The willow catkins flew in the third month, the sun shone brightly—it was a perfect day for traveling...

Years of continuous warfare had left the Tianyuan Empire, the Nanyun Empire, and the Xichu Empire utterly exhausted. This period of truce was a blessing, bringing prosperity across the Nine Provinces, unless, of course, one accounted for the relentless waves of attacks the Mengtu Empire kept launching against Stormwind City...

However, Stormwind City was impregnable and could not be breached easily. Even if they did manage to take Stormwind, the Nanyun and Xichu Empires held little concern; it would merely shift the balance from a tripartite standoff to a quad-power struggle. The loss would be Tianyuan’s, which concerned them little. They could use this respite to let Tianyuan and Mengtu bleed each other dry while they themselves rested and recuperated...

Because of this, the entire south enjoyed profound peace, with even minor border skirmishes dwindling significantly...

Even Miaocheng in Haizhou, which faced Yuncheng across the river, was free from conflict at this time...

At the docks in Miaocheng, ships from all corners were moored. Even during years of strife, nothing could dampen the fervent desire of merchants to make a profit. Furthermore, no matter which empire ruled, they seldom made things difficult for these traders during such critical times, as it was they who facilitated the circulation of goods; many daily necessities depended on these merchants...

At this moment, a relatively large merchant vessel had just pulled alongside the dock. A group of porters rushed forward to help the merchants unload their cargo, while a gaggle of lavishly dressed women stepped off the ship...

Leading the way was a man with porcelain-white skin, strikingly handsome, yet possessing long white hair. Beside him walked a man whose complexion was pale, though still attractive. Both wore roguish smiles—one leaning toward malice, the other toward seductive charm...

Following behind them were three women: the first was exceedingly cute, cradling a small, snow-white pet; the second was stunningly beautiful but carried an air of chilling detachment, like an iceberg...

The last of the immediate group had a slightly ashen complexion. Though reasonably attractive, she clearly appeared to be a maidservant. Next to this maid was a man in his early twenties whose gaze was perpetually fixed on the white-haired man in front, his eyes brimming with undisguised adoration...

Bringing up the rear was another figure, pale-faced, clad in a martial uniform, displaying little expression...

This group was none other than Ye Jingyu, Liang Xiaoke, Luo Linger, Hu Yanmeng, Gongsun Lu, Lin Xiaoyi, and Liang Xiaoke's apprentice, Mu Fei—a quartet and a trio of spirits. After Ye Jingyu had laid bare his heart to Luo Linger, their feelings had quickly blossomed. The next day, they informed Luo Ruofeng of their intention to travel to Tianyuan City. Luo Ruofeng naturally could not stop Ye Jingyu, merely cautioning him to be careful before allowing them to depart...

This contingent had bypassed the land routes, instead taking a boat down the Yun River to the Tian River, finally arriving at Miaocheng...

The journey had taken a full fortnight. To still possess the leisure to sightsee under such circumstances suggested Ye Jingyu’s mental fortitude had reached an extraordinary level...

Of course, this did not imply Ye Jingyu was truly unconcerned with the Yuanling Sect. On the contrary, he understood precisely what a terrifying entity such an organization was, and finding their weak points would be difficult, even if he entered Tianyuan City directly...

Moreover, throughout the journey, while Ye Jingyu and his companions appeared to be traveling for pleasure, they were actually tracking clues regarding the Yuanling Sect’s movements, information provided by the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and the Mingyan Tower...

Miaocheng was one intended stop on their itinerary...

Stepping onto the docks and into Miaocheng, walking along the bustling street amidst the throng of people, Luo Linger’s face was alight with excitement. Having grown up in the imperial palace, the scenery along the way had thrilled her to no end, and now, seeing so many people and all manner of curious objects, it was only natural she should be excited...

“Little Ye Zi, look, what is that? How beautiful…” Suddenly, Luo Linger pointed toward a shop not far away...

Ye Jingyu and the others looked up. It was a flower shop, and displayed prominently near the entrance was a large stand holding a vividly blue and green peacock. It seemed to have been stimulated by something, spreading its tail feathers—an unmistakable peacock display...

“That’s a peacock, an animal that lives in the Southern Barrens,” Ye Jingyu explained with a faint smile, though a pang of melancholy struck him. A peacock wasn't particularly rare, but for Princess Luo Linger, a royal of her stature, to see one for the first time suggested how sheltered, perhaps even harsh, her past had been...

“Oh, so that’s a peacock. It really is that pretty! No wonder Big Brother always calls you a peacock!”

“Ugh…” Ye Jingyu nearly choked. How had he become a peacock? While he admitted to being somewhat handsome...

His face immediately darkened, and he shot Liang Xiaoke a look filled with displeasure. He called me a peacock? Peacocks are beautiful, yes, but that word carries another implication, doesn't it?

“Heh, sister-in-law, there’s something delicious over there. Big Brother will run and get some for you. You all wait here for me!” Sensing Ye Jingyu’s hostile gaze, Liang Xiaoke chuckled, then bolted away... After running several dozen paces, he could no longer restrain himself and burst into loud laughter...

“Huh? Why is Big Brother so enthusiastic today? Usually, he has Little Linzi go buy things for me. And what is he laughing about?” Luo Linger looked puzzled by Liang Xiaoke's sudden offer to fetch treats...

“Don’t mind that lunatic. Let’s go look around elsewhere!” Ye Jingyu said viciously, cursing Liang Xiaoke soundly in his heart. What exactly had that scoundrel taught Luo Linger?...

“No, Little Ye Zi, this peacock is as beautiful as you are. Let’s buy it! From now on, I’ll call you Peacock Ye, okay?” Unexpectedly, Luo Linger looked up at Ye Jingyu with pure innocence, her small hands clutching and shaking Ye Jingyu’s arm...

The muscles in Ye Jingyu’s face twitched violently. He hated Liang Xiaoke enough to kill him and was about to change the subject when a loud shout suddenly cut through the air...

Luo Linger also noticed the shout. Together with Ye Jingyu, they turned their gaze toward the noise and saw a crowd gathered, seemingly watching some sort of performance...

“Little Ye Zi, there looks like something fun happening over there. Let’s go see!” Luo Linger immediately forgot all about the peacock, grabbed Ye Jingyu’s wrist, and dashed toward the crowd...