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Shan Wanjing suddenly turned around!

Then she saw it.

Less than three steps from where she had just stood, in the hazy glow of the warm candlelight and the cold moonlight seeping in from the window, a figure stood quietly.

He was still wearing that spotless, moon-white robe, its hem fluttering even without wind. His face remained strikingly handsome, almost unreal, yet serene and composed, as if veiled by the joys and sorrows of the world. His deep eyes, seemingly holding the stars, now held a faint, almost gentle smile as he quietly gazed at her.

Yi Huawei.

Her master, the leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, who had disappeared for three years, appeared in this simple study without warning, as if he had stepped out of a painting, or as if he had always been there and she had just seen him.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Shan Wanjing's bright eyes widened, her pupils slightly contracting, her rosy lips parted, but no sound came out. Her heart felt as if it had been gripped by an invisible hand, then suddenly released, and began to pound wildly against her ribs, making a drumming sound that made her eardrums buzz.

Is it real? Is it a hallucination? Is it just a delusion caused by exhaustion and mental fog?
No! That aura, that gaze, that presence... it was so real, so unique! Even if the world turned upside down and the stars vanished, she would never mistake it!
Three years of worry, longing, the pressure of shouldering heavy responsibilities alone, the expectation of recognition after completing the mission... countless complex and surging emotions, at this moment, are like a flood that has burst its banks, overwhelming all reason and restraint.

"Master...?"

A trembling word, choked with sobs, finally managed to squeeze out of her throat.

The next moment, Shan Wanjing moved.

Without any restraint, without any manners, she even forgot the proper etiquette expected of a princess and a garrison commander. Like a fledgling swallow that had been away from the nest for a long time and finally saw its parents return, or a child who had been walking alone in the darkness for too long and suddenly saw the light, she used all her strength to rush towards that figure!

Shan Wanjing opened her arms and hugged Yi Huawei tightly, disregarding everything.

She buried her face deep into the fabric of his clothes, which carried a faint, cool scent, and wrapped her arms around his waist with such force that it was as if she wanted to confirm that this was not an illusion, as if she wanted to lock him in and make sure he would never disappear again.

"Master! Master! It really is you! You're back! You've finally come back!"

A muffled cry, thick with nasal tone, escaped from her buried chest, filled with the ecstatic joy of something lost and found, and a deep sense of dependence. Her shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably.

Yi Huawei didn't move, letting her hold him tightly. He could clearly feel the trembling of the delicate body in his arms, her rapid heartbeat, and the warm dampness that quickly soaked through his clothes. He raised his hand and gently patted Shan Wanjing's slightly trembling back.

This simple action was like opening a floodgate.

Shan Wanjing hugged him even tighter, as if trying to make up for the three years of separation. Tears could no longer be held back and streamed down her face, quickly soaking a large part of her clothes.

For three years, in front of others, she was the composed, capable, and decisive Princess Dongming, the leader's personal disciple, and the supervisor of the Holy Land's construction, always required to maintain a strong and dignified demeanor. Only at this moment, before her master, did she revert to being the little girl who could let go of all pretenses.

Yi Huawei didn't speak, simply letting her vent her emotions, his hand still gently patting her back. His gaze went past Shan Wanjing's head, looking at the deepening night outside the window, his eyes deep, lost in thought.

The candlelight burned quietly, casting long shadows of the two embracing figures on the wall. The faint sounds of the orderly footsteps of night patrol soldiers and the distant clanging of the watchman's clapper echoed from outside the courtyard, further emphasizing the intertwined tranquility and surging emotions within the room.

After an unknown amount of time, Shan Wanjing's sobs gradually subsided, turning into intermittent sobs. She seemed to finally realize her loss of composure; her body stiffened slightly, but she didn't immediately let go. Instead, she buried her face even deeper into his chest.

Yi Huawei then slowly spoke, his voice still calm but with a hint of gentleness: "Alright, Wanjing. It's been three years since we last met. Your martial arts have improved, and your crying skills haven't diminished either."

Dan Wanjing's ears turned red, and she reluctantly and slowly released her arms, taking a small step back, but still unwilling to leave his side completely. She looked up at him with her tear-streaked face. Her eyes and the tip of her nose were red, and tiny teardrops clung to her long eyelashes, glistening in the candlelight. Her usually spirited face was now filled with grievance and affection, making her look unusually charming and innocent.

"Master..."

Shan Wanjing sniffed, her voice still hoarse from crying: "You... how did you suddenly appear? There was no news at all... Where have you been for the past three years? Wanjing... Wanjing was so worried about you."

As she spoke, she hastily wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve, but her gaze lingered greedily on Yi Huawei's face, as if to confirm that he was truly unharmed and would not suddenly disappear again.

Yi Huawei raised his hand and gently brushed away a tear that hadn't been wiped away from her cheek with his fingertips:
"You went to some places, met some people, and made some arrangements. You did a great job here. Better than I expected."

Receiving her master's affirmation filled Shan Wanjing with immense joy and satisfaction, a hundred times happier than any praise she had ever received before. Her eyes lit up, as if all her previous grievances and sadness had been swept away by those words.

"It was all thanks to Master's excellent planning; I was simply following orders."

She tried to appear composed, but her slightly upturned lips and bright eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the documents on the desk before looking at the faint outline of the holy image visible in the night outside the window.

"With the holy image completed, the foundation of this place is now solid."

He said slowly, "Wanjing, your mission here has come to an end for now."

Shan Wanjing's heart tightened, and she subconsciously took another half step closer: "Master, are you going to take me away?"

Yi Huawei's gentle smile deepened slightly: "There's no need to rush. A major change is about to occur in the north, and someone needs to be stationed in the south to coordinate things. Since you are already familiar with this place and the surrounding situation, you will remain in this town for the time being, overseeing the military affairs of the counties in Jiangyou and concurrently managing all affairs of Shenglin Town. I want you to use this place as a base to strengthen the army, ensure smooth trade routes, and monitor all directions. Be ready at any time to support the northward advance."

Upon hearing this, Shan Wanjing's spirits lifted, all distracting thoughts instantly vanished, she straightened her back, clasped her hands in a respectful gesture, and said solemnly, "Disciple obeys! I will certainly not fail Master's trust!"

She knew that the peaceful days were over. Her master's return meant that the Heavenly Alliance's massive war machine was about to be fully activated.

Yi Huawei watched her quickly switch between different states and smiled slightly:
"I will explain the detailed strategy to you tomorrow. Tonight, you should get some rest."

After he finished speaking, his figure seemed to blur slightly, as if he were about to merge into the surrounding air. Shan Wanjing's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively reached out to grab his sleeve: "Master, are you leaving?"

Yi Huawei's figure solidified again. Seeing her nervous expression, he said calmly, "I'm not leaving. I'm just going for a walk in the courtyard. Please settle in."

Hearing that her master wasn't leaving, Shan Wanjing finally breathed a sigh of relief and felt at ease.

Yi Huawei said no more and walked calmly towards the door, blending into the courtyard's soft moonlight and the fragrance of osmanthus.

Shan Wanjing stood there, watching his departing figure. She looked down at her chest, which was soaked with tears, and a hint of shyness flashed across her face. She gently stroked the scabbard of the Dongming Sword, feeling the spirituality contained within it as if it were also joyful because of its master's return.

Master is back.

...............

The meals were carefully prepared by the cooks in the mansion. Although they were not as exquisite as those from Xiangyang or Dongming, they were made better by the freshness of the ingredients, which were mostly local and had a unique flavor.

Shan Wanjing personally served Yi Huawei dishes and soup, her movements meticulous, and the joy in her eyes was impossible to hide.

After dinner, Yi Huawei put down his chopsticks and looked out the window at the night that had already fallen. The town lights gradually came on, reflecting the sparse stars in the sky, and the faint sounds of the bustling city could be heard.

"Master,"

Seeing this, Shan Wanjing's eyes flashed with anticipation: "Would you like to see Shenglin Town now? Although it can't compare to the grandeur of Xiangyang, it has its own unique charm. Moreover..."

As she spoke, she winked mischievously: "This disciple knows a few quieter paths that are less likely to attract attention."

Yi Huawei withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly: "Very well. I'll go and see the place you've been developing for the past three years."

Shan Wanjing was immediately overjoyed and quickly said, "Master, please wait a moment, I will go and make some preparations."

After saying that, she turned briskly into the inner room.

Before long, Shan Wanjing emerged again, now dressed in a different outfit. She had changed from her moon-white outfit to a slightly worn indigo cotton dress, a simple style typical of young women from well-off families in town. Her long, glossy black hair was simply tied up and secured with an ordinary wooden hairpin. She seemed to have applied some makeup, softening her originally striking features and slightly darkening her complexion. At first glance, she appeared to be a pretty girl with bright, lively eyes. While still eye-catching, she no longer possessed the imposing presence and dazzling beauty that once commanded attention. She even carried a small, inconspicuous cloth pouch at her waist, its contents unknown.

"Master, you also need to conceal yourself a little."

With a smile, Shan Wanjing handed over a set of neatly folded clothes and a small porcelain bottle: "This is a scholar's robe, made of ordinary material. The ointment in this bottle, if applied to the face in a small amount, can slightly darken the skin and slightly alter the texture. As long as you don't look closely, it won't cause any major problems."

Yi Huawei glanced at the clothes and porcelain vase, but didn't take them; only his lips twitched almost imperceptibly. Then, to Shan Wanjing's astonishment, his face and figure began to undergo extremely subtle yet clear changes.

It wasn't as horrifying as bone shifting, but rather a subtle adjustment closer to light, shadow, and aura. His lofty and aloof demeanor was quietly concealed, like a pearl covered in dust, or a precious gem hidden in a box.

His facial features seemed to have softened and blurred slightly, his complexion had turned a common yellowish hue from sun exposure, and the deep, starlike gaze in his eyes had transformed into the gentle warmth of an ordinary scholar. He hadn't changed his moon-white robe, but its ethereal luster seemed to have dimmed, becoming like ordinary cotton cloth that had been washed many times. In an instant, standing before Shan Wanjing was a down-on-his-luck scholar, around thirty years old, with an ordinary face, carrying a hint of scholarly air mixed with the weariness of the world. Only occasionally, in the fleeting glances of his eyes, could one glimpse a trace of unusual calmness, but it vanished in an instant.

"Let's go."

When Yi Huawei spoke, his voice was slightly hoarse and low compared to usual, the kind of voice that sounded a little tired after a long journey.

Shan Wanjing stared in disbelief, her admiration for her master's methods growing even stronger. She quickly nodded and led Yi Huawei silently through the side gate of the mansion, disappearing into the deepening night outside the town.

The town's main road was widened and compacted from the original dirt road and paved with pebbles quarried from the nearby riverbank. Although it is not very smooth, it is no longer muddy and difficult to walk on rainy days.

Along both sides of the road, almost every household had lanterns or lanterns hanging in front of their doors. Although the light was weak, it formed a continuous line, dispelling the darkness. The lanterns varied in style; some were simply covered with red paper, some were painted with crude auspicious patterns, and some shops even had words like "Guests flock in like clouds" and "Wealth flows in" prominently written on their lantern shades. On the lanterns of one or two inns, one could even vaguely see the outline of a "sacred image" or the words "Heavenly Way," clearly to cater to the wishes of the pilgrims.

The streets were still bustling with pedestrians. Vendors, returning home late, pushed their creaking wheelbarrows past; craftsmen, just finished work, strolled in twos and threes, chatting and laughing as they headed towards taverns and restaurants; men and women who looked like merchants from out of town curiously examined the shops on both sides, conversing and asking prices in Mandarin or local dialects with varying regional accents; local residents also came out for a post-dinner stroll, chatting about everyday matters and the harvest when they met acquaintances. Children chased and played in the alleyways where the lights didn't reach, their clear laughter echoing in the night air.

“This street originally had only seven or eight households, and the road was very narrow.”

Shan Wanjing introduced in a soft voice: "After the construction of the statue began, the flow of people increased, and a market spontaneously formed. Later, the government... well, I sent people to plan and widen the road, and encouraged residents along the street to renovate or build new shops. Now you see, most of these shops were built in the last three years."

Yi Huawei's gaze slowly swept across both sides. Indeed, the wood and bricks of many houses still retained their fresh color. The shops were diverse: shops selling incense, candles, paper horses, simple replicas of holy images, and cloth printed with auspicious words—"holy land" specialty shops; food stalls offering simple meals, noodles, wontons, and steamed cakes; small teahouses and taverns offering cloudy wine and coarse tea, and sometimes storytelling and singing; daily necessities shops selling needles, thread, coarse cloth, and sundries; and even one or two slightly larger inns with signs that read "Inn," from which came the noisy sounds of people.

The air was filled with a complex mix of smells: the aroma of cooking food, the smell of cheap lamp oil burning, the body odor of people gathered together, the faint stench of livestock manure, and the lingering fragrance of osmanthus blossoms drifting from some backyard... all blending together into a vibrant yet rough-hewn vitality.

"How's the tax situation?" Yi Huawei asked casually.

Shan Wanjing was clearly well aware of this and immediately replied, "Initially, only a symbolic market tax was collected to encourage business. Last year, it was standardized, with fixed amounts levied based on shop size and industry category, and additional fees were charged on large transactions. Last year, the town's market tax and transaction tax totaled about 3,700 taels of silver, and this year it is expected to exceed 5,000 taels. Although it is not much, it is enough to maintain the local government offices, primary schools, and some patrol expenses, and it is increasing year by year. The key is that it has revitalized the local area, and the people have a source of livelihood, so they are at peace."

The two strolled along and turned into a slightly narrower side street. It was relatively quiet here, with fewer lights, and mostly residential buildings. However, some gates facing the street were open, and clanging or sawing sounds could be heard coming from inside.

"Most of the people living here are family members of craftsmen, or people who do small crafts related to engineering."

Shan Wanjing pointed to a yard not far away where some half-finished wooden frames were piled up in front of the door: "The man in that family works as a stonemason in the quarry, the woman stays at home mending clothes for others, and the child goes to primary school."

He then pointed to another courtyard where the faint glow of a furnace could be seen: "That's a blacksmith shop. They mainly make and repair tools, and also take on some odd jobs maintaining weapons. They're quite skilled, and the town's patrol team entrusts some of their weapon maintenance to them."

Yi Huawei nodded slightly. The nascent industry was no longer merely addressing the temporary needs surrounding the construction of the sacred statue; it was beginning to extend to meeting the long-term production and living needs of the local community. (End of Chapter)