Chapter 331: Chapter 223: Her Favorite White Steamed Buns_2
One could faintly see the nine-story tower at the highest point of the Multi-Bao Pavilion, where ten thousand golden lanterns were set. Whenever grand festivals arrived, disciples of the Multi-Bao Pavilion would light all the golden lanterns, their brilliance shining like daylight, their grandeur immense.
The entire tower was so brilliantly illuminated that the whole of Wu City could witness the majestic spectacle, like a glimpse of the Heavenly Fairy Palace.
On past occasions, the Multi-Bao Pavilion would typically be abuzz with voices at this time; after all, the next fight might well be a one-sided affair. Anyone with a clear eye could see just how terrifying Tong Xiu’s combat power had been in that battle.
However, after these two incidents involving the Sword Sect, those gambling addicts had learned a lesson.
—Bet the opposite way, and a villa by the sea will be yours!
Everyone was watching, yet none dared to place their bets, all buzzing with discussion.
The Ascension Platform, which had been active for nearly a month, had only two battles left before it would conclude.
In such a chaotic place, a very young girl, just blossoming into youth, wandered aimlessly.
Her mist-veiled brows seemed to furrow, yet didn’t quite; her expressive eyes, full of emotion, hinted at a joy that wasn’t truly present. A touch of sorrow graced her features, as if she were afflicted by a delicate ailment.
Yet, on that somewhat youthful face was a dazed expression as she sat in a corner, holding a gold-inlaid jade dragon and phoenix token.
Carved on it were two large characters: "Peace."
Her pale little face was tinged with a blush from the lamplight above, like a small, delicate flower swaying in the wind, invoking pity in all who saw her.
The Sword Maiden bit her thin lips. She had gone behind her Master’s back to that restaurant and met that middle-aged man.
He had told her many things, much of it about her mother.
From his kind gaze, she thought she could discern the nostalgic tenderness he held for her mother.
But—
In the end, despite his hopeful gaze, she had rejected him.
The middle-aged man had smiled, handed her the token, and said,
"It doesn’t matter what you think; this token belongs to you."
"..."
After saying that, he vanished into the night.
The Sword Maiden fidgeted with the token, clutching it tightly, her eyes staring vacantly in the direction of the Sacred Sanctuary.
She murmured to herself, I’m certainly not some princess... I will become stronger and not disappoint Master. And of course, I won’t accept his belated goodwill...
She merely stared at the unknown pill in her hand, silent.
「The quarters of the Sword Sect.」
Dan Wuque clasped Dan Wulan’s hand, watching her sleep with a sweet smile curling at his lips.
「Quelan County.」
Among the ten states of the Dongfeng Ancient Country, it was not a particularly famous county.
Close to the Cang River, it was said to be a prosperous prefecture.
Perhaps due to its special geographical location, this small county couldn’t compare to the surrounding larger ones. It lacked vast farmlands and had a smaller population. However, under the governance of the Prefect of Quelan County, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.
The prefect himself didn’t leave much of an impression on the common people. However, his wife was the one who made the deepest impression. She always wore a kind expression, smiling at everyone she met.
Even more striking was her white hair. Combined with her smile, it brought a warmth that seemed to melt into people’s hearts.
With the new Emperor having just taken power, the entire Dongfeng Ancient Country had been quite unsettled, seemingly because the newly enthroned Emperor wanted to uncover something.
However, such scenarios were to be expected with the transition of power. The Emperor had to look after the entire realm, which involved endless affairs and people.
Bloodshed is undoubtedly inevitable. Achieving great things isn’t as simple as novels depict—one call to arms, loyal followers flocking, then defeating a horde of vile enemies to unite the world.
Amidst widespread turmoil and chaos, Quelan County, this small jurisdiction, had escaped the worst of it, precisely because of its poor land and sparse population.
Today, a chill, piercing rain fell on Quelan County, enveloping the city in a layer of mist.
In a grand residence at the city’s center, a middle-aged man stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze swept across the curtain of rain towards the edge of the city, where a surging river was faintly visible.
Waves churned, crashing against the riverbank’s massive dam, which loomed like a thousand-foot cliff. Anyone standing below it would look as tiny as an ant.
A white-haired woman approached him from behind and gently draped a garment over his shoulders.
The woman appeared to be around thirty. She possessed the calmness of a mature woman who had weathered life’s storms, coupled with a certain rigidity from years of observing strict decorum. Beneath her gentle demeanor lay an air of indifference, yet these seemingly contradictory qualities merged perfectly within her.
Though no longer in the bloom of youth, the grace of her earlier years was still apparent.
And with age, the dignity, authority, and composure she carried were things no ordinary young woman could ever hope to replicate.
Every woman in a position of power cultivates a certain presence—be it dignified, authoritative, benevolent, or gracious.
This woman was such a person. Even in simple attire—her clothes plain, without a single piece of jewelry—she exuded a nobility that surpassed that of ordinary wealthy families.
"Are Qu’er and Luan’er asleep?"
The woman nodded, joining him in watching the intensifying downpour.
"It’s been raining for three days now..."
The middle-aged man’s brow furrowed, and he sighed deeply.
"The water level of the Cang River is getting higher..."
"If this continues, I’m afraid..."
The man didn’t finish his sentence, but the woman understood clearly. Her eyes, filled with worry, gazed towards the turbulent Cang River.