Baosha Temple.
Howling icy winds, cawing frigid crows.
The once tranquil Holy Land of Buddhism now exuded an indescribable chill.
Inside the meditation room.
Abbot Wangyou sat cross-legged.
He lowered his head to look at his hands.
His skin was delicate, with a faint, flowing radiance, showing no trace of his previous withered, aged state.
Even now, he still felt as if all this were a dream.
"Senior Brother."
The Young Monk Forget-Infatuation sat opposite him, toying with a string of prayer beads, a smile playing on his lips.
"How does this skin suit you?"
Abbot Wangyou took a deep breath, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"It is beyond description."
"It is all thanks to the secret technique brought by Junior Brother; otherwise, this old monk's bones would have long since turned to dust in a grave."
Forget-Infatuation waved his hand, his expression casual.
"We are fellow Disciples; there is no need for such formalities."
Having said that.
He changed the subject, his gaze shifting to the rolling mountains outside the window.
"However..."
"Just now, Senior Brothers mentioned that it seems... this Longyou Demon Suppression Division has a grudge against my Precious Temple?"
Mentioning this.
Abbot Wangyou's previously ruddy complexion darkened instantly.
A violent Demonic Qi uncontrollably overflowed from his body.
"Hmph!"
"That Demon Suppression Division is too overbearing!"
"First, that girl from the Demon Suppression Division killed my Precious Temple Disciples and even killed Junior Brother Forgetting Dust, causing my Precious Temple to lose all face."
"Then there is that Wei He, who, relying on his imperial status, has been sending people up the mountain to search every few days for months."
"A few days ago, he even used the excuse of a report to seal off several of my temple's farms at the foot of the mountain and demanded to inspect the temple's accounts!"
At this point.
Abbot Wangyou's eyes surged with killing intent, his face slightly contorted, revealing a hint of a beastly appearance.
Forget-Infatuation listened, his eyes gradually narrowing.
"Oh? Has my Precious Temple truly fallen to such a state?"
Abbot Wangyou sighed heavily, forcibly suppressing the violence in his heart.
"However... since you have returned, and I have now entered the Ink Dot Realm, I will definitely make the Demon Suppression Division give my Precious Temple an explanation."
Forget-Infatuation nodded slightly: "What does Senior Brother intend to do?"
"The person who killed Forgetting Dust is not currently in the Longyou Region, so there is nothing to be done for now, but that Wei He... is the current person in charge of the Longyou Commandery. Since he dares to reach out, I will chop off his claws!"
"I want one of his arms!"
"Hang it on the gate of my Baosha Temple as a warning to others!"
"Let the Jianghu of Longyou see what happens when they provoke my Baosha Temple!"
Forget-Infatuation heard this and smiled: "One arm? Senior Brother is quite merciful."
"If that is the case, why go to such trouble? Senior Brother, you have just had a Breakthrough and your Realm is not yet stable; you still need time to refine the remaining demon soul within you, so you should not act rashly."
"This trivial matter..."
"Let me, your Junior Brother, handle it for you."
Abbot Wangyou was stunned.
"Junior Brother, you..."
Forget-Infatuation waved his hand, interrupting him.
"Do not worry, they are nothing but worthless rabble. Senior Brother, please sit comfortably; I will be back soon."
As the words fell.
He had already vanished from where he stood.
Leaving only a faint afterimage that slowly dissipated within the meditation room.
Dismissing the generals.
Jiang Yuechu went alone, leaving the Commandery, and followed the route in her memory towards the Jingyao Workshop.
The Region is bitter and cold, and the sandstorms are the most grueling.
It had only been a little over a month since she left.
The trees in the courtyard had shed all their leaves, leaving only bare branches.
A thick layer of dust had accumulated on the stone table; she reached out to touch it and gave a self-deprecating smile.
How long has it been?
Why did she feel such a sense of desolation, as if everything had changed?
"Is this what they call... returning home in glory?"
Jiang Yuechu shook her head and gave a self-deprecating smile.
She was just about to enter the house to take a look.
Footsteps sounded behind her.
Jiang Yuechu did not turn around, only reaching out to brush the dust off her hands.
"Since you are here, come in."
The person outside the door seemed to pause for a moment.
Immediately after.
The figure of General Wei crossed the threshold and walked in.
Even in this private place with no one else around.
This former superior now wore a solemn expression, bowing respectfully to the ground before the young girl with her back to him.
"This subordinate, General Wei, pays respects to Your Highness the Grand Princess."
"General Wei, there are no outsiders here."
General Wei straightened up, a wry smile appearing on his face.
"Etiquette cannot be abandoned."
"The documents from the General Bureau repeatedly emphasized that your status is now noble, you are a member of the royal family, and one must never be the slightest bit negligent."
Jiang Yuechu waved her hand and walked over to sit on the stone stool.
She didn't mind the dirt.
"In this Longyou Commandery, there is no Eldest Princess, only Commander Jiang Yuechu. If General Wei feels that is inappropriate, then you may call me Lord Jiang."
General Wei looked at the girl's casual and free-spirited posture, and the sense of estrangement caused by the difference in status inexplicably dissipated a little.
"Yes."
General Wei cupped his hands, no longer being overly formal, "Then This subordinate will be bold and address you as Lord."
He looked around the dilapidated courtyard.
His brows furrowed.
"Lord, this courtyard has not been lived in for too long; it is small and dilapidated, truly not fitting for your status."
"This subordinate has already arranged a residence for you in the city, with three courtyards and a back garden, and the environment is quiet; perhaps..."
"No need."
Jiang Yuechu interrupted him.
She patted the stone stool beneath her, "I am used to living in this place; it is quiet."
"Besides, I am too lazy to move."
"You just need to have someone clean it up a little."
General Wei opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to persuade her further.
But seeing the girl's gaze, he could only swallow his words.
"Yes, This subordinate will go and arrange it now."
The courtyard fell silent for a moment.
General Wei stood there, rubbing his hands, his expression somewhat hesitant.
Jiang Yuechu glanced at him.
"Does General Wei have anything else?"
"If you have something to say, just say it; you know I don't like beating around the bush."
General Wei's old face flushed red.
He gave a dry cough, then asked tentatively:
"That... Lord, during this trip to Chang'an."
"Did you..."
"Did you go to see that girl?"
Jiang Yuechu was stunned.
She immediately realized.
This was asking about Wei Qing.
That's right.
Although this older brother looked stern on the surface, he was likely deeply worried about her in his heart.
"I have."
General Wei's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked: "That girl... is she doing well in the capital?"
"She is doing quite well, she can eat and sleep, and she looks a circle fatter than when she was in the Region."
General Wei listened, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
A circle fatter?
That girl usually cared most about her figure; if she heard this, she would probably be so angry she'd jump up and down.
But since she said so.
It meant that she was indeed living securely in the capital.
"That is good... that is good."
General Wei let out a long sigh of relief.
The private matters were finished.
General Wei straightened up, all the warmth on his face faded, replaced by a touch of gravity.
"Lord."
"Actually, This subordinate came here this time because there is one more thing that needs to be handed over to you."
Jiang Yuechu's expression flickered slightly.
"What is it?"
General Wei reached into his robes.
He took out a palm-sized sandalwood box.
As the wooden box slowly opened.
Hum—
A scorching aura instantly permeated the cold courtyard.
Inside the box, a golden-red feather lay quietly.
The feather was only half a foot long, but it shimmered with brilliant golden light throughout.
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes, not reaching out to take it, but said indifferently: "Where did this come from?"
"Three months ago."
General Wei said in a deep voice: "At that time, a Demon King came from the Western Regions Demon Court..."
As he spoke.
General Wei recounted the events of that day in detail.
From the arrival of the Demon King, to the change in the other party's attitude after hearing about Jiang Yuechu's background, and finally to their departure.
"..."
Jiang Yuechu toyed with the feather, feeling somewhat bewildered.
No way.
What kind of ultimate low-profile master is this?!
At that time, she seemed to have only just reached Core Formation, right?
General Wei's expression was serious as he continued: "According to that Demon King, that White Flood Dragon in the Black River is of the direct Bloodline of the Flood Dragon Clan, and this matter caused quite a stir in the Demon Court."
"The White Flood Dragon Clan is arrogant and extremely protective of their own; having lost a direct descendant, they will absolutely not let this go."
Speaking of this, General Wei raised his head, his eyes full of worry.
"Lord."
"Although that Maori Demon King has left, judging by its implications, the White Flood Dragon Clan has likely already targeted you."
"It is easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."
"The Flood Dragon Clan has a deep foundation; if a great demon from their clan were to personally come to the Great Tang..."