Chapter Seventy-Three: Reunion with an Old Acquaintance

After descending the stairs, Xue Chengyu's subordinate came to report, "Young Master, yesterday someone shot one of our soldiers, and there was a note left behind." With a respectful gesture, he presented the bloodstained note to Xue Chengyu.

The note clearly showed signs of burning, with the words, "Xue Chengyu, I will take your life."

Xue Chengyu's face turned pale, and he instantly crushed the note, roaring, "Yun Chuxue, I'm waiting for you!"

After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Where's the body? What weapon was used?"

"I don't know, but in the blink of an eye, that soldier turned into ashes."

Xue Chengyu pondered for a moment and vaguely guessed, "Alright, you may leave."

In the main hall of the Young Master's mansion, several powerful spiritual realm experts walked in looking disheveled.

"How did it go? Did you catch up with Yun Chuxue and the Zejin Qin?"

"Reporting to the Young Master, we were no match. She... she escaped."

Xue Chengyu smashed a glass on the ground and yelled, "Incompetents! All of you are incompetent! Get out!"

Xue Chengyu clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth as he said fiercely, "Yun Chuxue, just wait for me. When my martial arts reach their peak, I will kill you."

Immediately afterward, Xue Chengyu snapped his fingers, and a figure in black suddenly appeared from the shadows.

"Hurry to the Eastern Yu Empire and the Northern Xun Empire, inform the envoys of these two empires that Yun Chuxue has obtained two of the major artifacts, tell them to be careful."

"Yes, I'll do it immediately."

With that, the figure in black disappeared.

At this moment, Yun Chuxue was on her way to her second target. At her maximum speed, it would take her at least a month to reach the city on the border of the Eastern Yu Empire - Huaique City.

One month passed quickly, and Yun Chuxue, disguised, successfully entered Huaique City and arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.

Just as she was about to enter, the guards of the City Lord's Mansion stopped her.

"Idle people, please step aside. This is the City Lord's Mansion."

Yun Chuxue disdainfully said, "Tell Huaiyang that an old friend has come."

"Could you please tell me the name?"

It was the first time Yun Chuxue had seen a soldier being so polite, so naturally, she couldn't be rude herself.

"Xue, go."

"Uh... okay, I'll inform him."

With that, a soldier went inside.

In the City Lord's Mansion, a middle-aged man in formal attire was sitting in the courtyard, enjoying the cool breeze and drinking tea. But at this moment, he seemed worried, as if fretting over something.

"Master, there's someone outside who wants to see you, claiming to be an old friend."

Huaiyang set down his teacup. "What's the name? What does she look like?"

"Master, the person only mentioned the name 'Xue,' wearing a bamboo hat and a mask, so I couldn't see her face clearly."

"Let her in."

"Yes."

The soldier hurried to the door and said politely to Yun Chuxue, "Madam, the City Lord requests your presence."

Yun Chuxue walked to the door, and the soldier wanted to lead her, but Yun Chuxue waved her hand. "No need, I'm familiar with this place. I'll go by myself."

"Alright."

With that, Yun Chuxue entered by herself.

Upon entering the courtyard, Yun Chuxue looked at the familiar surroundings and couldn't help but sigh, "Such a familiar feeling. Huaiyang, now that you've seen me, aren't you going to greet me?"

Yun Chuxue took off her mask, looking at Huaiyang.

Huaiyang stood up, smiling. "We haven't seen each other for so many years. Are you well?"

Yun Chuxue walked in leisurely, sat down, and had a cup of tea. "Sit, let's talk."

"Alright."

"You asked me if I've been well recently. During these years of my disappearance, have you ever looked for me? When I lost my memory and was threatened by the major empires and sects, did you help me?"

Huaiyang remained silent, and Yun Chuxue continued, "Are you still unwilling to let go of your power? Is being a city lord so enjoyable for you?"

Huaiyang chuckled lightly, "Yes, I indeed cannot let go of my power, but I cannot let go of you either. When I heard that you were being pursued by the Spirit Master's Mansion, with my humble power, how could I possibly contend with such influence? Huaique City is not even considered a third-rate power. I could only secretly search for you, but to no avail. I could only hope for your safety. Until a few years ago, when it was said that Su Xue'er was you, I didn't believe it. I sent people to sneak into the Spirit Master's Mansion, but they were discovered by their hidden guards and all perished. Recently, I heard that you caused a disturbance in the Western Cloud Empire and reshaped it. Is that true?"

"It is true, but you know my purpose, don't you?"

"Just the Four Symbols Artifacts. I guess you know I have one of them too."

"I couldn't believe it. You're actually a member of the Demon Sect," Yun Chuxue said fiercely, glaring at Huaiyang.

"Yes, I couldn't believe it myself. But my love for you is definitely real, I won't lie to you about that."

"Alright, give me the artifact, and I won't pursue the matter of you killing Tang Mingyuan."

"Tang Mingyuan wasn't killed by me. I wasn't involved..."

Yun Chuxue interrupted Huaiyang, "Wasn't it someone from your Demon Sect?"

"Yes," Huaiyang lowered his gaze, unable to meet Yun Chuxue's eyes directly.

"With my current strength, taking the artifact from you is as easy as pie. We both know how strong Huaique City is."

"Alright."

With that, Huaiyang took out one of the Four Symbols Artifacts, the Xun Xian Fan, and just as he was about to hand it to Yun Chuxue, a figure in black suddenly emerged.

"Huaiyang, you've got some nerve," the figure said, but before he could snatch it, a powerful force instantly struck him, reducing him to nothing but debris.

Yun Chuxue quickly took the Xun Xian Fan and wielded her Snow Moon Sword, scanning her surroundings. "Who's there?"

Yun Chuxue called out, but there was no response. She then asked Ink, who was in the Spiritual Sea, "Ink, did you sense anyone nearby?"

"I didn't notice. This person's strength is extremely powerful. Whether he's helping you or someone else, I have no way of knowing."

Seeing no one around, Huaiyang said, "That force just now was extraordinary. I wonder who that expert is."

"You should focus on your own safety. I'll be leaving now," Yun Chuxue said as she departed, leaving Huaiyang looking after her with reluctance.

Yun Chuxue spent a month traveling to her final destination - Di Dong City.

Because here, she had a good friend from her past - Yao Wu. She was angry that, besides Tang Xiaotian, the other three bearers of the Four Symbols Artifacts turned out to be her former friends. She hadn't expected someone with such power to be able to mobilize them to snatch the keys.

Upon reaching Di Dong City, Yun Chuxue marveled at the bustling city and the dense flow of people at the city gate. Over the years, Di Dong City had developed rapidly and was no longer the small, rundown city it used to be.

"It's been a long time. I didn't expect Di Dong City to develop so rapidly under Yao Wu's leadership," Yun Chuxue sighed as she walked through the streets, reminiscing.

As Yun Chuxue was strolling down memory lane, she felt the presence of people around her. Vigilantly looking around, when she walked into a deep alley, a group of people suddenly emerged. These people were dressed in black, clearly working in secret.

Yun Chuxue sneered, "One at the Mid-Spirit Realm, three at the Early Spirit Realm, and five at the Peak of the Spirit Saint Realm. What? Did Yao Wu send you to kill me?"

The person at the Mid-Spirit Realm smiled and said, "You misunderstand, I'm the City Lord's younger brother, Yao Tian. My sister sent me to welcome you. She said it's been a long time since she last saw you and misses you greatly."

"How did you recognize me?" Yun Chuxue slowly removed her mask.

"Your aura is as thunderous as thunder, how could I not know," he replied.

"Oh? Alright, I'll accompany you then."

With that, Yao Tian led Yun Chuxue towards the City Lord's Mansion.