49: Chapter 49 The Grand Event Ends, A New Journey Begins

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and a few lanterns still hung lit beneath the eaves of the houses along the street. The red paper, dampened by the night dew, had taken on a deeper hue.

Chen Xuan stood in the middle of the long street. At his feet were the faint water marks left by the pleasure boats returning to shore last night, most of which had already been dried by the morning breeze.

He wasn't wearing the festive, decorated celebratory robes from yesterday. Instead, he had changed back into his usual black martial attire, his belt fastened neatly and his boots clicking crisply against the bluestone pavement.

Vendors were already pushing their carts along the street, calling out their wares. Fried dough sticks had just come out of the pot, their aroma wafting far and wide.

A few children crouched in a corner, using sticks to draw an arena on the ground. They shouted about Chen Xuan defeating Tuoba Lie with a single palm strike, gesturing back and forth as they played.

On the second floor of a nearby teahouse, a storyteller struck his gavel. "It is said that the Champion, without a change in expression, ascended the stage in three steps and decided the fate of the world in five moves..."

Before the words could fully leave his mouth, he caught sight of the man in the street. He abruptly stopped, picked up his teacup, and took a large gulp, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.

Chen Xuan chuckled and didn't stop his pace.

As he walked toward his residence, people continued to recognize him along the way.

An old man selling candied haws grinned and handed him a skewer. "Lord Champion, have a taste. It's from the first batch this morning."

Chen Xuan didn't refuse. He took it and bit into one; the hawthorn was so sour it made him squint, but the sugar coating was crisp and sweet.

The old man rubbed his hands together in delight. "I knew it! Even heroes love these!"

Reaching the entrance of the alley, he looked up at the lintel of his home. Someone had quietly pasted a piece of yellow paper there last night. It read, "West City Arena, seeking a challenge in three days." The handwriting was crooked, and the ink had bled.

He reached out and peeled it off, crumpled it into a ball, and casually tossed it into a nearby slop bucket.

The courtyard gate was slightly ajar. He pushed it open and went inside. A broom stood against the wall in the courtyard, and the fallen leaves had already been cleared away.

The stone table was empty. The candied haws were gone, and so was the thick soup. The lively scene of the five of them sitting together last night felt like a dream. But he knew it wasn't.

He stood in the courtyard and looked up at the sky. The sun had just climbed over the roof ridge, and the light spilling onto his face felt warm.

He suddenly felt that this courtyard was too small, and the capital was too small as well.

Before long, the sound of footsteps approached from a distance.

Zhao Hongling was the first to enter, carrying a bundle in her hand. She hadn't even changed her outer garments, still wearing that same red dress and golden armor. She looked as spirited as a rooster that had just finished crowing.

"What are you standing here dazed for? Everyone's almost here."

Leng Shuang arrived next, her footsteps silent. Dressed in white clothes and white boots, the silver armor on her shoulders was polished to a shine. She held her sword, a crystal-like bead dangling from the hilt, shimmering in the sunlight.

She didn't speak, only glancing at Chen Xuan. Her gaze lingered on his face before moving away, as if confirming he was still there.

Liu Ruyan was the slowest to arrive, waving a silk fan. Her skirt trailed on the ground, and her hair was loosely pinned with a single jade hairpin. She looked indolent but smiled gently.

"The moonlight on the river was beautiful last night, and the wind is favorable this morning. It's the perfect time to set out."

Dugu Xue was the last to arrive, wearing a white Northern Territory robe with light armor over it. She stood with her sword on her back, her expression calm. She hadn't brought any attendants; her horse was tied outside, the reins held in her own hand.

"I've already sent someone with a letter to the Guest House, saying I'm leaving the capital today and there's no need to wait."

The five of them gathered in the courtyard. Sunlight filled the entire space, and even the old wooden sword in the corner gave off a woody fragrance from the sun.

Chen Xuan looked around at the four familiar faces: one fiery, one icy, one charming, and one cool. They had different personalities and backgrounds, yet they were all here, standing before him, waiting for him to speak.

He cleared his throat. "The grand gathering is over. We have our fame, and we've seen enough people. What's next?"

Zhao Hongling immediately replied, "What else? The Jianghu is so vast. If we don't go out and explore, wouldn't we be wasting our skills?"

"The capital is full of trouble," Leng Shuang said softly. "Under such great fame, everyone is watching. Every move is whispered about. It's better to leave."

Liu Ruyan gently waved her fan. "I have a few villas in Jiangnan, and some old acquaintances in Lingnan. If you don't find it bothersome, I can lead the way."

"Beyond the Northern Territory lies the Snowy Mountain Sword Tomb."

Dugu Xue gazed into the distance. "Legend has it there are inscriptions left by a former Sword Immortal. I went once but couldn't enter. Now that my strength has improved, perhaps I can try again."

As Chen Xuan listened, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up. He looked down at his hands. These hands had been holding wine cups last night, listening to pipa music, and were tenderly surrounded by four pairs of eyes; today, they would be holding a sword, leading a horse, and treading across thousands of mountains and rivers.

"And you all? Are you really willing to come with me? Not just for a moment's thrill, nor to avoid the spotlight.

Once we leave, we might not return for three or five years. We might not get to eat the soup Hongling stews, hear Ruyan's melodies, or even the congratulatory words Leng Shuang embroidered might just rot in our pockets. Have you thought this through?"

Zhao Hongling rolled her eyes. "Stop being so wordy! I'll only be Life Qi if you don't leave! Do you really want to stay here and be a Prince Consort? Dream on!"

Leng Shuang lightly brushed the hilt of her sword. "I have no home, so what talk is there of a place to return to? Wherever you go, my Cold Skill will be tempered there."

Liu Ruyan smiled without a word, simply stuffing her fan into his hand. "Here, fan yourself. Don't get heatstroke on the road."

Dugu Xue stood with her sword in her arms and said only one thing: "I trust you."

Chen Xuan laughed, his shoulders shaking. He stuffed the fan back into her hand. "If you wave this fan, I'll just want to sleep. How is that supposed to cool me down?"

The four of them laughed as well, and for a moment, the courtyard was as lively as the New Year.

When the laughter subsided, Chen Xuan turned and walked into the house. When he came out again, he had a bundle on his back. Inside were a few old items he had saved over the years: a broken jade pendant, a blunt dagger, and a pair of worn-out cloth shoes. He didn't bring gold or silver, nor did he bring any business cards; he only brought these.

"Let's go. We've stayed in the capital too long; our bones have grown soft."

The five of them walked out of the courtyard gate side by side. Neighbors poked their heads out to look, and someone shouted, "Is the Lord Champion leaving?"

"You bet!" Zhao Hongling shouted back. "When we return, we'll bring you wolf-skin blankets from the Northern Territory!"

"I want lychees from Lingnan!" a child jumped and shouted.

"Alright, we'll bring them all back for you," Chen Xuan said with a wave and a smile.

They led their horses to the Vermilion Bird Gate. The day was fully bright, and the city gates were slowly opening. The guarding soldiers lined up on both sides; seeing it was them, they silently cupped their fists in salute.

The commoners stood at a distance, pointing and talking, but they didn't block the way or make a commotion.

Chen Xuan paused and took one last look back.

The imperial city was majestic, with soaring eaves and upturned corners. The glazed tiles shimmered with golden light in the morning sun.

This was once the place where he stood at the Peak, the starting point where he was the center of ten thousand gazes. But he knew the true path was not within the city, but outside it.

He raised his hand, gave a light wave, and said nothing.

Then he flipped onto his horse.

Zhao Hongling took the lead, her red skirt fluttering like a ball of fire charging at the front.

Leng Shuang followed closely to his right, her white horse like snow, silent and resolute.

Liu Ruyan sat on her horse, her fan waving gently, her face full of smiles.

Dugu Xue brought up the rear, her hand on her sword hilt, her gaze sweeping over the city behind them to ensure no one was following.

The five riders rode side by side, embarking on the official road heading south.

The morning mist gradually dispersed, and the sunlight spilled onto the broad road, casting five long shadows.

The sound of horse hooves rose, crushing the dew and startling the birds in the grass by the roadside.

The wind ruffled the flags. The soldiers on duty on the city tower rubbed their eyes. When they looked again, the five figures were already a hundred paces away, their outlines blurred, leaving only their backs melting into the morning light.

Chen Xuan did not look back.