Setting Out on a Long Journey

The next day, the two purchased a considerable amount of grain in the city.

This single procurement trip was nearly enough to supply the Changfeng Escort Agency for half a year.

Drawing from their previous combat experience, Meng Qingshan also bought plenty of medicine and lime along the way, just in case.

Li Qingzhu went to the kitchen to prepare dried rations for Meng Qingshan's upcoming journey.

Meng Qingshan, in the meantime, took the opportunity to deal with the tiger's carcass, and then Gou Sheng'er...

Now, Li Xiaoyao.

The moment Li Xiaoyao heard that Meng Qingshan was going to teach him the Changfeng Escort Agency's ultimate technique, the Long Wind Heart Method, a blazing light flickered in his eyes.

Once he began the instruction, Meng Qingshan discovered that this kid's comprehension was indeed extraordinary.

Along the true qi circulation path of the Long Wind Heart Method, Meng Qingshan only planted a single seed of true qi within him, guiding him through one cycle of the Small Heavenly Circuit, and the kid grasped the key points with startling speed.

On his second attempt at cultivation, he displayed even more astonishing martial talent—the entire process required no further guidance from Meng Qingshan, and he could already circulate the Small Heavenly Circuit on his own.

This sight left Meng Qingshan dumbfounded, and he couldn't help but think to himself, "As things stand now, giving this kid the name 'Li Xiaoyao' doesn't seem to dishonor it after all."

Another day passed, and Meng Qingshan paid a special visit to the County Office.

The County Magistrate was quite surprised to see him, assuming he had already finished his business and would be officially taking up his post that very day.

Meng Qingshan explained himself briefly to the County Magistrate, promising to return to Jade Mountain City in one month to assume the position, and asked him to look after the Changfeng Escort Agency during this time.

The County Magistrate gladly agreed, hosted a grand banquet to see Meng Qingshan off, and as Meng Qingshan was about to leave, had the Secretary hand him a token, informing him that with it, he could freely enter and exit the County Office.

As nightfall deepened.

Meng Qingshan finally returned to the Changfeng Escort Agency.

Li Qingzhu was just then holding the tiger bones, carefully roasted after the flesh had been stripped away, and walking over to the stone mill.

Seeing this, Meng Qingshan immediately came over to help.

The two worked in perfect sync, one pushing the mill while the other collected the scattered bone powder.

Li Qingzhu held a small brush in her hand and asked softly, "Cousin, on this journey of yours, about when will you return?"

The stone mill stopped. Meng Qingshan's gaze was firm as he replied steadily, "One month!"

As he spoke, he reached out and gently grasped Li Qingzhu's small hand, saying with conviction, "Cousin, rest assured. In my heart, you are also the most important person in this world to me. In one month, I will definitely come back."

Hearing this, a flush of shyness instantly spread across Li Qingzhu's face, creeping from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.

She responded a little flusteredly, "You... where did you learn such cheesy words!"

Yet her voice, though soft, was filled with both shyness and anticipation.

Meng Qingshan looked at her reddened cheeks, and a warm current surged in his heart.

The night grew deeper, moonlight filtering through the clouds and spilling over the two of them, draping them in a silver veil.

Li Qingzhu suddenly bit her lip lightly and urged in a low voice, "It's getting late. Let's hurry and finish grinding these tiger bones."

At her words, Meng Qingshan immediately sped up and threw himself back into the work.

Li Qingzhu, meanwhile, carefully collected the ground bone powder piece by piece.

Finally, after all the tiger bones had been meticulously ground into powder, Li Qingzhu seemed to momentarily forget the sorrow of Meng Qingshan's impending departure.

Her eyes sparkling with joy, she said softly, "Cousin, with this bone powder, plus the medicinal herbs we bought today, by the day you return, you'll surely get to taste the Tiger Bone Wine I've carefully brewed for you!"

Two days later, in the early morning.

Meng Qingshan packed his bags, donned a wide-brimmed hat to shield from sun and rain, and led an old horse from the stable—one that had accompanied him on many escort journeys over the years.

Everyone from the escort agency came out to see him off.

Li Xiaoyao was the first to break the heavy atmosphere. "Senior Brother, when will you be back?"

Meng Qingshan replied, "No need to worry, fellow junior brothers. At most a month, and I will surely return."

Though his injuries had not yet healed, Uncle Kui insisted on coming as well. He looked at Meng Qingshan and said with concern, "Qingshan, out there on the road, be careful in everything!"

Meng Qingshan nodded. "Uncle Kui, rest assured. I know what I'm doing."

Then, he gave Li Qingzhu a long, deep look.

He handed the token the County Magistrate had given him yesterday to his cousin, and whispered, "Cousin, while I'm away, try to keep everyone indoors as much as possible.

If you truly run into trouble you can't handle, go to the County Office. As long as I'm still of use to him, I think he'll lend a hand for my sake."

Li Qingzhu said nothing, only nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

Having given his instructions, Meng Qingshan turned to mount his horse, but felt a light tug on his sleeve.

Turning back, he found his cousin holding onto the corner of his robe.

"Cousin!" she called softly, holding out a jade-green wine gourd to him.

"When Father used to go on escort trips, I would always fill this gourd with wine for him. Cousin, now I give this wine gourd to you. If you ever..."

The maiden paused here for a moment.

Then, with a hint of shyness, she added softly, "...miss home, take a sip."

A warmth filled Meng Qingshan's heart as he took the wine gourd his cousin offered.