Su Zhao released her and took her delicate hand in his.
"Let's go. Inform Old Hai. It's time we set off for the Black-Corner Region."
He raised his gaze slightly, his voice quiet yet clear. "Su You."
Su You appeared instantly at the bend of the corridor like a silent shadow. He bowed slightly. "Young Master."
"Inform Old Hai. We'll gather at the rear and prepare to depart. Have him make whatever arrangements he needs to make. We may not return for quite some time after this trip."
"Yes."
Su You answered and vanished again, heading off to notify Hai Bo Dong.
A short while later, in the spacious plaza behind the Mittel Family estate, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had already spread her wings and lay quietly on the ground, waiting.
Su Zhao and the others arrived one after another. To Su Zhao's slight surprise, several familiar figures stood around the edge of the plaza. Yun Yun stood quietly in the morning breeze, dressed in a long green gown. Jia Xing Tian stood with his hands behind his back, accompanied by an elder from the imperial family. Fa Ma of the Alchemist Association had also come, holding a cane and smiling as he nodded to Su Zhao in greeting.
Farther away, Nalan Yanran stood amid the crowd, her pink hair fluttering softly in the wind. Her gaze remained fixed on Su Zhao, as though she wanted to say something, yet she never stepped forward.
Su Zhao cupped his hands toward everyone, his tone carrying a hint of wandering-hero bravado. "Everyone, this is farewell for now. Don't worry. I'll be back after a while."
He paused, then turned his gaze toward Jia Xing Tian. Taking a list of medicinal ingredients from his storage ring, he sent it forth with