Lighting Lanterns in the Mountains and Seas

In the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed, and returning to Dazhi City felt as if it were just yesterday.

For Shi Chun, the past twenty years since he left Dazhi City had mostly been spent in imprisonment, so his impressions of the city hadn't faded.

As he entered through the city gates, he had disguised himself, not wanting to be recognized. He looked around as he walked; the traces of the passing twenty years hadn't changed the city much, and some familiar faces could still be seen in the shops.

The City Lord Mansion in the center of the city, which was once unattainable for him, now seemed unremarkable.

Left Guard Commander Jiang Wushou was by his side, vigilant of the surroundings, with a few guards nearby blending in like passersby, keeping a discreet distance as they remained on alert.

The hundred companions that accompanied them had already dispersed into the city for precautionary measures. As Shi Chun advanced, they adjusted their positions accordingly, with people stationed at strategic points along the roads and intersections, all arranged by Jiang Wushou's planning.

It would be difficult for someone with a cultivation at the Earth Immortal Realm to launch a surprise attack or assassination on Shi Chun.

Every person approaching Shi Chun had been scrutinized from multiple angles before even getting close.

It wasn't easy to get directly near Shi Chun, as someone would always inadvertently step in, forcing the other party to alter their path or creating a barrier between Shi Chun and the newcomer.

Returning to familiar grounds, he felt a strange sense of hometown hesitance.

Shi Chun didn't head straight for Chao Yue Hall; instead, he detoured to Bai's Rice Shop, finding the sign still there and still run by the Bai Clan, though it was now managed by another member of the Bai Clan. This was, after all, where the Bai Clan started their legacy.

After leaving Bai's Rice Shop, Shi Chun leisurely strolled to the outside of Chao Yue Hall.

Inside, his guards had already assumed positions. Some were observing from amongst those chatting on the first floor, while others were scattered throughout the Book Collection Pavilion on the second floor.

It seemed the exterior of the library had been recently repainted, and the interior was also new, but the layout remained the same; the shopkeeper behind the counter was no longer from the Dong Family, and the current Dong Family was no longer short on money, having enough to hire people to manage it.

They didn't need to rely on the library for livelihood, yet it remained open as usual, with no increase in the cost of reading.

As soon as Shi Chun walked in, he overheard someone mentioning his name.

"Why else would Shi Chun be able to serve as Southern Commander of the Heavenly Domain?"

"Indeed, being imprisoned in the Life Prison for twenty years and still making a comeback, he must be a remarkable person."

"Back when he was hiding here, I had a great relationship with him, like brothers even."

Hearing this, Shi Chun glanced over. The face seemed familiar, but he had no particular memory.

"Since you said you're like brothers, why don't you go find him? A mere pull could set you for life."

Laughter erupted all around.

"Hey, when he was suffering in prison, we couldn't help him. Now that he's prospered, to seek him out would be a disgrace to us scholars..."

With a slight smile, Shi Chun walked up to the counter and paid for two, with Jiang Wushou accompanying him upstairs to the second floor.

At the corner of the second floor, behind the familiar desk sat Dong Liangyu, still quietly reading. She no longer coughed and had an aura of elegance, with the beauty mark between her brows making her all the more captivating.

In Shi Chun's eyes, she appeared different. He couldn't tell if it was his mindset that had changed, but the moment his gaze fell on Dong Liangyu, a sense of peace washed over him.

Without revealing himself, he paced slowly past the desk.

The reading Dong Liangyu lifted her gaze, watching his silhouette fade behind the bookshelves, then got up slowly and walked over.

Shi Chun wasn't there to read; he came to the Book Collection Building for nostalgia, running his fingertips over the rows of books on the shelves.

Following him, Jiang Wushou suddenly paused and turned, his eyes wary as he looked at Dong Liangyu approaching.

Shi Chun glanced back, then leaned against the bookcase, smiling to let her pass.

Unexpectedly, Dong Liangyu stopped in front of him, smiling peacefully, and said, "Shi Chun."

"..." Shi Chun froze, immediately turning to Jiang Wushou. Didn't this fellow claim his disguise technique was good? How had he been so easily recognized?

Jiang Wushou was also surprised, scrutinizing the Commander's face again, convinced it shouldn't be so easy to identify him.

Since he was already recognized, Shi Chun didn't hide anymore. He planned to inquire about some information here and signaled for his entourage to withdraw.

Jiang Wushou bowed and retreated, signaling acknowledgement to the faces appearing behind the other shelves, and the sound of soft retreating footsteps ensued.

Dong Liangyu slightly inclined her head, glancing sideways, but said nothing, her gaze returning to Shi Chun's face.

A curious Shi Chun revealed his voice, "Second Miss, how did you recognize me?"

Dong Liangyu chuckled gently, "Familiarity. I'll go inform my father."

Shi Chun quickly reached out to stop her, "No need, I just passed by and came to have a look, not intending to disturb too many people. By the way, where did that red-clothed woman, who used to sit behind the counter, go?"

Dong Liangyu thought for a moment before recalling who he referred to, "She left long ago, around the time you left. Are you here looking for her?"

Shi Chun: "Sort of. Do you have her contact address? She once borrowed money from me and hasn't repaid it. After all, it's not like money grows on trees."

Dong Liangyu shook her head, "She didn't leave any contact address. Said one could find her by contacting her uncle in the Royal Capital. My father seemed to have tried contacting her a few times but never managed to meet."

"I see..." Shi Chun felt a tinge of disappointment, realizing there wasn't even a contact address for the Red-clothed Woman here.

He hadn't wanted to go directly to the woman's uncle, but it seemed he would have to, and he had to think carefully about how to proceed.

Seeing so, he changed the topic: "How is your family?"

Dong Liangyu replied calmly and gently: "They're doing well. Father is entertaining friends in the backyard. My elder sister comes back once or twice a year after getting married; she visited a few months ago..."

Pausing slightly at this, she recalled that her sister's visit a few months ago coincided with the frenzy of Shi Chun helping the Heavenly Court win first place, and then she continued: "Recently, a disciple from the Yanbao Sect passed by and invited Liang Ying to travel together for training. My younger brother Liang Ze, after becoming a disciple of the Sword Saint, finds this small book pavilion too constraining, and he spends most of his time cultivating in Immortal Sword City. Everyone is quite well."

Shi Chun acknowledged, "So, among you siblings, you're the only one staying at the book pavilion?"

Dong Liangyu nodded gently, "It's pretty good, much better than before."

Suddenly, Shi Chun remembered that this woman couldn't cultivate, but from her appearance, she didn't show much sign of aging, so it seemed her circumstances had improved. He immediately asked, "Are you still unmarried?"

Dong Liangyu shook her head with a smile.

Shi Chun sighed, "Given your family's current conditions, there should be many wanting to marry you. Is it that your standards are too high?"

Dong Liangyu thought for a moment, then nodded, "Perhaps. There's no rush to marry. If I find someone suitable, I'll marry. If not, life is still quite good."

Shi Chun observed that this woman was much more composed and calm than before, but he still kindly advised, "There's no perfect person out there. Good enough is fine, don't..."

He left the sentence unfinished, lest he mention delaying her age too much.

Dong Liangyu seemed to understand his implication, laughing softly, "No worries, peace of mind is all that matters. What about you, do you have anyone in mind?"

Shi Chun laughed heartily, "I fancy others, but they don't think much of me. Well, Second Miss, I have some matters to attend to. Friends are waiting outside. I shall take my leave now."

Not knowing when they would meet again, Dong Liangyu, after a brief thought, directly asked, "How do you find me?"

Shi Chun smiled, "Second Miss is certainly wonderful, beautiful, kind..." Halfway through his words, his smile stiffened as he connected it with her earlier question about someone in mind. He quickly resumed his smile, "My life is like duckweed, unsure if I can settle down. There's no need to drag anyone else into this."

Dong Liangyu looked directly into his eyes, simply asking, "If you could settle down, how would you find me?"

Even this usually quiet and shy woman could ask such a question. Shi Chun, after a brief pause, also responded cheerily: "Alright, should you remain unmarried and I unwed by then, you would be my one and only, and I promise to propose to you, Second Miss!"

He intentionally left the time vague.

Dong Liangyu didn't press for details, nodding, "When it comes to matters of male and female, what makes a perfect match? I still need to cross that bridge, waiting for you, do not forget."

Shi Chun hadn't expected this meeting would unfold into such a situation. With the uncertainty about his own future, he genuinely didn't want to taint someone else's simple and pure life. If it were like Xiang Laner, it would be simple. Thus, he decided not to pursue the topic further, clasped his hands, and decisively bade farewell.

As Shi Chun left, quite a few people also departed from the Chao Yue Hall...

Walking onto the street, it was already evening, and some had already hung lanterns under the eaves.

Walking, he reached a familiar alleyway entrance, paused slightly, remembering something, and turned into it.

Going deeper into the alley, he arrived at the gate of an old courtyard. He cast a spell to quickly sense the people inside, then stepped up and knocked on the knocker.

Under the eaves within the courtyard, a red-clothed woman was slightly reclining in a circle chair, her features like a painting. Her hair was elegantly tied up with a vibrant red flower pinned to one side, seemingly garish but with a unique charm.

The woman, half-reclined and propping her head with three fingers of one arm in a feigned doze, slightly curled her lips in a smile when she saw Shi Chun approaching the alley.

When Shi Chun stopped outside the gate, she confirmed he was coming for this courtyard, and her smile grew even more.

She had intended to lure him here, not expecting him to come willingly, showing that he still had feelings for this place, which pleased her.

When the knock sounded, her starry eyes opened, and she stood up, walking down the steps to the door, seemingly casually asking, "Who is it?"

That lazy voice had a familiar ring, causing Shi Chun to pause in surprise, immediately replying, "A friend comes to visit."

The door creaked open, revealing the red-clothed woman behind it. Indeed, she was more stunning than a flower and as striking as ever.

Shi Chun looked surprised, "Why are you here?"

Ecstatic, he had been worrying about not finding her, only to have her found effortlessly.

The red-clothed woman scrutinized him from head to toe, frowning, "Who are you looking for?"

"No, but..." half-spoken, Shi Chun suddenly remembered he was in disguise. Instantly tearing off his facial disguise, rubbing his face to reveal his true features, he said, "It's me. Did you forget?"

The red-clothed woman's face lit up with surprise, exclaiming, "It's you! Why are you here?" Slightly turning her head, she used Shi Chun's figure to obscure Jiang Wushou's sight trying to glance at her from under the steps outside. Then she stepped sideways, making way in the doorway.

Shi Chun stepped inside, turned to see Jiang Wushou trying to follow in, and immediately drove him off, "I have some matters to attend to, you guys head out of the alley for now."

Jiang Wushou hesitated, "Out of the alley? Isn't that too far to retreat?"

Shi Chun impatiently said, "Stop nagging, listen to me," and with that, he reached out to close the door with a bang.

Jiang Wushou outside the door was speechless, vaguely realizing something, agreed with a "yes," and then turned away.

Inside the courtyard, Shi Chun quickly caught up with the red-clothed woman's elegant, slow pace, looking at her graceful figure with a mischievous smile, reaching out to touch her buttocks.

The red-clothed woman's body went rigid, as if struck by lightning. Unprepared for such behavior, she wasn't used to it, nor did anyone dare for her to get accustomed. She swatted away Shi Chun's offending hand with a slap.

"Hiss…" Shi Chun took a deep breath, recalling the bone-piercing pain once again.

Shaking his hand, he did not dare to touch randomly again. However, he still placed his hand on her waist. The red-clothed woman elbowed him, but he clung stubbornly. She gave Shi Chun a sidelong glance, and in the end, did not overly resist, allowing him to hold her waist as they ascended the steps together.