Morning in Suining Prefecture found the streets bustling with people.
Yi Yang left the Judgment Hall and strolled down the main street toward the Nether Spring Office. He had been away from the Prefectural City for some time, but it was as lively as ever.
When he reached the entrance to Sugar Alley in the East District, a vendor pushing a wooden cart raised his voice to call out.
"Candied-hawthorns-get your sugar-coated hawthorns!"
The drawn-out cry carried the warm bustle of everyday street life.
Yi Yang slowed a step.
Counting the days, it had been over half a month since he had last seen Jiang Yuexin. After that meeting, thanks to her Martial Bone talent and the resources Yan Wuyuan had left behind, the girl's cultivation had reached the qi-blood sixth level.
Then he had gone to Donglai County, the Beast Ridge Mountains, and the Profound Sword Pavilion.
All told, nearly a month had passed.
He had killed quite a few people that month and nearly fallen into mortal danger himself. Xuanyi, at true astral perfection, and Yin Xi, in the Profound Connection Realm, were both figures who stood at the very pinnacle of the Prefectural City.
Yi Yang stopped at the entrance to Sugar Alley and looked at the bright red candied hawthorns.
He remembered how Yuexin had craved them as a child. In Three Trees Village, they were only sold at the New Year market.
He remembered saving copper coins for half a month one year to buy her a skewer. The girl had held it in her hands, too reluctant to eat it, until the sugar melted into a sticky mess all over her fingers.
Yi Yang shook his head and walked over to the vendor.
"One skewer."
"Coming right up, sir!"
The vendor swiftly handed one