Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang blinked their eyes repeatedly, one looking confused, the other completely muddled.
Everyone was pretending to understand.
The truth had been laid out clearly, and they knew the real story.
How could they not understand? They realized why the Qi family was wary and felt quite pleased.
After being falsely accused, they didn't expect the situation would turn in their favor.
Their misfortune had turned into a blessing, and the storm clouds over their future had cleared.
In hindsight, ending up in jail and enduring torture seemed worthwhile.
At that moment, a worker from the building ran up, glanced at everyone, and reported, "Mistress, the restriction on Eternal Dawn City has been lifted, and the pathway to the outside has reopened. We can ship our prepared cargo anytime."
Lan Qiaoyan nodded slightly, stood up, and commanded, "Let's move out then."
"Yes," Old Tan agreed, then looked at Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang.
"Are you two coming along, or planning to stay and hang out a bit more?"
Wu Jinliang quickly responded, "Let's go, let's go."
Shi Chun also nodded, "Let's go together, let's go together."
This wretched place, all grievances have been settled, all punishments have been endured.
They didn't want to stay a moment longer.
They had longed for the legendary world outside, and their eyes were filled with anticipation.
Thankfully, they remained clear-headed.
Shi Chun plastered a practiced gentle smile on his face, bowed to Lan Qiaoyan, and said, "Thank you, Mistress, for your care over the years. Shi Chun bids farewell now; I'll repay your great kindness in the future!"
"Um..."
Wu Jinliang hesitated, then boldly called out, "Mom, I'm leaving. Take care. I'll also repay your great kindness in the future!" He lowered his head, picked up the large knife he just laid down, and dared not look up.
Still daring to call me 'Mom'? Lan Qiaoyan rolled her eyes again.
She wanted to scold him, but for some inexplicable reason, the big guy's call of 'Mom' made her nose sour slightly.
She pursed her lips—a peculiar feeling indeed.
She uncharacteristically refrained from scolding the big guy further, turned to the window, and with her back to them, said, "Life outside is better, but people always crave too much. Take care of yourselves on the road ahead. Alright, you all can go. Old Tan, lead them out."
"Yes."
Old Tan agreed, then gestured for the two to follow.
The crew from Bowang Pavilion didn't number many, just ten, seemingly empty-handed without carrying anything.
Old Tan handed Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang over to them, personally escorting them to the entrance of Weng Fortress.
Only then did he return.
Turning back, he found Lan Qiaoyan was also there, with an ironworker covered in tattoos standing beside her.
Old Tan was a bit surprised.
It was one thing for the mistress to be concerned about the cargo, but why was the ironworker here?
He approached and before he spoke, Lan Qiaoyan explained, "The ironworker said he wished to send the big guy off."
Old Tan was puzzled, glancing up and down at the ironworker.
"Send Wu Jinliang off? When did you and that big guy become so close?"
The ironworker snorted, "Nope, no bond. Years ago, when he commissioned that big knife, I told him it was too heavy and unwieldy—an invitation for trouble in this land of exile. But he said I was wrong and that it contained a secret to survival. I didn't believe him then, and we made a bet. He said I'd understand the day he left alive. The bet was that I'd see him off in person when he left."
Old Tan, now more intrigued, asked, "So you lost the bet?"
The ironworker replied irritably, "Lost to his shamelessness."
Old Tan was curious, "Tell me, what's the life-saving secret in that big knife?"
The ironworker chuckled, exasperated.
"When he came to the forge saying goodbye, he finally revealed it. He forgot our bet but remembered after I reminded him. Annoyingly, upon remembering, he backtracked and said it was a joke, but I insisted, and he spilled the truth."
At the word "truth," his expression twisted slightly.
Lan Qiaoyan, equally curious, urged, "Go on, what was it?"
The ironworker snorted, shaking his head, "He said despite participating in countless battles, he always jumped out first, rallying the charge with shouts. Everyone praised his bravery, but in reality, he was always the last to charge in. Everyone understood since his knife was too heavy for him to run fast."
Lan Qiaoyan and Old Tan fell silent, instantly understanding.
Especially Lan Qiaoyan, shivering at the thought—the one who just called her 'Mom' could do this.
She felt embarrassed for feeling sentimental earlier and following the ironworker to see him off.
"He claims staying at the back allows him to avoid strong enemies, choosing favorable opponents. He credits his survival to that treasured knife. He even asked me to keep it a secret. Maybe teach it to someone I find agreeable in this exile land someday. That shameless rascal, I concede to him. I lost the bet, so I honored it by seeing him off, but he didn't even remember. I got here too late to even see his back, just caught a glimpse of his backside."
"Never mind," Old Tan advised, unable to hold back his laughter.
"Perhaps it's not forgetfulness. The City Guards gave him quite the ordeal beforehand; he was thoroughly beaten up—a forgetfulness from all he endured is understandable."
"Hmph," the ironworker muttered, walking away.
Lan Qiaoyan looked up at the sky, maintaining a stiff expression, before departing.
Only Old Tan lingered by the gate, keeping watch in case of unexpected problems.
Back at Bowang Pavilion, Lan Qiaoyan found a distinguished guest inside.
Du Huoguan stood alone by the window, the window's shadows cast on his face.
She dismissed the staff with a wave, smiling, "What brings the Prison Overseer here?"
Du Huoguan didn't turn, his back facing her, "In these twelve cities of imprisonment, you probably understand things more intimately than even I do. That's the skill of Bowang Pavilion. You generally don't meddle in matters beyond business, especially those involving the City Guards. You're not one to speak recklessly. Since you mentioned that batch of goods, you must know how it got in. Tell me, who is the traitor within the City Guards?"
Lan Qiaoyan's smile vanished.
After a flicker of emotion, she forced a smile, "You're flattering me, Overseer. I truly don't know."
Du Huoguan replied, "I came alone to keep this discreet. Feel free to speak your mind."
Lan Qiaoyan smiled, resolutely replying, "Truly, I don't know."
Du Huoguan abruptly turned, coldly staring at her, "I showed you respect by coming. If this is how you conduct business, it won't last long."
Lan Qiaoyan fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "You already have a suspect in mind. Why trouble me? I truly don't know."
A thoughtful look crossed Du Huoguan's eyes, and without another word, he strode away.
Lan Qiaoyan bid farewell courteously.
Inside Weng Fortress, the delivery crew from Bowang Pavilion produced Universe Pouches hidden on their bodies, spilling out copious items for inspection.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged glances.
It wasn't their first time seeing a Universe Pouch; they had witnessed Qi Ziru using one before.
Compared to Bowang Pavilion's substantial goods, inspected slowly, they had just a small amount.
A simple spell was enough for inspection.
Following instructions, they proceeded to a small office at the foot of the wall.
An old man with a white beard sat inside, verifying their identities, ensuring the recorded merits were correct.
Both had accumulated precisely six thousand merits—not more, not less.
They allocated the others to people from the Eastern Nine Plains, keeping only a round number for themselves.
The required number of merits for departure was five thousand even.
Once they confirmed the amount, the old man brought out a large roll of what seemed like soft white silk.
He unfurled a portion on the desk, revealing densely aligned gold flakes.
Each gold flake was uniform in size, like osmanthus petals—gold with a hint of purple flame aura.
Their eyes brightened, recognizing what they'd heard of for ages but never seen: the currency used in the cultivation world called Southern Sandalwood Gold, commonly known as Sandalwood Gold.
The inherent purple flame aura not only verified authenticity but was also integral to crafting treasures and usable for illumination—a single flake enough to light up a dark room.
The old man pointed to the gold flakes on the silk, demonstrating, "One hundred pieces make a strip. I'll cut sixty strips for you, totaling six thousand gold."
With a swift motion, he cut off sixty strips, starting with Wu Jinliang, ensuring an accurate count and signature on the spot, as discrepancies found later held no accountability here.
The same went for Shi Chun, who received sixty strips after confirmation.
After expressing gratitude, both waited for the Bowang Pavilion crew to depart with them.
Despite Lan Qiaoyan's assurance that the Qi family wouldn't dare make a move, who could be sure of their awareness? The two decided it was safer to wait.
Bowang Pavilion's cargo was considerable, and the two waited over an hour before finally setting off together.
The exit was through a broad corridor leading deeper into the fortress, dimming further until pitch black.
Yet a white light always shone from the front.
While Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang walked this path for the first time, they'd heard endless tales of it.
That white light signified the exit to the outside world.
Their hearts surged with excitement and anticipation as they moved closer...
(End of Volume 1. Preview for Volume 2: Unmoving as a Mountain!)
(End of Chapter)