Chapter 23: Hmm? Your human city gates... are indeed somewhat different.-Eu já estou prestes a conquistar todos os países! Você ainda acha que o sul bárbaro é uma terra desolada?(Espalhado por todo o céu)

"Nothing..."

"This is my first time leaving the Northern Ji Kingdom; I have never seen the city gate defenses of a pure human nation before."

Yun Qing spoke indifferently, his tone devoid of much emotional fluctuation.

"Young Master Yun Qing, let us enter the city quickly!"

"The hour is growing late, and you must be exhausted from your travels these past few days, Young Master."

"Very well, let us enter."

Yun Qing stepped forward, walking ahead through the city gates. The middle-aged man followed closely behind, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings once they were inside.

After entering the gates, there was still some distance to cover before reaching their destination. To keep his identity hidden, Yun Qing had ceased using magic once they neared the borders of the Great Zhao Kingdom. Throughout the journey, the two had traveled entirely on foot. By the time they arrived at the back gate of General Wu's residence, the sky had turned completely dark. They had taken side paths the entire way, ensuring they went unnoticed.

"Thump—thump, thump—thump!!!"

The middle-aged man approached the back gate and knocked in a specific rhythm: one short, two long, and three short, repeating the sequence twice. Shortly after, the door was opened by a guard dressed in the livery of the Wu household.

Upon seeing the two men, the guard’s eyes lit up. "Second Young Master, you have finally returned!"

As it turned out, the middle-aged man was a member of Wu Shanggui’s household—an adopted son named Wu Wei. Beyond being an adopted son, Wu Wei was the leader of Wu Shanggui’s secret guard unit. When not attending to tasks for Wu Shanggui, he spent most of his time protecting the estate and commanding the general guard force. This demonstrated the immense trust Wu Shanggui placed in him; both the secret guards and the common guards were under his command.

Wu Wei glanced around to ensure they were unobserved before ushering Yun Qing inside.

"Young Master Yun, please forgive the lack of hospitality."

"Our situation is delicate at the moment, and there are many eyes watching us in the shadows. Bringing you in through the back gate was a necessity; I hope you do not take offense."

Yun Qing waved a hand dismissively. "It is of no consequence. Whichever gate I enter through does not hinder my ability to practice medicine."

With that, Yun Qing walked into the residence. Wu Wei followed, instructing a guard to continue monitoring the perimeter for any signs of pursuit. "Keep watch from the shadows and stay alert for anyone suspicious."

"Understood, sir."

Wu Wei then led Yun Qing further into the estate.

Soon, Wu Wei summoned the head steward, instructing him to lead them to the prepared guest quarters. The steward had been notified in advance and had cleaned a vacant courtyard near the master’s quarters, ready for the guest’s arrival.

Upon reaching the courtyard, they escorted Yun Qing into the main house.

"Young Master, we have arranged for two manservants and two maidservants to attend to you. Please, do not hesitate to call upon them if you have any needs. If there is anything else, you may also have them summon me. You are a distinguished guest of the Master, and he has strictly instructed us to serve you well. If any of the servants offend you, please inform me, and I shall punish them severely."

The steward then turned to Wu Wei. "Second Young Master, do you have any other instructions?"

Wu Wei shook his head and dismissed the steward. Once they were alone, he spoke again. "Young Master Yun, please rest well tonight. I shall come to escort you to see my foster father tomorrow morning."

"Very well."

Yun Qing replied calmly, his expression unchanged. Having been with him for some time, Wu Wei had grown accustomed to this detached, aloof demeanor. Geniuses, after all, were often prideful. Furthermore, Yun Qing was the most prominent representative of the Spirit Healer lineage among the cultivators. Had it not been for the help of the Northern Ji Crown Prince, the Wu family would never have been able to secure such a person. With Yun Qing here, his foster father finally had a chance at salvation. Half of the heavy burden in Wu Wei’s heart had finally been lifted; the rest would depend on the diagnosis tomorrow.

"Young Master Yun, I shall take my leave. If you need anything during the night, please call for the servants. The quarters for the servants are in the corners opposite the main house. The steward has arranged for someone to remain on duty throughout the night; if you call out from the main room, they will come to your door immediately to assist you."

"Understood."

"Then, I bid you goodnight."

Ignoring Yun Qing’s coldness, Wu Wei bowed respectfully and departed. Exhausted from days of travel, he returned to his own quarters.

Wu Wei’s residence was among the primary living spaces of the estate. When he was five, his parents and relatives had all perished. While wandering as an orphan, he had encountered Wu Shanggui. For reasons unknown, the general had immediately recognized the boy’s exceptional bone structure—a natural talent for martial arts. It would have been a tragedy to let such a gift go to waste.

Wu Shanggui brought the lonely boy home and personally taught him martial arts. Wu Wei proved to be a prodigy; within a year, he had built a foundation stronger than that of an average person. Wu Shanggui was ecstatic, especially since his only biological son was physically frail and incapable of such training. When Wu Wei turned six, the general decided to adopt him, officially adding him to the Wu family genealogy.

From then on, Wu Wei became the Second Young Master of the household and eventually the commander of the general's secret and personal guards—a sharp blade in the shadows that cleared away obstacles for Wu Shanggui’s career.

During this crisis, with Wu Shanggui severely wounded, his second wife—who possessed only beauty and no wit—could do nothing but weep and wail. His only legitimate son was equally useless, lacking in both literary and martial talent, and behaving no better than his mother. Fortunately, Wu Shanggui had his capable, wise, and skilled foster son.

The night after the imperial physicians had departed and Wu Shanggui had regained consciousness, he had summoned Wu Wei and entrusted him with a special token. He commanded Wu Wei to travel to the Northern Ji Kingdom to seek the help of the Crown Prince. Wu Wei had not failed his mission, successfully meeting Crown Prince Ji Hangui and bringing back the most brilliant genius of the Spirit Healer lineage: Yun Qing.

...

The next morning, as the first light of dawn touched the sky, Wu Wei was already waiting outside Yun Qing’s quarters. He did not allow the servants to wake the guest, nor would he permit them to make a sound. He stood alone in the courtyard, waiting quietly.

As a cultivator with profound spiritual energy, Yun Qing was well aware of the man standing outside his door. However, he did not emerge immediately, letting Wu Wei wait for nearly an hour before finally opening the door.

As the door swung open, Wu Wei met Yun Qing’s gaze, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Young Master Yun, you are awake?"