In the days that followed, Zhou Qiubai never left the city again.
By contrast, Chen Xuan had it much easier. He lectured at the academy during the day, then moved a bamboo chair beneath the corridor at night to drink tea in leisure.
Occasionally, Xie Ru sent letters. After reading them, Zhou Qiubai put them away without rushing to depart.
He understood that Canghai City had only just caught its breath. He had to stabilize the situation here first.
Another five days passed, and the city's restoration work had begun to show results.
Zhou Qiubai gathered Dantai Canglan, Lu Qinghou and Wen Buyan of the Twelve Guards of Canghai, and the others, then laid out a table of food and wine.
After several rounds of drinks, he set down his chopsticks and said gravely, "In a couple of days, I'll be heading somewhere far away."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him.
Yang Guyun immediately said, "I'm coming too."
After the banquet ended, Zhou Qiubai took a walk alone along the city walls.
He had not lived here for long, yet it felt as though he had spent half his life here.
But he had no choice but to leave.
Although the threat from Sea God Island had temporarily receded, the God Realm would not let things rest.
He could not draw the flames of war here.
Early the next morning, Zhou Qiubai finished giving all necessary instructions and spoke alone with Dantai Canglan for half an hour.
When he finally returned to his small courtyard, he found Yang Guyun already waiting at the gate.
They said nothing, simply walking side by side toward the city gate.
Outside the city, Chen Xuan was waiting at a tea stall beside the official road. Once the three