Chapter 1 April in the World

Bai Lu was drinking tea on the top floor of her own tea room.

She pushed open the window and looked down.

A warm breeze swept past, stirring the spring willows along the Ning River, rippling through the city.

Willow catkins filled the ancient city of Nagano. It was a good time of year, but with frequent plum rains, most pedestrians carried a "paper umbrella."

In recent years, the speed of technological development has become faster and faster, and some daily necessities favored by consumers are actually "retro" models.

This year's popular "paper umbrella" looks shabby.

But in practice, it is quite interesting.

As soon as the umbrella is opened, it has several functions for the owner to choose at will. The oiled paper can suddenly become transparent, or it can be linked with AI to automatically draw an ink painting based on the size of the raindrops and the urgency of the rain.

If it is a light rain, the picture on the umbrella will slowly unfold, like ripples on a lake, rising and falling gently.

If it is a storm, you can see a picture of surging river water in thick ink.

This morning, the sky above Snow Forbidden City was still "calm and sunny."

By noon, dark clouds would come.

The wind swept the willow catkins, floating across the river.

More and more "paper umbrellas" were opened in the streets and alleys, and the sudden rain splattered black and white ink paintings on the quaint streets of the small city.

"It's a good scene."

Bai Lu said softly, "It's just a little deserted."

She has been reading documents in the clan hall for more than a year.

She usually stays at home and does not hear about things outside the window. These days, she has been still for too long and is starting to feel restless... But she didn't expect Nagano to be so peaceful.

This is Nagano.

She has never seen such a peaceful scene since she was born.

After the Gu family merged, the dispute between the old and new factions no longer continued, and there was much less infighting in the Jiangbei Council. The old master was using iron-blooded tactics to clear out the remaining confidants of Gu Lu... And the young master of the Gu family was also running around all day, without a trace.

Besides.

Li Qingsui, this little girl, with the support of Gao Tian, ​​successfully became the "temporary family head." Because she was not old enough, the title of Li family head still needed to have the word "temporary" added before it... But now the Li family elders have been tamed, and it is only a matter of time before the word "temporary" is removed. In three years at most, this little girl will be one of the five family leaders in charge of Nagano.

The Gong and Mu families have reconciled.

Gong Zi and Mu Ya have successfully gotten engaged, but the two are not in a hurry to hold a wedding, so the Gong and Mu families have not made any moves recently.

As for the Bai family...

There is nothing more to say.

The ancestor becoming the "Fighting God Seat" is the biggest event in nearly a hundred years.

But the Bai family is the quietest of the five families, without exception.

The Bai family has always been the order defense line of Nagano. After Bai Shu became a God Seat, the last line of defense on the verge of collapse in East Continent suddenly became impregnable.

Although this is also very good.

But... Is Nagano, which is not fighting or arguing, quietly left with only catkins in the city, still the Nagano in my memory?

Bai Lu drank tea and sighed softly.

The annual rookie battle has just ended, and if you want Nagano to be lively, I am afraid you will have to wait another year.

She looked at the reflection in the teacup and couldn't help but think.

Perhaps Nagano is so quiet now because... it is missing a certain guy?

Gu Shen.

As soon as this name appeared, Bai Lu quickly shook her head and denied this absurd thought.

How could she have such a funny idea?

This guy can stay in Nagano and quietly cultivate for a whole year without going out.

What does it matter to him whether Nagano is lively or not?

It's just...

Some people don't need to go out to be the center of the world. Everyone and everything seems to be revolving around this kind of person.

After Gu Shen went to North Continent, the five major families in East Continent were always paying attention to the news from North Continent.

The "labyrinth mission" outside the northern border.

The "storm blockade" of Gupu Fortress.

And the "restart" of the Dolu River disaster!

And other trivial news... such as the death of the Child of Blessing, the breakdown of the marriage between the North Continent royal family and Bright City...

During these days when Bai Lu was sitting idle in the tea house, she would check what happened in North Continent every day. The fact is that since Gu Shen went to North Continent, North Continent has begun to become lively.

She could only admit that Gu Shen was a "magical" guy.

"Counting the days... The guy surnamed Gu should be back. He's not really planning to be a grand duke in North Continent, is he?"

Bai Lu looked out the window, feeling bored for a while, counting the raindrops falling from the eaves, and suddenly felt a little annoyed.

Why does this annoying guy always appear in her mind.

It must be because that Miss Chu at the bottom of the Ning River is too beautiful. She can't usually see her. Only when Gu Shen comes can she take the opportunity to take a few more glances.

Yes.

That must be it!

Muttering secretly in her heart, Bai Lu's eyes suddenly lit up.

In the alley not far from the tea house, she saw a familiar figure.

"Hey, Shen Li!"

Bai Lu slapped the tea table and flipped over.

The latter heard the sound and ran away without hesitation.

But Bai Lu was already prepared.

When she spoke, her spiritual power spread out with the Dream of Thorns...

The little iron man took two steps and saw the courtyard wall at the end of the narrow alley. Suddenly, huge black flower buds bloomed one after another. He immediately gave up struggling.

He knew that he was in a dream and could only turn around and said helplessly: "I said, Grandma, your eyes are really sharp."

In Nagano, anyone who encounters Bai Lu will feel a headache.

"Why are you running for no reason? I won't skin you."

Bai Lu said angrily: "What's more, you are now a 'distinguished guest' that my teacher has deliberately instructed me to treat well. Are you still worried that I will bully you?"

This is also the most depressed thing about Bai Lu recently.

It was not easy to leave the customs. The five major families in Nagano each had their own busy affairs. Nagano was boring, so she could only find some fun for herself. The first thing she thought of was to compete with each other, but Shen Li's identity had changed.

Mr. Shan repeatedly told her not to be rude to Shen Li.

Although she didn't know what happened, most people could guess that Mr. Shan's change of attitude was after the cemetery turmoil. Presumably... that "Pluto" left a message to the Grand Judge, asking him to take special care of Shen Li.

So, Bai Lu's last bit of fun was also shattered.

She stood akimbo, with her back against the wall of the alley, which was Shen Li's only retreat, and said with a smile: "Brother Shen, don't worry, I just want to ask, when will Gu Shen come back?"

In Nagano City, Shen Li and Gu Shen have the closest contact.

In the past year when she was in seclusion, even if Bai Lu was reading documents every day, she could often hear some discussions from the clan members when they passed by the clan hall.

What Gu's Chunyu Guan is very lively.

What Gu Shen is hammering iron again today.

To put it nicely, it is called Gu Shen hammering iron, to put it bluntly... it is Shen Li getting beaten!

The relationship between these two people was built with fists and feet. Shen Li, the famous martial arts fanatic in Nagano, has not challenged other extraordinary people much since he was beaten at Gu Shen's Chunyu Guan...

The relationship between these two people is really strong.

Shen Li curled his lips and said, "I warn you, don't get any ideas about Brother Gu. He and Miss Chu are a match made in heaven. You have no chance."

"Bah!"

Bai Lu subconsciously spat and said angrily: "Who wants to get any ideas about him? This young lady has no interest in him!"

"Oh..."

Shen Li suddenly realized. He rubbed his chin and said seriously: "I see... Is it because Nagano has been too quiet recently, and you are hoping that Brother Gu will come back and make some big moves?"

Bai Lu coughed softly and nodded with some restraint.

"Miss Bai, so you are too idle. You are too idle."

Shen Li pointed to the north and seriously suggested: "I heard that a big hole has been broken in the prison in the Tundra. Nagano is transferring people. If you are really idle, why don't you go and fill the hole?"

Bai Lu's phoenix eyes flashed with anger when she heard this.

She raised her hand and a small whip appeared in an instant. The long whip body snapped in the air, bursting out with a crisp sound!

"I was just joking just now--"

Seeing the whip, Shen Li changed his face faster than flipping a book and quickly confessed: "Ahem, according to my 'reliable news', Brother Gu landed in Nagano today and is now in the north. I was just busy picking him up."

Such a big thing, how could I not know... Bai Lu frowned and pondered: "Reliable news?"

……

……

Northern Nagano.

A source energy boat slowly landed.

The hatch opened and the ladder lowered.

There were only two people in this airship.

A Liuer said softly: "Mr. Xiao Gu, it is forbidden to go ahead, so I can only send you here."

She was the one who went, and she was the one who came back.

Being able to have this female emperor's envoy pick him up is already the highest etiquette of the central city of North Continent.

Before leaving, Gu Shen bowed.

He sincerely said: "Thank you for the hospitality of North Continent these days."

Around the source energy boat, dust was flying, condensed into ice by A Liuer's ability.

The airship hovered and slowly left.

The whole world became quiet.

Gu Shen stood alone on the barren soil of northern Nagano. He didn't bring any luggage. The gifts given by the generals of North Continent before his departure were all stored in the Pure Land domain.

Gu Shen looked at the outline of the city hidden in the dust in the distance, and a complex emotion that was difficult to express rose in his heart... Although he only spent dozens of days in North Continent, seeing Snow Forbidden City again inevitably gave him a sense of "many years in a flash."

The buildings in the central city are all flying in the air.

At this moment... the feeling of being down-to-earth is really reassuring.

He took two steps forward and suddenly paused.

He saw Bai Chen on the city wall.

Is this to welcome himself?

No... Bai Chen is responsible for the [Wind Eye] monitoring. He came here at this moment to handle official business. A Liuer has arrived in Nagano, and he needs to closely monitor the envoy's every move.

But then, a strong wind blew.

On the other side of the dust, several familiar figures appeared.

Gong Zi, Mu Ya, Mu Nan, Li Qingsui, Gao Tian, ​​Shen Li, Bai Lu...

These are all his "old friends" in Snow Forbidden City.

These people were standing quietly at the gate of the city, with faint smiles on their faces.

Their waiting was beyond Gu Shen's expectations.

He didn't tell anyone about his return to Nagano on A Liuer's airship... He originally wanted to leave quietly, go back quietly, and wave his sleeves without taking away any clouds.

Seeing this scene, Gu Shen couldn't help but smile.

These guys... He shook his head helplessly, feeling a little confused in his heart.

His confidentiality work was seamless, how did they know?

And the next moment, Gu Shen understood why.

The dust completely dissipated.

He saw the celestial girl in red and white dress in the middle of the crowd.

She was smiling at him.