Volume One: A Young Man Enters the World Chapter Sixty-Seven: Unexpected Events

Watching Fang Tian and his companions gradually disappear into the distance, Ying Tianwu slowly fell into deep thought. After a while, he leaned toward Yan Feng beside him and spoke softly.

“As you command.” Yan Feng listened to Ying Tianwu’s instructions and nodded respectfully.

Soon after, Ying Tianwu’s face grew grave as he led his subordinates back into the city. Returning to the City Lord’s residence, he immediately went to his study, penned a letter, and entrusted it to a subordinate for delivery. The direction that subordinate took was, surprisingly, toward the Imperial City.

“That man in black is truly a troublesome one.” Ying Tianwu murmured to himself, uncertain what schemes he was pondering.

Meanwhile, Fang Tian, Lin Shuang, and their companions pressed onward without pause. After a day’s journey, dusk fell, the night encroached, and fatigue settled over them. They found a spacious clearing to rest.

Gathering dry branches, they lit a fire. Lin Shuang took out food from her storage artifact, distributing it to everyone without a trace of noble arrogance; instead, she was warm and approachable. When she handed food to Fang Tian, her smile was gentle as a spring breeze. Fang Tian, captivated by her delicate and graceful features, couldn’t help but gaze a moment too long, distracted.

“Sir, why do you look at me like that?” Lin Shuang, never before the subject of such scrutiny, blushed shyly.

Fang Tian, startled, felt embarrassed and quickly replied, “It’s nothing—I was simply lost in thought, yes, just distracted.”

At that moment, Zhao Xue’er nearby burst out laughing. “I think you were bewitched by Lin Shuang’s beauty, weren’t you?”

“Don’t say such things, Xue’er! Sir Fang isn’t that sort of person.” Lin Shuang, startled by Zhao Xue’er’s words, hastily refuted and shot her a reproachful glance.

“It’s true, though,” Zhao Xue’er muttered with a huff.

Lin Shuang was at a loss, her gaze now somewhat evasive. Fang Tian could only smile, then took a bite of the food and said, “This is delicious—thank you, Miss Lin.”

“So long as you’re satisfied, Sir,” Lin Shuang replied with a smile, moving on to distribute the remaining food to the others.

After everyone finished eating, Lin Shuang organized the night watch rotation and prepared for rest, as they would need to depart at dawn.

Fang Tian glanced at the man in black, bound not far away, then found a spot to rest. Lin Shuang had assigned him to the last shift, so for now, he had nothing to do. He was not sleepy, so he closed his eyes to rest—after all, going days without sleep was nothing to him.

As midnight deepened and silence enveloped the surroundings, not a hint of moonlight illuminated the sky—a pitch-black night. Suddenly, Fang Tian heard a faint noise, opened his eyes, and saw the sentry collapsed on the ground, uncertain if alive or dead. Lin Shuang and the others were still in deep sleep, seemingly unaware.

Fang Tian’s gaze shifted to the man in black. Two figures were sneaking toward him. Fang Tian immediately rose and shouted, “Enemies!”

Everyone was startled awake, scrambling to their feet and scanning the surroundings. They, too, saw the intruders approaching the bound man in black.

Fang Tian rushed forward to intervene, but it was too late. The man in black had already been killed. Fang Tian summoned his spiritual power and subdued the assailants, but the attackers moved their jaws, biting down on something, and all spat blood and died.

Fang Tian frowned, surprised by the turn of events. He knew the man in black was crucial, but could only feign ignorance—for if he revealed anything, his own identity might be exposed, and Lin Shuang and her companions would realize he was the mysterious savior from that night.

Lin Shuang and the others approached, gazing at the corpses sprawled on the earth. She sighed, “I didn’t expect them to come so quickly. It was my carelessness.”

“Sister Lin, what do we do now? He was our only witness!” Zhao Xue’er exclaimed anxiously.

“There’s nothing to be done; things are as they are, we must let it go,” Lin Shuang replied calmly.

“Do I have to return and see his smug face every day? Just thinking about it makes me sick!” Zhao Xue’er said angrily.

“Enough, Xue’er. Complaints won’t help. When we return to the Imperial City, we’ll have to be more vigilant. I doubt he’ll dare try anything within the city’s walls.”

“I understand, Sister Lin,” Zhao Xue’er replied, stomping away in frustration.

Listening to their conversation, Fang Tian surmised some of the story’s origins, but since it didn’t concern him, he refrained from asking. His only responsibility was to escort them safely to the Imperial City.

Lin Shuang then instructed the remaining companions to bury the bodies in a secluded spot.

She turned to Fang Tian. “Sir, if not for you, we might not have survived.”

“Please don’t say that, Miss Lin. I bear some responsibility; had I noticed sooner, things might not have turned out this way.”

“It’s not your fault, Sir. I failed to plan thoroughly. I’ll leave the rest of the night watch to you.”

“Of course. You all should rest.”

With that, Lin Shuang and the others returned to their beds, leaving Fang Tian to watch until dawn.

Half a month later, they were only a few miles from the Imperial City. Their journey since had been smooth, without further danger, and they soon arrived near the city.

They found a roadside teahouse, ordered tea, and rested. Fang Tian, Lin Shuang, and Zhao Xue’er sat together. Fang Tian took a sip, set down his cup, and Lin Shuang spoke.

“In half a day, we’ll reach the Imperial City. Thank you for your efforts along the way, Sir.”

“It was only right, since you paid me,” Fang Tian replied.

“Little Feather, once we reach the Imperial City, let this princess show you, a country bumpkin, how to enjoy yourself,” Zhao Xue’er said with a laugh. After traveling together for more than ten days, they had grown familiar and spoke freely. Zhao Xue’er had even given Fang Tian a nickname, not caring whether he liked it.

Fang Tian was speechless. Ever since Zhao Xue’er had warmed up to him, she’d called him “Little Feather” constantly, to his annoyance. If not for her status as princess, he’d have knocked her on the head long ago.

“Fine, fine, whatever the princess wishes,” Fang Tian replied, rolling his eyes.

Zhao Xue’er pouted, pressing her cheeks to Fang Tian’s arm. “What? You sound like you aren’t pleased to have me show you around.”

“How could I dare refuse, Your Highness?”

“That’s better. Remember, I’ll come find you in a few days.” Zhao Xue’er was so earnest, as if afraid Fang Tian would change his mind. Over time, she’d discovered he was different from others; unlike those who tiptoed around her identity, Fang Tian treated her with casual ease, and thus she’d grown close to him, though he often provoked her, much to her chagrin.

“Yes, yes,” Fang Tian replied. He hadn’t thought much of it, chalking it up to the princess’s capriciousness. Even though Zhao Xue’er teased him along the way, he merely accepted it, never taking offense.

Lin Shuang watched their banter, a smile unconsciously touching her lips. She said, “Xue’er, stop making things difficult for Sir Fang.”

“I’m not! It’s his honor that I, the princess, invite him out.”

“An honor indeed, an honor indeed.”

“Little Feather, what do you mean by that?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Hmph.”

Lin Shuang shook her head, helpless at their bickering. After a while, seeing that everyone had rested enough, she stood and called, “It’s about time. Let’s continue on.”

The group rose, gathered their belongings, and left the teahouse, heading toward the Imperial City.

After about a mile, they saw dust rising ahead and heard dozens of hoofbeats and footsteps. Stopping to look, they saw a troop of armored soldiers. Their leader, splendidly dressed and exuding a noble air, emanated an aura of command.

Zhao Xue’er, recognizing him, ran forward and called out joyfully, “Fourth Brother, I’m here!”

The leader noticed Zhao Xue’er, raised his hand to halt the soldiers, dismounted, and approached her. He gently patted her head, smiling fondly. “Little sister, you’ve finally returned. I heard you encountered danger outside. I was very worried, but I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Who could have expected such trouble? Things are getting chaotic within the Empire these days.”

“Let’s not discuss it now—it’s complicated, and I haven’t had time to bring you back myself.”

“I understand. I’m not clueless.”

Their brief exchange over, the Fourth Prince turned to Lin Shuang.

“Miss Lin, thank you for your efforts along the way.”

“Your Highness, if I hadn’t brought her out, the princess wouldn’t have been in danger.”

“I know her well. She slipped past me and dragged you along. When we return, I’ll deal with her myself.”

He then turned his gaze to Fang Tian, scrutinizing him. Noting Fang Tian’s cultivation was only at the third level, he was curious how Fang Tian had managed to escort them safely all this way.

“So this is the young master Miss Lin spoke of? He does seem extraordinary,” said the Fourth Prince.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Fang Tian said respectfully, realizing Lin Shuang had already spoken of him.

The Fourth Prince nodded, then said to Lin Shuang, “I have matters to attend to, so I won’t linger. We’ll discuss other things when I return.”

“Safe travels, Your Highness.” Lin Shuang and the others stepped aside, and the Fourth Prince mounted his horse and departed, saying to Zhao Xue’er as he left, “Little sister, follow Miss Lin back to the city. I’ll join you when I return.”

Zhao Xue’er nodded obediently, and the group watched as the Fourth Prince rode away.