A Letter in Reply

Cinderella set down her book and leaned against the carriage window. As the magnificent city drew closer, just the right measure of curiosity and wonder appeared in her eyes.

The carriage followed the flow of people through the massive, imposing city gate.

Inside, the city was a world apart from everything beyond its walls. Shops lined the broad, clean streets, and banners fluttered overhead.

Pedestrians and Soul Masters in all manner of clothing passed by. The air held a prosperity and energy that Notting City could never have matched.

Yu Xiaogang clearly knew Heaven Dou City well. He directed the driver through its network of streets until the carriage stopped in a relatively quiet lane, before an elegant-looking courtyard.

The courtyard wall was built of blue-gray brick, and two stone Soul Beasts guarded the entrance. The place was understated, but it had a quiet dignity.

"We're here. We'll stay here for now," Yu Xiaogang said as he stepped down from the carriage ahead of them.

He pushed open the heavy wooden gate, revealing a neat, well-kept courtyard.

Several trees whose names they did not know spread leafy shade across the yard. A main house stood between two side rooms. It was hardly luxurious, but there was ample space for them.

"Teacher, is this your house in the city?" Cinderella asked, looking around.

A faint, almost imperceptible pride crossed Yu Xiaogang's face. He nodded. "More or less. Living in Heaven Dou City isn't easy. It helps to have somewhere to stay."

He spoke modestly, but Tang San and Cinderella both understood that owning a courtyard of this kind in Heaven Dou Imperial City was no small feat.

Yu Xiaogang had little talent of his own, but he was still the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's leader, one of