Chapter 69 Fengwu City
Several days later.
As the last streaks of sunset dyed the clouds red, Chen Chang'an and Ji Lingxiu stood safely before the gates of Fengwu City.
Their journey had been smoother than expected. Although streaks of rainbow light from cultivators occasionally swept across the skies, those lofty figures never once cast their gaze down at the two "ordinary mortals" on the ground.
"Whoa—" Chen Chang'an tilted his head back and let out a low whistle.
The city before them was grand and imposing. The bluestone walls towered into the clouds, and above the gate, the two characters "Fengwu" were inscribed with iron strokes that radiated sharpness.
Even more breathtaking was the sight within—broad streets, bustling crowds, and on either side, tall buildings with upturned eaves and glazed tiles gleaming gold and crimson under the sunset. From afar, it resembled the splendor of a modern metropolis.
"This place… is interesting." Chen Chang'an stroked his chin, eyes flashing with curiosity.
Ji Lingxiu glanced at him. "What of it?"
"Nothing, just that those tall buildings…" He paused, then smiled. "They're rather impressive."
Ji Lingxiu said faintly, "Fengwu City is the center of Qingzhou. Commerce thrives here. Naturally, it differs from ordinary cities."
They followed the crowd into the city. Shops lined both sides of the streets, merchants shouting over one another. There were stalls selling spirit herbs, vendors trading magical tools, and even teahouses and taverns catering specifically to mortals. The air was alive with noise and energy.
Chen Chang'an looked around, then suddenly pointed to a seven-story pavilion. "What's that place?"
"Tianji Pavilion," Ji Lingxiu answered, her gaze complicated. "It is also the largest intelligence trading hub on the Xuanying Continent."
"And that one beside it?"
"That's a brothel."
"Oh, I see…"
"…You've gone the wrong way, not that side…"
…
Soon, night deepened over Fengwu City. Lanterns lit up one after another, casting warm light across the faces of the passersby.
Walking beside Chen Chang'an, Ji Lingxiu's gaze flickered. She spoke as if casually, "Brother Chen, your cultivation is extraordinary, and your insight deep. I wonder—what plans do you have for the future?"
Chen Chang'an was chewing on a skewer of candied hawthorns. With his mouth full, he replied indistinctly, "Plans? Hmm… first find a good place to eat?"
"…" Ji Lingxiu held back her irritation and pressed on. "With Brother Chen's talent, if you entered a sect, you would surely win the favor of an elder. If you joined a great family, you could hold a post as an honored guest."
Swallowing the candied fruit, Chen Chang'an waved his hand carelessly. "Too troublesome. Too many rules. Not free."
Ji Lingxiu frowned slightly, then tried again. "Then… founding your own sect, taking in disciples?"
"Even more exhausting," Chen Chang'an sighed. "Managing a group of disciples? Just thinking about it gives me a headache."
Ji Lingxiu was silent for a long moment before finally asking, "Then what is it that Brother Chen truly desires?"
Chen Chang'an stopped walking and turned to her with a lazy smile in his eyes. "Me? I just want to live free and easy—see the sights, taste good food, sometimes help the weak and punish the wicked. Mm, about that."
Ji Lingxiu was left speechless.
She had thought Chen Chang'an was concealing his brilliance, or harbored some deeper plan. But after probing all this way, she had to admit—this man truly had no ambition at all!
To put it kindly, he was carefree and unrestrained. To put it harshly, he was merely waiting to waste away.
Yet ironically, he possessed such talent and insight…
Ji Lingxiu drew in a deep breath, suppressing the inexplicable irritation in her chest. She said faintly, "Brother Chen… you truly live with clarity."
Chen Chang'an laughed heartily. "Overpraise, overpraise."
The two walked on. Behind them, the lights of Fengwu City stretched their shadows long.
Ji Lingxiu stared ahead, her eyes dark and deep—could such a man truly be used by her?
Meanwhile, Chen Chang'an, still humming a carefree tune, seemed utterly oblivious to everything.
The night deepened. Under Ji Lingxiu's guidance, the streets of Fengwu City gradually quieted.
The two walked on until they reached a massive government mansion. Ji Lingxiu stopped before it.
Chen Chang'an looked up. Two giant stone lions loomed beneath the lantern light, their presence imposing.
The woman before him drew out a heavy pouch of spirit stones from her sleeve and tossed it lightly toward him.
"We've arrived. This is the General's Residence of the Lingtian Army."
Her tone was calm, though her eyes flickered slightly. "Thank you for escorting me along the way. This is the reward I promised you."
The pouch traced an arc through the air, but Chen Chang'an made no move to catch it. With a soft pa, it landed on the ground.
Ji Lingxiu frowned. "You—"
"Send the Buddha all the way to the west." Chen Chang'an crossed his arms, smiling lazily. "Only when I confirm you've safely arrived inside can the matter be considered finished."
Ji Lingxiu froze, a faint ripple rising in her heart.
—Was he… worried about me?
She lifted her gaze toward Chen Chang'an. His expression was composed, even carrying a hint of careless amusement. Yet her heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
"You… truly need not." Her voice dropped. "The General's Residence is quite safe."
"Besides, General Fu Yunlan, commander of the Lingtian Army, is my… is my…" She hesitated, but in the end did not utter the final words.
"That's not certain." Chen Chang'an shrugged. "What if you step inside, and the next moment you're bound and taken away? Then wouldn't my trip have been wasted?"
Ji Lingxiu pressed her lips together, suddenly at a loss for how to respond.
She had thought Chen Chang'an sought only his reward, yet now it seemed… he truly cared for her safety?
Could it be she had already managed to recruit him?
As a princess of the realm, raised amid the worship of millions, Ji Lingxiu always carried one quality in any circumstance—absolute confidence.
Thus, in the face of Chen Chang'an's unexpected goodwill, she could not help but overthink…
But what she did not know was—
Chen Chang'an was at that moment thinking:
"Why hasn't the system triggered the achievement yet? Don't tell me I've come all this way only to fail the task. If I leave now, won't I have lost big?"
The two, each with their own thoughts, exchanged a silent glance.
At last, Ji Lingxiu let out a soft sigh. "As you wish."
She turned toward the gates of the General's Residence, while Chen Chang'an followed at a leisurely pace, hands tucked in his sleeves. Yet his eyes kept straying toward the system panel, muttering inwardly—
"Just how far do I have to go for this blasted achievement to complete?"
…
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