Escort Complete

Peace Prefecture City, the third-largest city in Heavenly Stems Province, had a floating population of over ten million. Its military had trained the strongest army in Heavenly Stems Province, living up to the name "Peace."

"Deputy Pavilion Master Chen, shall I take you and Ms. Nie directly to the Martial Pavilion in Peace Prefecture City?"

Hearing Old Wu's voice, Chen Xu leaned back on the sofa and replied casually, "No need. Go to No. 19, East District, then head straight back. I have something to take care of there."

"Got it." Having worked as a driver for the Public Security Office for so many years, Old Wu had long known what to say and what not to say. He had no intention of asking why Chen Xu was not immediately going to the Martial Pavilion to report.

"Mom, is this where you lived when you were little?" Ling Youyou pressed herself against the car window, watching the pedestrians and the rows of towering buildings with curiosity.

"Yes, but I barely recognize it anymore." Nie Mengyin's eyes were slightly vacant, as though she were recalling something.

"We're here, Deputy Pavilion Master Chen." The vehicle stopped, and Old Wu opened the door for Chen Xu.

Before them stood a vermilion-lacquered gate, above which hung a black golden-thread nanmu plaque bearing the boldly written words, "Nie Residence." It formed a stark contrast with the modern buildings less than a few hundred meters away.

A hunched old man emerged from the guardhouse beside the gate and stared fixedly at Nie Mengyin as she stepped out of the car.

"Is... is that Third Miss Nie?"

Nie Mengyin turned toward the voice. After a moment of stunned silence, she said in disbelief, "Uncle Zhuang?"

The last time she had seen Uncle Zhuang, his temples had merely been graying. Though there were wrinkles between his brows, he had still seemed fairly energetic. Yet now, he was a hunched old man covered in age spots.

Hearing that form of address, the hunched old man grew excited. "It really is Third Miss! You haven't come back in nearly ten years. Hurry inside. The old madam talks about you every day. If she finds out you've returned, who knows how happy she'll be."

"Alright." Nie Mengyin took a deep breath, grasped Ling Youyou's little hand, and stepped through the wide-open red gate.

When she had left, she had merely been a young lady running away from home in a fit of anger. When she returned, she was already someone's wife, with a seven-year-old daughter.

"And this is?" The hunched old man had been entirely focused on Third Miss just now, only noticing Chen Xu, who had fallen behind, at this point.

"Mr. Chen, a friend of my husband's." Nie Mengyin had no desire to say more. She buried the events of the past few days deep in her heart and resolved that she would definitely demand a clear explanation from her husband later.

"Oh, please come in, Mr. Chen." The hunched old man called over a woman dressed like a modern attendant.

"Xiao Qing, show Third Miss and Mr. Chen to the reception hall."

"Yes." Xiao Qing lowered her head slightly in acknowledgment.

"Even the maids have been replaced. I wonder how Xiao Yun is doing." Nie Mengyin blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Ah!" Uncle Zhuang's tone turned sterner. "Third Miss, you mustn't call her a maid. Great Abyss no longer permits the existence of slaves. She is merely a student working part-time here.

"Xiao Yun and the others were forcibly dismissed long ago. These days, any household found to have slaves will face prison time."

Nie Mengyin smiled awkwardly. "Oh, oh, I misspoke. Xiao Qing, don't take it to heart."

"It's fine. Please follow me." Xiao Qing maintained a professional smile as she led the way.

Chen Xu and Nie Mengyin took their seats in the reception hall. After Xiao Qing poured them tea, she returned to finish her own duties, and another part-time girl came to attend them.

Watching the girl standing by the side, Chen Xu fell into thought. He wondered whether the eunuchs and palace maids serving the current emperor in the imperial palace were also part-timers. Had medical technology in this world become advanced enough to remove that thing before work and put it back on after?

"Oh, so our third girl finally remembered to come home. This old woman thought you'd already forgotten the Nie Family." A white-haired noblewoman crossed the threshold. Though her tone was somewhat sharp, her eyes could not stop examining Nie Mengyin in her seat.

Uncle Zhuang followed closely into the reception hall. Hearing the old madam's words, he silently shook his head.

At her age, why couldn't she be a little more straightforward? When he had gone to inform her, she had grabbed him and questioned him about everything.

She had hurried to the entrance, then stopped to wipe away her tears and steady her breathing. He truly did not know what method the old master had used to marry such an unstraightforward woman back then.

Any lingering sentiment Nie Mengyin had felt instantly vanished, and her expression turned cold. "If my husband hadn't asked me to come back, I wouldn't have had any interest in returning here."

"Hmph. You and your husband must not have had it easy these past few years. Do you want this old woman to support you two a little?

"Don't misunderstand. I'm only doing this for the sake of the Nie Family's granddaughter."

"She's surnamed Ling. Youyou, say hello to your grandmother." Nie Mengyin tugged at her daughter, deliberately stressing the surname Ling.

"My husband is the deputy pavilion master of Jinning Commandery. We don't need that little money. You should keep it for your own retirement." When Nie Mengyin mentioned Ling Xiangshan, a blissful smile appeared on her face.

Seeing that the mother and daughter had only just reunited yet were already snapping at each other, Uncle Zhuang could not help coughing heavily several times to interrupt them. "Old Madam, this is Mr. Chen. At Miss's husband's request, he protected her all the way from Jinning Commandery to Peace Prefecture City."

"Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Chen. On Mengyin's behalf, this old woman thanks you." In the blink of an eye, the old madam resumed the bearing of an aristocratic matriarch. Her rapid change in demeanor left the part-time girl behind her staring in a daze.

"Mr. Chen, you must have had a difficult journey. If there is anything you need, just say the word. This old woman is willing to prepare a modest gift to show her gratitude."

Hearing that, Chen Xu figured there was no reason to refuse a free gift. He grinned broadly, revealing his white teeth. "Chen is devoted to the martial path. If there are a few martial arts manuals or something to refine the body, that would be even better."

What an outrageous demand. Everyone present thought, and their impression of Chen Xu immediately worsened considerably.

It had merely been a polite remark, yet he had taken it seriously.

Great Abyss was now peaceful and prosperous. It was only a drive from Jinning Commandery to Peace Prefecture City. What hardship or danger could there possibly have been? And he actually had the nerve to ask for such things. Shameless.

Though they scorned him inwardly, no one showed it on their face. The old madam spoke with a faint smile. "Devotion to the martial path is a good thing. Take Mr. Chen to choose one ranked martial art from the Nie Family's collection. Once he has made his selection, Refining Liquid will also be delivered to him."

These things were not especially precious to the Nie Family. Giving them away was no great loss, and it would also let her daughter see the kind of people surrounding her husband.

"Mr. Chen, this way." Uncle Zhuang extended a hand in invitation and led Chen Xu toward the place where the Nie Residence stored its martial arts manuals.

He had been given a chance to establish ties with the Nie Family, yet he had used it to obtain a martial art and Refining Liquid, earning the Nie Family's dislike in the process. Uncle Zhuang truly did not know what to say about him. As he walked slowly, he sighed inwardly. The old master often said that a person's vision determined their height. It seemed that saying was indeed correct.

Uncle Zhuang stopped before an antique building. "The Nie Family's martial arts collection is on the wooden shelves to the far left. Please take your pick. The Refining Liquid will be delivered to you within ten minutes at most. May your path in martial arts go smoothly, Mr. Chen!"