Watching the little girl's bashful look, Chen Yi's handsome face was full of smiles, just like the clouds rising at dawn, gradually brightening.
After leaving Duke Jingye Mansion yesterday, Chen Yi and Lin Xueru took the opportunity to stroll around Kyoto Prefecture.
From Moon Viewing Tower to Qujiang, then all the way north along Qujiang, and turned towards Donghua Gate to visit the place already barricaded by the court as the "Sword Cultivation Sacred Land."
During this time, one could always hear the silver bell-like laughter of the little girl beside Chen Yi.
Even when they saw the spectacular, dilapidated ravines outside Kyoto Prefecture, the little girl would let her eyes fall on the silver-white glow and praise it as beautiful.
Whether it's beautiful or not, Chen Yi wasn't sure.
He only knew that his mood had improved significantly, allowing him to ease the anger that he hadn't vented in Duke Jingye Mansion.
Until sunset, Chen Yi and Lin Xueru still chose not to return home but went to the top of the watchtower at Donghua Gate, planning to wait there for the sunrise together.
Just like on the sword peak of the Grand Void Sect, welcoming the dawn with radiant expressions.
At times , Chen Yi was always very quiet, with visions of traversing the world with a sword appearing in his mind.
Lin Xueru, however, cautiously watched the eastern radiance, her eyes involuntarily falling on Chen Yi's face.
Brother Yi, more beautiful than the break of dawn.
Yet this time, their moods differed from when they were on the sword peak.
Chen Yi no longer imagined the future.
Having journeyed down the mountain several times, he had already discovered that the world held many beautiful things, but it also hid many dark and unpredictable elements.
The Tianyuan Continent wasn't as simple as it seemed on the surface.
As for Lin Xueru's change, she was no longer cautious, her bright eyes like springtime, fixated on Chen Yi without blinking.
If possible, she merely wished to quietly stay by his side.
The two quietly watched the sunrise until daylight broke, and only then did Chen Yuan escort Lin Xueru back to Duke Xing's Mansion.
At this time, Kyoto Prefecture returned to its previous bustling state, with all three city gates surrounded by arriving travelers early in the morning.
Those who had already entered Kyoto Prefecture hardly rested, dropping their luggage and heading straight for the northern "Sword Cultivation Sacred Land."
"That 'Sword Cultivation Sacred Land' is indeed miraculous; just yesterday, four sword cultivators broke through their current realms. One even broke through from minor achievement to Great Sword Skill, with the Sword Intent emerging from its cocoon!"
"And one of them was reportedly a soldier of the Devoted Army, who had only practiced swordsmanship for three years, also raised his Sword Dao to the minor achievement realm yesterday, with the Sword Qi condensing into the seed of Sword Intent."
"After the news spread, not only the nearby prefectures but even the more distant ones saw a crowd of sword cultivators rushing towards Kyoto Prefecture."
"Especially the sword cultivation sects within the prefectures, like Hidden Sword Villa; not only disciples came, but even many elder sword cultivators who couldn't break through sought the opportunity here!"
"One must say, Heroic Marquis's battle that killed 'Black Impermanence' created this 'Sacred Land of Sword Cultivation'; no wonder the Holy Emperor did not punish him for his actions at Duke Jingye Mansion yesterday!"
"It's more than just no punishment! The Holy Emperor, having heard that he returned his sword to the Zhou Family, even specifically ordered a famed sword from the treasury to be awarded to him."
"That sword is said to be a true magic treasure, found by Emperor Wei during his campaign against the Demon Court in the Southern Barbarians' treasury!"
Chen Yi and Lin Xueru walked through the marketplace, hearing the comments from the surrounding travelers, and couldn't help but share a smile.
"Brother Yi, the Holy Emperor truly values you."
"Let's say he values me."
Chen Yi understood the methods of that supreme ruler—if you want the horse to run, you naturally have to give some feed.
Moreover, yesterday, when he punished three scholars at Kyoto Academy and asserted pressure on the Zhou Family, he had calculated this point.
During this period, no matter what outrageous things he did, even if the supreme ruler were angry, he wouldn't punish him.
Instead, as the rumors said, he would repeatedly bestow rewards to him, further enhancing his power, until those hiding in the shadows couldn't help but act against him.
Thinking this way, Chen Yi again recalled the message sent back by the Spring Rain Sword.
The "Pure Heaven" mentioned by the young Daoist: is it truly the "Eagle" spoken of by the Great Master and the Nine Thousand Age?
If so, Chen Yuan's risky infiltration may entail significant dangers, and he truly has to be cautious...
Along the way, silence was maintained.
Outside Duke Xing's Mansion, the old steward Uncle Lin, who was pacing, saw their figures and breathed a sigh of relief, then came straight over.
"Miss, young master, you've finally returned; master and madam haven't had a good rest all night, nearly sent me to report to the authorities to look for you."
Lin Xueru's face reddened, "Uncle Lin, I-I'll go to pay respects to my mother now."
Uncle Lin promptly stopped her, "Miss, master instructed, if you two return, go to the study to find him."
Chen Yi raised his brow, "I need to go too?"
Saying this, the three entered Duke Xing's Mansion, passing through two courtyards and arriving at a chamber in the back yard.
Zhu Yu and Lin Jixin had long been waiting there, looking at the neatly dressed Lin Xueru. Zhu Yu couldn't help but tease:
"Yi Er, if you're in such a hurry, I might write to Duke Wuan in a few days, have you married sooner, so I won't have to worry."
"Mother~" Lin Xueru's face grew even redder, showing a shy little woman's demeanor.
Chen Yi also smiled somewhat awkwardly, then followed Lin Jixin into the study.
"Uncle," Chen Yi greeted with a salute, "You wanted to see me?"
Duke Xing, Lin Hansong, saw Chen Yi in his Martial Marquis Purple Robe and his stern face showed a hint of a smile.