Zhou Yun faked a cough.

A smile played on his lips as he turned toward the slightly bowed man.

He tried to compose himself and very casually, took the ring from the man hands. He dramatically scrutinized the ring from top to bottom-- similarly to a certified appraisal.

The space ring was intricately made and seem to be made specifically to look grand. It had a golden body with four embedded rubies laying prominently on it. There were multiple patterns throughout its body...

... it was a bit too bright and showy for Zhou Yun liking, but he supposed it was the inside that matter.

… The thought of Xueyu earlier actions emerged from his mind. He suppressed another smile, he needs to be serious right now.

The tacky ring quietly disappeared into Zhou Yun's own space ring...

Zhou Yun wasn't rushed to cast the man and the boy away, rather, he stared at the two pitiful figures for a while before he finally opening his mouth.

"Very well, you might go."

The older man's shoulder immediately relaxed.

.

.

.

The reaction slightly made Zhou Yun's left eye twitched.

He was an absolutely reasonable man. There is no need for such a reaction! He inwardly huffed.

Before the man could have the opportunity to grab the boy and disappeared, however, Zhou Yun's voice once again rang out, stopping the man in his track.

"Leave the boy behind."

There was a long pause in the man action.He doesn't respond at all, but instead, opted to make eye contact with the boy by his side.

The boy nodded after a while, it was the cue for the man to return to Eastern ZuanYu— alone.

The man nodded in response and was quick to get away, but not without a:

"We will keep in contact Imperial Guardian."

Zhou Yun slumped back in his stone chair with his tea as the man's silhouette disappeared into the valley's mists.

The boy had made sure the man was away from view before turning to Zhou Yun. His eyes made eye contact with Zhou Yun's owns, giving Zhou Yun the entire view of the boy facial.

"Imperial Guardian."