The carriage traveled along the Imperial Road for another three days.
Over those three days, the scenery by the roadside grew more and more prosperous, the fields increasingly level, the villages denser, and the towns they passed larger and larger.
There were more pedestrians on the road too—merchant caravans, travelers, soldiers, officials, carriages and horses flowing in endless streams.
Star Luo City was getting closer and closer, and even the air seemed filled with a tense, excited atmosphere.
Zhu Zhuqing sat inside the carriage, watching the scenery outside the window race backward. Her expression was calm, but her fingers gently rubbed against her knees.
That was a habit of hers when she was nervous, and Xiao Yun had noticed it long ago.
The carriage stopped in a small town.
The town was not large, but it was very lively, a transport hub on the outskirts of Star Luo City where passing merchants and travelers all stopped to rest. The entrance of the inn was packed with carriages, the main hall was full of people, and the attendants were so busy their feet barely touched the ground. Xiao Yun asked for three upper rooms, settled the luggage, and was just about to go downstairs to eat when the innkeeper personally came up.
"Young Master Xiao, there is a guest downstairs requesting to see you. They say they have important matters to discuss."
Xiao Yun was slightly startled.
He had hardly any acquaintances in the Star Luo Empire. Who would come looking for him? "Invite them up." The innkeeper acknowledged and went downstairs. A moment later, he brought someone up.
That person wore a black cloak, the hood pulled very low, covering most of their face. Their figure was tall and slender, and their steps were light as they walked, landing without