"If Your Highness wishes to stay in Nuoding City, I will arrange lodgings at once-"
"No need," Su Yu interrupted him. "I have other matters to attend to. I'll be leaving."
With that, he turned and walked out of the hall, his figure soon disappearing through the doorway.
Hall Master Niu stared in the direction Su Yu had left for quite a while before coming to his senses. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he murmured, "Why would His Highness the Holy Son suddenly take an interest in the villages' martial soul awakenings-"
Though full of questions, he dared not show the slightest negligence and immediately passed on Su Yu's instructions.
Early the next morning, Su Yu arrived at the Spirit Hall Branch, where Hall Master Niu Ma had arranged for a deacon to accompany him to Holy Soul Village.
Led by the deacon, Su Yu headed toward Holy Soul Village. After about an hour, the two arrived.
Old Jack was already waiting beneath the old locust tree at the village entrance, leaning on his cane.
His reddish-brown coarse-cloth jacket had been washed almost pale, and traces of dirt still clung to the wrinkles on his face.
Hearing footsteps, his cloudy eyes brightened. He hurried forward and cupped his hands toward the deacon in the lead, his voice carrying a measure of reverence. "Lord Soul Master! You're finally here!"
The deacon waved a hand and stepped aside to reveal Su Yu behind him. "Village Chief Jack, Deacon Su will be handling Holy Soul Village's martial soul awakening this year."
Only then did Old Jack notice Su Yu, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
The young man before him wore a plain-colored robe. Its fabric looked ordinary, but he stood with his back ramrod straight.
An indescribably calm bearing rested between his