sovbooks Chapter 362 Departure
Chapter 362 Departure
After staying in Nanzhao for five days, Lin Chen decided to return.
On the day he left, Murong Jing held his hand as if it were a matter of life and death.
"My dear son-in-law, I entrust Xue'er to you." Murong Jing's eyes were red, and his voice trembled.
"If she's unhappy, send her a message and I'll come pick her up myself."
Lin Chen smiled helplessly: "Father-in-law, don't worry, Xue'er is more comfortable with me than at home."
Murong Jing nodded, then turned to look at A-Yue.
"Serve the prince well, and don't bring shame to Nanzhao."
A-Yue blushed and bowed, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Murong Yun rode his horse and escorted her for a long distance, about ten miles away, before reining in his horse and clasping his hands in greeting:
"Brother-in-law, have a safe trip!"
Lin Chen smiled and waved his hand: "Brother, go back now. Come to the capital another day, and I'll treat you to drinks."
"must!"
The carriage swayed and rattled onto the official road, and the city of Nanzhao grew farther and farther away.
When Lan Fenghuang returned from the temple, her eyes were a little red.
She got into the carriage, leaned on Lin Chen's shoulder, and didn't speak, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes until her knuckles turned white.
Lin Chen hugged her without saying a word, gently patting her back as if coaxing a child.
Ah Yue huddled in the corner, clutching a small bundle containing all her belongings.
A few pieces of clothing, a new pair of shoes, and that silver bracelet.
She glanced at Lan Fenghuang, then at Lin Chen, and dared not utter a sound, behaving as obediently as a quail.
Lingbo sat by the window, looking at the scenery outside, expressionless, like a statue.
The carriage traveled for half a day before stopping to rest at the foot of a mountain.
Lin Chen jumped off the carriage, stretched, and his bones cracked and popped.
"That feels so good!"
The sun shines warmly on my skin, and a mountain breeze blows from afar, carrying the scent of grass and earth.
A-Yue followed, carrying a water pouch, and ran to Lin Chen:
"Your Highness, please have some water."
Lin Chen took the water pouch, gulped down two mouthfuls, wiped his mouth, and smiled:
"You're quite the smooth talker, aren't you?"
A-Yue blushed, lowered her head, and whispered, "Serving the Prince is my duty."
Lan Fenghuang poked her head out of the carriage, glanced at A Yue, and gave her a half-smile:
"Ah Yue, when are you going to pour me a glass of water?"
A-Yue exclaimed "Ah!" and quickly ran back, frantically rummaging through another water pouch, almost tripping over her skirt.
Lin Chen watched her retreating figure, shook his head, and smiled.
"This child is quite diligent, but a bit impulsive."
Lan Fenghuang raised an eyebrow: "You seem to dote on her quite a bit."
Lin Chen chuckled: "Of course I care about my people."
Lingbo walked over at some point and stood next to Lin Chen, looking at the distant mountains.
The wind blew her long hair, her clothes fluttered, like she was filming a scene with a guy.
Lin Chen turned to look at her: "Are you thirsty too?"
Lingbo didn't say anything.
Lin Chen handed over the water pouch: "Want some?"
Lingbo glanced down at the water pouch but didn't take it.
Lin Chen didn't mind, withdrew his hand, took another swig, and said to himself:
"Do you think there's any wild game in these mountains? How about we hunt a spirit beast and roast it tonight?"
Lingbo said calmly, "Spirit beasts won't let you roast them."
Lin Chen was taken aback: "Why?"
"You don't have that skill."
Lin Chen choked and couldn't reply for a long time.
Blue Phoenix laughed so hard her shoulders shook.
A-Yue ran over with the water pouch in her hands and handed it to Lan Fenghuang:
"Sister, water."
Lan Fenghuang took it, took a sip, and smiled as she ruffled A-Yue's hair: "Good girl."
When A-Yue was praised, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she smiled.
Lin Chen looked at them and suddenly sighed:
"I live like an emperor."
Lingbo glanced at Lin Chen and said indifferently, "The emperor isn't as comfortable as you."
Lin Chen thought about it and it seemed to be true.
The emperor sits in the palace every day, unlike him who can go out and play.
"Alright, alright, you've rested enough, let's get going!" Lin Chen clapped his hands and turned to walk towards the carriage.
After taking two steps, Lin Chen suddenly turned around and looked at Ling Bo:
Were you just being sarcastic or sarcastic?
Lingbo replied expressionlessly, "No."
"So what do you mean?"
"Literal meaning."
Lin Chen stared at Ling Bo for two seconds, then shook his head and chuckled, "Forget it, I won't argue with you."
After saying that, he climbed onto the carriage, leaned back on the cushions, and crossed his legs.
Lan Fenghuang got back into the car and sat down next to Lin Chen again.
Ah Yue shrank back into the corner, clutching her bundle, her eyes sparkling as she watched the scenery rushing past the window.
Lingbo also got into the carriage and stopped following along.
The carriage resumed its journey. Lin Chen closed his eyes, placed his hand on Lan Fenghuang's leg, and patted it casually.
Blue Phoenix was already used to it, and after a while, she spoke:
"My lord, the high priest asked me to deliver a message to you."
"What did you say?"
He said things haven't been peaceful in Central China lately.
Lin Chen opened his eyes and looked at Lan Fenghuang.
Lan Fenghuang's expression was very serious; it didn't seem like she was just saying it casually.
"What else did he say?" Lin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. Did this old man have such information?
Lan Fenghuang shook her head: "Just this one sentence, he said you'd understand once you heard it."
Lin Chen was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled:
"These old guys always only say half of what they mean, it makes you want to punch them."
Lan Fenghuang gave Lin Chen a light tap, seemingly surprised.
Lin Chen reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him, and said with a smile:
"Just kidding. We'll talk about the Central Plains when we get back."
……
Nanzhao, the sacred temple.
The high priest stood by the window, looking at the distant mountains, as if he could see Lin Chen and his group.
Just then, footsteps sounded behind them, and a young priest entered, bowing and saying:
"High Priest, the Phoenix Saintess has left."
The high priest did not speak, nor did he turn around.
The young priest hesitated for a moment, then said:
"High Priest, are you really sending her to the Central Plains Gu God Temple?"
The high priest turned around, looked at the young priest, and smiled:
"If she wants to go, let her go."
The young priest opened his mouth as if to say something, but then remained silent.
The high priest waved his hand: "Go down."
The young priest withdrew.
The high priest turned around and continued looking out the window at the mountains.
The mountains are high, and the sky is far.
He stared at it for a long time, then suddenly laughed.
"The Temple of the Gu God..."
He murmured softly, as if talking to himself.
"I never thought I'd live to see this day."
With Lin Chen protecting her, Lan Fenghuang has a high chance of finding the Gu God Palace and gaining its approval.
Upon his return, he saw that Lan Fenghuang's cultivation had broken through to the Celestial Realm.
Outside the window, the wind blows in, carrying the fragrance of flowers.
The high priest closed his eyes and took a deep breath.