Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 398 Leaving Beixuan City

The carriage moved slowly forward, the atmosphere inside slightly subdued. Lin Feng broke the silence. He turned to look at Eunuch Hong, his eyes brimming with concern and anticipation, and asked, "Eunuch, I wonder where General Li Hua is now? He and I once fought side by side on the battlefield, sharing life and death together. General Li was also my savior. It's been so long since we last met, and I miss him deeply. If I could stop by on this trip, it would be the fulfillment of a longing of mine." His voice was low and steady, yet it held a hint of excitement and longing that was difficult to conceal, and his slightly furrowed brow betrayed his inner anxiety and concern.

Eunuch Hong sat upright, his sleeves adjusted gently. His movements were graceful and meticulous, as if he were performing a solemn ceremony. He spoke slowly, "General Lin, General Li Hua, after retiring from the front lines, returned to Lingyuan City in the north. Lingyuan City is located in a vast desert, surrounded by yellow sand, howling winds, and extremely scarce water. The environment is harsh beyond imagination. Lingyuan City is one of the four main cities in the northern part of the empire and is also the least populated city."

As he spoke, he reached out, picked up the teapot on the coffee table, and expertly poured each person a cup of fragrant tea. The steaming aroma of tea instantly filled the entire carriage, its delicate and elegant fragrance refreshing and intoxicating. "The northern part of the empire is vast, but its climate is unpredictable and its environment harsh, resulting in a sparse population. Each of the four main cities has its own unique characteristics. One is located near an extremely cold region, covered in ice and snow year-round, with biting winds, resembling an ice cellar. The people there struggle to survive in the bitter cold. Lingyuan City is nestled deep in the desert, ravaged by wind and sand, creating an extremely harsh living environment where people must contend with the desert sand and drought. Another city borders the empire's largest forest. While that forest is lush and vibrant, it also hides numerous unknown dangers and mysteries, with ferocious beasts roaming and mysterious forces surging in the shadows. A third city is built on a plateau, where the air is thin and the climate is unpredictable, sometimes clear skies, sometimes violent storms. Those living there must constantly contend with altitude sickness and inclement weather."

Xu Tian's eyes lit up upon hearing this, his curiosity ignited. He leaned forward involuntarily, hands on his knees, and eagerly asked, "Eunuch Hong, where is Taixu Valley? It sounds like the north is a truly mysterious world!" His eyes sparkled with excitement, like stars twinkling in the night sky, and an innocent smile filled his face, filled with longing and anticipation for the unknown, like a child about to open a treasure chest.

Eunuch Hong took a sip of fragrant tea and closed his eyes slightly, as if savoring the tea's flavor while also pondering his response to Xu Tian's question. After a moment, he set down his teacup and spoke slowly, "This Taixu Valley is hidden within the empire's largest forest—the Kongsheng Great Forest. Legend has it that the Kongsheng Great Forest is incredibly mysterious, rumoured to harbor powerful demonic beasts capable of killing saints. However, we believe these legends are mostly folk tales and are unreliable. If such powerful demonic beasts truly existed, how could Taixu Valley have survived unscathed to this day? It's likely it would have been decimated by their devastation long ago." His eyes held a hint of disdain and suspicion, and he shook his head gently, seeming to dismiss these legends as mere absurd tales fabricated by ignorant individuals.

After hearing this, Lin Feng nodded slightly and fell into deep thought. He crossed his arms over his chest, tapping his fingers lightly on his arms, his eyes deep and focused. After a moment, he raised his head and said with a firm gaze, "What the eunuch said is absolutely true, but we still cannot take it lightly. No matter what, we must first go to Lingyuan City to find General Li, and then we will make long-term plans to go to Taixu Valley. This journey will surely be full of difficulties and obstacles, but we must not retreat." His eyes revealed a sense of perseverance and determination, and his hands unconsciously clenched slightly, as if to cheer himself up and to make his attitude clear to everyone. He knew that the road ahead was full of unknowns and dangers, but for the ideals and beliefs in his heart, he must move forward courageously.

Seeing this, Chen Xiner gently reached out and took Lin Feng's hand. Her hand was soft and warm, like a delicate piece of jade. She said gently, "Lin Feng, as long as you are here, I am not afraid of any storm." Her eyes were full of trust and dependence, and her affectionate gaze was firmly fixed on Lin Feng. It was as if in her world, Lin Feng was an omnipotent hero. As long as he was by her side, no matter what difficulties she encountered, they could be easily solved.

As the carriage advanced, it soon arrived at the capital's north gate. The gate stood tall and majestic, like a giant beast entrenched there. Atop the gate tower, flags fluttered, rustling. Soldiers, armed with spears and clad in armor, stood majestically on the city walls, their eyes sharp as torches, vigilantly observing their surroundings. Eunuch Hong was the first to disembark, followed by Lin Feng and the other three.

Lin Feng bowed deeply to Eunuch Hong, a bow filled with gratitude and respect. He said, "Eunuch Hong, thank you so much for your careful escort along the way. It's a great favor to thank you. We part today, and the mountains are high and the rivers are long. Please take care, Eunuch." His tone was sincere and genuine, his eyes filled with reluctance and gratitude. He knew the journey was long, fraught with danger and challenges, but Eunuch Hong's escort kept them safe and secure during their journey to the capital.

Eunuch Hong smiled and waved his hand, saying, "General Lin, you are too polite. The journey is long, so I hope you will be careful. If you encounter any difficulties, you can send someone to send a message back to the palace, and the emperor and this old servant will definitely try to help." There was a hint of concern and reluctance in his eyes. Although they had not been together for a long time, he had developed a certain affection for Lin Feng and others, and hoped that they would be safe.

After bidding farewell to Eunuch Hong, the four of them led their horses into Beixuan City. Beixuan City was bustling with activity, its streets lined with shops and bustling with people. The cries of vendors echoed relentlessly. "Fresh-baked sesame cakes, fragrant and crispy, one Xuan coin each!" "Fresh fruit, cheap! If it's not sweet, no money!" These various voices intertwined, creating a vibrant and lively scene.

They left Beixuan City, mounted their horses, and galloped towards Lingyuan City. At that moment, an eagle circled high in the sky. Its wingspan stretched over two meters, and its feathers were a glossy black, shimmering like black satin in the sunlight. Its eyes were incredibly sharp, as if it could see through every detail of the world, staring intently at Lin Feng and the others galloping below.