814: Nephew, get some rest!

"Ah?" Liu Tiezhu was dumbfounded. He had come at the command of the Ba Xia King, so how did it become repaying a favor with Benefactor Yao? How was this account calculated?

Mu Long, however, was exceptionally astute. His gaze quickly swept over Han Tianzheng, who stood beside him with a look of relief and a faint sense of "shared honor." Then he saw Han Ruyi, standing gracefully by Yao Delong's side, her beautiful eyes filled with affection as she looked at Yao Delong... He instantly understood!

So that was it! Protecting Bichu City meant protecting Han Ruyi! Protecting Han Ruyi meant protecting someone Benefactor Yao cared about! Didn't that repay the favor?! And it was a huge favor!

Mu Long's heart suddenly brightened. He admired Yao Delong's "protectiveness" even more, and a strong excitement surged within him! What did this mean? It meant that their White Cloud City would also establish a deeper relationship with this promising Daoist Yao! This was a greater fortune than several Heaven-Grade Weapons!

He immediately stopped declining, bowed deeply again, and his voice was loud, filled with immense solemnity and commitment: "Benefactor is righteous! Mu Long understands! Benefactor, please rest assured, White Cloud City is located in the hinterland of the Ba Xia Dynasty, with abundant resources and strong soldiers! If Bichu City ever Faces trouble again in the future, without waiting for the King's command, Mu Long will personally lead the city's elites and rush to its aid day and night! We will ensure Bichu City's safety! To repay Benefactor's great kindness!"

This declaration was resounding, full of Jianghu chivalry and the determination to pledge allegiance!

Yao Delong nodded in satisfaction: "You've been thoughtful. Take them."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Benefactor!" Mu Long and Liu Tiezhu then excitedly extended their hands, carefully taking the Hovering Mountain-Shaking Demonic Dragon Arm and the Earth-Splitting Mountain-Cleaving Axe that floated before them.

As the heavy, cold gauntlet settled into their hands, and the domineering, ferocious great axe was grasped in their palms, feeling the surging power contained within, both men felt a rush of hot blood straight to their heads! Their gazes towards Yao Delong were filled with unwavering loyalty!

Han Tianzheng, watching this scene, almost overflowed with pride! He stroked his beard, puffed out his belly, and his eyes darted towards Mu Long and Liu Tiezhu, his expression as if to say: "See? This is my Han family's son-in-law! He gives Heaven-Grade Weapons as gifts! So much Face! Envious? Jealous? Hahaha!"

Mu Long and the other man exchanged a few more pleasantries with Han Tianzheng, expressing their desire for mutual assistance in the future, then, with their excited White Cloud City elites, they piloted their Flying Boat, transforming into streaks of light and disappearing into the night.

At this moment, in the empty square, only Han Tianzheng, his wife Madam Liu, and Yao Delong with Han Ruyi nestled beside him, remained.

The lights were dim, and the atmosphere became warm, tinged with a hint of sadness at parting.

Madam Liu, the city lord's wife with a gentle demeanor and enduring charm, had always worn a warm smile, her gaze soft as she looked at her daughter and Yao Delong, her eyes filled with maternal love and satisfaction.

Han Tianzheng had reined in his earlier pride, his expression becoming solemn and complex. He looked at the dazzling young man before him, bright as a star, then at the deep affection in his daughter's eyes. He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, with the entrustment of a father:

"Esteemed Nephew Yao," his address had changed, showing intimacy, "I, Han Tianzheng, am merely the lord of a small border city. I know my status is humble and dare not aspire to such heights. You are the Daoist Master of the Yin Yang Sect, destined to soar among the Nine Heavens, and you still have a marriage engagement with the Saintess of the Moyang Sect..."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of plea, but more of a sense of relief and trust: "Ruyi... she is the apple of my and her mother's eye. We ask for nothing else, only that esteemed nephew... will treat her well in the future, give her a stable life... that will be enough!"

Madam Liu also looked at Yao Delong. She didn't say much, merely gently took her daughter's hand and patted it softly, everything unspoken. Her gaze clearly said: We support our daughter's choice, we only hope you don't fail her.

Yao Delong met Han Tianzheng and Madam Liu's gazes, his expression solemn, and he bowed respectfully to the two elders:

"Uncle and Aunt, please rest assured, Yao Delong pledges here and now that he will never fail Ruyi's heart in this life!"

His promise, though brief, was as heavy as a mountain!

Han Ruyi's eyes reddened upon hearing these resolute words. Sweetness and bitterness intertwined in her heart, and she couldn't help but grip Yao Delong's hand even tighter.

Yao Delong straightened up and took out a bulging, ancient-looking Storage Pouch, handing it to Han Tianzheng:

"Uncle Han, this is a small token of my regard, for the post-disaster reconstruction of Bichu City and to reinforce its city defense Formations. Please do not decline."

Han Tianzheng subconsciously took it, and his Divine Thought swept through it—

Buzz!

His mind instantly went blank!

One hundred thousand! A full one hundred thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones! Piled up like a small mountain! The lustrous spiritual light almost blinded him!

This... this was equivalent to Bichu City's tax revenue for nearly a hundred years! Enough to elevate the entire city's defense system by several grades!

"Esteemed Nephew! This... this is too valuable! I cannot accept it! Absolutely not!" Han Tianzheng trembled all over, quickly trying to push the Storage Pouch back, his voice changing pitch. This gift was so heavy it made his heart race!

Yao Delong, however, smiled slightly, raised a hand to stop his movement, and spoke in a gentle tone yet with undeniable power: "Uncle, Bichu City is located on the frontier, adjacent to the Great Desolate Forest, and serves as a barrier for the Human Race. With solid city defenses, the common people can sleep peacefully. This is my small token of regard, and also my contribution to the Human Race's frontier."

As he spoke, he took out another jade talisman, smooth and warm, with what appeared to be golden flames flowing within, and handed it over: "This talisman contains a trace of my Primordial Spirit imprint. If you encounter an irresistible danger, crush this talisman, and no matter where I am, I will tear open the Void Realm and rush here immediately!"

Han Tianzheng looked at the heavy Storage Pouch in his hand and the jade talisman containing terrifying Primordial Spirit fluctuations, so excited that his hands trembled slightly! This was not just resources, but a heavy sentiment and the most powerful guarantee!

"Father, please accept it." Han Ruyi spoke at the opportune moment, her voice soft yet firm, "This is also Big Brother Yao's kind intention."

Han Tianzheng looked at his daughter, then at the calm-faced Yao Delong. Finally, this iron-blooded man took a deep breath and bowed solemnly to Yao Delong again: "Esteemed Nephew Yao... Old man... on behalf of Bichu City's millions of soldiers and civilians, I thank you!" This bow encompassed awe for Yao Delong's strength and status, gratitude for saving the city, emotion for the resources he gifted, and even more, relief for his promise to care for his daughter!

Madam Liu also smiled gently at this time, looking at the sky, and softly said: "Alright, it's getting late. I heard Ruyi say that Delong, you are setting off tomorrow morning, so go back and rest early tonight, and get enough sleep."

Han Tianzheng also nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, esteemed nephew, rest early!"

Upon hearing this, Han Ruyi naturally took Yao Delong's hand, preparing to lead him back to the guest house courtyard that had been arranged earlier.

Just then, Madam Liu spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of playful reproach and a meaningful smile:

"Ruyi, child, why are you still taking Delong to the guest house?"

Her gaze gently shifted between Yao Delong and her daughter, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"Your father has already acknowledged him as his future son-in-law. For him to still stay in the guest house, wouldn't that make our Han family seem too distant and ill-mannered?"

These words were like a clap of thunder, instantly exploding in Han Ruyi's mind!