Inviting a Consecrated One, Mist and Light in the City

Li Qing, deep in slumber, bolted upright, his hand instinctively reaching for the blade on his right.

The experiences of the past two days had kept him in a state of constant tension.

The sound of knocking triggered an instinctive memory of the scene at the Huayue Study.

He cast his gaze outward; it seemed to be dawn, and a silhouette stood outside the door.

"Mr. Qin, are you awake? The Chief Escort has sent me to invite you."

"Breakfast is already prepared!"

Hearing the voice outside, Li Qing finally let out a sigh of relief.

It's nothing, that's good.

He raised his voice, "Understood, I'll be there shortly!"

Li Qing rolled out of bed, walked over in a few strides, and opened the door.

Standing outside was a servant in green, with refined features and a spirited air.

Seeing Li Qing, he hurriedly said respectfully, "Mr. Qin! Please, follow me!"

Facing Li Qing, who appeared to be around his own age, the young servant felt a surge of envy.

The other man was already an honored guest of the Chief Escort at such a young age, while he would forever remain a mere servant.

Li Qing nodded slightly, unaware of the servant's thoughts, and followed him through a corridor, soon arriving at a dining hall.

At this moment, the Chief Escort, Wang Kuohai, was sitting there; seeing Li Qing arrive, he hurriedly stood up to welcome him with a smile.

"Mr. Qin, good morning. Did you rest well last night?"

"Please, have a seat here!"

Li Qing nodded, "It was fine, I had a good sleep."

The two sat at the dining table, where the morning meal consisted of porridge, steamed buns, and meat pies.

"Hahaha, just simple fare, I hope you don't mind, Mr. Qin."

"Tonight, I shall host a banquet at the Phoenix Pavilion to properly welcome you."

"It is but a small token of gratitude for saving my life!"

Li Qing smiled faintly, "That is too much trouble."

"Hahaha, not at all. I, Old Wang, must properly thank Mr. Qin. The grace of saving a life is greater than the heavens!"

Breakfast passed amidst their conversation.

In the living room, Li Qing was savoring a cup of clear tea.

"Fine tea! Fragrant and crisp!"

Wang Kuohai smiled slightly, "This is top-quality Ten Thousand Peach Spring; it costs five taels of silver per catty."

"Mr. Qin, do you have any business in Jade City?"

Li Qing shook his head slightly, "Nothing in particular, I just have some reasons to stay here for a while."

Wang Kuohai's eyes brightened slightly at these words, "I have a presumptuous request."

"Oh?" A hint of confusion appeared in Li Qing's eyes.

"I wonder if Mr. Qin would be willing to condescend to serve as a consultant at my All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency for a time."

"You may leave whenever you wish. The All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency is willing to offer ten taels of silver monthly, and we will arrange for all your food, clothing, and lodging."

Hearing this, Li Qing pondered inwardly.

I am unfamiliar with Jade City, and this All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency is, after all, a local power.

It would make doing things much more convenient.

Besides, I can leave at any time and get paid; it doesn't seem like much trouble.

After thinking it over, he did not agree immediately, but looked at Wang Kuohai and said.

"I haven't made up my mind on this matter yet. I intend to walk around the city first and have a look."

There was not a trace of displeasure on Wang Kuohai's face; he remained smiling.

"Very well, then Mr. Qin, you may tell me whenever you have considered it."

"Agreed!"

After chatting with Wang Kuohai for a while, Li Qing quietly left the All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency.

He had changed into a grey robe, looking quite inconspicuous.

Walking along the main street, the road was bustling with activity.

"Sugar figurines for sale!..."

"Come one, come all, take a look..."

"If you have money, show your support with money; if you have presence, show your support with your presence..."

The sounds of the marketplace rushed toward him, thick with the scent of the bustling, mundane world.

On the streets, every trade and profession was represented, with small stalls and vendors everywhere, the atmosphere of prosperity permeating every corner.

A trace of weariness flickered across the faces of most commoners; clearly, their lives were not as comfortable as they seemed.

As he walked, Li Qing's expression grew increasingly puzzled.

He saw something strange: countless people were gathered on the streets, and from them emanated faint, multicolored rays of light.

These lights converged in the sky above the city, looking like a thin mist—it was extremely eerie.

When he entered the city last night, he hadn't noticed this at all.

Even more bizarrely, none of the commoners in the city seemed to see the colorful mist in the sky.

A sense of hair-raising dread shrouded Li Qing's heart; he did not know what that mist truly was.

This world is very strange. How could people emit multicolored radiance?

The radiance emitted by a single person was very faint, almost imperceptible.

When he had traveled back with the people from the All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency, he hadn't noticed it at all.

It was only while wandering the streets, as the crowds grew, that he discovered this subtle change.

After wandering for quite a while, he finally turned back toward the All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency.

"Hoo... hah..."

"Haha... heh!"

A great chorus of shouts and grunts erupted; behind the gates of the escort agency, a group of Escort Guards were practicing their martial arts.

Some of these men brandished sabers, others wielded staves, and some were training with iron palms or fists.

Li Qing watched them, his heart stirring slightly. The escort agency seems to have quite a few martial arts.

Thinking of this, he walked toward the main hall of the agency.

Inside the hall, Wang Kuohai was discussing something with several head escorts.

He noticed Li Qing's arrival and quickly said with a smile, "Mr. Qin, you've returned!"

Li Qing nodded slightly. "I have a matter I wish to ask you about, Brother Wang."

"Please speak, Mr. Qin. I shall tell you everything I know!" Wang Kuohai replied immediately.

"I wish to see the various martial arts of the agency—sabers, spears, staves, clubs, fist techniques, and palm styles. As long as you have them, I want a copy of each."

"I wonder if Brother Wang can help me obtain them."

"Of course, and it will not be without compensation."

"I have a Night-Bright Pearl here; I imagine it is worth a fair amount."

Having said this, he reached into his robe and pulled out a small black cloth bag.

Opening it, he revealed a snow-white Night-Bright Pearl inside.

When Wang Kuohai saw the pearl, he drew a sharp breath.

"Mr. Qin, this Night-Bright Pearl is extraordinary."

"I have never seen such quality before; it can truly be considered a treasure."

Li Qing's heart stirred. Did that fellow carry such a precious item on him? Or is it perhaps only precious to mortals?

"I wonder what its value might be?"

"It is worth at least two thousand taels of silver."

"If I were to use this sum as payment, I wonder how many martial arts I could exchange for it?"

Wang Kuohai pondered for a moment, then said, "My All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency has five head escorts, and each possesses their own signature skills."

"Three of them will likely have a chance, and I can try to persuade the other two."

"My family's heirloom, the Gate-Breaking Saber, can also be given to Mr. Qin."

"Conservatively estimated, you will get at least four techniques, and perhaps as many as six."

Li Qing nodded. "Very well, then please use this money to help me arrange it."

"Rest assured, Mr. Qin, I will do my utmost to see it done."

"Many thanks!"

Li Qing returned to his small courtyard alone, sat at a stone table, and pondered quietly.

He looked up at the sky, where the colorful mist permeated the entire city.

What on earth is this?