Chapter 778: Farewell to Chunuan City (2/2, Requesting Subscription)

"This is the Cold Ming Dao. The Alliance's classification of it is a Human-grade Weird Object, and even within the Alliance's own storage, it ranks among the top few."

The Alliance does indeed possess a considerable number of Weird Objects, but when broken down into weapon-class Weird Objects, the quantity is quite limited.

Because so many people need them, weapon-class Weird Objects have higher demand than others, especially during this special period when the Weirdness Threshold has risen and Weirdness now manifests in the real world—demand for weapon-class Weird Objects has become even more urgent.

At a time like this, being able to produce a Human-grade Weird Object as a reward for Fang Yue is already an extremely high honor.

Under normal circumstances, even if Fang Yue had accomplished a great feat, he would not have received such a superior Weird Object.

After all, the Alliance must control risk; now, however, they've become somewhat more lenient.

Fang Yue observed the Cold Ming Dao for a long while, then tried swinging it twice before finally sheathing it with satisfaction and strapping it to his person.

It's unclear how many times the Cold Ming Dao can withstand the power of the Immortal-Extinguishing Water, but it's certainly a higher rank and far more usable than the previous Flowing Cloud Dao.

"Thank you, Second Chairman, for personally bringing the blade over."

"It's only natural."

The Second Chairman retracted his curious gaze; no matter how he looked, Fang Yue was just an ordinary person, with none of the aura he'd shown when slaying the corruptor that day.

Could the issue truly lie with the parchment? But the parchment's only function has always been precognition—this has been documented since he obtained it from Mei Yu, and even its precognitive power is far weaker than when Mei Yu wielded it, barely perceptible…

"Second Chairman, when can Yuan Jie and I return home?"

Fang Yue's question interrupted the Second Chairman's thoughts. He paused, then asked awkwardly, "In such a hurry to leave?"

"The headquarters bed doesn't suit me. My familiar doghole is more comfortable."

"... Understood. I'll arrange for someone to escort you back before afternoon."

"Then thank you, Second Chairman."

After seeing off the Second Chairman, Fang Yue informed Yuan Jie of the itinerary, then lay on the bed and entered the game.

…

In the game, the turmoil brought by Tian Ruichi had already settled.

Tian Ruichi's appearance had also reverted to his former face when Fang Yue helped restore his two halves—otherwise, anyone who saw his faceless visage would have been terrified long ago.

Outside, one could see those in Chunuan City who chose to stay working feverishly, repairing the Di He.

Meanwhile, those wishing to leave had gathered near the Special Envoy Mansion, packing their luggage and preparing to depart with the Special Envoy.

"Yang Hongxia also wants to leave with us?"

Fang Yue glanced at the Mang Liuzi who had just run up to report, surprised.

After all, Yang Hongxia had fought tooth and nail for her caravan.

Now that everything had been torn down and rebuilt, she had the chance to become Chunuan City's sole designated major caravan—yet she was willing to abandon it so easily and seek development elsewhere? That didn't fit Yang Hongxia's nature.

"It's true! Don't believe me? Ask the young mistress yourself."

As he spoke, Mang Liuzi pointed behind him—sure enough, Yang Hongxia stood beneath a willow tree, watching from afar, her expression filled with worry, indecision, and confusion.

After a moment's thought, Fang Yue told Mang Liuzi to stay put and walked over alone.

Seeing Fang Yue approach, Yang Hongxia grew agitated and tense, then bit her lip, flushed, and stood rigidly in place, nerves taut.

"You really want to leave with us?"

"..."

Yang Hongxia lowered her head, silent, lips pressed tight. After a long while, she suddenly looked up, staring straight at Fang Yue, and said: "If I stay, will you come back to see me?"

"Hard to say—the journey is long… If one day I return to the Heiqing Shanmai and pass through here, I'll certainly seek you out for a chat."

"Then if I go with you, will you be happy—or… not happy?"

"It's neither one nor the other. If you come with me, I welcome it; if you don't, I support it too. But my destination is Jingcheng. If you bring your caravan there to develop, the competition… I'm not saying you can't establish yourself in Jingcheng, but the environment there is far harsher than in small towns—you may need to exert several times, even dozens of times the effort just to barely match your current achievements in Chunuan City."

Fang Yue wasn't exaggerating.

Though he'd never been to Jingcheng, he'd inquired about it from Tian Ruichi—even without seeing it, just imagining what Jingcheng was like gave him a rough idea.

Jingcheng is no Chunuan City. As the most prosperous city in Qing Guo, every aspect of its development has reached the nation's pinnacle, including commercialization.

For an outsider, a small caravan with no roots, to survive in Jingcheng's cracks is nearly impossible—so Fang Yue's words were already mild.

"Won't having you as my shield be enough?"

"Not enough."

Fang Yue shook his head calmly. Though he was strong, Jingcheng was filled with countless powerful figures, a gathering of elites—his strength could only make him bounce around briefly; he dared not act recklessly. After all, it was the Emperor's own domain.

Yang Hongxia fell silent, then gave a bitter smile, gazing at Fang Yue with a trace of resentment: "Don't you want me to stay by your side? You're going to Jingcheng—far away, mountains and rivers apart. We might never see each other again."

Fang Yue sighed: "Take care of yourself. If fate allows, we'll meet again."

Hearing this, Yang Hongxia's eyes turned red. She glared fiercely at Fang Yue, stomped her foot, and ran off.

The Imperial Edict had already been issued—Fang Yue could not defy it and refuse to go to Jingcheng.

Moreover, this journey was uncertain, fortune and misfortune unpredictable. Yang Hongxia, a woman with average strength, would only be put in danger by accompanying him.

Besides, Yang Hongxia's roots were all in Chunuan City—her father's lifetime of effort, Hai Guanjia's sweat and labor—all of it was here. How much resolve would it take for her to leave Chunuan City?

"Night Lord, aren't we really taking the young mistress with us?" Mang Liuzi now sidled up, puzzled.

Fang Yue said nothing more, only watched Yang Hongxia's retreating figure until it vanished completely, then turned his gaze away and said softly: "Everyone has their own fate."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he walked toward the Special Envoy Mansion.

Far off, he could already see Tian Ruichi and Jing Yan and the others.

"Ye Ge!"

"Night Lord!"

"Xiao Ye!"

They had noticed Fang Yue and were greeting him.

"How's the luggage preparation going?"

Fang Yue walked over and asked Jing Yan.

"Ye Ge, rest assured, it's all taken care of; we can set off now."

"Good, let's depart immediately."

With Fang Yue's order, the others naturally had no objections.

We should have set off for Jingcheng several days ago, but Fang Yue went offline, and then there was the strange black shadow of Tian Ruichi, which caused the delay.

Setting off now is already late; if we miss the appointed time and the Emperor blames us, no one here can bear the consequence.

(End of Chapter)