Chapter 453: Leaving for the Capital.
A short while later, in the spacious courtyard of the City Lord’s manor, the majestic snow-white flying ship hovered gently a few feet above the ground, its formation arrays glowing with soft blue light.
Servants and soldiers moved efficiently, loading the final supplies under Captain Shan’s sharp commands.
Lan Suyao stood nearby, arms crossed, radiating her usual cold dignity as she oversaw the final preparations.
Li Feng stood in front of the ship with Yue Lan by his side as they waited.
And soon, a familiar voice called out from the entrance of the manor.
"Envoy Li! Envoy Yue! City Lord Lan!"
General Zhang Kuo, still looking a bit pale but standing tall in his armor, approached with steady steps.
Beside him was Madam Zhang, dressed in refined noblewoman’s attire and carrying a small, elegant wooden box in her hands.
The General cupped his fists deeply in respect as he stopped before them.
"I heard you were departing soon. This old general couldn’t let you leave without coming to see you off personally."
Madam Zhang smiled warmly, her eyes lingering especially on Yue Lan’s stunning appearance with clear admiration.
"Envoy Yue Lan looks absolutely magnificent today. This dress suits you perfectly... like a true imperial consort."
Yue Lan gave a graceful, modest bow, her golden eyes curving gently.
"Thank you, Madam Zhang. Your help with the attire last night was greatly appreciated."
Li Feng smiled and cupped his fists in return.
He had already been informed about Madam Zhang by Yue Lan, so he recognized her immediately.
"General Zhang, Madam Zhang. Thank you for coming. The fortress is in good hands with you leading the recovery now. We will continue our journey and find the cause of this disaster."
General Zhang’s expression turned solemn as he looked at the three of them.
"The conspiracy I spoke of with City Lord Lan... I fear it runs deeper than we think. So be extremely careful in the capital. There are forces at play that even I, as a border general, can only sense the edges of."
He then took a deep breath and bowed lower.
"On behalf of the entire border fortress and its people... thank you. Without your help yesterday, our fortress would have been doomed and many more lives would have been lost."
Madam Zhang stepped forward and offered the wooden box to Yue Lan with both hands.
"This is a small token of gratitude, the finest spiritual tea leaves from my private collection. I hope it brings you comfort on the long journey."
Yue Lan accepted the box gracefully, a soft smile on her lips.
"I will treasure it."
After a few more words of gratitude and well-wishes, General Zhang and Madam Zhang stepped back.
"Safe travels, envoys," the General said solemnly. "May the heavens protect you."
Li Feng, Yue Lan, and Lan Suyao boarded the flying ship.
The formation arrays glowed brighter as the vessel slowly rose into the air.
From the deck, Li Feng looked down at the recovering fortress one last time, his eyes cold and sharp.
With nothing left to stop them, the journey from here to the capital would take less than a day at this ship’s speed.
And he knew that once they arrived... it would probably not be a simple trip.
Then Li Feng turned to Lan Suyao and Yue Lan and nodded.
"Let’s go."
Soon, the snow-white flying ship shot forward like a streak of light, heading straight toward the distant capital of the Fen Dynasty.
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General Zhang and Madam Zhang stood side by side in the courtyard, watching as the majestic snow-white flying ship rose higher into the sky.
Its formation arrays glowed brightly, leaving a faint trail of blue light as it accelerated and shot forward like a streak of white lightning, disappearing rapidly toward the horizon.
Madam Zhang let out a soft sigh, her eyes filled with both gratitude and worry.
"They are truly extraordinary people," she murmured.
"Especially Envoy Yue Lan... she looked like a celestial being in that dress. And Envoy Li... that young man carries the aura of a dragon. I hope the heavens protect them in the capital."
General Zhang Kuo remained silent for a long moment, his armored hands clenched tightly behind his back.
His expression was solemn.
"If even the Azure Moon Sect’s envoys are being targeted so desperately, then the rot in the capital has already spread far deeper than we feared. I only pray they arrive in time to protect His Highness."
Even though the current Emperor wasn’t exactly the most capable one in his eyes, at least there was stability and peace.
But if anything happened to the Emperor... he feared that the Dynasty might face its first existential crisis... especially with this plague currently ongoing.
Madam Zhang gently placed her hand on her husband’s arm, offering quiet comfort.
"They will succeed. I saw it in Envoy Li’s eyes... that young man is not someone ordinary. I even suspect he might be a hidden genius of the Azure Moon Sect. Surely nothing will go wrong with someone like him going to check the situation there."
General Zhang slowly nodded, though the worry in his eyes didn’t fully disappear.
"I hope you’re right. For the sake of the Fen Dynasty... and for all of us on the border."
He straightened his back and turned away from the empty sky, his voice regaining its usual firm tone.
"Come, my wife. There is still much work to do. The fortress must be rebuilt stronger than before... in case the storm reaches us."
Madam Zhang smiled softly and followed him, the wooden box she had prepared earlier now empty, its precious tea leaves now on their way to the capital with the envoys.
As the flying ship vanished completely into the distant clouds, General Zhang straightened his back and turned away.
...But he didn’t know that the words he had just spoken would actually come true.
Soon, General Zhang would witness the entire Dynasty engulfed in flames...
And before his horrified eyes...
The world itself would lose its color.
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