Chapter 36

Soon afterwards, Le Finn summoned Le Pyan, Le Xaan's eldest uncle, a Deputy Commander within the stationed army in Gourian City, to discuss some issues.

The Le family, whose influence was so deeply rooted into Gourian City, was not solely anchored by Le Finn. Le Pyan, having climbed the ranks of the military with Le Finn's backing, also contributed significantly to the family's standing.

The two men stayed for a long time in the main hall before Le Pyan took his leave.

Le Xaan, though staying all day round in his room, was able to glean adequate information from Qiki and Le Cinci about the Mansion. Louir Cayv, his Fifth Mother, and Le Yinin, as well as Elder Zaner, also came along from time to time, offering some pieces of information.

And Gourian City seemed more and more dangerous from Le Xaan's perception.

One day, Elder Zaner dispatched a man to inform Le Xaan that Little Balir was found. He fainted in a house on the street. After he was discovered at that place, he was half-starved to death.

"Little Balir? What happened to him? Why is he alone in that house?".

Le Xaan asked.

The man who delivered the word was a guard. He shook his head.

"He does not tell us about that. He just repeated the same words: that day, he ran desperately to that street. After he arrived there and searched for Young Lady Cinci for a short time, he fainted. When he woke up, he was in the house. "

Le Xaan frowned.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Elder Zaner had inquired the man discovering Little Balir and other people. It's indeed as Little Balir says."

"It's strange..."

Le Xaan shook his head.

"You may take your leave."

"Understood."

The guard quickly departed.

Le Xaan then paced back and forth in the small yard before his room.

He had already completely recovered from his injuries. During this period of time, he had been buckling down and practicing 'Dark Shadow', waiting for the Qi to emerge.

As long as he could feel the Qi, he would rapidly elevate the levels of Dark Shadow and subsequently incorporate Dark Shadow as part of his strength.

By then, Le Finn and two servants entered into the courtyard.

"Xaan, with your body fully recovered, it might be time to begin your journey today."

Le Finn's face was calm and warm. He held a black satin pack in one hand, apparently meant for Le Xaan's travel funds.

"Are we necessarily in such a hurry?"

Le Xaan took over the pack and asked in a low voice.

"Better early than late. Setting off now would be wise. There's a chance the city could descend into chaos later. But don't worry. I have made ample preparations."

Le Xaan nodded. Without more queries, he and Qiki packed several sets of clothes before leaving from the side gate of the Le Mansion.

Seated inside the horse carriage, Le Xaan watched the receding Le Mansion out of the window as he felt a little heart-laden.

"Young Master Xaan, are we really going to head for Mountainside City. It's very distant. When could we return home?"

Qiki asked in a worried tone.

Le Xaan smiled and did not give a reply.

Their black horse carriage, looking quite worn-down and aged, seamlessly fitted in among the other coaches on the street.

And its surface bore no mark of the Le family.

The vehicle trundled along in the direction of one of the city gates. On its journey there, the patrolling city guards had pulled them over many a time for a routine check.

Le Xaan lifted part of the window curtain, allowing himself a glimpse of the streets. Many teams of city guards, along with groups of ad hoc militia, were wandering on the streets.

Then, he spotted an inverted-cone-shaped building.

"Clap!"

Suddenly, Le Xaan clapped his palms.

The horse carriage immediately turned left into a narrower street.

It slowed down before soon pulling up.

Le Xaan lifted the flap and descended from the vehicle.

"Brother Xaan, I have waited for you a long time."

Zein Sanki's chubby face appeared before the two of them.

"Eh?"

Qiki was instantly surprised.

"Let's go. I have arranged the place that you asked me for ."

Zein Sanki said in a low voice.

A while later, the dark coach started moving again and navigated out of the street.

And Le Xaan and Qiki went into another horse carriage as the one that they were seated in just now disappeared from their sight.

This carriage rolled along and pulled out of the city gate.

Eventually, it came to a halt at the foot of a rocky mountain a few miles away from Black Wind Ridge.

A stretch of bushy forest unfolded at that place, and the gurgling sounds of a stream could be heard.

Zein Sanki stepped down from the coach and looked around.

"We've arrived. This place is a property I purchased previously. I will lend it to you temporarily."

Le Xaan and Qiki also got out of the horse carriage.

"Thank you, Sanki."

"We're sworn brothers. Why say something like that?"

Zein Sanki said seriously.

"This area is uninhabited. The nearest place is a manor belonging to our Zein family. I will have them deliver food and drinks to the yard every day. Just help yourselves."

Le Xaan nodded.

Then, Zein Sanki added,

"Be cautious. This place is close to Black Wind Ridge. There are some military troops stationed in the official road, making this place relatively safe, though. Some wild animals, such as wild wolves and leopards, may occasionally roam into this area."

"Rest assured. Should anything major happen in the city, remember to inform me when they deliver the food."

Le Xaan replied with some instructions.

"Okay."