As midday approached, a colossal city gradually came into Li Xuan's view. With a slight movement of his divine sense, he found not a single spiritual master within its walls.
"Yo, cousin, you're back this early?" As the caravan arrived at the city gate, a voice suddenly rang out. Li Xuan turned to see several figures standing by the gate. The caravan, due to their presence, had halted to the side.
"Murong Qing, what do you want?" Murong Yue descended from the carriage. Her brow furrowed as she recognized who they were.
Murong Qing, who stood at the forefront, chuckled upon hearing her question. "Cousin, what's the rush? Your cousin is merely here to welcome you. Hmm, I didn't expect you to actually make it back alive. But cousin, you probably don't know, this was the longest it has ever taken one of us."
Murong Yue's face immediately turned grim. The descendants of the Murong family were required to complete a solo escort mission. While returning alive was considered passing the assessment, securing resources within the family depended on the time taken.
Murong Yue knew that during her coming-of-age escort mission, these cousins had undoubtedly interfered behind the scenes. Based on past experience, such missions usually took only two days. Yet, Murong Yue had taken a full five days this time.
"These young ladies and gentlemen are truly detestable!" Xiao Qi, standing before Li Xuan, stomped her foot in anger. If not for her status, Xiao Qi would have rushed forward long ago.
Li Xuan smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Is your young lady not well-regarded in her family?"
Xiao Qi was startled and looked up. Upon seeing it was Li Xuan, her expression visibly relaxed, and she lowered her voice to nod. "Miss's mother was a Murong who married out. At that time, Miss's father's family was in decline, so Miss took her mother's surname. Five years after Miss was born, the master's entire family fell into ruin. The master passed away, and out of necessity, the madam returned to the Murong family with Miss. But a married daughter is like spilled water, and since the madam had given birth to Miss, she naturally wasn't well-received."
"It's one thing for us maids, but how could Miss and Madam endure such treatment? As Miss grew, Madam hanged herself the year Miss turned fifteen. These three years, Miss has truly lived a desolate life."
Li Xuan sighed with a touch of melancholy. With large families, whether in the secular world or among spiritual masters, these problems always persisted.
"But Miss has been resilient. Even under such circumstances, Miss persevered. She completed the tasks assigned by the family with great distinction. If not for that, how could Miss have qualified for this coming-of-age ceremony for Murong family disciples?" Xiao Qi continued.
Li Xuan frowned slightly and asked, "Is this coming-of-age ceremony very important?"
Xiao Qi nodded vigorously. "Once the coming-of-age ceremony is completed, Miss will be considered a true member of the Murong family. At the very least, Miss will gain access to a certain amount of family affairs. Miss's status within the family will then be solidified."
Li Xuan fell silent. Looking at Murong Yue ahead, he vaguely saw a shadow of his former self.
"Young master, are you planning to help her?" The Heavenly Dao Brush's voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan smiled and replied, "If I can, a little help wouldn't hurt. Of course, it all depends on her."
The caravan continued to move forward, and Murong Qing and the others did not continue to obstruct them. However, their laughter made Murong Yue's expression even more distressed.
Murong Family.
Outside the main gate, the caravan came to a halt. A plump, oily-eared middle-aged man stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Murong Yue and the others, his brow furrowed, and a flicker of impatience flashed in his eyes.
"Murong Yue, coming-of-age ceremony completed, taking five days and two hours," the胖子 took out a brush and wrote on a notebook in his left hand, then read aloud.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work." Murong Yue ignored the胖子 and turned to address the escorts who had accompanied her.
"Miss Yue is too kind. This is our duty," the escorts exchanged glances and then bowed to Murong Yue in unison.
Murong Yue nodded slightly, then approached Li Xuan. "Young Master Li Xuan, we have arrived home."
Li Xuan nodded, then looked at Murong Yue and Xiao Qi. "Thank you both for your care during the journey. My life was saved by you. In truth, I owe you. Miss Murong, if you encounter any insurmountable trouble in the future, you can find me. As long as I am alive, I will help you resolve it."
Xiao Qi immediately asked, "Young Master Li Xuan, will you be staying in the city for a long time?"
Murong Yue also looked at Li Xuan. Although she knew Li Xuan was merely a scholar, his words at that moment made Murong Yue believe him wholeheartedly. She didn't know why, but she felt as if Li Xuan was speaking the truth.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then replied, "I will travel around the city before finally deciding whether to stay or leave. Of course, for now, I should be here for some time."
"Young Master Li Xuan is very kind," Murong Yue nodded.
"You're too polite," Li Xuan replied.
"Xiao Qi, give Young Master Li Xuan some silver. After all, many places in the city require money," Murong Yue turned to Xiao Qi and said.
Xiao Qi nodded and took out a silver ingot from her pouch. Li Xuan intended to refuse, but on second thought, he accepted it. Since he already owed them a favor, owing a little more wouldn't matter.
As Murong Yue and Xiao Qi entered the Murong residence, Li Xuan turned and left.
Yue Xin Inn.
"Innkeeper, a room please." Li Xuan glanced around and walked in.
"Certainly, esteemed guest, please proceed upstairs," the innkeeper replied promptly. Li Xuan thought for a moment and tossed the silver he had just received from Xiao Qi.
"I'll stay for three days first. If it's not enough, we'll discuss it then," Li Xuan said and walked upstairs.
"That's more than enough! Waiter, quickly escort our distinguished guest to his room!" The innkeeper shouted loudly upon seeing this.
Inside the room, the waiter diligently brought hot water and towels.
After the waiter left, Li Xuan casually set up a barrier.
"Young master, do you think they will come to you for help?" the Heavenly Dao Brush asked.
Li Xuan smiled and replied, "Based on my experience, she will surely encounter more trouble. What we need to do now is wait. I believe they will come looking for me."
The Heavenly Dao Brush said, "Young master, the identity you told them was merely that of a scholar. I have a feeling they might not actually encounter trouble that requires your help."
Li Xuan blinked, realizing it was indeed true.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "According to what you've said, I seem to need to change my identity."