"You have to admit, the location of this Small Courtyard isn't ideal. It isn't far from Xia'er University, but it's too secluded. You have to cross a stretch of Small Woods, not to mention a path over a hundred meters long."
Baili Qingfeng stood in front of a courtyard and spoke to a man in his thirties wearing a suit.
"But surely you can see, sir, that this courtyard is right beneath Qingyuan Mountain, in the scenic area. It's backed by mountains and facing the water, with beautiful surroundings. That's its greatest advantage..."
"Two hundred."
Baili Qingfeng said, "I'll pay only two hundred a month in rent."
"Two hundred..."
Seeing Baili Qingfeng's resolute expression and realizing he wasn't budging, the man could only put on a troubled look. "Then we'll do as you say, Mr. Baili. Two hundred, with one month's deposit and three months' rent paid in advance."
Baili Qingfeng nodded and returned with the man.
The Small Courtyard was indeed secluded. Outside the courtyard wasn't an empty lot but a stretch of Small Woods, roughly a hundred meters across. No girl would dare come here alone at night. Beyond the Small Woods stood a cluster of low, old buildings and all sorts of narrow alleys. Only after crossing this area would one reach the main road, then walk another four hundred meters or so to the back gate of Xia'er University.
Baili Qingfeng was willing to rent the courtyard for several reasons. First, it was spacious enough for him to stretch his arms and legs. Second, it was quiet and unlikely to be disturbed. Third, it was close by.
It was less than eight hundred meters away, a walk of only about ten minutes.
When Baili Qingfeng returned to school, he discovered that the matter involving the Aurora Empire had already been resolved.
Before the affair could escalate further, Councilor York of the Xia Hai Province Local Council had appeared and forced the consulate to hand over the culprit. Moreover, with the public in a state of righteous fury, the Aurora Empire had been forced to make concessions.
The operation had achieved complete success.
"It seems a little like a performance staged by the actors themselves..."
Baili Qingfeng watched it all from the perspective of an outsider.
Then, recalling that the Sea World Association had already been inciting trouble behind the scenes several days ago, stirring up wind and rain, he understood that the truth behind the matter was not as simple as he had imagined.
Fortunately, over the next few days, the situation gradually calmed down.
The Foreign Minister submitted a report on the matter, placing the blame on the Aurora consulate. The Aurora Empire also issued an apology and, without causing itself any real pain, dismissed three mid-level officials. And just like that, the matter was resolved.
It was only later that everyone learned that, because the Aurora Empire had forcibly seized an oil field belonging to a neighboring country, the Red Flame Country had doubled the troops stationed along their border—from sixty thousand to one hundred and twenty thousand—in order to maintain border stability.
This was probably the primary reason the Aurora Empire had chosen to smooth things over in Xia.
Meanwhile, Councilor York, the greatest winner of the entire incident, gradually entered the public eye afterward, with numerous media outlets and newspapers reporting on him.
Councilor York himself already wielded considerable influence in the Xia City area. After repeated bombardment from newspapers and other media, he was gradually packaged as a national hero. It was as if the people of Xia City could find a way forward only under his leadership, and could only hold their heads high and straighten their backs under the oppression of the Aurora Empire.
Baili Qingfeng paid no attention to the changes taking place outside.
Peace was what he needed.
After the affair involving Russell and the others had passed, the following month was calm and uneventful.
Although he had no idea how long this tranquility would last, he was able to enjoy the peace for once—reading books, practicing martial arts, and familiarizing himself with the newly learned Heavenly Demon Disintegration Art.
After spending a month at school, he took advantage of the holiday to return to Wuhe City, just over ten kilometers away.
When he arrived in Wuhe City, Baili Qingfeng did not return home immediately. Instead, he went to Sanshun Town.
Second Grandfather's courtyard seemed rather deserted. Only Baili Ruoshui was there.
Baili Qingfeng glanced around and asked, "Second Grandfather isn't here?"
"Second Grandfather's in the hospital."
"In the hospital? What happened?"
"An old friend came by and insisted on sparring with him. He ended up wrenching his back."
"Then I'll go to the hospital and see Second Grandfather."
"I'll go with you."
As Baili Ruoshui spoke, she seemed to remember something and said, "Wait a moment."
She then returned inside, brought out a box, and handed it to him. "Grandfather said to give this to you."
"What is it?"
"I don't know. Grandfather wouldn't let us look."
Baili Ruoshui shook her head.
Baili Qingfeng opened the box. Inside was a prescription.
It was the prescription for Nourishing Essence Soup that Baili Qingfeng had been hoping to obtain.
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