Chapter 118: Setting Out for the Southern Frontier

The first light of dawn appeared, a strand of golden sunlight pierced the thin mist and gently fell onto the dining table.

Murong Wan's carefully prepared breakfast exuded an enticing aroma.

Jiangnan sat quietly beside the table, his gaze fixed on the food before him.

"Jiangnan, try this; I made it especially for you."

Murong Wan handed a steaming bowl of porridge to Jiangnan.

Jiangnan took the bowl, gently scooped a spoonful, and brought it to his mouth.

The delicate texture, with a faint hint of sweetness, warmed his stomach and his heart.

"Thank you."

Jiangnan lifted his eyes and looked at Murong Wan.

In her eyes were full of concern and tenderness.

"Eat more; you'll have strength on the road."

Murong Wan spoke softly, her voice gentle as water.

Jiangnan nodded and continued eating his breakfast.

Yet a vague emotion rose within his heart.

After breakfast, Jiangnan stood up, preparing to leave.

"Let me see you off."

Murong Wan said.

"No need; stay at home and wait for my return."

Jiangnan shook his head in refusal.

"Then... be careful on the road."

A hint of loss flashed in Murong Wan's eyes, yet she forced a smile.

Jiangnan gave Murong Wan a deep look, then turned and left.

……

In front of the Blue Light Jewelry Store.

Xia Yurou wore a red long dress that outlined her graceful figure.

She leaned against a luxury sedan, long hair draped over her shoulders, ruby lips like fire, alluring and captivating.

A private plane rested quietly on a vacant lot not far away.

The propeller glittered dazzlingly in the sunlight.

Seeing Jiangnan approach, Xia Yurou stepped forward.

"Mr. Jiang, we meet again."

Her voice was coquettish, with a hint of teasing.

"Let's go."

Jiangnan replied lightly and walked toward the plane first.

Xia Yurou followed closely behind.

The two boarded the plane; inside the cabin, the décor was luxurious and a faint perfume scent lingered in the air.

Jiangnan casually found a seat, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

Xia Yurou sat beside him, her gaze constantly fixed on Jiangnan.

"Mr. Jiang, the day before yesterday at the jewelry store, you treated Ren Yang that way; aren't you afraid of retaliation from the Ren Family?"

Xia Yurou could no longer hold back and asked.

Jiangnan kept his eyes closed, as if he hadn't heard Xia Yurou's words.

"The Ren Family in Qingzhou Province is a well‑known clan; refusing them face might…"

Xia Yurou continued, her tone carrying a hint of worry.

"When soldiers come, the general blocks; when water comes, earth covers."

Jiangnan finally opened his eyes and replied lightly.

"Mr. Jiang, you do have great spirit, but the Ren Family is not so easy to deal with."

Xia Yurou smiled.

"I heard that Ren Family Elder is a ruthless figure."

"Oh?"

Jiangnan raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of ruthlessness?"

"It is said that when he was young, he emerged from knife mountains and fire seas; his methods are brutal, his heart cruel."

Xia Yurou lowered her voice.

"In Qingzhou, almost no one dares to provoke him."

"Is that so?"

A faint smirk curled at Jiangnan's mouth, showing a hint of disdain.

"So what?"

"Mr. Jiang, you must not be careless."

Seeing Jiangnan's demeanor, Xia Yurou couldn't help but warn.

"The Ren Family has operated in Qinghai for many years; its power is deeply entangled and not easily shaken."

"Thank you, General Manager Xia, for the reminder, but I have my own limits. The Ren Family is trivial, not worth mentioning. If they cause trouble, they'll be eliminated."

Jiangnan closed his eyes again, and said nothing.

Xia Yurou, seeing this, also said no more. In her heart she was curious about Jiangnan's true identity.

Inside the cabin, silence fell.

Only the engine's roar echoed at their ears.

The plane pierced the cloud layer, heading toward Nanjiang.

After a few hours, the engine's roar gradually weakened.

The fuselage gave a slight shudder.

It landed smoothly.

Outside the porthole, tropical breezes brushed their faces.

Completely different from Qingzhou's damp cold.

Here the sun blazed, and the air was thick with humid heat.

"We've arrived, Xishuang State."

Xia Yurou unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to look at Jiangnan.

Her charming eyes, illuminated by the sun, glittered with an unusual light.

Jiangnan slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze swept over the outside view.

A scene entirely unfamiliar.

Tall palm trees swayed in the wind.

In the distance, the scattered Dai Bamboo Houses could be faintly seen, arranged with rhythm.

"What are the next arrangements?"

Jiangnan withdrew his gaze and looked at Xia Yurou.

"I have an old acquaintance, Zhou Laoyezi, who holds considerable prestige in Xishuang State."

A charming curve lifted at the corner of Xia Yurou's mouth.

"I would like to visit him first, and also gather some information."

"Alright."

Jiangnan nodded, without objection.

"However, I have an unreasonable request."

Xia Yurou's voice suddenly became somewhat coquettish.

"Mr. Jiang, could you accompany me?"

A hint of pleading shone in her eyes.

"You know, as a woman, in a place like this, there are always some inconveniences."

Jiangnan's brows furrowed slightly.

He has never liked such socializing.

Especially dealing with strangers.

But thinking that she had helped him this time, he still nodded.

"Fine."

Xia Yurou's face instantly blossomed with a radiant smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang."

Her voice was sweet and cloying, as if honey could drip from it.

The two walked out of the airport.

A stretched Rolls‑Royce had been waiting for a long time.

Its sleek lines gleamed under the sun.

"This is the car sent by the Zhou Family to pick us up."

Xia Yurou explained.

The two got into the car; the interior was spacious, and the genuine‑leather seats emitted a faint leather scent.

In the car's refrigerator, chilled champagne and fresh fruit were all present.

"Mr. Jiang, would you like something to drink first?"

Xia Yurou opened the fridge and took out a bottle of champagne.

"No need."

Jiangnan waved his hand.

"Let's head to the Antique Market first."

Xia Yurou suggested.

"Old Master Zhou likes antiques; I want to pick a suitable gift."

"Hmm."

Jiangnan replied with a sound, closed his eyes to rest his spirit.

The car started, driving through bustling streets.

Heading toward the Antique Market.

The Antique Market of Xishuang State is quite famous locally.

Shops lined the streets on both sides.

Various antiques, jade, calligraphy and paintings glittered in abundance.

The air was filled with an old, stale scent.

It also mingled with the aromas of various spices.

Xia Yurou linked arms with Jiangnan, weaving through the crowd.

Her posture was graceful, her steps light.

Drawing many sideways glances.

"Mr. Jiang, do you have any expertise in antiques?"

Xia Yurou, while admiring the dazzling array of goods, asked.

"I know a little."

Jiangnan replied lightly.

"That's great."

Xia Yurou's beautiful eyes flickered.

"Help me think it over, see which gift would be more suitable."

She entered an antique shop called Treasure Gathering Studio.

The shop's furnishings were antiquely simple; on sandalwood shelves were placed various antiquely styled items.

An old man dressed in a Tang-style outfit sat behind the counter, leisurely sipping tea.

"Boss, do you have anything good suitable as a gift for elders?"

Xia Yurou got straight to the point.

The old man raised his head and sized up the two.

His gaze lingered on Jiangnan for a moment.

"What kind of gift do you two want?"