Journey to the Phoenix Kingdom

Half a month later, Shen Ge led Little White into the territory of the Phoenix Kingdom. Upon hearing the name, Shen Ge sighed. He hadn't expected that the two women would actually succeed. Two women, through scheming, had actually overthrown a country. It was truly unbelievable.

However, judging from the current state of public sentiment, the country is doing quite well, and praise from the people can be heard everywhere.

"The phoenix descending to earth—that's quite a convenient excuse. Is this an attempt to solidify its legitimacy through divine authority? However, divine authority is fine for now, but if it persists, it will become too powerful to control and eventually threaten imperial power."

"Forget it, why think so much? Two people who can conquer a country through strategy shouldn't be so clueless as to not understand this."

Shaking his head, Shen Ge led Little White, dressed in a drab gray outfit, into the city.

As Little White followed Shen Ge, it kept licking its fur. The gray fur made it very uncomfortable, not at all as comfortable as when it had all white fur. It couldn't stand the sight of it.

Three days later, the man and the dog arrived in Phoenix City. Shen Ge looked around and found that it was not much worse than Flowing Cloud City. In fact, because there were fewer people, it was even more prosperous than Flowing Cloud City.

In the evening, Shen Ge, who had been wandering around, came to a mansion with the words "Han Mansion" written in large characters. The characters were elegant yet carried a hint of assertiveness, and it seemed that they were written by Han Yu herself.

"This is the Han residence. It's best for unauthorized personnel not to approach." The guard on duty noticed Shen Ge lingering not far from the entrance and shouted directly.

He had seen many people like this who boasted about their good looks and came to the Han residence every year hoping to rise in rank and become a phoenix. In the entire Phoenix Kingdom, who didn't know that their master was exceptionally handsome and that he was still unmarried? They all wanted to climb the social ladder by attaching themselves to their master, but their master would never look at people who only had good looks.

Little White bared its teeth, its fur standing on end, radiating a fierce aura. Although it had always presented itself as a dog after following Shen Ge, it was still Demon Beast at heart, a carnivorous Demon Beast!

The guard was struck by this malevolent aura, and his mind trembled. The malevolent aura was even stronger than that of generals who had been through many battles. He felt as if his neck was being choked and began to have difficulty breathing.

Shen Ge raised his hand and placed it on Little White's head, instantly dispelling the fierce aura. He then said with a smile, "Please trouble this young man to go in and announce that an old friend has come to visit."

The other guards looked at their captain, who was covered in cold sweat and panting heavily, with a hint of doubt at first, but then they all drew their swords and looked at Shen Ge.

"You brat! How dare you attack us!"

Shen Ge frowned, somewhat displeased, and said, "Quiet!"

Upon hearing this, the guards who were about to make a move all froze in place, their bodies trembling. The man in front of them seemed like a ferocious beast, making them lose all their courage.

Shen Ge pointed at the guard captain who had been frightened by Little White earlier and said, "You, go in and report."

The guard who was pointed at trembled, then bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, sir, I'll go right away."

Inside the Han residence, the guard stumbled and staggered into the mansion, arriving at the foot of a pavilion. "I am Wang Zhong, the gate guard. Master, there is a young man who says he is an old friend of yours, waiting outside the gate."

In the attic, Han Yu, who was already in her forties, still looked youthful and vibrant. However, time had left its mark on her; her once jet-black and beautiful hair was now streaked with gray.

However, these white hairs also add to the scene, giving Han Yu a sense of maturity and grace, which further enhances her charm.

At this moment, Han Yu held a book in one hand, listening to the servant's report with a furrowed brow.

An old friend who looked like a young boy?

Han Yu's first reaction was that there was a swindler here, after all, there had been too many young men impersonating her old friends over the years, but for some reason, her heart was pounding today.

Could it be... him?

Han Yu's face showed an undisguised joy. She hurriedly stood up and said, "Take him to the main hall and serve him well. Qiu Shuang, help me change my clothes."

Han Yu's personal maid, Qiu Shuang, revealed a barely perceptible look of shock in her eyes. She knew her mistress well; aside from the emperor and her own family, she was generally cold and indifferent to outsiders. It was truly rare to see her so serious about a young man.

Could it be that the reason our master has looked down on those men all these years is because he has someone in his heart?

Thinking of this, Qiu Shuang's eyes brightened slightly, but she hid it well. Then she began to help Han Yu change her clothes.

Inside the main hall, Shen Ge was leisurely sipping tea, while Little White was pretending to sleep outside the door.

Soon, Han Yu, dressed in a long dress, entered the main hall. She looked at Shen Ge in the hall with a hint of joy.

But soon, Shen Ge's still youthful face made her expression somewhat somber. He was still a boy, while she was now old and faded.

Shen Ge looked at Han Yu, a smile playing on his lips, and said, "The little fairy from back then has grown into a graceful young woman; it's almost unrecognizable."

Hearing that familiar voice and those familiar jokes, Han Yu's lips curled into a bright smile. She stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Brother Shen, it's been so many years, and you're still as witty as ever."

"However, Xiao Yu still thanks Brother Shen. Without Brother Shen, Xiao Yu wouldn't be where she is today."

Shen Ge naturally knew what Han Yu was referring to. She had met Princess Su Du because of the Detoxification Pill he had refined, which changed her fate.

"You're being too polite. It's fate that we met in this vast world. If you're going to say thank you now, I'll be going."

Han Yu chuckled softly, adding a touch of allure to the room. She stepped forward and sat gracefully next to Shen Ge, looking at Shen Ge and saying, "Brother Shen, you must have gone to Peach Garden Village, right?"

Shen Ge nodded and said, "I was passing by there on the way and remembered you, so I decided to stop by and see you."

Han Yu was secretly delighted, but her joy quickly turned to dejection. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Shen Ge, and said weakly, "Brother Shen, because I caused the deaths of millions of people, will you...?"

Shen Ge sighed softly and said, "I won't comment on this matter, but I know that the change of dynasties is often accompanied by death. The past is just a passing cloud. Now that you have succeeded, let me give you a piece of advice."

"When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer. The people can support a dynasty, but they can also capsize it. If the spirits of those who perished fill you with remorse, then treat the people well today. You have no powerful sects supporting you; only by truly considering the people's perspective can this dynasty endure."

Han Yu's expression became more solemn. She stood up and bowed, saying, "Xiao Yu will remember Brother Shen's teachings."