All of the guards bowed to He Lingchuan, then mounted up one after another and chased after Fushan Yue.

Jiao Yu had no choice but to go with them, looking back every few steps.

On the ancient road, the setting sun was as red as blood, casting its glow over its burnt-red fur until it slowly disappeared at the end of the road. The hoofbeats of the party faded into the distance and soon could no longer be heard.

He Lingchuan watched their backs vanish. Compared to the upheaval that was about to happen at Mount Xu, everything the Chiyan people had done in Lingxu City could at most be considered the prelude.

Fushan Yue’s departure now was truly a wise move.

He let out a long sigh, then rode the cliff ram back for two days and found lodging in Bluestone Town, on the outskirts of Lingxu City.

The room at the inn was small, but fairly clean.

Dong Rui was already waiting for him there. The snail toad had seized the chance to devour quite a few self-heal herbs at Nian Zanli’s warehouse, so the time they had to prepare had been extended by another two days.

The two of them went out for a meal. They did not talk much and ate slowly and carefully. Afterward, they each returned to their rooms to rest.

* * *

Lingxu City, South Cotton Alley Patrol Office.

There was still about three hours before nightfall.

Hearing that the food...