All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

On the way, Zhong Ling spoke first: "Wow! Dali City is so lively!"

She excitedly tugged at Mu Wanqing's sleeve, "Sister Mu, look! There are sugar figurines for sale over there! And there are acrobatic performers over there!"

Mu Wanqing was helpless as she was being pulled, but she couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Zhang Cheng walked closer and said, "Don't look at it yet. We need to find the second brother first."

He paused, then explained, "If he followed Young Master Duan into the Prince's residence, we'll go directly there; if he didn't go in, we'll meet up with him first, and then go to pay our respects to the Prince of Zhennan."

Following the directions of his allies in his mind, he led everyone to the front of an impressive mansion.

The gate of the mansion was vermilion, with a high lintel bearing four large characters: Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

Zhang Cheng turned to the crowd and said, "It seems the second brother has already moved in."

Having said that, he stepped forward a few paces and bowed to the two guards at the gate:

"My name is Zhang Cheng, a native of Weizhou in the Great Song Dynasty. I am acquainted with the heir of your esteemed household. I would be grateful if you could help me convey my message."

The two guards exchanged a glance.

The guards of the Prince's Palace were not ordinary citizens, so "minor chivalrous reputation" had no effect on them.

However, the group in front of them had an extraordinary demeanor, unlike ordinary people in the martial arts world; moreover, their young master had only recently returned, and it was said that he had experienced a lot outside, so it was only natural that he would make some friends.

Not daring to delay, one of them nodded, turned around, and went inside to announce the news.

Before long, he jogged back and bowed to Zhang Cheng, saying:

"Mr. Zhang, gentlemen—the Crown Prince requests your presence."

The four handed the black rose to the royal guards who came to greet them, and then followed the directions of another guard as they walked into the mansion.

As soon as they passed through the hanging flower gate and entered the front yard, they saw Duan Yu coming towards them, with Yue Laosan, who was still covering his face, by his side.

"Gentlemen, we meet again." Duan Yu didn't put on any airs of a prince. Upon hearing that Zhang Cheng and the others had come to visit, he took the initiative to go out and greet them.

When her gaze fell on Duan Yanqing at the very back, she paused slightly, "Huh, who is this gentleman? He looks quite unfamiliar."

Duan Yanqing seemed not to have heard.

From the moment he saw Duan Yu, his thoughts drifted away—this is my child? His features do indeed bear some resemblance to his mother.

He has had a facial disability for many years, and he never shows his emotions. To outsiders, he just appears to be standing still, not saying a word.

"Hey!" Seeing the newcomer's attitude, Yue Laosan was not happy.

He stepped forward and reached out to grab Duan Yanqing's shoulder: "My apprentice is talking to you! Didn't you hear him?"

Duan Yanqing was interrupted by his voice, turned around and glared at him coldly.

Yue Laosan himself was eccentric, but his intuition was as sharp as a wild beast.

He abruptly pulled his hand back halfway, flipped himself backward, and instantly created a distance of more than ten feet, his eyes fixed warily on Duan Yanqing.

Duan Yu, puzzled, asked, "Second Master, what are you doing?"

Yue Laosan reached out and pulled Duan Yu behind him, lowering his voice to say, "Be careful! This guy is a master!"

Duan Yu stumbled a step as he was pulled along, somewhat helplessly: "Second Master, this is a friend brought by Zhang Zhuangshi. Aren't you quite familiar with Zhang Zhuangshi...?"

Duan Yanqing had calmed down by now.

He activated his One-Finger Divine Skill, using his internal energy to vibrate Yue Laosan's eardrums, and secretly transmitted his voice, saying, "Laosan, it's me."

"Huh!?" Yue Laosan suddenly heard his boss's voice, but couldn't see him. He quickly looked around.

"I am right in front of you. Do not make a sound, and do not reveal my identity."

Yue Laosan was stunned. He was about to obey the other party's orders when he suddenly realized that he had been forced to switch sides and was no longer under the other party's command.

Moreover, it seems that Boss Duan and the Dali Duan family have a deep-seated feud, and for him to appear at his "disciple's" house at this moment is likely very bad. Furthermore, Zhang Cheng is traveling with him, and his attitude is unclear…

He immediately pulled Duan Yu even closer, turning to him and asking in a low voice, "Where are your father and those guards?"

He arrived at the Prince's mansion ahead of Zhang Cheng and the others, and had already fought with all the experts in the mansion.

"They went with my mother to pay their respects to my uncle and aunt," Duan Yu replied.

Upon hearing this, Yue Laosan slapped himself on the forehead.

"Then why didn't you come along?!" he said in a low voice, sounding exasperated.

Duan Yu was even more confused: "I figured that Zhang Zhuangshi should have arrived in the next few days, so I've been waiting at home to make sure I don't miss him."

Seeing that reinforcements were out of the question and unsure of the current situation, Yue Laosan dared not make a sound. He could only secretly resolve that if a fight broke out, he would definitely find a way to protect his apprentice.

While he was lost in thought, Zhong Ling came over to him.

With her hands behind her back, she tilted her head and sized up Duan Yu, grinning as she said, "Silly boy, I didn't expect you to actually be the heir of the Prince of Zhennan's mansion. I couldn't tell."

"Shouldn't princes usually have a grand entourage? How come you didn't even bring any guards earlier? If it weren't for our help, you would have almost died on Wuliang Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Duan Yu looked embarrassed: "Last time I secretly slipped out of the house. My father wanted to teach me martial arts, but I refused. He pressed me too hard, so I had no choice but to run away."

When I arrived in Pu'er, I was out of money. Hearing that Master Ma Wude was very hospitable, I went to his house for a meal. Later, we traveled together to Wuliang Mountain, and you all know what happened after that.

Duan Yanqing, who was standing nearby, was unaware of this matter. Upon hearing that Duan Yu had almost died in Wuliang Mountain, his gaze sharpened.

Of all the people, only Yue Laosan, who had been watching him closely since earlier, noticed this change and secretly felt that something was wrong.

Duan Yu skipped over his embarrassing moment, waving his hand and saying, "Forget it, let's not talk about that. Please rest here for a while. My father and mother have gone to visit your uncle and aunt and won't be back until later."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Ling's eyes lit up: "Then shall we take a stroll around Dali City first?"

She turned to look at Zhang Cheng and Mu Wanqing, "How was it, Brother Zhang, Sister Mu?"

Zhang Cheng shook his head: "You guys go ahead. Mr. Duan and I have something to discuss."

Zhong Ling then turned to look at Mu Wanqing, who looked absent-minded and seemed lost in thought.

She moved closer to Mu Wanqing and whispered, "Sister Mu? What's wrong?"

Mu Wanqing snapped out of her daze and shook her head to indicate that she was alright.

Zhong Ling glanced at Mu Wanqing, then at Zhang Cheng, and sighed like a little adult:

"Alright, alright, then I won't go. Let's all stay here at the manor."

Hearing Zhang Cheng's earlier words, Duan Yu turned to Duan Yanqing and asked, "Is this gentleman also surnamed Duan? Where is he from?"

Duan Yanqing glanced at him and slowly said, "I am also from Dali. It's just that I've been away from home for a long time and haven't returned here for quite some time."

Duan Yu said "Oh" and glanced at Duan Yanqing again.

This gentleman looked young, but his hair was already gray. He had an extraordinary demeanor and was called a master by Yue Laosan. He was truly a remarkable person.

He didn't ask any more questions, but simply told his servants to arrange rooms for the group.

"Please rest for now," Duan Yu said, bowing to the group. "When my father returns, I will host a welcome feast for you all."