With the coming of dawn, the group of cultivators with Meng Yao started readying for their departure back to the imperial capital.
The tents were put away, the campfire doused and the horses they rode were efficiently saddled.
During all the commotion with the preparations, one lone figure stood away from the group with a flabbergasted expression on his face.
"They're gone."
Incredulous, Meng Yao stared at the far away clearing that had served as a camp site where he saw two travelers eating and drinking happily just last night, now looking empty, without any signs of people even staying the night there.
It was just so shocking!
Meng Yao even purposefully woke up earlier at the same time as the cultivators escorting them and yet from the moment he checked the other campsite, not a soul was left in sight. He even ordered the guards to check on them when it was their turn to keep watch during the night but sometime during the night when they were switching of people, they had noiselessly slipped away!
Grumbling under his breath, Meng Yao slowly made his way to the rest of his companions and got ready to depart, lamenting silently at the loss of his chance to meet two such interesting individuals.
Meanwhile, the two people who seemingly disappeared without a trace was actually well on their way to the imperial city of Thunder Vale Country and has made good progress with their travel time and could already see the looming gates and walls with several built-in towers that served as the first layer of protection of the grand and imposing city.
The gradually brightening sky softly illuminated the thousand-foot walls that were made with huge dark obsidian blocks of stone that faintly gleamed a it reflected the sun's rays.
As Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Zhu Xia grew closer, they were able to see the huge reinforced gates slowly open and a group of city guards and soldiers emerge in an organized fashion and quickly separated to form smaller groups that seemed to have different purposes. Some had stayed just inside the walls, others just outside the gates while some spread out just outside the walls in smaller squads.
The imposing presence of these guards and soldiers had even rendered all those that were a bit ruly and impatient to pass through the gates simmer down and fall silent without even uttering a single complaint.
It left a deep, favorable impression on Fan Zhu Xia and it made her look at Thunder Vale Country with more appreciation.
With guards and soldiers who exude an aura of rightousness and exhibit such discipline was something to commend!
Sensing her positive mood, Fan Hui Zhong couldn't help but smile and feel some pride especially when he saw her cast an approving glance at the direction of the city gates.
He wasn't just happy that she liked the looks of the imperial capital but he was also proud since he knew that the soldiers and guards had been trained by his family for some time.
The moment they neared the entrance, some of the troops that were standing guard who had casually inspected them couldn't help but take a second look then gasp in surprise.
Due to Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Zhu Xia now wearing black cloaks with hoods that partially covered their faces, the guards had to take another more intense look before a flash of recognition shone in their eyes when they glanced at Fan Hui Zhong.
The guards had wanted to rush forward but had to instead settle to having one of them run to inform the captain in charge of the gates and just slightly bowing their heads in respect once they passed as they held back their excited smiles.
Noticing the unusual reaction, Fan Zhu Xia shot a curious look towards Fan Hui Zhong but only got a small grin and a shake of his head in response, leaving her all the more curious.
Just as she was about to question him, a loud booming voice suddenly called out and a big, muscular man wearing dark blue robes with deep gray detailing approach them with a huge grin on his face.
"Brother Zhong! I can't believe you've returned after all this years. It's great to see you again!"
The man said with a laugh before effectively pulling Fan Hui Zhong off the black spirit beast, Heise and giving him a bone-crushing hug that had Hui Zhong grimace, looking slightly peeved.
"Brother Nian Zu, it's good to see you too but can you please let go now?" Fan Hui Zhong asked with a hint of exasperation in his otherwise joyful voice.
Laughing happily, the man quickly released Fan Hui Zhong and just said "Fine, fine!"
Straightening himself up, Fan Hui Zhong asked if there was a place they can talk that's more private since at the moment, they were just standing to one side of the gates which wasn't that convenient.
Realizing it, the man just scratched his head and looked sheepish before asking them to follow.
Shooting a look towards Fan Zhu Xia, she immediately understood what Fan Hui Zhong meant and swiftly dismounted before leading both the spirits to trail after them.
"Hmm, Brother Nian Zu, is there somewhere we can temporarily keep our mounts?" Fan Hui Zhong asked when he saw his daughter leading Heise and Baise.
"Ah yes, of course! If you will..."
Waving one of his hands, one of the guards then approached respectfully Fan Zhu Xia and after getting her permission, efficiently took charge of the spirit beasts.
"No need to worry about them, I'm just having them corralled at the military barracks just a short distance away from here." the man, Nian Zu explained in assurance before he turned and then asked, "Shall we?"
With a nod, both Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Zhu Xia followed him into an office located at one of the wall's towers.