"Responsibility is responsibility, and personal ties are personal ties."
Feng Wuya gently waved his hand, interrupting the words Wei Qing was about to speak. His tone carried an unquestionable resolve.
"Brother Feng is absolutely right." Liu Xinghe chimed in from the side, approval flashing in his eyes. "Brother Wei, stop refusing. Just accept this matter."
Standing behind his father, Liu Yulong's mouth twitched violently. With a crisp crack, he snapped two ribs of the jade-bone folding fan in his hand.
Dad, what are you doing?
I call him Brother Wei, and you call him Brother Wei?
This seniority is so tangled it could be woven into a fishing net!
"Ahem..."
Nangong Ruyan suddenly covered her lips and coughed lightly, a hint of amusement flashing through her eyes.
The other sect disciples all forcibly suppressed the corners of their mouths, preventing themselves from laughing.
"That's right. Brother Liu is correct. Brother Wei, it's settled, then."
"Exactly, Brother Wei."
Unexpectedly.
The very next moment, their seniority collectively took a nosedive amid their own sect masters' and elders' repeated calls of "Brother Wei."
In an instant, their expressions changed one after another, their faces flushing red as though they were constipated.
"Haha."
Seeing this scene, Liu Yulong could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.
That'll teach you lot to laugh at me. Feels good now, doesn't it?
"This... Then Wei will thank everyone for your kindness."
Seeing that he could not refuse, Wei Qing could only nod and agree.
Liu Xinghe glared fiercely at the others.
Shameless. You stole my idea.
The others all pretended not to see it.
Feng Wuya changed the subject. "Everyone, regarding the Blood Robe Sect, we shouldn't delay any longer. Once they escape, tracking them down later will surely become far more difficult."
Hearing this, Liu Xinghe nodded lightly. "Since that's the case, let's set out now."
"Yulong, you and Brother Wei's group return to Qingcheng first. We'll go flatten the Blood Robe Sect, then head to Qingcheng to pick you up."
"Ruyan, you go as well."
"Yuan Ming, take your junior sister and wait in Qingcheng for your master."
"Yes."
Those who had been given orders responded in unison. They were not fools; they naturally understood what their sect masters and elders intended.
They wanted them to spend more time getting close to Wei Qing.
Afterward, the group split into two forces.
The masters and elders of the various major sects headed for the Blood Robe Sect.
Qin Shuang and the others accompanied Wei Qing back to Qingcheng.
The sun was setting.
A carriage slowly came to a stop a hundred meters outside Qingcheng's gates.
"My lord, Qingcheng is just ahead."
The coachman drove the carriage while gazing at the city ahead and speaking quietly toward the curtain behind him.
As soon as he finished speaking.
The curtain was lifted, and an elegant-looking man poked his head out, gazing at the distant city.
"We finally made it. Let's go straight to the government office!"
Du Ziteng gave the order before sitting back down.
The journey had not been peaceful.
Bandits had run rampant.
If not for the coachman and the escorting soldiers risking their lives to save him, he might have died on the road to take office.
Of the more than ten soldiers who had set out with him, only two remained alive.
He was also quite anxious about the place where he was about to take office.
After all, Qingcheng had only just endured a demon calamity.
"Hmph. Once I get the chance, I'll wipe out every last one of those bandits."
But for now, that was all he could do—think about it.
At present, his most important task was to take over as Qingcheng's County Magistrate, pacify the people, and stabilize Qingcheng's order.
Soon, the carriage slowly entered Qingcheng.
"Flatbread! Wu-style flatbread, fragrant and delicious! Three copper coins—no loss, no scam!"
"Glazed fruit! Sweet and sour glazed fruit!"
"Freshly roasted duck! Taste before you buy—no money if it isn't good!"
"Tofu..."
"I heard treasures have appeared in the Black Mist Wasteland. Lots of martial artists have gone there."
"Who did you hear that from?"
"My third grandaunt's family's son's elder cousin's brother-in-law works at the government office. Too bad ordinary folks like us can only listen to it as entertainment."
"That's right. Come on, let's go have a couple of drinks at Star Cloud Tower. Maybe we'll even run into Lord Wei."
"Hehe, let's go!"
Listening to the cries and conversations outside the carriage, Du Ziteng could not help lifting the curtain to observe the surroundings.
There was no fear or panic on the people's faces after the demon-fueled chaos.
Instead, every one of them looked perfectly normal, chatting and laughing.
This formed a stark contrast with the desolation and barrenness he had seen along the way in places ravaged by demons.
"Strange?"
"My lord, what is it?" the guard beside the carriage asked.
"According to my teacher's information, Qingcheng was heavily affected by the demonic upheaval this time. On top of that, the local officials' families and Lineages colluded with demons..."
"But why does Qingcheng look nothing like a place that suffered a demonic upheaval?"
"Once we reach the government office, we can ask the County Lieutenant and find out."
"Mm. Let's go."
After Du Ziteng finished speaking, he lowered the curtain and sat back down.
As the carriage traveled onward, the passing residents stopped one after another and watched curiously.
"Where did this lord come from?"
"Who knows?"
"Judging by what the guards beside him said, he seems to be heading to the government office."
Some of the people could not help discussing it in hushed voices.
In a place like Qingcheng, anyone who could afford a carriage was either an official or a member of a great family or a wealthy merchant.
For ordinary people, let alone riding in one—even touching one would have been enough to satisfy them.
While they were discussing it, the carriage had already stopped outside the government office.
The coachman lifted the curtain.
"My lord, we've arrived at the government office."
"Mm."
Du Ziteng lowered his head and stepped out of the carriage, then looked up at the plaque above the government office with a calm expression.
Seeing the newcomers, the yamen runner on duty asked, "May I ask what brings you to the government office?"
Du Ziteng's guard stepped forward. "The new County Magistrate has taken office."
"The new... County Magistrate." The yamen runner froze for a moment. Once he came to his senses, he took three steps in two and reached Du Ziteng. "This humble subordinate pays his respects to the County Magistrate."
"My lord, please come inside."
As he spoke, another yamen runner had already rushed into the government office to notify the County Lieutenant.
Star Cloud Tower.
Tonight, it had been reserved by the disciples of the various sects and factions.
After the battle in the Black Mist Wasteland, they could be considered comrades who had faced life and death together.
"Come, Brother Wei. Let me toast you. If I ever go to the Imperial City in the future, I'll be able to say I have connections there."
Liu Yulong was the first to raise his cup in a toast.
His former disdain for Wei Qing had completely changed after their trip to the Black Mist Wasteland.
He even felt that he was now the one reaching above his station by associating with Wei Qing.
After all, judging by Wei Qing's terrifying talent, his achievements in the future would definitely be something Liu Yulong could only look up to.
"You're welcome. Whenever Brother Liu visits the Imperial City, I'll certainly give you a proper welcome."
Wei Qing smiled.
His impression of Liu Yulong was not too bad. The man was somewhat arrogant.
But which heaven's favored one did not have a bit of pride?
The two clinked cups and tilted their heads back, draining them in one go.
"Brother Wei, I'll toast you as well. Without your help, none of us could have obtained today's opportunities."
Qin Shuang raised his cup next.
"That's right, me too." Nangong Ruyan chimed in.
"Me too."
The other sect disciples also raised their cups one after another.