Immortals Step into Heaven

The next morning, a light mist enveloped the area outside Shangxing Village, creating a stillness so tranquil that time seemed to have stood still. Two figures loomed in the woods: Zheng Yuan and Zhao Linger. Zheng Yuan was sturdy, his steps steady and powerful, his gaze alert and resolute. Every step he took seemed to establish a tacit understanding with the forest, so as not to disturb the birds nesting nearby. Zhao Linger, on the other hand, moved with graceful steps, her gaze curiously roaming among the surrounding trees, flowers, and plants. Occasionally, she would pause and gently touch a dew-covered leaf, sending tiny splashes of water shimmering in the morning light. Zheng Yuan would occasionally pause, turning back to gaze tenderly at Zhao Linger. Once she caught up, he would continue on his way, their figures gradually disappearing into the depths of the woods.

On the winding ancient road, their figures were stretched out in the afterglow of the setting sun. They had walked silently, yet they had already walked hundreds of miles together. At this moment, Zhao Linger's lotus steps lightly stopped, her clear eyes filled with reluctance to leave. She bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth and whispered, "Brother Xiaoyuan." Linger will take you here. The journey ahead is long and arduous. Linger wishes you a safe journey and all the best.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuan paused, then turned around, looked at Ling'er seriously, and said, "Ling'er, are you willing to go with me to see the outside world? The world is vast, with prosperous scenery and unique customs.

Ling'er's eyes lit up instantly, and she exclaimed in surprise, "What? Brother Xiaoyuan, are you serious? Are you really willing to take Ling'er out?" Her voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement and joy, as clear as a silver bell swaying in the wind. Her face was filled with a brilliant smile, like a blooming spring flower, and her eyes sparkled with a brilliant light, like the brightest star in the night sky.

Zheng Yuan looked at Ling'er like this, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose slightly with a doting smile, and then he nodded slightly.

Ling'er jumped up with excitement, like a happy little deer. She couldn't wait to grab Zheng Yuan's hand and said, "Brother Xiaoyuan, when are we leaving? I want to see the flowers all over the mountains and listen to the gurgling stream.

Zheng Yuan gently raised his slender, bony hand and patted Ling'er's round shoulder. A smile as warm and gentle as the winter sun lit up his face, his eyes filled with patience and fondness. He said softly, "Little Ling'er, don't worry. Our first stop on this journey is Yucheng." Back then, I was just a naive, green boy, leaving the village, filled with curiosity and longing for the outside world. And the first truly prosperous place I set foot in was Yucheng.

There, by chance, I met the deputy head of the Huwei Escort Agency. At that time, I was new to the world of martial arts, and everything felt unfamiliar and new to me. Fortunately, meeting him gave me some confidence. I remember once, while on a mission to Yunzhou City, we were ambushed by a group of fierce robbers. The scene was chaotic, and everyone was scattered in the melee. He and I were forced to escape. Time, like the rippling water, passed by quickly. I wonder if they are still in Yucheng after all these years, how many survived that disaster, and whether Brother Liu, who I always care about, is still alive and well.

Ling'er blinked her bright, watery eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering, and asked curiously, "Tiger Power Escort Agency? Wow, aren't there a lot of majestic and skilled escorts there? Brother Xiao Yuan, besides these, have you had any other interesting experiences in Yucheng?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuan slowly fell into deep recollection, as if the scenes were replaying before his eyes. He said slowly, "Yucheng, it was truly bustling. The city had wide, flat streets, densely packed with shops. I still remember a unique restaurant there called Chaxiangji. The beef there was truly exceptional, with a rich, mellow flavor that left a lasting impression. I once went there with Brother Liu to feast on it, and the taste remains unforgettable."

Ling'er listened intently, a smile unconsciously appearing on the corner of her mouth, "Brother Xiao Yuan, when we get to Yucheng, we must go to Chaxiangji again to try it. Maybe we can even get some information about the Huwei Escort Agency."

Zheng Yuan nodded in agreement. "I don't know what I'll encounter on this trip to Yucheng, but I'll definitely give it a try. If I can find my old friends, that would be great. If not, it'll be like revisiting an old place and reliving the good old days."

Arriving in Yucheng, the city remained bustling with activity, bustling with people and traffic. Zheng Yuan and Ling'er wandered through the familiar streets, but things had changed, and a sense of melancholy filled their hearts. They soon found Chaxiangji, where the restaurant was still packed and bustling with activity.

Zheng Yuan and Ling'er found an empty seat and sat down, ordering the signature beef. When the beef arrived, the aroma filled his nose. Zheng Yuan took a bite, and the taste was exactly the same as he remembered. He asked the waiter about the Huwei Escort Agency. The waiter frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "I did hear about the Huwei Escort Agency a few years ago, but the martial arts world has been turbulent in recent years. It seems that after a trip, the escort agency's staff never returned. The remaining staff have scattered, and I'm not sure where they went."

Zheng Yuan felt disappointed, but that was also to be expected. After dinner, he and Ling'er continued their exploration of the city, arriving at the former site of the Huwei Escort Agency. The gate was closed, its brass lock rusted. Peering through the crack in the door, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds, a desolate scene.

Ling'er whispered soothingly, "Brother Xiaoyuan, even though we haven't found them, maybe they're living well somewhere else." Zheng Yuan smiled wryly, "I hope so. Life in the martial arts world is unpredictable, and I just hope they're safe and sound."

Although they didn't achieve their intended goal, this trip to Yucheng gave Zheng Yuan and Ling'er a deeper understanding of the unpredictable nature of the martial arts world. They decided to take a break and found an inn in Yucheng to stay.

The night was as dark as ink, shrouding Yucheng. Zheng Yuan and Zhao Ling'er, clad in black nightgowns, crept silently towards the City Lord's Mansion like ghosts in the darkness. Zheng Yuan's mind raced, vividly recalling the past ambush by the City Lord's Mansion and the Wang family. Now, with Ling'er by his side, a top-tier expert, this operation offered her a chance to gain practical combat experience.

Their bodies were nimble, and they flew across the rooftops at high speed, leaving only the slightest rustle of their clothes. The lights in the City Lord's Mansion were brightly lit, and patrolling guards shuttled back and forth, watching their surroundings vigilantly. Zheng Yuan's eyes were cold, and he gestured to Ling'er, telling her to hide her presence first and look for the best opportunity to sneak in. Ling'er nodded slightly, and the two of them hid in the shadows.