More than ten days had passed since the night of the Corpse Bandits.
The Three Great Families and many other factions had pitched in. In that short time, Verdant Grain County had taken on a fresh face, as though the chaos and bloodshed of that night had been an illusion.
North of Verdant Grain County, a black-scaled carriage came racing down the road. Only as it neared the city gate did it slow and roll into town.
Inside, a young man lifted the curtain on one side. Resting an elbow against the window, he surveyed the streets with a wandering gaze.
Having seen the splendor of the Provincial Capital, he found the county town beneath his notice.
The corner of his mouth lifted. His tone was careless, with a hint of condescension:
"So this is Verdant Grain County? The foremost county town under Azure Province Prefecture? Doesn't look like much."
"You're not wrong, young master. It's only a county town, after all. Naturally, it can't compare with the Provincial Capital. But before we left, the family head specifically instructed you to rein in your temper and not act rashly."
An old man aboard the carriage spoke at an unhurried pace, his hands tucked into his sleeves.
His hair was gray-white, and his jaw was sharply defined.
The young man curled his lip, plainly unconvinced. "Rest easy, Elder Li. With Qinglü, High Cultivator, presiding here, how would I dare do as I please?"
"If the Hidden Dragon Gathering hadn't drawn her here in person, I wouldn't have wanted to come to this tiny backwater county at all."
Elder Li smiled kindly. "Then all the more reason to seize this chance and show what you can do. If you catch her eye, your prospects will be boundless."
The young man gave a