Immortal Paladin

052 Farewell, Yellow Dragon City

052 Farewell, Yellow Dragon City

By first light, the city stirred. The festival’s remnants—discarded lanterns, empty bottles, and torn banners—littered the streets. Yet, despite the mess, there was a sense of peace. People moved with purpose, sweeping away debris, washing the roads, and setting things right as if nothing had happened.

I stood atop the city wall, looking down at the scene. Jiang Zhen stood to my right, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Ren Jin was on my left, still as ever, the prince watching the city he ruled with quiet calculation.

Jiang Zhen exhaled. "Be careful on your travels," he said. No jokes, no riddles, no jabs. Just that.

I turned to Ren Jin. "And you?"

Ren Jin gave me a sidelong glance. "Ren Xun will guide you to the Empire. Do as you like with him."

That was... harsh. "Isn't he your son?" I asked, raising a brow.

"He is," Ren Jin admitted, "but he is also your responsibility now. His fate is in your hands."

I didn't know whether to be honored or concerned. Probably both.

That was too callous of him.

I turned back to Jiang Zhen, finding myself hesitating. "Thanks," I said finally. "For everything. For your hospitality. And for your friendship."

Jiang Zhen scoffed. "You're probably the only person who'd act so sentimental."

But then, he did something unexpected—he called me by my name. "David," he said, without stuttering, without hesitation. “Be careful out there, turbulent times are coming. If anything, I’d be bummed if you suddenly croak out one day.”

It was the first time he'd said my name properly. That practically made him the first person who addressed me by my name in this strange world. I blinked. Then, I smiled. "You got it right."

Jiang Zhen rolled his eyes. "Of course I did."

I had no idea what it was like to be unable to say certain syllables or to have an accent that couldn't be helped. Assigned vernaculars aside, I appreciated the effort.

The boat hovered just a short distance away, waiting. Lu Gao stood near the edge, looking contemplative. Ren Xun was at the controls, calm and composed. Gu Jie, holding a large bowl filled with water, carefully cradled Ren Jingyi—the goldfish—inside it.

The vessel itself was sleek, more like a speedboat than the grand flying ships I had imagined. It had a single deck, wide enough to comfortably fit a dozen people, but it lacked a roof. I glanced at Ren Jin. "No cover?"

He folded his hands behind his back. "The Floating Dragon has formations that repel rain," he said. "And it has withstood an attack from a Fifth Realm cultivator before."

That caught my interest. "A Fifth Realm cultivator?" I asked. "And it survived?"

Okay, to be fair, I had no idea how strong a Fifth Realm attack was at full force.

Ren Jin nodded. "Barely. It’s not indestructible, but it will serve you well."

I studied the boat again, its hull lined with faint golden inscriptions, the edges shimmering faintly with protective energy. A well-crafted artifact, no doubt.

I turned back to the two men standing beside me. "Governor Ren Jin," I said, addressing him formally.

Then, I looked at Jiang Zhen and grinned. "Jiang Zhen."

No ‘Changcheng’ this time.

He raised a brow. "Oh? Dropping the name-calling now, are we?"

I shrugged. "You’re an interesting person. Your sensibilities match mine more than I expected." I exhaled. "I thought I’d struggle interacting with cultivators, but you made it easier. Or maybe this region is nice and chill like that."

Jiang Zhen smirked, folding his arms. "That so?"

"Yeah," I said simply. "I was fortunate to meet someone like you."

So, in short, it was a game of patience versus risk. We could rush and fight our way through, or we could move carefully and take advantage of the warp cooldowns.

I exhaled. “I see. Guess we’ll have to decide along the way.”

Ren Xun gave a slight nod. “As you wish, senior.”

There wasn’t a hiding spot in this desert even if I wanted one. The sand stretched endlessly in every direction, shimmering under the relentless sun. The occasional jagged rock formation provided no real cover, and the air wavered with heat mirages.

I turned away from the barren landscape and glanced at my companions. “How are you two holding up?”

Gu Jie stood with a composed posture, her black robes undisturbed by the occasional gust of wind. She was holding Ren Jingyi, my goldfish, in a large bowl of water. The little fish swam in circles, not particularly impressed with the desert heat. I walked over and plucked some lettuce from my Item Box, feeding it to her.

Gu Jie spoke up. “Master, I am doing just fine. I have raised my cultivation to another star.”

That was fast. I paused for a second before nodding. “Good for you.”

Lu Gao, who had been standing a few paces away, looked hesitant before speaking. “If you have orders for me, please tell me so... and while late, I wish to know—how does senior wish to be addressed?”

I blinked at him. “Whatever suits you. Preferably, my name.”

Lu Gao visibly tensed at that answer. He shifted awkwardly, glancing at Gu Jie as if to confirm something before looking back at me. It was the difference in culture at work. He wasn’t used to addressing someone who had power over him by name.

After a moment’s hesitation, he finally said, “I shall address you as Master... then...”

I shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

I let go of Ren Jingyi, watching as the goldfish swam a few slow laps around her bowl before settling near the surface. She seemed content. Meanwhile, Gu Jie and Lu Gao returned to their own corners of the boat. Gu Jie continued her quiet writing, while Lu Gao sat cross-legged, his breathing even. Probably meditating. Trying to find his center in all of this.

I leaned back and flipped through another book. There was still a ridiculous amount of reading left to do, but I had to put a dent in it somehow. Gu Jie had gathered these for me, after all.

Speaking of Gu Jie—

"Hey, Gu Jie, what’s Old Song like?"

Gu Jie looked up from the small notebook she had been scribbling in. Ren Jingyi floated lazily beside her, swishing her tail. The girl tapped her brush against the edge of the inkstone, thinking.

"He wanted me to join the Guild as a staff member," she finally said.

I raised a brow. "Judging by how I found you, you didn’t accept. Why?"

She exhaled slowly. "He is underestimating my constitution. My bloodline ability is malicious just by existing. What happens to the civilians he puts with me if they brush with the bad luck I’ve accumulated?"

That was... fair.

She hesitated, then added, "In fact, I was doubtful of even coming here, Master. I attract trouble after all. Regardless of how good my cultivation technique is, I am damaged goods. If you were to decide to abandon me, I will not hold it against you."

I laughed.

Gu Jie blinked, looking genuinely confused.

I raised a hand in apology. "Sorry, sorry. It’s just—" I shook my head. "You’re so serious you might as well be raising flags."

She didn’t get the reference, but the frown she sent me made it clear she wasn’t thrilled with my reaction.

I sighed and leaned back. "Don’t worry about it. We’ll be fine."

Would we?

Maybe my optimism was getting the better of me.