The two of them had nothing to talk about for the time being.
Lin Ling could not speak for long periods, and even if she tried to write, she could not do so smoothly under these circumstances.
Xiu Jiming was a silent gourd himself.
Expecting him to come up with topics was truly asking too much.
Fortunately, according to Xiu Jiming, the Skycloud Sparrow’s speed was exceptional.
It would take, at most, about two hours to reach Longchuan County.
Lin Ling admired the scenery along the way, though there was not much to see in the sky.
The Skycloud Sparrow flew high, and they were currently above the clouds. Most of what they saw was a sea of clouds or other flying spiritual beasts.
There truly was no other scenery.
Gradually, Lin Ling grew sleepy.
She rubbed her eyes and leaned against Xiu Jiming’s chest.
Feeling his warmth, she unexpectedly felt a sense of relaxation.
As a result, she dizzily fell asleep.
When she woke up again, it was because Xiu Jiming was shaking her.
Lin Ling rubbed her eyes in a daze, noticing that Xiu Jiming’s hand had been resting on her waist to prevent her from falling off the bird.
Lin Ling immediately gave Xiu Jiming a pleasing smile.
Xiu Jiming reached out and lightly flicked her forehead.
Lin Ling winced and reflexively clutched her forehead.
Xiu Jiming then said, “Silly girl, stop sleeping. We’ve reached Longchuan County.”
Lin Ling looked up and found that the surrounding buildings were not much different from what she had seen before.
She immediately realized they had arrived at a special courier station in Longchuan County.
As she scanned the area, she saw that the station towers were very similar, but the scale was several times larger.
The cultivators coming and going wore more exquisite clothing, and their auras were more obscure and powerful.
The moment her feet touched the ground, a numb sensation washed over her.
She quickly hopped in place a few times.
Xiu Jiming naturally reached out to steady her by the elbow, letting go only once she stood firm.
She wrote on her paper: ‘Let’s go quickly. I heard Longchuan County is very prosperous.’
Xiu Jiming looked somewhat helpless.
He said, “We still have a mission to attend to.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Ling’s small face immediately crumpled.
In all her years, it was rare for her to change locations and see something new.
Did she have to work the moment she arrived?
**[‘I don’t want to! Who starts working overtime the moment they arrive? Not me!’]**
Seeing Lin Ling’s disappointed look, Xiu Jiming felt a bit helpless.
He could only comfort her, saying, “After we deliver the official documents to Shen Zaixin, I’ll take you out to play. How about that?”
Lin Ling’s face immediately broke into a joyful smile, and she gave Xiu Jiming a big thumbs-up.
Longchuan County in Yunzhou was located closer to Xiaozhou.
Starting from Xiaozhou, the Great Yu Dynasty became increasingly wealthy, several times more prosperous than the cold and bitter lands of Yunzhou.
Because of its unique geographical location, Xiaozhou was the core area where many Daoist and Buddhist sects established their headquarters.
As they walked, Lin Ling ate the candied haws Xiu Jiming had bought for her while listening to his descriptions.
Xiaozhou was situated at a powerful branch of the Great Yu Dynasty’s dragon vein.
Thus, the spiritual energy here was dense, even rivaling the most populous and economically prosperous eastern provinces.
However, since the eastern provinces were completely governed by the imperial court, there was no room for sects to grow powerful.
Consequently, Xiaozhou’s slightly secondary level of spiritual density became the best choice for various cultivation sects.
As they walked, the two of them arrived in front of an exceptionally luxurious restaurant.
When the waiter greeting guests at the door saw the Inspectorate badge Xiu Jiming faintly revealed, he did not dare to be negligent.
He quickly said, “What are your orders, honored guest?”
Xiu Jiming thought for a moment and said, “Someone is waiting for us here. He should have told you beforehand, right? I am Xiu Jiming, the Zhenfu Messenger of the Yunzhou Inspectorate.”
Hearing this, the waiter quickly pointed toward the fourth floor.
“The Lord has arrived. According to his instructions, that distinguished guest is waiting for you in the Hidden Dragon Hall on the fourth floor.”
Upon hearing this, Xiu Jiming stepped inside.
Lin Ling followed him into the restaurant, looking around and nodding in approval.
This restaurant looked a bit more luxurious than all the restaurants in Guanglan County combined.
‘I wonder if the closer we get to the center of Great Yu, the more impressive the buildings will be?’
Thinking this, Lin Ling quickly finished the candied haws.
She tossed the stick into a trash bin at the corner.
Xiu Jiming glanced at Lin Ling, pulled a handkerchief from his robe, and helped wipe her face, which was messy from the snack.
Lin Ling looked at him with some gratitude and then reached out to pat Xiu Jiming on the back.
‘Good job, classmate Xiao Ming. I hereby appoint you as my Head Eunuch.’
The two of them went up to the fourth floor.
Following the waiter’s reminder, they quickly found the most prestigious room.
On the door plaque, the words “Hidden Dragon Hall” were written in flowing, vigorous calligraphy.
—
Xiu Jiming led Lin Ling into the room with his hands behind his back.
Inside, Shen Zaixin sat at a very luxurious table.
Numerous guards stood beside him.
When the two entered the room, the two guards near the door leveled their blades at Xiu Jiming’s and Lin Ling’s necks.
Looking at the blade glinting right before her eyes, Lin Ling could not help but swallow hard.
Seeing this, Xiu Jiming cast a cold gaze at the guard holding a blade to Lin Ling.
Feeling Xiu Jiming’s vast, sea-like aura and killing intent, the guard pointing a weapon at Lin Ling could not help but shrink back.
Shen Zaixin quickly spoke up, “Everyone, do not be nervous. These two are my good friends. Stand down, and do not be rude.”
Shen Zaixin snapped his fan shut with a click and offered a friendly smile.
He said to the two, “Zhenfu Messenger Xiu and Ling’er have arrived. Please, take a seat.”
Lin Ling was still a little startled.
Her small body hid behind Xiu Jiming, peeking out from behind his back.
Seeing this, Shen Zaixin sighed slightly and then waved his hand.
“All of you, go outside.”
A female guard standing beside Shen Zaixin suddenly looked anxious.
She quickly reminded him, “Young Master!”
Shen Zaixin glanced at her with some helplessness and repeated, “I told you to withdraw.”
Seeing that they still did not move, Shen Zaixin said, “Sigh, rest assured. All of you combined might not be a match for Zhenfu Messenger Xiu.”
“Besides, there are those old fellows watching from the shadows. Nothing will happen to me. Go outside.”
Only then did the guards nod with some reluctance and withdraw from the room together.
Suddenly, only the three of them remained in the Hidden Dragon Hall.
Lin Ling finally breathed a small sigh of relief.
Shen Zaixin walked over from the table and said with a smile, “Why have you two come to see me this time?”
He lowered his head slightly and squeezed out a smile for Lin Ling.
“Could it be that Ling’er missed me?”
Lin Ling immediately rolled her eyes and gave him a contemptuous middle finger.
‘Where are your manners?’
Xiu Jiming cleared his throat and shielded Lin Ling behind him.
He said, “Lord Shen, our Yunzhou Inspectorate wiped out a nest of demons. There was even an existence not inferior to myself within, which I personally decapitated. Don’t you think you should properly reward us hardworking officials?”