Chapter 110: Leaving the Imperial Capital

Several months passed by in a flash.

During this period, Lu Yang continued working in the Imperial Prison as usual.

He inspected cells, checked records, coordinated with other guards, and occasionally exchanged a few words with Song Fuyao.

Their relationship had become somewhat more familiar over time, although the young woman still refused to admit that she had grown accustomed to his presence.

Whenever Lu Yang teased her, she would glare at him, but whenever he ignored her, she would find some excuse to complain.

One morning, Lu Yang announced that he had reached the Sixth Stage of Body Tempering Realm.

His breakthrough to the Sixth Stage of Body Tempering was entirely believable.

After all, he had already displayed the peak of the Fifth Stage of Body Tempering Realm, and advancing one minor stage after several months of cultivation was only a natural progression for someone of his talent.

Besides, it wasn’t like there was a bottleneck between the Fifth and Sixth Stages of Body Tempering Realm.

When Lu Hai learned of this, he was very pleased.

"Not bad! Your cultivation is progressing steadily."

He stroked his beard with satisfaction.

"Continue cultivating like this. Don’t become complacent just because you have made some progress."

Lu Yang nodded obediently.

"Understood, grandfather."

Lu Hai looked at his grandson and grew increasingly satisfied.

Although Lu Yang’s displayed cultivation was not particularly shocking, his progress was steady, and he had never given his grandfather any reason to worry.

At the same time, the boy had never complained about his position in the Imperial Prison.

However, Lu Yang had remained content with his current position for years.

Lu Hai could not help but feel that his grandson possessed a remarkably steady temperament.

If only more young people in the Imperial Capital were like him.

...

Not long after his apparent breakthrough, Lu Yang submitted a request for an extended period of leave.

He intended to use all his accumulated leave at once, which amounted to more than an entire month away from the Imperial Prison.

When Lu Hai learned of the request, he was briefly surprised.

However, after considering the matter, he approved it without hesitation.

Lu Yang had worked diligently for several years and had accumulated almost all his unused leave.

There was nothing unreasonable about finally using it.

Wen Fanghong was equally agreeable.

As the Prison Supervisor, he had always held a favorable opinion of Lu Yang, this child he had basically watched grow up.

He was diligent, capable, and never caused trouble while also possessing considerable talent.

Even when given important assignments, he handled them properly without relying excessively on his family connections.

Such subordinates were naturally worth accommodating, not to mention that he intended to nurture Lu Yang as his successor.

Consequently, the approval process proceeded smoothly.

Lu Yang barely needed to explain himself.

Once the necessary arrangements were completed, he began preparing for his departure.

On the day he was scheduled to leave, Lu Yang passed through his usual detention area one final time.

Song Fuyao was sitting inside her cell when she noticed him approaching.

She raised her head.

"What are you doing here?"

Lu Yang stopped before the iron bars.

"I’m going away for a while."

Song Fuyao looked at him suspiciously at these words, "Where?"

"Somewhere outside the Imperial Capital." Lu Yang answered calmly.

"For how long?" Song Fuyao followed with another question.

Lu Yang pretended to think for a moment before replying.

"More than a month, probably."

Song Fuyao stared at him for several moments before she huffed, turning away.

"What does that have to do with me? Go wherever you want. Do you think I’ll miss you?"

Lu Yang nodded seriously, "I understand."

Song Fuyao’s expression immediately soured at the two words, but she still didn’t turn around to face him.

Lu Yang even gave her a polite nod before turning around.

"Take care, Miss Song."

"Who wants to hear well wishes from you?!"

Her voice followed him down the corridor, but Lu Yang did not look back.

...

Before leaving the Imperial Capital, Lu Yang bid farewell to several more people.

He visited Zhao Ming first.

When Zhao Ming learned that Lu Yang would be absent for more than a month, he looked somewhat surprised.

"You’re finally willing to use your accumulated leave?"

Lu Yang smiled.

"I have some matters to attend to outside the capital."

Zhao Ming nodded, not prying into the details.

After working together for several years, he knew that Lu Yang was not someone who discussed every personal matter with others.

Besides, Zhao Ming had his own responsibilities.

"Very well. Just remember to bring me something interesting when you return."

Lu Yang laughed softly.

"If I find anything suitable, I’ll consider it."

After parting ways with Zhao Ming, he visited old Sun and informed him of his departure.

The elderly Guard Leader onlt reminded him to return on time and not forget the responsibilities awaiting him in the Imperial Prison.

Lu Yang accepted the advice and then visited Wen Fanghong before making his way to Lu Hai’s office one last time.

His grandfather naturally had more to say, reminding him to be cautious while traveling, avoid unnecessary trouble, and return to the Imperial Capital before his leave expired.

Lu Yang listened patiently, and finally, he talked to Aunt Lin back at home before setting off.

She was somewhat reluctant to see him leave, but she did not attempt to stop him.

After all, Lu Yang was already sixteen years old.

He could not remain under her care forever.

She just reminded him to eat properly, take care of himself, and avoid becoming so absorbed in cultivation that he neglected his health.

Lu Yang promised to remember her words.

Only after bidding farewell to everyone did he finally depart.

...

The distance between the Imperial Capital and Wuyuan Province, although not even half of the distance between the Tiannan Province and Wuyuan Province, was still considerable.

If he hired a mutated horse with a Demon Beast bloodline, one that had reached the Body Tempering Realm, he could probably reach his destination in a little over a week while traveling at an ordinary pace.

Such horses were considerably faster and more enduring than ordinary steeds.

A journey of nearly a thousand miles in a day was not particularly difficult for a well trained mount under suitable conditions.

However, Lu Yang had no intention of traveling that way.

He was already a Spirit Awakening cultivator.

His physical abilities far surpassed those of ordinary people and Body Tempering cultivators, and he possessed Divine Sense, which gave him a considerable advantage when navigating unfamiliar terrain.

If he traveled alone and continued moving without unnecessary rest, he could probably reach Wuyuan Province within five days.

That would leave him with considerably more time to arrange the matters he had in mind.

Lu Yang made his final preparations and left the Imperial Capital discreetly to avoid anyone from seeing him travel without a horse.

The scenery gradually changed as he moved away from the Imperial Capital.

The roads became less crowded, the settlements grew farther apart, and the familiar atmosphere of the capital slowly disappeared behind him.

Lu Yang continued forward without stopping for long.

His destination was Canglan Prefecture, where his father, Lu Shishui, served as Prefectural Judge.

He had not seen his father in person for nearly ten years now.

However, that was not the only reason for this journey.

He had several matters to arrange, and some of them could not be handled conveniently from within the Imperial Capital.

For now, he wanted to proceed cautiously, gathering information and making preparations without revealing too much.