In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 308 The Water Never Stops

Having walked out of the coastline near Zhongzhou in the East China Sea, I was completely dry.

Snowflakes were falling from the sky; as December arrived, the temperature here had already dropped below freezing.

I took out a fluffy white cloak and put it on. Although I wasn't cold, it was still quite surprising to see me wearing only a single layer of clothing.

Ning Xiaoxi deliberately chose a place far from human habitation to go ashore. Perhaps because she had spent a long time in the sea, she had developed an inexplicable aversion to being in crowds.

The entire eastern coastline is very long, with places connecting the coast from Zhongzhou to Youzhou, which has provided the coastal people with another way of life.

The North Sea is too cold, and the West and South Seas are polluted. Only the East Sea allows people to make a living from the sea.

Once inside the territory of Zhongzhou, there were many pedestrians and vehicles coming and going, creating a prosperous scene.

Gradually blending into the crowd, the falling snowflakes did not hinder people's progress.

In the distance, you can see a city lying across the snow. The black walls look very thick and heavy. Even on a snowy day, there are soldiers on duty on the walls.

Following the flow of people entering the city, Ning Xiaoxi slowly walked towards the city gate. Unlike the people around her, Ning Xiaoxi's hands were empty. By the time she realized that people around her were paying attention to her, it would seem too deliberate to take out her bundle.

Thinking about this, Ning Xiaoxi stopped worrying about how she was different from others, since she hadn't really been the same as anyone else since she arrived here.

Zhishuicheng

A small seaside town named Zhishui (meaning "still water") seems to be a town with a story.

The procession into the city moved slowly. Gradually, Ning Xiaoxi could clearly see two people standing on each side of the city gate: one a Imperial Guard, the other a Heavenly General. Upon closer inspection, well, those two Heavenly Generals were Sui Lanting and Su Yu. It had been such a long time!

But what's the deal with those two Spirit Guards? Could it be that Lord Tianxian has remembered her again?

Just as Ning Xiaoxi realized that the two people at the door were Sui Lanting and Su Yu, they also saw her. Su Yu, with bright eyes, ran over quickly, swaying as he ran and waving his arms.

Ning Xiaoxi lowered her head; she really didn't want people to think she knew that arrogant guy who ran away—it would be too embarrassing.

"Xiao Xi, Xiao Xi!" Su Yu ran up happily and called out joyfully, his excitement evident in his voice.

Ning Xiaoxi looked up helplessly and gave him a perfunctory smile, "Long time no see!"

“The master said you should have come from this direction. Lan Ting said that Zhishui City is the only way to enter the royal city, so we waited for you here.” Su Yu spoke quickly. “We have been waiting here for three days, and we were afraid that we would miss you. But Lan Ting said that if you had already gone there, we would have received a notification. Since we have not received a message, it means that you have not gone there yet.”

When Su Yu ran over, the people in front and behind him automatically made way for him, clearly showing some respect for his identity. It seems that the Central Plains' suppression of the Celestial Master is not yet so complete.

Su Yu suddenly approached Ning Xiaoxi and whispered, "Did you see those two Imperial Guards at the door? They were sent by Lord Tianxian. I don't know what's going on, but they've been following us everywhere we go. If you ask, just say you're waiting for them. When did you offend Lord Tianxian?"

Ning Xiaoxi's eyes sharpened; the two men were indeed waiting for her.

Has Lord Tianwei returned to the capital?

"Of course, our lords have already returned to the city, and the two lords are now residing in the main pavilion. I heard that the Third Prince, who was exiled to Youzhou, has also returned to the capital, and recently he has been at odds with the First Prince in court. The Pavilion Master has ordered that all Celestial Masters are not allowed to leave the main pavilion unless absolutely necessary." Su Yu spilled out all the information he knew. "Actually, there aren't many Celestial Masters left in the capital, and even the two Deputy Pavilion Masters have been sent out. The lords had us wait for you here and bring you back to the city so that they wouldn't trouble you."

Ning Xiaoxi nodded slightly, and they had already arrived at the city gate.

"Xiao Xi, it's been a long time." Sui Lanting smiled at Ning Xiao Xi.

Ning Xiaoxi, unusually, took the initiative to reach out and link arms with Sui Lanting, saying, "Sister Sui, thank you for coming to pick me up."

Sui Lanting knew Ning Xiaoxi's aloof nature, and that taking the initiative to link arms with her was already a rare show of enthusiasm. His smile widened even more. "We'd like to rest in the city for a while today. We'll set off early tomorrow morning so as not to keep you waiting any longer, sir."

Ning Xiaoxi's gaze swept over the two Spirit Guards who were staring at her.

Sui Lanting patted her hand, "Don't pay attention to them, they won't come forward on their own. Letting them follow will save some trouble." After saying that, he pulled Ning Xiaoxi and walked into the city.

The city gate guards didn't even glance at the few people; they only checked the other civilians entering the city.

Ning Xiaoxi and Sui Lanting entered the city side by side, with Su Yu following beside them. The two Imperial Guards followed at a distance.

As Ning Xiaoxi walked, she noticed something was wrong. The once bustling street was becoming increasingly deserted, and the shops on both sides of the street were starting to close. Even those shops that still had customers were closing their doors.

Sui Lanting and Su Yu flanked Ning Xiaoxi, with the two Imperial Guards standing in front and behind her.

Ning Xiaoxi stood solemnly, surrounded by nearly a hundred soldiers, half of whom were on the rooftops holding bows and arrows, and the other half holding long swords, encircling the street. These soldiers were just ordinary people, none of them were Taoist masters.

Although they had an overwhelming numerical advantage, Ning Xiaoxi knew that if they attacked without restraint, these soldiers would surely die. Therefore, they were merely cannon fodder, or rather, an excuse.

Anger welled up in Ning Xiaoxi's heart. Using more than a hundred lives as an excuse was truly laughable.

"Sister Sui, their target is me. As long as I leave, they won't make things difficult for you."

"Xiao Xi?" Sui Lanting was a little worried. This time when she saw Ning Xiao Xi again, she could clearly feel that Ning Xiao Xi's aura had been completely concealed. She could no longer judge Ning Xiao Xi's level. "The master asked us to pick you up. You are our mission."

“Sister Sui!” Ning Xiaoxi interrupted her, reaching out to grab her wrist. “I’m so glad to see you all again. It will be easier for me to travel alone, and I’ll be less of a target. Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

"It's the eldest prince!" Su Yu said angrily.

"Su Yu!" Sui Lanting stopped Su Yu from speaking. "Stop talking nonsense!" Then he leaned closer to Ning Xiaoxi and lowered his voice. "After the Third Prince returned to the city, he said in a high-profile manner that you are the Celestial Master he has his eye on, and he hopes that you will be the captain of his Celestial Master Guard. No matter why he said that, he has put you in opposition to the First Prince."

"Sister Sui, what is the King's attitude?" Ning Xiaoxi asked softly.