Retirement begins with summoning Yuan Tiangang

The next morning, Lin Feng packed his luggage.

The luggage was simple: a few changes of clothes, some dry food, a little loose silver, and a small cloth bag for the ring.

He tied the bundle and carried it on his back.

Qinglong was all packed up. Actually, there wasn't much for him to pack; he just needed to sling the cloth bag over his shoulder.

The two went downstairs, where the shopkeeper was already waiting behind the counter.

Seeing them come down, he quickly went to greet them: "Are you two guests leaving already?"

"Mm." Qinglong nodded.

Gui looked at Lin Feng with a complicated expression, but quickly returned to normal.

He took out a money pouch and handed it to Lin Feng: "Young master, use this on the road."

Lin Feng was taken aback: "This..."

"Take it," said Qinglong.

Lin Feng took the money bag; it felt heavy in his hand, containing at least several dozen taels of silver.

He looked at the shopkeeper and said earnestly, "Thank you, shopkeeper."

The shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "It's my duty, it's my duty."

The two walked out of the inn.

The city of Yunhai was shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning.

There weren't many pedestrians on the street yet, and most shops were still closed.

The air was fresh, carrying the scent of dew.

Qinglong stood at the entrance of the inn and looked at the sky.

"I'm going west," he said.

"And you?"

Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "I...I want to continue north."

He didn't know why he wanted to go north, he just felt... he should go north.

He can head in that direction first, practicing and observing as he goes.

"Alright." Qinglong nodded.

"Then let's part ways."

Lin Feng looked at Qinglong, his throat tightening.

For the past month or so, Qinglong has taught him cultivation, guided him on his journey, and protected him.

Although he didn't say much, Lin Feng could sense that Qinglong genuinely cared for him.

"Uncle Qinglong," his voice was a little hoarse.

"thank you."

Qinglong smiled, this time the smile was very obvious, the corners of his mouth curved up and there was also a smile in his eyes.

"Don't mention it," he said.

"Let's go, the road ahead is long."

Lin Feng nodded emphatically, turned around, and walked north.

One step, two steps, three steps.

He didn't turn around.

Qinglong stood there, watching his figure gradually disappear at the end of the street, before turning around and walking west.

The two figures, one heading north and the other west, gradually blurred in the morning mist.

Lin Feng walked alone on the street.

He carried a bundle on his back and held a short knife given to him by Qinglong in his hand. Qinglong had given it to him that morning before he left, saying it was for self-defense.

The knife was short but very sharp, and the scabbard was made of ordinary cowhide with no decoration.

He walked slowly, looking around as he went.

The streets of Yunhai City are wide and straight. Shops on both sides are gradually opening, and shop assistants are sweeping the storefronts and taking down the door panels.

A crowd had gathered in front of the breakfast stall, and the aroma of soy milk and fried dough sticks wafted over, making his stomach rumble.

He stopped at a stall and bought two steamed buns and a bowl of soy milk.

The steamed buns were filled with meat, glistening with oil and smelling wonderful. The soy milk was freshly ground and piping hot; drinking it warmed me right up.

After finishing breakfast, he continued walking north.

After exiting the north gate of Yunhai City, a wide official road came into view.

The dirt road, smoothed by carts and horses, is flanked by rolling fields.

The autumn harvest is over, and neat rows of rice stubble remain in the fields. Occasionally, a few farmers can be seen tending to the fields.

The sky is very blue, and the clouds are very white.

The wind was a bit strong, making the withered grass by the roadside rustle.

Lin Feng took a deep breath and felt...very free.

But also... I'm very lonely.

I used to follow Qinglong. Although Qinglong didn't talk much, there was always someone by his side.

Now it's all over, he's all by himself.

"Hey kid, feeling lonely?"

Master Yu Yuan's voice rang out, tinged with a hint of teasing.

"No," Lin Feng stubbornly replied.

"Come on, do you think I don't know?" Jade Yuan Zhenren snorted.

"But you should also try to make your own way. You'll never amount to anything if you always follow others."

Lin Feng didn't reply and continued walking forward.

After walking for about an hour, the number of people on the official road gradually increased.

There were merchants on their way, farmers pushing carts, and wandering travelers on horseback.

Lin Feng blended into the crowd, inconspicuous, like a drop of water joining a river.

At noon, he found a shady spot by the roadside, sat down, and ate some dry food.

The dry rations were prepared by the shopkeeper at Qinglong's request last night: there were flatbreads, dried meat, and a few boiled eggs. He ate with relish; though simple, it was comforting.

After finishing his lunch, he continued on his journey.

The afternoon sun was quite strong, and he was drenched in sweat from walking. But he didn't stop; he just kept walking.

His cultivation at the second level of the acquired realm made his physical strength far superior to that of ordinary people.

Walking all day, apart from being a little tired, there were no major problems.

As evening approached, he saw a small town ahead.

The town is small, with only a few dozen households, featuring blue tiles and white walls, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

There's an inn at the entrance of town; it's not big, but it's very clean.

Lin Feng went inside.

The innkeeper, an elderly man in his fifties, smiled and asked Lin Feng as he entered, "Young sir, looking for a room?"

"Mm." Lin Feng nodded.

"One room, the cheapest one will do."

"Alright!" The shopkeeper noted it down.

"Twenty coins a night, breakfast included."

Lin Feng paid the bill and followed the waiter upstairs.

The room was small, with just a bed, a table, and a chair.

It was very clean, and the bedding was all newly changed, smelling of sunshine.

He put down his bundle, sat on the edge of the bed, and let out a long sigh of relief.

This is the inn he found himself, paid for it himself, and is the room he stayed in.

It feels...not bad.

Dinner was eaten downstairs; it consisted of one dish and one soup, with unlimited rice.

The dish was stir-fried greens, and the soup was radish soup. The taste was so-so, but it was hot and comforting.

After finishing his meal, he went back to his room and lay down on the bed.

Outside the window, the sounds of dogs barking, children crying, and someone chopping wood—the axe striking the wood with a dull thud—came from the town's night.

It was quiet and reassuring.

He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

In my dream, he was still walking.

I was walking on a long road, with endless fields on both sides. The sky was very blue and the clouds were very white.

He walked alone, steadily, and far.

When I woke up, it was just getting light.

He got up, washed up, went downstairs and ate breakfast, which was porridge and pickled vegetables—simple, but filling.

After paying for the room, he shouldered his bag and continued on his journey.

After leaving the town, we returned to the official road.

The morning breeze was cool, and it felt a little biting on his face. But he walked quickly and steadily.

The sun slowly rose, casting his shadow on the ground, making it very long.

He looked up and gazed ahead.

The road ahead is still long.

But he wasn't afraid.

One person can walk alone.