Chapter 70

After bidding farewell to Li Cheng, Yang Lingrui went to the Immortal Patrol Office in Moon Watching City.

The moment he reached the entrance, he bumped into Gao Hui coming out.

“Mayor Gao?”

“Lingrui! I was about to find you!”

Gao Hui approached, eyeing Yang Lingrui’s condition with surprise. “Your injuries healed already?”

“Yes. Young Master Li gave me four replenishing pills. They cured me completely.”

Yang Lingrui then explained his plan to leave early.

This surprised Gao Hui, since the ceremonial gathering’s main event would occur on the third day.

But when he learned this was Yang Lingqing’s instruction, he dropped the idea of persuading him to stay.

He admitted Yang Lingqing outmatched him in strategic planning—if she arranged this, there must be wisdom behind it.

“Why were you looking for me, Mayor Gao?”

“Ah! Good news! Wonderful news! See for yourself.”

Gao Hui handed him a storage bag.

Yang Lingrui took it and used his divine awareness to check what was inside.

The bag contained a hundred spiritual crystals, a Purple Celestial Flower, and a gold-sealed letter.

Recognizing the dynasty’s unique seal, Yang Lingrui tore it open anxiously…

“From Yang Guanfeng…”

“Border unrest. Frequent battles. I remain unharmed. Don’t worry…”

“With Han Wang’s early warnings, I earned military merits. The general rewarded me with 100 spiritual crystals and a Purple Celestial Flower for our family…”

“Household management is difficult. Does Lingqing feel burdened?”

“Cultivation’s path is tough. Does Lingrui face obstacles?”

“Responsibilities are heavy. Can Linghu shoulder them?”

“Consult Old Yu if troubles arise during my absence. These chaotic times demand low profiles and caution…”

“Don’t reply. I’ll return home when the war ends.”

Yang Lingrui’s eyes grew wet after reading.

The Elder had compressed border dangers into eight simple words to spare their worry.

Yet Yang Lingrui knew—countless perils must’ve plagued his Elder during constant warfare.

The letter’s remaining lines focused entirely on the three siblings and Yang Family affairs.

Even stationed at the border, Yang Guanfeng’s deepest concerns still lay with his family.

Wiping tears, Yang Lingrui bowed. “Thank you for delivering this, Mayor Gao. Knowing our Elder’s safe eases my heart.”

“My duty. I’ve always respected old Master Yang. This letter brings me joy too.”

Gao Hui said, "There are still some matters I need to handle, so I can’t accompany you back…"

He was torn, having promised the Yang Family he’d protect Yang Lingrui before departing.

"Mayor Gao needn’t worry. My injuries have healed – I can return alone."

"Hmm… Be cautious on the road. Wait here briefly…"

Gao Hui returned to the Immortal Patrol Office, emerging later with a wooden box.

Yang Lingrui opened it to reveal a small azure pearl. Unlike spiritual treasures, this consumable item resembled Yang Guanfeng’s flying dagger or the Zhang Family’s jade treasure.

"This Wind Guiding Pearl," Gao Hui explained, "can be held in your mouth. Activate it three times with spiritual power to boost wind techniques for ten breaths each."

Yang Lingrui shook his head. "Dynasty merits are hard-earned. I can’t accept this."

Since arriving in Moon Watching City, he’d learned how dynasty cultivators slowly accumulated merit points through service – points needed for promotions or rare items from the Dynasty Treasury.

Gao Hui pressed the pearl into his hand. "Half my merits came from rebuilding Baishi, where your family helped most. Consider this repayment."

After accepting with thanks, Yang Lingrui departed under night’s cover.

Three masked figures emerged from an eastern platform moments later. The Huanghua Valley cultivator who’d bought divine movement talismans at Yang’s stall stood among them.

"Tiangong Pavilion’s report cost 200 spiritual crystals," one argued. "The Yang boy sold talismans, bought treasures, and got a spiritual plant reward after his kin helped quell eastern border unrest."

The female cultivator scoffed, "The Songshan Yangs are upstarts without backing. Once beyond Moon Watching territory, who’ll find us in Mobei’s yellow sands?"

Two male pursuers possessed fourth-level Gathering Qi cultivation, the woman fifth-level. They deemed their prey easy – a fourth-level cultivator with inferior talismans against their numbers.

Yang Lingrui crossed Fish Ridge River on day one, leaving Moon Watching jurisdiction by day two. When morning came, he smiled grimly. "Do I attract trouble every homeward trip?"

Using ceremonial observation skills, he’d hidden fragile wind threads in heaven-earth spiritual energy. Their breaking revealed pursuers.

The trio accelerated after him, using inferior divine movement talismans from Yang’s own stall. Yang Lingrui fingered his superior talisman but stayed put.

Unlike his vulnerable tomb expedition, he now held multiple advantages.

"You want to devour me?" Murderous intent rose. He’d endured the Su Family’s power, but these strays dared covet his treasures?