The group had finally reached the city gate.
The Enforcers quickly dealt with the soldiers stationed there. They entered the city without any problems. It was late at night, and no citizens were lingering at the gates. No unnecessary hassles.
The carriages stopped in front of a large residence on the southern edge of the city. The area around it was quiet—only rustling leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl broke the silence.
A plaque hung above the front gate, etched with the name "Qinglan Residence." The residence exuded an atmosphere of calm even from the outside. Its architecture was graceful but unpretentious, the walls weathered in a way that made the place feel lived-in rather than abandoned. Soft lantern light glowed behind narrow wooden windows, casting gentle patterns on the stone path.
Neatly trimmed bamboo rustled quietly with the breeze, and the garden was dotted with white pebbles, mossy stones, and pale moonflowers that only bloomed at night. The air smelled faintly of earth and plum blossoms, and there was a silence that wasn't empty—but peaceful. A place that welcomed the weary without question, as if it had been waiting for them all along.
Inside, there were three large courtyards. The main courtyard, Yuanhe Courtyard, matched the same understated design. As the largest space, it would house the awakened victims.
Zhao Zhi and the four disciples busied themselves helping the group settle in. Yan Zhen and Luo Heng would take Feng Hailin and the three junior cultivators to the local yamen in the morning.
Bai Xunli led Xuan Tian, Ling Yu, and Gu Tianzhu to the two smaller courtyards. She had planned to let Xuan Tian choose first, but he turned to Ling Yu and said, "You choose."
Ling Yu chose Xuanliu Courtyard, purely because it had "Xuan" in the name. She found it hilarious that Xuan Tian would be staying in "Xuanliu." Xuan Tian rolled his eyes inwardly but went along with her choice. He would share the space with Ling Yu and the three doctors.
Xuanliu Courtyard mirrored the rest of the residence—simple, serene, and functional. Once they settled in, Xuan Tian told Ling Yu to rest. She rolled her eyes but obediently went to choose a bedroom and didn't come out again. Truthfully, she was exhausted. The long journey, the emotional weight of the past few days, and the lingering edge of fear had drained her more than she wanted to admit. The moment she stepped inside the room, the quiet and soft bedding became too tempting to resist.
The final courtyard, Jianxin Courtyard, would house Gu Tianzhu and his four disciples.
Bai Xunli and her assistants bowed and saluted to Xuan Tian and Gu Tianzhu before taking their leave. She mentioned they would return in the morning to escort Feng Hailin and the junior cultivators to the yamen. Xuan Tian said he would go with them.
After everyone had settled in, Xuan Tian stood at the front door and placed a wooden plank to bar it shut. When he turned, he found Gu Tianzhu and Shen Qingyu standing nearby.
"Shengzun, please leave these menial things to me and my shidis," Shen Qingyu said, saluting. He had come to fully understand why his Shizun showed such respect and admiration for Xuan Tian. Part of him even hoped Xuan Tian might come to Ziyu Sect one day.
"It's okay. There's no hierarchy when it comes to these things," Xuan Tian replied calmly. He was not a pampered Immortal incapable—or unwilling—to do labor. This moment, this role—escorting and protecting—was something familiar. Something grounding. And now, after everything, he had the space to return to that purpose again.
"Besides, I want to check the perimeter myself to make sure it's safe," Xuan Tian added.
Gu Tianzhu sighed slowly. He never fully understood Xuan Tian. He was already powerful—feared by many—yet he still did things most would consider beneath his status. And somehow, it fit him perfectly. If Gu Tianzhu were to be honest with himself, the Xuan Tian standing before him wasn't the 'Shengzun' he had imagined serving and admiring. He looked no different from an ordinary soldier or junior cultivator, quietly going about his duty without complaint.
Gu Tianzhu had thought when Xuan Tian let him call him 'Shengzun,' it meant Xuan Tian had accepted his allegiance. And that he allowed the doctors to call him 'Xuan Ge' or 'Xuan Xiong' was because they'd known him longer and were more familiar with him. And when Ling Yu called him 'Iron Wall'—a nickname Gu Tianzhu had to admit suited Xuan Tian perfectly—he had assumed it was because Xuan Tian harbored romantic feelings toward her.
But as Gu Tianzhu interacted with Xuan Tian more, he noticed that Xuan Tian didn't say anything about the titles others had labeled him simply because he felt the sincerity when they called him. He purely accepted their feelings—it had nothing to do with him. The power to choose had always been in the others' hands. In doing so, Xuan Tian was actually the one respecting others first—quietly accepting their sincerity without expectation or demand. And perhaps that was why, in turn, others respected him so deeply.
Then why did he complain about 'Iron Wall'?
"I'm going to check the perimeter. You two should rest. Today has been a long day." With that, Xuan Tian left without looking back.
"Shizun, shouldn't we help Shengzun?" Shen Qingyu asked Gu Tianzhu.
Gu Tianzhu smiled gently. "No, let him. Let's head back."
He turned and began walking to his residence, Shen Qingyu quietly following behind.
"Shizun, I don't understand why we're not helping Shengzun. Aren't you afraid he'll blame us?"
"Qingyu, what do you think of Shengzun? Answer honestly. I want your most sincere answer." Gu Tianzhu asked him.
Shen Qingyu blinked, confused by the sudden question.
"Shengzun is powerful—so powerful it's terrifying. His fighting skills—"
"Not those things," Gu Tianzhu interrupted gently. "What do you feel when you see him, when you interact with him?"
Shen Qingyu hesitated. Should he say it? But his Shizun had asked for honesty.
"I feel respected. Protected," he admitted. "It feels natural to bow and salute him. He's never forced us to, but... it's like every word he speaks carries weight. Like he means every one of them."
Gu Tianzhu nodded. "Anything else?"
"I want to truly serve him. As one of his people," Shen Qingyu said without hesitation.
The words surprised him. He hadn't known he felt that way until he said it aloud. He had always strived to ascend in cultivation. He wanted to become a Saint—not just a Saint, but one powerful enough to restore Ziyu Sect to its former glory.
Gu Tianzhu nodded, sighing. "Me too, Qingyu. Me too. I want to stay by his side, serving him."
For as long as I can, he added inwardly. To Gu Tianzhu, the ability to invoke such loyalty and devotion from others without asking for it—was an ability that belonged only to a true ruler.