Young hero, stay put and don't be reckless.

Chapter 124 Welcome Party

No one objected.

"I'll go gather some dry branches." Tuoba Feng walked towards the cave entrance, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Jiang Xun.

"I'll go too." Jiang Xun knew what to do and followed.

Outside the cave, the moon hung in the sky, illuminating the snow-covered ground in a silvery white.

The two walked about a hundred paces and hid behind a large rock, with their backs to the wind.

"What did you get?" Tuoba Feng asked directly, without any pleasantries or preamble.

Jiang Xun didn't hide it. He took out the white porcelain bottle from his pocket and poured out a pale golden pill.

The moonlight reflected on it, giving it a warm glow.

He handed the pill to Tuoba Feng.

Tuoba Feng's pupils contracted slightly, and he lowered his voice: "The Heaven-Seizing Pill?"

"Do you know him?"

"It can't be wrong." Tuoba Feng's tone carried a rare solemnity. "The legendary elixir that can transform a person completely."

Jiang Xun gasped.

He had heard Shen San mention the Heaven-Seizing Pill; its effects were similar to those of the Dragon Crystal, and it could prolong his life.

It was like searching high and low without finding it—no, it was something I had to fight tooth and nail to get my hands on.

Tuoba Feng remained silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke up: "Could I have one?"

Jiang Xun was stunned for a moment.

Tuoba Feng's usually cold and hard face softened slightly at this moment.

It's not fragility, but the kind of longing that has been suppressed for a long time, finally seeing a glimmer of hope.

"My father has been ill for many years and has not gotten better. The doctor said it was due to the exhaustion of his meridians and that there was no cure. But an old retainer of the Tuoba family said that if there were a Heaven-Seizing Pill, it might be able to save his life." Tuoba Feng's voice was low.

Jiang Xun didn't hesitate for long. He poured out one pill from the white porcelain bottle and handed over the rest, bottle and all: "Take it."

Tuoba Feng was taken aback: "I only need one..."

"Just take it, stop being so hesitant." Jiang Xun shoved the porcelain bottle into his hand. "One is for your father, and one is for you. Your cultivation method is the same as mine; if you keep practicing like this, your body won't be able to take it sooner or later."

Tuoba Feng looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and finally stopped refusing, saying in a low voice, "Thank you."

Immediately afterwards, he took out a celadon bottle from his pocket.

"What is this?" Jiang Xun knew that Tuoba Feng had obtained it from the Sword Ruins, and asked without any politeness.

"I don't know, I haven't opened it." Tuoba Feng handed him the bottle. "It's yours."

Jiang Xun didn't stand on ceremony. He picked it up and shook it. It was filled with liquid, swaying back and forth. He couldn't tell if it was wine or medicine. He casually put it in his pocket.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

After a while, Tuoba Feng suddenly spoke, asking a question that surprised Jiang Xun: "Are you investigating the repeating crossbow?"

Jiang Xun's smile froze for a moment.

How did you know?

"During the day, you deliberately took out that repeating crossbow, wasn't it just to test Xiao Rui?" Tuoba Feng said casually.

Jiang Xun scratched his head awkwardly.

He thought he had done something flawless, but to this guy, it was as if he were invisible.

"Alright, you're impressive." He sighed, and seeing the hesitation on Tuoba Feng's face, he tentatively asked, "Do you know something?"

"My father was wounded by a repeating crossbow." Tuoba Feng's expression darkened slightly. "It was a standard procedure used by the Ministry of Works of the Dayong Dynasty. But it should have nothing to do with the Xiao family."

Why?

"That's what my father said."

Jiang Xun remained silent.

He knew that Tuoba Feng's father was named Tuoba Xiong, a mighty eagle on the grasslands, whom even the Xiao family had to be wary of.

If they hadn't been assassinated and fallen ill, the Tuoba family wouldn't have fallen into decline.

Since Tuoba Xiong said so, it should be pretty much true.

Who else could it be besides the Xiao family?

"By the way," Jiang Xun suddenly winked after a moment of silence, "Your feelings for Miss Ye... aren't they a little different?"

Tuoba Feng was taken aback, a barely perceptible hint of panic flashing in his eyes.

"I noticed it last time." Jiang Xun leaned in half a step closer, giving him a "I understand you, bro" look. "You were much colder to her than to others. You wouldn't even acknowledge her when she greeted you. Let me tell you, although Miss Ye is the Fairy of Mirror Lake, she's actually quite easy to get along with..."

"Hey! Don't go! I haven't finished talking yet!"

…………

When the two returned to the cave carrying dry branches and firewood, almost half an hour had passed.

"Haha, firewood was hard to find, it took me a while." Jiang Xun laughed it off, even he thought the excuse was lame.

Ye Qingying's gaze swept back and forth between him and Tuoba Feng, making Jiang Xun feel uneasy, but she only said, "Thank you for your hard work."

The others glanced at them but said nothing.

A fire was lit in the cave, its light illuminating the cavern and dispelling some of the chill.

The group sat around the fire, warming their hands and drinking water from their water bags. They all seemed a little tired and didn't say much.

Jiang Xun leaned against the stone platform with his eyes closed, but his mind was racing.

He always felt that this trip to the Sword Ruins was not so simple.

Besides, he didn't believe that others hadn't gotten anything; they were just not as honest as Chen Lei.

Suddenly, he felt a gaze fall on him. He looked up and saw it was Xiao Rui.

Xiao Rui nodded kindly to him, but did not say anything.

Jiang Xun had no idea what he was up to, so he smiled and continued to close his eyes and pretend to sleep, but he was thinking to himself.

Although Tuoba Feng just said that the Xiao family did not smuggle repeating crossbows, he also mentioned that Xiao Rui's visit to Shuofeng City this time was not solely for the Sword God's inheritance.

What other purpose does Xiao Rui have?

They made do for the night, and the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the group set off.

The descent was much faster than the ascent, and there was no danger. By noon, they had reached the place where Sun Xing had set up camp.

After another five days of travel, Shuofeng City finally reappeared in sight.

The city wall was still the same city wall, and the city gate was still the same city gate, but as soon as Jiang Xun entered the city, he felt something was wrong.

There were far fewer people on the street.

The once bustling streets are now deserted, with only a few scattered stalls remaining. The vendors are hunched over, their usual shouts gone.

Pedestrians hurried along, heads down, not looking at each other; even the air seemed to freeze, pressing heavily on their chests.

"What happened?" Jiang Xun looked around. "It's only been a few days, but it's like a completely different city!"

"Thank you all for your hard work." A voice came from the front.

Helian Jun rode up on horseback, dressed in a black close-fitting outfit with a curved sword at his waist. His usually cold and hard face showed a rare hint of a smile.

He cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd: "Thank you all for your hard work. My father originally intended to greet you personally, but he was too busy with official duties, so he asked me to convey his apologies."

"Thank you for your trouble, Young City Lord," Huang Hu politely returned the greeting.

Helian Jun's smile remained unchanged: "My father has already ordered a small banquet to be prepared for you all tomorrow night. I hope you will all do me the honor of attending."

The group exchanged glances—this city lord was indeed very hospitable.

"Then thank you very much, Lord City Lord," Chen Lei replied on behalf of everyone.

"You're too kind, everyone." Helian Jun smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, but showed no intention of leaving.

Just then, Huang Hu seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at Chen Lei: "I almost forgot, young hero Chen, you have obtained the inheritance of the Sword God. Please come with me, there are some things about the Sword God that I need to explain to you."

Chen Lei frowned slightly.

We've been traveling for several days, and this Senior Huang never mentioned it. It's only when we arrived in Shuofeng City that he remembered.

But he only hesitated for a moment before nodding: "Then I'll trouble you."

"See you tomorrow, everyone." Huang Hu nodded to the others. "This old man takes his leave."

After saying this, he left with Chen Lei, Helian Jun, and Sun Xing and other guards from the city lord's mansion.

Afterwards, Xiao Rui politely said goodbye and left first.