Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Qing Cheng

Lin Family core district.

After informing his wives and concubines about his long journey, he arrived before Lin Ze’s estate as agreed.

Lin Xin had already been waiting for quite some time.

Today she wore a simple light blue short dress, revealing her snow-white, straight long legs; her delicate face bore an expression of anticipation.

Though she was the esteemed Third Young Lady of the Lin Family, this was her first time traveling far alone, making her emotions inevitably surge.

Beside her, Family Head Lin Tian Xiong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, radiating authority.

Zhou Luo bowed respectfully. "Family Head."

"Hmm. During this journey, be cautious in all matters. Never let your guard down," Lin Tian Xiong instructed truthfully. He actually preferred Zhou Luo not leave.

After all, the world was unpredictable and fraught with danger outside.

If this individual were to perish carelessly, it would be a tremendous loss for their Lin Family.

Yet he also understood: young eagles should spread their wings and soar.

Stagnating in comfort was detrimental to cultivation.

Moreover, this journey would strengthen the young man’s sense of belonging to the family.

Thus, he ultimately consented to their journey of experience.

"Do not worry, Family Head. We will proceed with utmost caution," Zhou Luo said respectfully.

Lin Tian Xiong said no more, merely waving his hand.

A middle-aged man in white robes emerged.

He had a square-jawed face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, an upright posture, and an aura of stern righteousness.

"Lin Dong shall accompany you this time," Lin Tian Xiong stated calmly.

Lin Dong, captain of the family’s Law Enforcement Hall, was a cultivator at the Qi Refinement seventh level.

He was an outstanding talent among the family’s mid-generation.

"My apologies for the trouble, Captain Lin," Zhou Luo said, cupping his hands.

"No need for such formalities. It is my duty," Lin Dong replied in a resonant voice, his keen eyes scrutinizing Ling. His role was not just as their protector on this journey, but also to monitor Zhou Luo and uncover his secrets.

Indeed, this was arranged specifically by Lin Xuanfeng.

After a brief exchange, the trio led three spiritual steeds out beyond the family compound.

Qing Cheng, home to the Wang Family, lay some distance from Maple Leaf City.

The family wouldn’t expend something as precious as a flying boat for them; hence, they traveled by spiritual steed.

These steeds were beasts of careful cultivation by the family. Running long distances was no problem at all, and they moved quickly.

With the spiritual steeds, the three of them headed toward the outskirts of the city.

Behind them, Lin Xuanfeng appeared silently. His hawk-like eyes watched them intently, his shadowed face revealing no emotion.

"Hall Master."

At that moment, a short man materialized respectfully by his side.

"Proceed." Lin Xuanfeng said flatly.

To unearth Zhou Luo’s secrets, Lin Xuanfeng had schemed meticulously.

He’d not only assigned Lin Dong as the overt supervisor but also summoned a subordinate from the Law Enforcement Hall skilled in gathering intelligence, intending for discreet surveillance.

Though this subordinate had only reached the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, his mastery of stealth ensured his tracks would likely remain undetected.

The short man departed upon receiving orders.

Lin Xuanfeng remained in place, a faint curve forming on his lips. "Zhou Luo, I really want to know how you’ll handle this."

The world of cultivation was boundless, its vast continent home to seven major kingdoms and countless reclusive sects.

Among them, Huoyun Country lay in the southern region, comprising five provinces.

Each province governed nine commanderies, and every commandery ruled over five colossal cities.

Beneath these cities existed smaller towns, counties, villages, and hamlets.

The Lin Family resided within Qingyuan Commandery, under the jurisdiction of Qinyuan Sect.

Qingyuan Commandery itself oversaw five colossal cities: Maple Leaf, Rockstead, Qingtian, Qing Cheng, and Dragoncall.

The land stretched endlessly, vast beyond measure.

A Qi Refinement cultivator might spend their entire life unable to traverse even one commandery.

After exiting the city, Zhou Luo and his two companions mounted their spiritual steeds, galloping southward.

The Qingcheng Wang Family was located south of Maple Leaf City, thousands of miles distant.

Meanwhile, Jiang City—their destination—lay to the west, not far from the Longfeng Mountain range mentioned in the clue.

The road unfurled broad and flat, with occasional cultivators passing by, their expressions wary.

As dusk approached, the trio settled in the wilderness to rest.

Lin Dong produced a spiritual symbol and pinched it gently. Instantly, white light burst forth.

This illumination symbol shone brightly over several meters and could last for hours—a necessity for outdoor travel.

Zhou Luo leaned against the only large tree nearby, gazing up at the star-studded night sky, his mind tranquil.

Within the darkness, bandits occasionally peered out, spying on the group.

But upon spotting the maple leaf insignia signifying the Lin Family on their garments, they fled in panic.

Opposite them, Lin Dong roasted magical beast meat over a flame while Lin Xin quietly took a seat beside Zhou Luo.

She, too, looked up at the bright moon, her eyelashes fluttering faintly.

"How do you find Yu Wei?" she suddenly inquired.

Zhou Luo paused briefly before smiling. "Miss Wang is very kind."

Lin Xin asked in retort, "Just good?"

"Cough, cough, she is also beautiful," Zhou Luo said honestly, not knowing what the Third Young Lady really meant.

At this moment, Lin Xin, hugging her knees, suddenly turned her head and said, "Do you know that Yu Wei likes you?"

"Huh?" Zhou Luo looked shocked.

Across from them, Lin Dong, who was grilling meat, also had a flickering gaze.

"Third Young Lady, are you joking? How could we?" Zhou Luo smiled bitterly.

He was the future of the Lin Family, and Wang Yu Wei was also a key figure cultivated by the Wang Family. Surely, neither side would allow each other’s people to join the opposite family.

This was a huge loss.

However, Lin Xin didn’t mind speaking these words out; she said seriously, "Precisely because it’s impossible, I hope that in the days to come, you two can leave behind a beautiful memory."

Beautiful memory?

Zhou Luo looked awkward.

He wondered what Wang Yu Wei had said to trick her out.

"Cough, cough, Third Young Lady, I know,"

In order to help Wang Yu Wei complete the lie, Zhou Luo had no choice but to go along with the mistake.

Before long, the magical beast meat was grilled and cooked.

When Lin Dong handed the magical beast meat to Zhou Luo, he gave him a deep look and said in a lowered voice, "If you could bring back that woman from the Wang Family, the family head would be very happy."

Zhou Luo broke out in a cold sweat.

He didn’t know how to explain.

After dinner, Lin Dong said he would stand guard at night, so they could rest peacefully.

As for Lin Xin, she was carefree and fell asleep directly leaning against the tree trunk.

However, Zhou Luo disliked entrusting his life to others, so although he closed his eyes, he didn’t fully fall asleep.

The night passed uneventfully.

The three of them continued heading towards Qing Cheng.

According to Lin Dong’s estimate, it would take them at least twenty days to reach Qing Cheng.

During this period, Zhou Luo was not idle; he continued consolidating his realm.

On the other hand, Lin Xin showed great interest in this new outside world, stopping from time to time to admire the beautiful scenery.

Along the way, they inevitably encountered some ferocious birds and beasts, and even bold bandits attacked them.

However, Lin Dong dealt with them all easily.

Finally, on the twenty-third night since leaving Maple Leaf City, they successfully arrived in Qing Cheng.