"If the family head is at the Zhang Family's residence, sorry for the trouble, but please send word to the Prefectural Office. If he isn't, just carry on with your own business," Li Piaoqing said with another smile.
Gu Guang nodded solemnly. "I'll head over right away."
Watching the man stride away, Li Piaoqing let her smile fall, her gaze darkening and her brows knitting once more.
"An endless stream of blasted tricks." The girl leaned against the old man and sighed in irritation.
Li Weiru smiled kindly. "No one will obediently sit and wait to die. We've been pushing forward without a moment's pause these past few days. The Seven Flood Dragons must have done everything they possibly could, too."
Looking toward the distant Prefectural Office, Li Piaoqing drew a deep breath. "Let's hurry over."
"I don't think you need to hold out too much hope. Better to go back and have a bowl of fish."
Li Piaoqing glared at him. "You're planning to wash your hands of it all, so of course you can take everything in stride."
Li Weiru chuckled. "If you can get into the Sword Cultivation Academy, I'll shoulder the burden for another two years."
In a spacious courtyard in the north of the city, where the Zhang Family was staying.
Cold white moonlight spilled over the lush treetops, painting the entire courtyard in chilly hues. Yet orange firelight shone up from below-the candlelight spilling through the doors and windows beneath the trees.
The biting wind and chilly night were shut out completely, while firelight and human warmth filled the room with an orange glow.
The banquet had ended, and the mood had now become thoroughly cheerful. More than a dozen people sat about casually, chatting on all sorts of subjects.
Zhang Junxue sat on