"Let them go? What if they attack again? Much stronger than this?"
"We'll deal with it, when the time comes."
Master Ping chuckled softly. "Young Master Zheng…. You are full of surprises."
"I suppose so…" Zheng asked with a bright smile.
Mei Chen followed with the faintest smile. "Or perhaps there's more to you than meets the eye."
Zheng paused.
"You are just over thinking… Miss Chen."
Then he stepped forward to the bandits and untied them.
"You all can leave…"
The bandits couldn't believe what they heard, they were over joyed when they heard the word they least expected to hear.
"I'll rather die than live by your mercy." The bandits' leader claimed he doesn't want their pity.
"I'm not showing you any mercy." Zheng said boldly. "There's a place that urgently requires my presence."
"Whether you repent or continue to walk on this path is none my concern." Zheng let goes of the bandit at their wills.
Few minutes later after the bandits were out of their sight, they prepared to continue their journey toward the capital- the two several injured escorts were laid inside their wagon. Master Ping rode a horse while Zheng shared a horse with Mei Chen.
The wagon doors closed.
Moments later, the convoy resumed its journey through the mountain pass, leaving behind only broken steel, scattered dust, and the echo of a battle that had ended before it truly began.
Their resumed journey wasn't rushed anymore, they travelled at their own pace.
Days passed by.
The journey continued peacefully with almost a fixed routine- days in and days out, they had frequent rest.
When they rest, Zheng followed up with their injured companion- he pressed two fingers against the wrist of one of their fallen escorts, when their Qi flowed weakly, he treated them and when they felt little better, he strengthened their qi.
"When you sensed that dark energy..." Mei Chen said softly, sitting opposite him having her lunch. "Do you think it was because of the bandits."
Zheng shook his head. "I really can't make out what that dark energy was about."
Mei Chen felt helpless at the moment.
Master Ping, seated next to Zheng, gave a warm smile. "Whatever it might have been, I'm sure that nothing has happened to Old Mr. Chen."
Another two days passed smoothly.
The capital was within a days' ride.
They continued to travel, more relief and relaxed from before.
From few miles away, they could feel its presence like a pressure in the air- the great city was the heart of the empire, where sect elders, noble clans, and imperial ministers moved like pieces on a vast board. To enter it wounded and vulnerable was to step into a den of watching eyes.
By dusk, they could see the tall wall guarding the capital. They rose like a mountain range forged by human hands, layered with defensive formations that shimmered faintly beneath the fading sunlight. Watchtowers crowned each section, their bronze bells swaying gently in the wind.
Mei Chen tighten her hold around Zheng as he rode toward the wall. "I have returned, grandfather…" she murmured. "This time, I promise I'll save you."
I could hardly recognize the city, they have changed vastly since I last visited the place, Zheng thought to himself.
The road widened as they approached the outer checkpoint. Caravans lined both sides—merchants bearing exotic spirit herbs, cultivators from distant provinces, noble carriages marked with clan insignias. The hum of conversation mixed with the faint pulse of spiritual fluctuations.
Zheng dismounted first when they halted.
Guards clad in dark armor stood beneath the massive gate arch, each piece etched with glowing runes. Their cultivation was steady—disciplined, not flashy, but far from ordinary.
"State your origin and purpose," one guard said evenly.
Mei Chen stepped forward with ease.
The captain recognized her.
"My apologies, Miss Chen." The captain said politely. "These guard are the new recruits."
"Will you let us in, Captain."
His gaze shifted to the wagon.
"Would Miss Chen let us inspect these wagons?"
Without a word, Mei Chen stepped aside, letting the guard to check the wagon.
"Sir!" one of the guards called the captain. When he entered the first wagon, he saw two injured men lying inside.
"You carry injured men." Asked the captain, his tone became colder than before and suspicion grew within him.
"Yes," Zheng answered calmly. "They were wounded defending our convoy."
After he saw other injured escort on the horse, captain withdrew his perception. "You may enter. Report to the Inner District registry within three days."
The gates began to open.
The sound was deep and resonant, like stone grinding against stone, echoing across the valley. As they passed beneath the archway, Zheng felt it distinctly—a ripple of energy sweeping over them. A verification array.
Mei Chen exhaled a sigh of relief.
Then they were inside.
The capital unfolded before them in layers of color and motion. Broad streets paved with polished stone reflected lantern light. Towers rose high into the sky, their upper balconies shrouded in faint spiritual mist. Shop banners fluttered, advertising pill pavilions, artifact forges, talisman halls.
Above, streaks of light cut across the sky—cultivators traveling on flying swords.
The escorts inside the wagon stirred faintly as the movement changed from rough mountain road to smooth stone.
Master Ping slowed his horse. His expression, though composed, carried a trace of solemnity. "From this moment onward," he said quietly, "we should be on our guard, we can't differentiate our friend and foe apart."
Zheng glanced at the passing crowds—disciples in uniform robes, noble retainers whispering behind silk fans, wandering cultivators with sharp eyes and sharper auras.
He could feel it now.
Not just pressure.
Currents.
Ambition. Schemes. Power.
Mei Chen leaned closer. "Majority of nobles doesn't support my inheritance, he might make his move soon."
Zheng looked ahead toward the distant inner districts, where the tallest towers pierced the evening sky.
"He?" he said calmly. "whoever that 'he' might be… whatever his plans are… we won't let him have his way."
The wagon rolled deeper into the capital, swallowed by its lights and noise.
Behind them, the gates closed with a thunderous echo.