When Chu Hang and Duan Silie met with the Skywhale Gang members in the little courtyard, Yi Shuyuan had actually already arrived in Luling County.
Although all three men had some connection to Yi Shuyuan, he did not appear before them this time.
In the Rivers and Lakes, men vied for supremacy through a moment's valor; dynasties contested destiny with a century's strength. Some stories unfolding around him were not matters of right and wrong, and even Yi Shuyuan did not wish to intervene too much.
Besides, the destinies of these three men were gradually becoming clear, without any ripples. That also meant there would be no unexpected changes in the near future, so Yi Shuyuan felt no particular need to meet them.
Stoneborn and Hui Mian, on the other hand, were curious. They cast an illusion technique and landed in the Pei Household's courtyard to listen to the men discuss their grand plans.
At that moment, Yi Shuyuan was walking along one of the more bustling streets in Luling County's town. As he passed a certain spot, he paused and looked down. A large hole gaped near the front edge of one of the bluestone paving slabs.
The hole was deep, yet there were few cracks in the slab.
Yi Shuyuan's expression did not change. He withdrew his gaze and continued onward until he entered a restaurant doing fairly brisk business.
It was noon. Though the restaurant was not packed, at least sixty or seventy percent of its tables were occupied, which was already quite good for a small place like Luling County.
All the restaurant's waiters were busy, but the proprietor spotted Yi Shuyuan as soon as he reached the entrance.
Today, Yi Shuyuan wore a long scholar's robe. His gray-white hair was gathered into a small topknot,