44: Chapter 44: New System Task
After Cheng Ying's fetal Qi stabilized, Yang Yuan stayed in the town for two more days.
It wasn't that he didn't want to leave, but he couldn't.
Although Cheng Ying could get out of bed, her complexion was still pale. Yang Yuan did not dare to take the risk.
On the morning of the third day, Cheng Ying sat in the courtyard basking in the sun. Yang Yuan brought her a bowl of porridge and sat down opposite her.
"I feel much better," Cheng Ying said. "We can leave."
"No rush," Yang Yuan said. "Rest for two more days."
"You have said 'rest for two more days' several times already."
Yang Yuan didn't reply. He lowered his head, took a sip of porridge, and then set the bowl down.
"I have the final say," he said.
Cheng Ying glanced at him and didn't argue further.
In the afternoon, Yang Yuan sat alone on the bed in the room, cross-legged in meditation.
He closed his eyes, letting his Internal Energy circulate slowly through his Meridians. The Realm of the fifth level had completely stabilized, and the Yang Qi in his Dantian was several times more solid than before.
Just as he was wondering when he could attempt to break through to the sixth level, a line of golden characters suddenly popped up in his mind:
γ New Task: Establish a permanent residence in Xiangyang. γ
γ Time Limit: 30 days. γ
γ Reward: Mountain Protection Array (Small) + All partners' combat power +30%. γ
γ Failure Penalty: Deduct 10 years of the Host's Lifespan. γ
Yang Yuan stared at the line of text, stunned for a moment.
Then he silently muttered, "Mountain Protection Array?"
The System did not answer.
But he could roughly guess that this Formation was likely used to protect the house. With this thing, even if he wasn't at home, Cheng Ying and the children would be safe.
He opened his eyes, a surge of excitement in his heart.
But in less than three seconds, he calmed down again.
A house in Xiangyang wasn't free.
He touched his money pouchβthe silver brought from Peach Blossom Island had been spent quite a bit along the way, and less than twenty taels remained. To buy a house in Xiangyang that could accommodate a family, it would cost at least several hundred taels.
Where would the money come from?
He sat on the bed, running through all the possibilities in his mind.
Finally, he took out the bamboo token that Lu Youjiao had given him.
Upon arriving in Xiangyang, he would first go to find "Youjian Inn" to make contact. The Beggar Sect had a deep Foundation in Xiangyang; perhaps they could help.
In the evening, Yang Yuan told Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang about the plan to set off.
Cheng Ying didn't speak and began to silently pack their luggage.
Lu Wushuang sat to one side, watching Yang Yuan spread out a map he had drawn himself on the floor, gesturing along the route with his finger.
"Where will we live when we get to Xiangyang?" Lu Wushuang asked.
"First find an inn, then look for a house," Yang Yuan said. "Hero Guo said in his letter that if we need anything, we can find him."
"Will he help us?"
"He will," Yang Yuan said. "Guo Jing is a man who keeps his word."
Lu Wushuang nodded and didn't ask again.
After a while, she suddenly added, "Then... will we have a home from now on?"
Yang Yuan looked up and saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, clutching the corner of her clothes.
"Yes," he said. "We will have a home."
Lu Wushuang lowered her head, her lips twitching.
She didn't speak again, but Yang Yuan saw that her hands were clenched even tighter.
Cheng Ying sat on the edge of the bed, folding a small piece of Xue Jian's clothing in her hands.
She folded the clothes, put them into a bundle, and then turned to look at the moonlight outside the window.
"The child... can be born in Xiangyang," she said.
Her voice was very soft, but it carried a sense of security that Yang Yuan had never heard before.
Yang Yuan walked over and held her hand.
"Yes. We will have the baby in Xiangyang."
Cheng Ying didn't answer.
But she gripped his hand back, holding it very tightly.
Early the next morning, the group boarded the carriage and continued their journey toward Xiangyang.
Yang Yuan sat on the carriage shaft, holding the reins.
He touched the bamboo token in his bosom and looked at the distant skyline.
That mysterious aura from Zhongnan Mountain had not disappeared.
He could feel that the power was constantly approaching, like an invisible hand, slowly reaching out toward him.
He must finish building the new home before the mysterious person found him.
Xiangyang was the only way out.
He flicked the reins, and the horse quickened its pace.
The sun rose from the east, illuminating the entire official road.
After traveling for a day, at dusk, the outline of Xiangyang City finally appeared on the horizon.
The gray-black city walls stood tall in the twilight.
A large flag was planted on the city gate tower, fluttering loudly in the wind.
Yang Yuan reined in the horse and stopped the carriage.
He jumped off the carriage, stood on the official road, and looked at the city.
Cheng Ying lifted the carriage curtain and also saw the city.
"Is that... Xiangyang?" she asked.
"Yes," Yang Yuan said. "We're here."
Lu Wushuang stood on the carriage shaft, looking up at the towering city wall, opening her mouth but unable to speak.
The three of them just stood there, looking at the city.
After a long while, Yang Yuan finally spoke: "Let's go. Into the city."
He jumped back onto the carriage and flicked the reins.
The carriage drove along the official road toward Xiangyang City.
The setting sun gilded the entire city in gold.
(Chapter 44 End)
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