Great Yu Zhili, Royal City.

As the capital of Yu Country, the splendor of the Royal City left Shen Wenxing and his companions utterly astonished upon their first arrival.

"My goodness! Look at that tower, it seems to pierce the very clouds!"

"These streets are actually paved with smooth blue stones, and the carriages ride without a hint of bumpiness!"

"Golden Platform City, the scent of fine horses fills the royal path; Jade Mansions, harmonious music resounds day and night—what a Royal City!"

...

The accompanying soldiers, watching the opulent surroundings of the Royal City, couldn't help but feel moved and discuss among themselves.

It seemed even their eyes weren't enough.

Shen Wenxing's gaze was drawn to a shop by the street selling silk garments, imagining how wonderful it would be to buy some back home and make a set of clothes for his mother, elder sister, and younger sister, which would surely look delightful.

As the convoy moved slowly forward, he spotted a bookstore selling writing materials and noted its location, planning to visit after completing their task, determined to buy top-quality pens and paper for Ah Nu.

A vendor selling sugar figurines shouted as he passed by, and Shen Wenxing immediately called him over.

"Hey brother, want some sugar figurines?"

The vendor eagerly approached.

Shen Wenxing looked at the lifelike sugar figurines on the grass mortar, asking, "How much for one?"

"Three copper coins for one, five copper coins for two."

"How many do you want, brother?"

Shen Wenxing pulled out five copper coins from his pocket and handed them over, saying, "Give me two, and wrap them well."

The vendor nodded, took the coins, removed two sugar figurines, wrapped them in oil paper, and handed them over.

Shen Wenxing carefully held the sugar figurines, already picturing the expressions of Shen Wenping and Shen Wen'an upon seeing them.

"General, there's a letter for you."

As everyone hurried the convoy toward the Minor Mansion in the city, a soldier came rushing over.

Zhang Bin curiously accepted the envelope and, upon glancing at its contents, his face instantly changed, his gaze shifting towards Shen Wenxing not far away.

"Shi Tou!"

After a moment of hesitation, he called out.

Shen Wenxing hurriedly put away the sugar figurines and ran over.

"General."

Zhang Bin pursed his lips and handed over the letter he was holding.

Shen Wenxing, puzzled and suspicious, took the letter and glanced at it, his smile instantly froze.

"This!"

"How could this happen..."

He whispered, somewhat lost, his eyes filled with worry.

Zhang Bin gently patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Don't panic, I'll find someone to inquire about this later. For now, don't tell anyone about your identity."

In the letter, Huang Yunxiao only revealed that Shen Wenyan was implicated because of Master Lu, without mentioning the severity of their guilt.

If the guilt were severe, letting others know about the brotherly relationship between the two could lead to unintended consequences.

Shen Wenxing suppressed his panic, took a deep breath, and nodded, "Thank you, General."

Zhang Bin waved his hand solemnly, looking at him as he said, "If there's really a change, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you either. Be ready to adapt to the situation."

Shen Wenxing did not understand his words but did not ask further.

His mind now only focused on how to rescue his brother.

Like a walking corpse, he followed the convoy forward, and the group soon arrived at the Minor Mansion government office.

Zhang Bin dismounted, took out the official disc from his pocket, and handed it to an official of the Minor Mansion.

"Zhang Bin, Left General of the Yunzhong Border Army, ordered to deliver seized war trophies, requesting an inspection by the Upper Officials."

The Minor Mansion official opened the official disc, glanced at it, and spoke: "Your Majesty's decree states that except for gold and silver, other rare treasures are to be sent to the newly built Immortal Welcoming Garden for the Immortals to select."

"Please, General Zhang, make another trip."

The Immortal Welcoming Garden?

Zhang Bin, somewhat embarrassed, said, "Forgive me, Upper Official. This is my first time in the Royal City, and I don't know where the Immortal Welcoming Garden is."

The Minor Mansion official glanced at him, then called over an officer behind him.

"You accompany General Zhang, take the selected items back to the government office to register."

"Understood!"

The officer cupped his hands, looked at Zhang Bin, and said, "General, please follow me."

The convoy turned around and slowly moved towards the southeast of the Royal City.

Soon, they arrived at a place with an expansive courtyard.

The courtyard was obviously newly built, with carved railings, painted beams, and elegant bridges over running water.

"General Zhang, please wait."

The Minor Mansion official cupped his hands and went alone to the two Black Scale Guards stationed at the courtyard gate.

"Immortal Welcoming Garden... It seems the rumors were true, our Great Yu indeed has Immortals visiting!"

"Your Majesty even specifically built such a luxurious courtyard for the Immortals. If fortunate enough to be chosen by the Immortals and receive Immortal Technique, one could leap into nobility."

"Look at your ambition. If favored by the Immortals, what does worldly wealth and power matter?"

"Exactly, with the Immortals' methods, they can have whatever they want. Why care about these?"

Beside Zhang Bin, several soldiers whispered among themselves, craning their necks to look at the gate bearing the "Immortal Welcoming Garden" plaque, wanting to see what the legendary Immortal looked like.

Meanwhile, an idea suddenly popped into Shen Wenxing's mind upon seeing the Immortal Welcoming Garden.

The owner of the Immortal Welcoming Garden must be Li Heshan and Zhongli Qing from Qiyun Valley.

He had met the two once, and now Emperor Yu showed great respect towards them.

If he could seek help from the two, perhaps he could rescue his brother and Master Lu from the Inspectorate's prison.

Thinking of this, he, too, looked expectantly toward the gate of the Immortal Welcoming Garden, hoping to meet the two again.

The Minor Mansion official returned alone, looking disappointed.

"We are unfortunate; the two Immortals are out and not sure when they'll return."

"So, General Zhang, please transport the items back to the Minor Mansion's treasury. When the Immortals return, I'll send someone from the Minor Mansion to bring them over to be chosen by the Immortals."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Bin and others showed expressions of disappointment.

They had hoped to catch a glimpse of the Immortals this time, having bragging rights upon their return, but the Immortals were not at home.

"It must be this way."

Zhang Bin waved his hand, signaling everyone to bring the items back.

After the ten-plus carts were accounted for at the Minor Mansion's treasury, the task was done.

In the evening, the group had a meal together, and then Zhang Bin instructed his lieutenant to lead the other soldiers back to the Yunzhong Border Camp while he stayed with Shen Wenxing in the Royal City.

Inside the inn.

Zhang Bin paced with his hands behind his back, saying, "I happen to know someone in the Military Department. Let's visit this old acquaintance tomorrow and see if we can get some information from him."

Shen Wenxing nodded slightly.

Although he had met Li Heshan and Zhongli Qing once, they were lofty Immortals, and he was just an ordinary commoner without even the aptitude for cultivation immortality.

Whether they would help was still unknown.

Now was the time to make careful preparations to ensure stability.

"General, I don't have much silver taels on me. I'd trouble you to advance the expenses for the connections temporarily."

"As soon as I return to Anyang, I'll immediately ask Ah Die to send money over."

Mature in mind and having served in the army for nearly two years, Shen Wenxing understood that for personal affairs, even with the best of relationships, necessary expenses must be covered.

Spending money to save his brother was just a trivial matter.

As long as nobody was harmed, he'd be willing to go bankrupt.

Zhang Bin waved his hand, his expression grave as he said, "Money is no issue, I'm just worried..."

"Forget it."

Seeing the fleeting worry in his eyes, Shen Wenxing understood his concern.

It was the fear of being implicated during this endeavor.

After all, he himself was a person carrying guilt, and in the He County battle, Zhang Bin's left-wing army suffered heavy losses, constantly facing questioning from the Military Department and Emperor Yu.

At this time, Zhang Bin chose not to maintain a distance and was still willing to help, which was a colossal favor.

Repaying this favor later would not be easy.

But for now, he could only rely on him.

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