Exchange

Just then, a figure descended from the sky.

The man wore a Military Department uniform. He was tall and broad, with resolute features. It was Feng Zhuohua.

He landed outside the small courtyard's gate. Rather than immediately pushing the door open, he stood silently for a moment behind the weathered wooden gate.

Then he spoke.

"Xu Wuyi?"

His voice was not loud, but it reached Xu Wuyi's ears clearly.

Xu Wuyi walked to the gate and opened the wooden door.

The two stood facing each other.

Feng Zhuohua looked him over from head to toe, then from toe to head, before suddenly smiling.

That smile held a few traces of complexity, a few sighs of sentiment, and a measure of undisguised admiration.

"Good lad," he said. "You really pulled it off."

Xu Wuyi gave a slight bow. "Minister Feng."

Feng Zhuohua waved a hand. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly raised his head and looked toward the sky.

Another figure descended.

This time, it was Zhao Cizhou.

He still wore that simple, elegant long robe. His expression was gentle, his aura long and deep. After landing outside the courtyard gate, he first nodded to Feng Zhuohua before looking at Xu Wuyi.

"Congratulations," he said softly, but with complete sincerity.

Xu Wuyi nodded to him as well. "Uncle Zhao."

Zhao Cizhou smiled and was about to speak when a third figure descended.

Lin Jianyi.

He looked as he always did: dressed in coarse green clothes, with a calm face and an aura as peaceful as that of an ordinary schoolteacher.

Yet the instant he landed, Feng Zhuohua and Zhao Cizhou's expressions both tightened.

The two exchanged a glance, then both gave Lin Jianyi a slight bow.

"Grandmaster Lin."

Lin Jianyi waved a hand, signaling that they need