Return

Heyin County had become far bleaker and more desolate than when Duàn Yì had left.

The once prosperous, bustling streets now saw only sparse pedestrians passing through. Though the shops on both sides remained open, many of the servants and clerks lounged about listlessly, utterly devoid of spirit.

Holding the Zhenbei King's Mansion token, Duàn Yì easily passed through the heavily guarded city gates. Driving the carriage, he slowly made his way toward the place he had arranged to meet Ding Ling.

It was a grand residence with seven successive courtyards. It had originally belonged to a wealthy merchant family in Heyin County, but not long ago, the family had been accused of colluding with the White Lotus Sect. Their entire household had been thrown into prison, and their property confiscated.

Ding Ling had purchased this residence for a relatively low price, and it had now become their main base.

The gatekeeper in the front courtyard was an old man who looked somewhat weathered, at least forty or fifty years old. His back was hunched, and he held a smoking pipe in his hand, taking a puff from time to time before blowing out rings of smoke.

He was clearly quite familiar with Duàn Yì—or rather, he recognized that face. Thus, when he spotted Duàn Yì driving over from afar, he knocked his pipe, ordered a servant to open the main gates, and let him through.

After Helan Yue'er got out of the carriage, she tightly clutched Duàn Yì's hand. Everything in this unfamiliar environment made her curious yet wary. Of course, with Granny An and Eunuch Qiu, the two elders, at the girl's side, she soon relaxed.

Duàn Yì had someone arrange rooms for Helan Yue'er and the two elders so they could rest first, while he himself headed