Chapter 424: Seeing Close Friends

Xu Qing’s thoughts stirred.

Usually, when he returned after his shift, District Ten was bustling, filled with the constant bickering of Shan Hezi and Wang Chen. But today, Shan Hezi was unusually sitting cross-legged in the square.

He was actually cultivating.

His expression was incredibly solemn, showing clear dedication, as if he was demonstrating to everyone that he, Shan Hezi, was a person of unwavering resolve, who, even in prison, had not forgotten to cultivate. Any place could serve as a ground for him, Shan Hezi, to temper his mind and character.

As for Wang Chen, his main body had also emerged from his coffin. He was now sitting cross-legged inside his cage, his expression incredibly solemn, his hands tightly clasped as if repenting for his mistakes. Furthermore, he controlled his smoke-mist race clone outside, holding a brush and writing an essay on the cage wall. The essay flowed freely, filled with words acknowledging his own errors. Combined with his expression, it gave the impression that he was pouring out his heart and thoroughly examining himself. Anyone who saw him would feel he was genuinely putting in effort.

And then there was Kong Xianglong. He was even more exaggerated. Although he was also sitting cross-legged in his own cage, he was facing the wall in reflection, with his back to the outside, loudly uttering words of remorse.

"Ye Ling," he declared, "I feel my mistake this time was too profound. Although the Palace Lord has detained me for a month, I still think it's not enough. I must punish myself; I cannot disappoint the old man."

"Come, Ye Ling, hit me on behalf of the Palace Lord. Only by doing this every day will my heart feel a little better."

As he spoke, Kong Xianglong's expression changed, at times remorseful, at times indignant, at times sighing with regret, and at times fervent. These myriad emotions expressed his deep regret and determination to reflect on his actions to the fullest.

Ye Ling stood behind Kong Xianglong, holding a stick, and nodded with a serious little face.

"To acknowledge your mistakes shows you've grown, Brother Kong," she said. "You were too impulsive in the past, and I also have my faults. We should criticize and supervise each other."

Saying this, Ye Ling vigorously struck Kong Xianglong's back with the stick in her hand, the sound echoing loudly in all directions.

After witnessing this scene, Xu Qing lowered his head and silently walked into his own cage. He took out a bamboo slip and an iron stylus, then naturally put on a set of shackles. His movements were practiced, as if he did this every time he returned. After putting on the shackles, Xu Qing's expression became serious. He held the iron stylus and engraved the precepts of the Sword Holders onto the bamboo slip. He did this over and over, as if repeating the process daily to acknowledge his mistakes. It gave the impression that he was not just engraving on the slip, but truly carving it into his mind. Moreover, the fact that he alone wore shackles further highlighted his self-imposed strictness.

Just like that, time passed bit by bit. An hour later, a cold snort echoed through the prison.

"Clever as little monkeys, aren't you?"

As the voice resonated, the Palace Lord's figure appeared in the square. Shan Hezi looked up blankly, and upon seeing the Palace Lord before him, quickly bowed with an expression of profound remorse. Wang Chen also hastily stood up and bowed to the Palace Lord from inside his cage. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately, it all turned into an expression of regret. Kong Xianglong and Ye Ling did the same, as did Xu Qing.

As everyone bowed, the Palace Lord, with his hands behind his back, cast his gaze over them one by one.

"You lot certainly have some guts," he remarked. "You were supposed to complete a simple escort mission, yet you chased the Black-Clothed Guards all the way to the border!"

"Since you have so much energy, I'll give you more responsibilities. Shan Hezi, after your release, you'll also serve in the Enforcement Office; go and make some arrests."

"Wang Chen, don't you like sleeping in coffins? After your release, you'll also take on night patrols."

"Ye Ling, you too. The Inspection Bureau needed people a while ago; you can take on an additional role there."

"Kong Xianglong, since you can't seem to remember the Sword Holders' regulations, after you get out, you'll also serve as an enforcer in the Disciplinary Hall, specifically responsible for admonishing those who don't follow the rules."

"And Xu Qing, since you have so much vigor, you'll go suppress Ding Yi and also serve as a pawn in District C."

The Palace Lord spoke indifferently, his voice echoing through the prison. Everyone lowered their heads, feigning a profound understanding of their mistakes.

"Additionally, I'm giving you a secret mission. You'll investigate it after your release."

"An informant has relayed information that recently, many Immortal Puppets from the Near-Immortal Race have appeared within the Saint澜 Race. It's suspected that the Near-Immortal Race is secretly trading war materials with the Saint澜 Race. This matter is quite sensitive. Each of you will use your own methods to secretly investigate within the commandery capital."

"Whoever uncovers evidence will receive a second-class military merit and an additional 500,000 military credits."

Xu Qing's eyes immediately lit up. Kong Xianglong, Shan Hezi, and the others reacted similarly, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. 500,000 military credits was an immense sum, not to mention the military merit that would also be awarded! Military merits were extremely difficult to obtain, almost impossible under normal circumstances, unless it was a mission with life-threatening risks. To date, only Kong Xianglong possessed a third-class military merit, which he had earned by risking his life to infiltrate the Saint澜 Race, nearly sacrificing himself for it. But now, simply by finding evidence of the Near-Immortal Race's dealings with the Saint澜 Race, they could obtain a second-class military merit. Everyone was strongly tempted.

Seeing the gleam in Xu Qing and the others' eyes, the Palace Lord nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to leave. After he left, the prison fell silent. Everyone looked at each other, discerning their mutual desire for military merit. Then, they each took a deep breath, returned to their original positions, and continued to meditate, to repent, and to engrave.

Another hour passed until Kong Xianglong coughed.

"He's gone," he said.

Shan Hezi let out a long sigh and lay down directly. Wang Chen's smoke-mist race clone dissipated, and his main body sighed. After acting for so long, he felt his face would stiffen. Ye Ling put away the stick and tenderly stepped forward to apply medicine to Kong Xianglong. Kong Xianglong didn't mind the minor injury, instead taking out a jar of wine and taking a large gulp, a hint of smugness in his expression.

"Good thing I reacted quickly, otherwise we would have been in trouble this time," Kong Xianglong said. "I just knew the Palace Lord would spring a surprise attack. Xu Qing's quick thinking was also great. Even though the Palace Lord knows what we're like, he's too rigid and everything has to follow rules, so we still have to put on a show for appearances." Kong Xianglong instinctively glanced around; he always felt a bit guilty whenever he badmouthed the Palace Lord.

Xu Qing removed his shackles, stepped out of his cage, and looked at the others, his mind pondering the matter of the Near-Immortal Race. Wang Chen also ran over and spoke in a low voice.

"Brother Kong, how did you know the Palace Lord was coming earlier?"

"I naturally have my methods; it's a secret," Kong Xianglong chuckled.

"A secret? Alright then," Wang Chen didn't press for the reason, instead asking, "By the way, Brother Kong, are you familiar with the Near-Immortal Race?"

"Not very familiar with the Near-Immortal Race itself, but I think we can handle the Immortal Puppets matter. However, it won't be easy," Kong Xianglong shook his head.

"Could it be related to our last mission?" Shan Hezi climbed to his feet, surprised. "Was the real intelligence passed back from the last escort mission actually about this?"

"It shouldn't be that simple," Xu Qing said softly upon hearing this.

"Whether it's intelligence or not, the Near-Immortal Race has gone too far," Ye Ling's eyes flashed with coldness. "Selling Immortal Puppets as war resources to the Saint澜 Race in secret!"

"Overthinking it now is useless," Kong Xianglong mused. "Once we're out, we'll each use our own methods to investigate." After some more discussion, they finally rested.

Half a month passed in a flash.

That day, at noon, the sky outside was dim, and rain poured down. It was time for their release. As the prison door opened, Shan Hezi, driven by a longing for the outside world, was the first to rush out, followed by Wang Chen. Kong Xianglong and Ye Ling weren't in a hurry, and Xu Qing was even less concerned; his life hadn't really changed much during this month anyway.

"I hope we can all be together next time we come in," Kong Xianglong remarked to Xu Qing outside the prison.

Just as Xu Qing was about to speak, he suddenly looked into the distance. There, a woman stood holding a paper umbrella in the curtain of rain. Her long purple dress swayed with the wind, like a violet blooming in the rain. Exuding elegance and gentleness, she was waving to Xu Qing.

It was Senior Immortal Zi Xuan.

Noticing someone had come to pick up Xu Qing, Kong Xianglong took Ye Ling and left. Before departing, he cast a few extra glances at Zi Xuan, then looked at Xu Qing, seemingly realizing something. He winked and raised his eyebrows, about to say something, but Ye Ling dragged him away.

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, then walked towards Zi Xuan. As he approached, a maid beside Zi Xuan came with an umbrella to greet him, escorting him to Zi Xuan's front before departing with the umbrella.

"Senior Immortal," Xu Qing greeted. Xu Qing bowed. He knew she disliked being called 'Senior,' but calling her by name felt strange, so he simply changed his address.

Under the paper umbrella, Zi Xuan looked at Xu Qing and smiled gently, handing him the umbrella she held. The moment Xu Qing took it, Zi Xuan naturally drew a bit closer to him, bringing their two figures under a single umbrella. Today, she was clearly wearing some makeup. Her hair was coiled up, her delicate face flawless. Her already beautiful features seemed even more radiant than usual, and her entire demeanor appeared dignified and spirited.

"Let's go," Zi Xuan said with a smile.

Because Zi Xuan was so close, Xu Qing's body instinctively stiffened. He glanced at the sky, unsure where she intended to take him.

"Come with me to meet two of my close friends. Didn't I tell you before? Have you forgotten?" Noticing Xu Qing's confusion, Zi Xuan chuckled softly, her beautiful eyes glinting with an unusual light. Such a captivating phoenix-like gaze would cause anyone's heart to quicken involuntarily. Xu Qing quickly lowered his head and walked forward with Zi Xuan.

Under the umbrella, one wore a purple dress, and the other a white robe. Although their colors were distinct, in the wind and rain, their robes billowed and overlapped, seemingly weaving together into a beautiful scene.

They traveled far, ascending into the sky, heading to the commandery capital, to Apricot Blossom Pavilion within the city. Apricot Blossom Pavilion was not an inn, but a unique private courtyard. Inside, pavilions and towers, pond houses and waterside kiosks, were nestled among green pines and cypresses. Seen through the rain, it possessed a distinctive charm. Furthermore, rockeries, strange stones, flowerbeds, potted plants, wisteria, and emerald bamboo adorned the space, adding to its exquisite uniqueness.

At that moment, outside the four-cornered pavilion in the center of the courtyard, dozens of maids stood holding umbrellas. Each was beautiful and exuded youthful vitality, highlighting the three women seated within the pavilion. These three women, each unique like plum, orchid, autumn chrysanthemum, were all rare beauties in the world.

One woman wore a jade-green Taoist robe, with bright eyes and white teeth. A long flute was held near her lips, and waves of melodious flute music resonated, drifting in the wind and rain. Her expression was graceful and utterly at ease.

Another woman wore a long sky-blue dress, with her dark hair tied back by silk of the same color, accentuating her ethereal beauty. She sat carefully nearby. From her demeanor, she seemed to be a junior. Her delicate fingers lightly plucked the zither strings, harmonizing with the flute, their music blending perfectly, like an ocarina and a bamboo flute.

And the third woman, clad in splendid palace attire that exuded grace, had a pretty face as pure as a lotus. Her expression was serene, as if untouched by the mundane world. She sat in the main seat, a faint smile playing on her lips. At this moment, she slightly raised her elegant head, looking at the approaching figures in the distance, and spoke softly.

"Sister Zi Xuan, it's been a long time," she said.

At the end of her gaze, under the paper umbrella, the figures of Zi Xuan and Xu Qing were approaching. As the woman in palace attire spoke, the two women beside her stopped playing music. The female cultivator in the Taoist robe, holding a long flute, smiled, her eyes showing warmth as she looked at Zi Xuan. However, when the woman in the sky-blue dress, who had been plucking the zither strings, saw the two approaching, especially when her beautiful eyes fell upon Xu Qing, a complex expression involuntarily appeared on her face.

She was Yao Yunhui.