Li Yuan watched the siblings walk away before turning to Vina and Baron. Both were looking at him, their expressions suggesting they had things to say but were unsure if they should speak.
Baron was the first to speak, his tone carrying a hint of uncertain probing. “Sir, why did the temple suddenly release everyone?”
“I made a deal with them,” Li Yuan lied without changing his expression. “The Empire agreed not to pursue the matter of the festival further, and the temple promised to compensate the families of the girls who died and ensure such a situation never happens again. Simply put, it was a mutual compromise. They yielded, and we stopped.”
Vina and Baron exchanged a look, their expressions showing surprise—but it wasn't an unacceptable outcome. After all, the City of Divine Grace was the temple’s territory, and the Imperial Inquisition was naturally restricted here. If a negotiation could secure a promise from the temple, while not perfect, it was better than returning empty-handed.
Baron was silent for a few breaths before nodding solemnly to Li Yuan. “It is thanks to your intervention, sir. With our abilities, we could never have reached this point. I will accurately record your assistance in my debriefing report once we return.”
“That would be appreciated.” Li Yuan accepted the gesture calmly, then changed the subject. “However, I won't be joining you for the debriefing.”
Baron blinked. “Do you have another mission, sir?”
“Yes, His Majesty entrusted me with a few other matters,” Li Yuan said, making up a story on the fly. “I need to head to the northern border next, and the timing doesn't align with your route back to the Inquisition. You two head back first; I’ll submit my own report separately later.”
Vina listened quietly from the side without asking questions. Having spent several years in the Inquisition, she knew better than to pry into things she shouldn't. Since their direct superior said he had other tasks, then he certainly did.
Baron didn't ask further either, simply nodding. “Then please be careful on your journey, sir.”
The three spoke briefly about future contact before parting ways at the plaza. Baron led Vina and the eight Adjudicators toward the city gate, while Li Yuan turned and walked in the opposite direction, his figure soon merging into the deepening twilight.
After leaving the City of Divine Grace, Li Yuan found a secluded spot outside the city and pulled the transmission talisman from his robes. He injected spiritual energy into it, and the pale gold runes on the paper glowed faintly.
“Royal Preceptor.”
Hogg’s voice quickly came from the other side, his tone carrying an unmistakable tension. “Sir? How is the situation on your end? Do you require—”
“The matter is over,” Li Yuan interrupted him, his tone calm. “Essentially nothing bad happened, and the situation has been resolved.”
There was a long silence on the other end. Hogg seemed a bit confused by the overly brief result, but since Li Yuan had said it, he didn't press for more.
“Then... does the royal capital need to make any preparations?”
“No. The worst-case scenarios I predicted earlier didn't happen, so there’s no need to worry anymore.” Li Yuan paused, then added, “By the way, you don't need to keep such a close watch on Ignatius anymore. The mark on him won't harm others, but his soul is too badly damaged. He has a few months left at most. Ask whatever you need to ask sooner rather than later.”
Hogg was silent for a few breaths before saying solemnly, “Thank you, sir. You’ve worked hard during this time.”
Li Yuan smiled and said nothing more, tucking the transmission talisman away.
The night wind blew through the trees, carrying the unique fragrance of vegetation. Li Yuan leaned against a tree trunk and looked up at the unfamiliar starry sky, the tension that had been coiled within him finally relaxing completely.
This trip had been hurried, and the outcome was somewhat unexpected, but it turned out well enough. Though he bore the name of a demonic cultivator, his actions belied the reputation, and he didn't have to agonize over whether he should interfere in the affairs of another world.
As for Daoist Qing Lan and Vernas—that was their own story. He was merely a passerby who happened to be there. He would help where he could, but he wouldn't force what couldn't be helped.
Next... it was time to go home. But when the word “home” flashed through his mind, he paused.
Home? Since when had the Duke's estate become home?
He smiled and shook his head, pushing the thought aside for now. A spirit light gathered beneath his feet, and he transformed into a streak of light, flying toward Kajinson.
By the time Li Yuan returned to Kajinson, the sky was completely dark.
The flight from the City of Divine Grace took less than ten minutes. He landed once again in the Twenty-First District of the Outer City—he habitually chose the empty space near the former site of the teahouse. It had become a subconscious reflex to make this his first stop whenever he returned.
However, this time, the sight before him made him pause.
The ruins were gone. In their place stood a nearly finished two-story building. Its silhouette was seventy to eighty percent similar to the teahouse in his memory, but the overall area was clearly larger.
The exterior walls were made of blue-gray stone, matching the style of the surrounding newly renovated buildings. The window placements were the same, the door’s orientation was the same, and even the crossbeam above the door frame had been intentionally aged, as if they were afraid he wouldn't recognize it.
The surrounding district had also undergone a major transformation. The houses nearby that had been caught in the explosion were almost fully repaired, the roads had been repaved, the streetlights had been fitted with new magic crystals, and even the old phoenix tree at the corner that had been half-blasted away was being propped up with wooden stakes.
The entire Twenty-First District looked even tidier than it had before the incident. Unless one looked closely at the seams between the old and new stone on the walls, it was almost impossible to tell that this place had once been blown to bits.
The progress was ridiculously fast. Based on the construction speed when he left, completing the foundation and the main frame would have been good enough. Now, even the interior decoration was mostly done. Needless to say, Hogg must have given the order.
Li Yuan stood at the door for a moment, then formed an invisibility hand seal and pushed open the unlocked wooden door to step inside.
A few magic lamps were lit inside, and several workers were crouched in the corners doing the final finishing touches, their movements very efficient.
The bar counter was in the same place as before, against the left wall, but it was nearly twice as long. The shelving units behind it reached from the floor to the ceiling, with twice as many compartments as before.
An open space was left by the window on the right, just large enough for three or four small tables. The overall style was still that old-fashioned wooden look, almost identical to the tone he had set when he did the decorations himself.
Li Yuan stood in the center of the room and looked over everything carefully, then gave a slight nod.
Not bad.
With this, the debt between him and Hogg was settled. The compensation for the tea shop was paid by the royalty, the reconstruction was Hogg’s doing, and he had taken a trip to solve a hidden threat for the kingdom. By the time he returned, the shop was almost ready to open—no matter how he looked at it, it wasn't a loss.
He didn't disturb the workers and withdrew silently. When he reached the street corner, he dispelled his invisibility, straightened the collar of his cyan robe, and walked along the newly repaired stone road toward the Inner City.
Rate on N.U.
