That day, Fang Qianyuan bade farewell to the cats of Moonview Mountain and stopped by the Golden Source Market District along the way. He discreetly collected the intelligence he needed for his investigation, then traveled elsewhere and returned to the Spirit Taming Sect Headquarters through a Teleportation Array.
A full half month had passed since he left the Spirit Taming Sect Headquarters.
In front of the Heavenly Observation Court's guest lodgings, Ning'er was just heading out with a woven bamboo basket over her arm. Seeing Fang Qianyuan, she exclaimed happily, "Young master, you're back!"
"That's right. I just returned from visiting a friend," Fang Qianyuan said.
Fang Qianyuan had left the Spirit Taming Sect Headquarters under the pretext of visiting friends. No one knew what friends he had here, and it would have been awkward to pry.
Seeing that Ning'er was about to go out, Fang Qianyuan asked curiously, "Where are you going?"
"Young master, I was planning to visit the Market District at the Spirit Taming Sect Headquarters and buy some Central Province specialties. Oh, and I've been collecting seeds from the flowers and plants here these past few days. I want to see whether they'll grow back home. The residence is nicely decorated, but it always feels as though something is missing. It would be wonderful if we could grow some flowers and plants unique to Central Province."
"I hadn't thought that far ahead. How thoughtful of you," Fang Qianyuan said with a smile. "Go on, then. Have you brought enough money?"
In the past, he had paid little attention to the young maid the sect had assigned him. Only after spending more time with her had he gradually come to understand the sect's intentions.
She was different from an ordinary retainer. Her bond of servitude had long