Li Ping'an had planned to take his leave of the Old Madam and depart from the Duke of Southern State's Residence.
As for where to go, since Old Ox did not want to return to the Anbei Four Garrisons so soon,
they would simply go wherever the road took them.
After all, the road lay beneath their feet. Wherever they wanted to go, however far it was,
they would get there eventually, one step at a time.
Time was the one thing Li Ping'an lacked least.
But just as he finished packing, a visitor arrived at the lakeside courtyard.
The man wore plain cloth robes and had a dark complexion.
His weathered eyes shone brightly, giving him an air of authority.
Gu Xizhou!
To get Old Mo to help forge the Fusang Saber, Gu Xizhou had promised to do something for him.
The two had then parted at Yumen Pass, and Li Ping'an had escorted Aliya and the other three to the Academy.
The golden setting sun sank beneath the lake.
Everything lay in a haze, lending the scene a secluded tranquility.
A cup of wine, accompanied by the clear breeze.
In the tipsy evening wind, a toast to the autumn night.
"Did you get it sorted out?" Li Ping'an asked.
Gu Xizhou nodded. "There was some trouble, but nothing too serious."
The two set up a copper pot.
Meat, meatballs, and vegetables tumbled inside it.
The billowing steam and bubbling broth seemed to melt upon their tongues.
Both men worked their chopsticks rapidly.
Gu Xizhou's gaze flashed like lightning as he fixed it on the meat in the pot.
Li Ping'an tried his old trick. "Tell me what Old Mo asked you to do. I'm very interested."
Gu Xizhou saw through his ploy and snatched up a large