Luo'an Province, provincial capital.
It was noon when Lin Yaoyang led the team into the provincial capital.
The city gate is tall and wide, and the troops stationed on the city wall are lined up with bright armor.
The defenders at the city gate saw this team wearing Sun Badge on their chests and did not stop them. They just looked at them a few more times.
There were customs clearance documents, and after inspection, the garrison officer waved them through.
The streets in the city are neat, with numerous shops and pedestrians.
Different from the dilapidated towns that we passed before, the provincial capital of Luo'an Province is like a carefully tended garden.
Every tree is trimmed neatly, every street lamp is polished, and even the vendors setting up stalls on the street wear clean clothes.
Lin Yaoyang walked at the front of the team, his eyes scanning from both sides of the street.
Prosperity, wealth, and orderly governance.
It's just that this kind of prosperity only exists in the provincial capital Core Zone.
He had seen clearly the conditions of other cities in the province and those remote villages and towns on the way here.
Evil Soul Master appears, the villagers have fled, the fields are deserted, and the government is indifferent.
"Palace Master!"
A team leader came up behind him and asked, "How many days are we going to rest in the city?"
"Three days. Everyone is exhausted from fighting for days, and the wounded also need to rest. We tentatively plan to rest for three days."
Lin Yaoyang said, "We will set off towards the northeastern region in three days."
The squad leader responded and went back to deliver the order.
The team stopped in front of a hotel, and the soldiers made arrangements for their accommodation.
Lin Yaoyang stood at the door of the hotel, looking at the bustling crowd on the street. Just as he was about to turn around and go in, a man who looked like a butler in a brocade robe trotted over, stopped in front of him, and bowed.
"Excuse me, but Sun Temple's Hall Master Lin in person?"
Lin Yaoyang looked at him, nodded and said, "I am."
"My master heard that Hall Master Lin was leading his team through the provincial capital, so he specially prepared a small gift and paid a visit. A banquet has been prepared at Post House. Please enjoy it with Hall Master Lin."
"Who is your master?"
"Luo'an Province Lord, Xue Kui Marquis."
Xue Kui?
"No need."
Lin Yaoyang said, "My team is just resting here, I will not attend the banquet. If the Marquis wants to see me, let him come here."
The housekeeper was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't expect to receive such a reply.
He opened his mouth to say something, but when he saw Lin Yaoyang's golden eyes, he swallowed his words, bowed, and left quickly.
In less than an hour, Xue Kui came after struggling for a while.
He is in his forties, has an ordinary appearance, and even looks a little dull.
Wearing a dark purple brocade robe, a jade belt around her waist, and her hair combed meticulously.
He had the right smile on his face.
Behind him were four followers, carrying two heavy boxes.
In the hotel's reception room.
Lin Yaoyang is sitting on the main seat, a pot of black tea has been brewed.
When Xue Kui saw Lin Yaoyang, he first bowed his hands and saluted with a very low posture.
"Hall Master Lin, I have long admired your name. My Lord Xue Kui, Luo'an Province, I have taken the liberty to come to visit you. I also wish to see Haihan."
Lin Yaoyang raised his hand to signal and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please take a seat."
Xue Kui sat down opposite him and quickly looked at the young man opposite him.
She has short orange-red hair, golden eyes, and a tall and straight figure, sitting there like a sheathed sword.
Young, younger than he thought.
"I have long heard of the story of Hall Master Lin leading his team to kill Evil Soul Master and rescuing the people."
Xue Kui spoke with a sincere and eager tone, "Sun Temple's meritorious deeds are unparalleled, and I admire you endlessly. Luo'an Province is truly blessed to have such righteous people as you to help him."
Lin Yaoyang looked at him and didn't answer.
Xue Kui continued, his tone even warmer.
"Although I dare not say that I don't pick up things on the road, it is still relatively stable under my rule. I have put some thought into the order and people's livelihood in this provincial capital. Hall Master Lin If you need anything, just ask, and I will do my best to help."
Lin Yaoyang said, "The provincial capital under the rule of the Marquis is indeed good. But what about other cities, villages and towns in the province?"
Xue Kui's expression did not change, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Outside the city..."
He smiled and said, "Hall Master Lin I don't know. Luo'an Province covers a vast area and my ability is limited. Some remote villages and towns cannot be taken care of. However, I have ordered people to strengthen patrols and do their best."
Do your best.
Lin Yaoyang didn't ask any questions, picked up the tea cup and took a sip.
Xue Kui was not discouraged when he saw that he did not answer the call.
He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"Hall Master Lin, I am a cheerful person, and I will say some things directly."
"Please speak."
"Sun Temple's Soul Master has terrifying combat power. It has won the hearts of the people and is relied upon by the imperial court. Although it has not been established for a long time, it has already started a prairie fire."
Xue Kui's smile deepened, "Although I am not talented, I have been operating in Luo'an Province for many years, and I have some military power, some financial resources, and some territory..."
"If Hall Master Lin is willing, we can communicate with each other and help each other. In the future, when Temple acts on Luo'an Province, we will definitely open the door to convenience and provide full support."
"I appreciate the Marquis' kindness."
Lin Yaoyang said, "Sun Temple does not have personal relationships and does not seek the interests of powerful people. We are only doing one thing at the moment, killing Evil Soul Master. In other matters, we will not participate or intervene."
Xue Kui's smile froze slightly, but quickly recovered.
"Hall Master Lin has misunderstood. I am not trying to ask Temple to take sides, nor am I trying to form a personal relationship. It's just..."
He paused and changed his words, "I just want to do my part as a landlord and provide some convenience for Temple. That's all."
Lin Yaoyang nodded. "Thank you very much, Marquis. For convenience, if necessary, I will ask someone to contact the Marquis' people. As for the rest..."
He raised his head and looked into Xue Kui's eyes.
"Sun Temple has his own way to go. He does not depend on anyone and does not ally with any force."
The living room was quiet for a moment.
Xue Kui's smile still hung on his face, but his eyes changed.
There was no anger or frustration in his heart, he just calmed down and re-considered and judged the Lin Yaoyang in front of him.
This young man doesn't follow his rules.
All his temptations, overtures, and attempts to win over him all came to nothing.
This person neither answered his words nor gave him any opportunity to take advantage of him.
He is polite and decent, but cold and distant, like a transparent wall.
Xue Kui knows it well.
He stood up.
"Hall Master Lin has high righteousness, I admire you. Since Hall Master Lin still has important things to do, I won't bother you much. Those two boxes of small gifts are my thoughts, please Hall Master Lin be sure to accept them."
Lin Yaoyang also stood up and said, "Your Majesty the Marquis, you are so polite. There is no need for gifts. Sun Temple does not accept gifts."
Xue Kui's mouth twitched slightly.
He stood there, silent for a moment, and then smiled.
"Then I won't force myself."
"Farewell."
"Walk slowly."
Xue Kui turned around, his steps still steady and his back still straight.
When he walked out of the hotel door, the smile on his face completely disappeared.
His eyes became gloomy, as if he was thinking about something.
The entourage came up to him and asked cautiously, "Marquis, those two boxes of things..."
"Carry it back."
Xue Kui's voice is very weak.
He got into the carriage, and the moment he lowered the curtain, his face completely darkened.
This person cannot be won over.
Then we can only be careful and suppress.
The carriage drove away from the hotel and disappeared at the end of the street.
Lin Yaoyang stood at the hotel window and watched the carriage go away.
The sound of light footsteps sounded, and Wang Qiu'er silently walked behind him.
"Who is that person?"
"The lord of Luo'an Province, Xue Kui."
"What are you looking for?"
"Win over."
Wang Qiu'er looked at the direction in which the carriage disappeared and was silent for a moment, "Didn't you agree?"
"No."
"Why?"
Lin Yaoyang turned around and looked at her.
Although Wang Qiu'er always has a cold face, the curiosity in those pink-blue eyes cannot be hidden.
Wang Qiu'er said, "Since he is the lord here, if he is willing to help us, it will be much easier for us to get around here."
Lin Yaoyang shook his head.
"But if he helps us, it doesn't necessarily mean that he agrees with what Sun Temple is doing. It may also mean that he wants to take advantage of us. This kind of person can be your brother-in-law today, but tomorrow he can sell you for profit."
Wang Qiu'er was silent for a while.
"Can't you be more optimistic? Why do you always think of the worst?"
Lin Yaoyang patted her shoulder and said, "The human world is very complicated. You should see more and learn more, and at the same time, you should protect yourself."
He turned and walked back to the hotel.
Wang Qiu'er heard this, her delicate body trembled slightly.
She froze on the spot, looking at his back, and stood for a long time.
He really... knows me?!