnecessary trouble," Fang Yu said cautiously.
Leng Qing stared at him for a long moment.
Then she resumed walking.
"What are you worried about? Doubting my identity?"
"No," Fang Yu replied helplessly as he followed behind.
"Lies," Leng Qing said coldly.
Fang Yu fell silent and continued walking.
Logically speaking, if Leng Qing were a member of some dark faction, she would not move so openly in Luo City.
However, every time she met him, she appeared and disappeared unpredictably and she had warned him not to reveal her identity.
It was hard not to overthink.
Was she simply highly skilled at concealment?
Or had his earlier judgment that she belonged to the Judgement council been correct?
"We'll be staying in Luo City for three days. We need to find a place to stay," Leng Qing said after they entered the city from the station.
"There should be a decent hotel up ahead," Fang Yu pointed toward the main road in front of them.
As Leng Qing walked forward, she asked casually, "You've been here before?"
"More or less," Fang Yu replied softly, looking at the road ahead.
He had indeed been here.
Yet the feeling was both familiar and unfamiliar. The streets resembled those in his memory, yet were also quite different.
It was probably the changes brought by ten years of time.
This place was his childhood hometown.
Before the age of seven, he had lived in this city. At first, he hadn't remembered. But once he entered the city, it all came back to him.
This was the old home he had once wanted to return to. He had thought about coming back after graduation, just to take a look. Nothing more, just a glance.
Who would have expected he would return so soon?
Perhaps he could visit home?
He did not remember much about that house. Only that he used to help fetch water in the kitchen, chop firewood, and cook.
Occasionally, he would be scolded by his stepmother. Other than that, he had no memories of abuse.
What he remembered most clearly was the year misfortune struck, when the family fell into poverty. His stepmother gave him two steamed buns and drove him out.
After that, an elderly woman had taken him back to Bo City. At the thought, Fang Yu felt a surge of emotions.
"Here?"
Just as he was lost in reflection, Leng Qing's voice pulled him back.
They were now standing before a somewhat grand hotel.
Above it were four large characters, Cloud Above Hotel.
"Yes." Fang Yu nodded lightly.
He remembered that in the past, he had dreamed of having enough money to stay and dine here, imagining how comfortable it must be.
But now that he truly had money, he no longer held that same longing.
After entering, Fang Yu and Leng Qing stood at the counter.
"Are the two of you checking in?" the middle-aged receptionist asked.
"Yes, checking in," Fang Yu nodded.
"One room for the two of you?" the receptionist asked tentatively.
Fang Yu instinctively glanced at Leng Qing and saw that her expression remained calm, with no intention of speaking.
Sensing his gaze, Leng Qing turned to look at him.
There seemed to be a trace of amusement in her eyes.
In the end, Fang Yu requested two rooms.
He naturally wanted one room, but he had been concerned about disrupting Leng Qing's purpose for this trip, so he needed to read her expression first.
Cloud Above Hotel had six floors.
The first floor was the dining hall.
The second and third floors were standard rooms called "Cloud Below."
The fourth and fifth floors were mid-tier rooms called "Cloud Middle."
The sixth floor was "Cloud Above."
Fang Yu chose the sixth floor.
If it were just him, it would not matter.
But with Leng Qing by his side, even the slightest misstep would leave him at a disadvantage.
Creak!
The door opened.
A faint fragrance drifted out.
Inside was an exquisitely furnished room—bed, table, chairs, dressing table, everything one could need.
To the side was a transparent bathroom, decorated with a landscape painting motif.
Within it sat a bathtub for bathing.
At the far end was a window. Beside it were a table and chairs, perfect for overlooking the city scenery.
Fang Yu walked to the window and looked down. Below lay the main street.
Leng Qing came over and sat down, then gestured toward the teapot.
Fang Yu understood. He took out the complimentary tea leaves provided by the hotel, brewed a pot, and poured her a cup.
Leng Qing stared at the teacup for a long while without touching it.
She glanced at Fang Yu, remaining silent.
Not satisfied with the tea? Fang Yu felt slightly speechless. He quickly changed the subject.
"Why are we staying in Luo City?"
"For this." Leng Qing placed a sheet of paper on the table.
"This is a message delivered through coded writing. It states that we are to meet in this city within these three days."
"Who's on the other side?" Fang Yu asked curiously.
"You'll find out when the time comes. Your task is to assist me in tracing the source of this message." Leng Qing handed the paper to him. "Take it for now. I'll give you further instructions later."
Hearing this, Fang Yu could only accept the paper.
He did not understand what kind of person could be the source of this message, someone important enough to warrant the attention of a person like Leng Qing.
Outside, the sun shone high in the sky, hot and glaring.
"While you're out, buy me an umbrella," Leng Qing said suddenly.
After nodding in agreement, Fang Yu stepped out.
Standing at the hotel entrance, he felt a trace of emotion. He had already intended to come out for a while; now the timing was just right.
If he remembered correctly, his former home was not far from here.
Ten years had passed.
He wondered how they were doing now.
At this moment, he did not fully understand his own feelings. He simply wanted to go back and take a look.
Did he hope they were living well, or poorly? He did not have an answer. Perhaps once he saw it with his own eyes, he would know.
"Would they still recognize me? Would they be startled if they saw me?"
There were many questions he wanted answered and yet, perhaps he did not.
After a brief sigh, he followed his memory and began walking toward "home."
Passing by a place that sold umbrellas, he chose one with light blue patterns on it.
Every time he saw Leng Qing, she wore shades of blue. She probably liked that color.
After putting the umbrella away, he continued forward.
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