Inside the dark room, the young man turned slightly toward that ray of burning sunlight. Seeing the brilliant sun, he instinctively raised an arm to shield his eyes.
He had spent almost a year hiding from disaster in this sunless stone room. With only darkness and silence for company every day, his flesh could no longer withstand the sun's direct gaze.
His name was Long Yuqing. He had once been pressured by the Immortal Wave Sect, then sentenced to death by his father-in-law. Later, with his wife Yang Ling'er's help, he had used the Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell stratagem to fake his death, hide from the world, and scrape out a living in this dark room.
His wife Yang Ling'er came to see him at least once every three days, bringing meals and keeping him company. She had also told Long Yuqing that her Father-in-law, Yang Ganglie, had never wanted him dead. Caught in a dilemma, he had merely chosen an expedient measure in an attempt to fend off the Immortal Wave Sect's wrath.
Thus, Yang Ling'er had only succeeded in saving Long Yuqing with her father's tacit approval and secret assistance.
In response to that account, Long Yuqing had merely expressed his gratitude, showing little outward change in emotion.
It was as though this was not what mattered most to him. His life had always been in someone else's hands, after all, and whether he was saved had never been his decision.
The dark room's iron door stood open. Long Yuqing's eyes were vacant, his expression frozen.
Tap, tap...!
Two maids from the City Lord's Residence walked gracefully inside, bearing the City Lord's Robe, crown, and brand-new shoes and socks in both hands.
"Your servants pay their respects to Your Highness, the city lord. We welcome your return