Chapter 59: Linlei Comes to Find

The aftershocks of the battle at Tujiao Mountain had not yet faded; the entire Didu was still enthusiastically discussing that earth-shattering clash. Linlei, in his Dragonblood Warrior form, had fought Rock Sword Saint Heidesen until mountains crumbled and the earth split—a scene that had become the hottest topic in Didu's taverns.

However, Linlei himself had no time to attend to these matters.

On the third day, he discovered a problem—Aikesi had not yet returned.

"Any news from the Dawson Chamber of Commerce?" Linlei sat in the study, his brows knitted tightly.

Wodun shook his head: "I sent people to inquire. The Dawson Chamber of Commerce's southern outpost last saw Brother Aikesi in Nier Cheng. Since then, there has been no news of him."

"Nier Cheng?" Linlei's heart tightened. "What did he go to Nier Cheng for?"

"It is said he went to save someone." Wodun chose his words carefully. "Brother, do you remember Leinuo? Your classmate from Ernst Institute."

Linlei suddenly stood up: "Leinuo? What happened to him?"

Wodun immediately relayed the information the Dawson Chamber of Commerce had gathered. It turned out that while Leinuo was patrolling the border, he was ambushed by the Luo'ao Empire's army. Leading his team to break through to the gates of Nier Cheng, his entire force was wiped out because Prince Yulin, fearing for his life, refused to open the city gates. Leinuo himself was severely wounded and captured. Aikesi, having learned of this from somewhere, went alone to Nier Cheng, annihilated the Luo'ao Empire's pursuing troops with the forbidden magic "Tianhu Liaoyuan," saved Leinuo, and killed Prince Yulin.

"He killed Prince Yulin?" Linlei's brows furrowed even tighter.

"Yes," Wodun said in a low voice. "The news has already spread. His Majesty the Emperor has not yet made any statement. But Prince Yulin is after all his younger brother; he is unlikely to let this go."

Linlei fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Where is Aikesi now?"

"I don't know," Wodun shook his head. "The Dawson Chamber of Commerce's report says that after Aikesi saved Leinuo, he left Nier Cheng alone. No one has seen him since. Some say they saw a streak of fire flying south, but that is just a rumor."

South.

Linlei recalled Aikesi saying he came from a small kingdom in the south, that his parents had died early, and that he had cultivated alone to become a Saint Magus. Could he have returned to his hometown?

No.

Linlei quickly dismissed this thought. Aikesi was not the type to leave without saying goodbye.

"I'm going out for a bit," Linlei stood up.

"Brother, are you going to find him?" Wodun hurriedly followed. "But you don't know where he is."

"That is precisely why I must go," Linlei patted Wodun's shoulder. "Stay home and take care of Nina. Tell Diliya for me."

Wodun knew he could not stop him and could only nod: "Brother, be careful."

Linlei left Baruke Cheng overnight.

Linlei first went to Nier Cheng. Scorch marks from fire still lingered on the wilderness outside the city; the blackened earth emitted a faint smell of sulfur. He released his spiritual sense and carefully searched an area spanning several thousand li. Except for finding a few arrowheads burned out of shape, he found nothing.

"Aikesi, where exactly have you gone?" Linlei stood in the wilderness, his heart anxious.

He flew southward, stopping at every town along the way to inquire. Some had seen a streak of fire fly across the sky, but no one knew where that streak of fire had gone.

Three days later, Linlei had found nothing.

When he returned, Diliya was already waiting at the city gate.

"Didn't find him?" she asked softly.

Linlei shook his head and said nothing.

Diliya asked no more, simply accompanying him back to their residence.

In the days that followed, Linlei handled the kingdom's affairs while continuing to inquire about Aikesi. The Dawson Chamber of Commerce's network spanned the entire Yulan Continent, and Yelu also mobilized all his connections to help search, but Aikesi was as if he had vanished from the world, leaving no trace.

"Could he have returned to his hometown?" Diliya asked tentatively.

"His parents died early; no one remains in his hometown," Linlei shook his head. "Moreover, he never mentioned wanting to return."

"Then could he have gone to some place we don't know about?"

Linlei's heart stirred.

Just as he was at a loss, an unexpected person arrived.

"Mr. Mile?" Linlei looked in surprise at the sharp-featured man with short silver hair before him. "Why have you come?"

Mile smiled slightly: "Someone asked me to deliver a message to you."

"Who?"

"Aikesi."

Linlei suddenly stood up: "Where is he? Is he alright?"

Mile waved his hand: "Calm down, calm down. He is fine, but he cannot return for the time being."

"Why?" Linlei pressed.

Mile chose his words carefully and said, "He was slightly injured and is recovering in a safe place. Once his injuries heal, he will naturally come back to find you."

"Injured?" Linlei's expression changed. "Who injured him?"

"The Radiant Church," Mile did not hide it. "Wusennuo and Luoye ambushed him together. He was no match for them alone and suffered severe injuries. However, he is fast; he escaped to our place."

"Your place?" Linlei's heart stirred.

Mile nodded.

Linlei immediately understood.

"Can I go see him?" Linlei asked.

Mile thought for a moment and said, "Yes. But you must promise me not to tell anyone the location of the mountain village."

"I promise," Linlei said without hesitation.

"Then let's go," Mile turned and walked out.

Linlei gave Diliya a few instructions, then followed Mile out of Baruke Cheng. The two flew southward, crossing plains and surmounting mountain ranges until they reached a range of continuous mountains.

"This is it," Mile landed on a peak, pointing at the faint cooking smoke in the valley below. "He is inside."

Linlei followed him into the valley, where a quiet small mountain village appeared before his eyes. Several children were playing at the village entrance; seeing Mile, they greeted him with smiles.

"Uncle Mile is back!"

"Uncle Mile, who is this person?"

Mile patted their heads and smiled: "He is a guest. Go play."

97

The children looked at Linlei curiously, then ran off with giggles.

Linlei followed Mile through the village to a stone house. The door stood open; a young woman in a pale green long skirt was drying herbs in the courtyard. Her emerald-green hair was braided and hung down her back. Her movements were gentle; sunlight bathed her, making her look like a painting.

"Monika," Mile called out. "Where is Aikesi?"

The young woman turned, saw Mile and Linlei, and smiled faintly. "He is resting inside."

Just as Linlei was about to enter, a familiar voice came from within: "Linlei? Why have you come?"

Aikesi stepped out of the house. He wore a simple blue robe, his long hair tied back casually. He looked thinner than before.

"You still ask me?" Linlei stepped forward and punched him on the shoulder. "You ran off without a word, making me search for so many days!"

Aikesi was knocked back a step by the blow. He smiled bitterly. "I had no choice. My injuries were too severe at the time; I couldn't even move."

"Where were you injured?" Linlei sized him up from head to toe.

"It's already healed." Aikesi moved his arm. "Thanks to Monika."

He looked at the emerald-haired young woman, his gaze tender. Monika's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head.

With Linlei's keen eyesight, he saw the signs between the two at a glance. He looked at Aikesi, then at Monika, and suddenly smiled.

"I see," he said meaningfully.

Aikesi, unusually embarrassed, cleared his throat lightly. "Let's go inside and talk."

The three entered the house. Monika went to prepare tea. Linlei and Aikesi sat opposite each other, and only then did Linlei have the chance to ask carefully about what had happened.

"Wusennuo and Falling Leaves?" Linlei frowned. "How did they know you were in Nier Cheng?"

"I made such a huge commotion in Nier Cheng; my aura as a Saint Magus was completely unmasked. The Church's spies nearby must have discovered it," Aikesi said. "They probably thought I was alone and wanted to take the opportunity to cut off your wings."

Linlei fell silent for a moment, then said, "You killed Prince Yulin?"

"I did." Aikesi did not deny it. "That kind of person deserved to die."

Linlei did not blame him. Prince Yulin had caused the deaths of so many imperial soldiers; he deserved his fate. It was just the matter of the Emperor—

"I will handle the Emperor's matter," Linlei said. "Your most important task now is to recover from your injuries."

"It's already healed," Aikesi smiled. "Monika's Light Magic is very powerful, and with my own recuperation, I am basically fully recovered."

Linlei nodded, glanced again at Monika preparing tea outside the door, and lowered his voice. "Who is she?"

The corners of Aikesi's mouth lifted slightly. "My savior. And also— the person I love."

Linlei paused, then smiled. "Congratulations."

"What about you?" Aikesi asked in return. "Is Diliya well?"

"Very well." Mentioning Diliya, a smile appeared on Linlei's face. "She has already become a Level 8 Mage; her progress is very fast. We plan to get married after the kingdom is established."

"Then I must prepare a congratulatory gift," Aikesi smiled.

The two exchanged smiles; everything was understood without words.

Monika entered with tea, pouring a cup for each of them. Her movements were very light; as she poured, she bent slightly, her emerald-green hair falling down, shimmering with a soft luster in the sunlight.

"Thank you," Linlei took the teacup.

Monika smiled faintly and sat beside Aikesi. Their hands gently clasped together under the table; Linlei pretended not to see.

"When do you plan to return?" Aikesi asked.

"Tomorrow," Linlei said. "There are many matters to handle on the kingdom's side. What about you?"

"I will stay a few more days," Aikesi glanced at Monika beside him. "Then I will take her back with me."

Monika's face flushed again, but she did not object.

Linlei smiled. "Good. I will wait for you both in Hunluan Zhi Ling."

That night, Linlei stayed in the mountain village. Desili and his wife warmly hosted him, and Bingselin personally cooked a full table of dishes. During the meal, Desili asked about the situation outside, and Linlei answered each question one by one.

Early the next morning, Linlei bid farewell to everyone and left the mountain village.

Before leaving, he pulled Aikesi aside. "Are you sure you won't come back with me?"

"In a few more days," Aikesi said. "I want to stay with Monika a bit longer. Once she is ready, I will take her back."

Linlei patted his shoulder. "Good. Be careful on the road."

"You too."

Linlei turned, rose into the air, and vanished in the morning light.

Aikesi stood at the village entrance, watching his figure recede, a warmth rising in his heart.

"He will be fine," Monika walked to his side and said softly.

"I know." Aikesi took her hand. "Let's go, back inside."

The two turned and walked side by side back into the village. Morning light bathed them, stretching their shadows very long, very long.

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