Chapter 677
Renxue Returns
Chapter 677 Qian Renxue Returns
Wuhun City, city gate.
As dusk fell, the sky was bathed in a tapestry of golden-red and purple-gray light, outlining the majestic and mysterious silhouette of Wuhun City.
A simple carriage drawn by two pure black horses slowly came to a stop outside the east gate of Wuhun City.
The carriage was inconspicuous, but if someone with keen soul power perception approached, they would find that the carriage was surrounded by a very faint but exceptionally tough soul power barrier—a feat accomplished by a Title Douluo.
The carriage curtain was gently lifted by a slender, fair hand with distinct knuckles.
Qian Renxue's gaze passed through the car window and landed on the familiar city in front of her.
The city walls still stood tall, and the guards' silver armor gleamed with a cold, hard luster in the setting sun. Pedestrians and carriages came and went in an orderly fashion, and everything seemed exactly the same as when she left.
"I'm back, Dai Chengfeng..." Qian Renxue thought silently.
"Young Master, we have arrived." A deep, respectful voice came from outside the carriage from the Porcupine Douluo.
Qian Renxue composed herself and temporarily suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind.
Today she was dressed in a simple pale yellow casual outfit, her long hair loosely tied up with a plain jade hairpin. She lacked some of the dignified composure required of "Xue Qinghe," but possessed more of the gentleness that a woman her age should have. However, the experience and occasional sharpness in her purple-gold eyes made her stand out from the crowd.
"Mmm," she responded calmly.
The Porcupine Douluo respectfully inquired, "Young Master, upon your return, should I inform His Holiness the Pope first?"
“No need.” Qian Renxue answered quickly, almost without thinking. “There’s no need to disturb anyone. I… just came back to visit. I’ll go see Grandpa first, and then… I’ll go to the Papal Palace by myself.”
"Yes, I understand." The Porcupine Douluo didn't ask any further questions, but simply waved to signal the driver to drive the carriage into the city.
The carriage rumbled as it rolled along the cobblestone path beneath the city gate, slowly blending into the twilight and bustling city life of Wuhun City.
Qian Renxue did not lift the carriage curtain again, but sat quietly in the carriage, listening to the familiar sounds outside that belonged to Wuhun City—the last shouts of vendors before closing up shop, the soft words of mothers calling their children home, the faint laughter drifting from the tavern, and the uniform footsteps of patrolling knights.
These sounds weave together, bringing back some childhood memories...
At that time, she didn't need to play another person, nor did she have to be on edge all the time. Under her grandfather's protection, under the vast sky of the Spirit Hall, she could be a little willful and unrestrained.
The carriage traveled upwards, passing through the bustling city, and headed towards a quieter and more solemn area at the foot of Wuhun Mountain.
Pedestrians and vehicles gradually thinned out, and ancient trees with lush foliage and towering walls began to appear on both sides of the road.
As the carriage finally came to a stop in front of a white hall that was not particularly grand, but which exuded a sacred and majestic aura, the last rays of sunset disappeared on the horizon.
We've arrived at the main hall.
Qian Renxue got out of the car alone, stood under the familiar six-winged angel statue, and looked up at it for a moment.
As the moonlight rose, it cast a soft glow on the statue's white stone, making it appear sacred and serene.
"Since you're here, why don't you come in?"
A kind and deep voice came from inside the palace.
Qian Renxue turned her head and saw her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, standing with his hands behind his back under the corridor, smiling at her with undisguised joy and affection in his eyes.
"grandfather."
Qian Renxue strode forward, a genuine smile involuntarily spreading across her lips.
Only in front of her grandfather could she completely let down her guard and become the pure Qian Renxue she once was.
Qian Daoliu carefully examined his granddaughter, then lovingly stroked her head: "You've lost some weight, but you've also become much more composed. It's tough out there after all."
"It's not hard."
Qian Renxue shook her head, took her grandfather's arm, and walked into the hall together.
"Why did you come back this time?" Qian Daoliu asked curiously.
"I missed Grandpa, so I came back to see you."
Soon, the grandfather and grandson entered a quiet tea room inside the main hall. The room was simply and rusticly furnished, with a faint, calming incense burning in the air.
Qian Renxue personally poured tea for Qian Daoliu, "Just to see this old man?"
Qian Daoliu took the teacup, sipped it, and his gentle yet insightful gaze fell on his granddaughter's face. "I don't think so."
"Xiaoxue, Grandpa can still see through your thoughts to some extent."
Qian Renxue paused slightly, lowered her eyes, and looked at the emerald green tea in the cup, without immediately denying it.
"Is it for Chengfeng's sake?" Qian Daoliu bluntly stated.
Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed slightly after her secret was exposed, but she did not rush to refute or deny it.
She was silent for a moment before whispering, "Is he... alright?"
"He is very good." Qian Daoliu put down his teacup, his tone calm. "His strength has improved rapidly, and his prestige in the palace is growing daily. He is now one of the Pope's most trusted assistants."
"His Holiness the Pope... trusts him a lot?" Qian Renxue asked, her voice even softer.
Qian Daoliu looked at his granddaughter's lowered profile and sighed inwardly, but his tone remained calm: "He is someone the Pope personally brought back and cultivated, so the level of trust he receives is extraordinary."
"Moreover, he is indeed talented, and the Pope often entrusts him with handling many thorny matters."
The tea room quieted down, with only the faint fragrance rising gently.
Qian Renxue held the lukewarm teacup, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the smooth porcelain surface.
“Grandpa,” she looked up, her purple-gold eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, her emotions well-controlled, “this time I’ve only come back to see you, and to see… an old friend. I won’t stay long.”
Qian Daoliu gave his granddaughter a deep look, but ultimately said nothing more, only saying, "You've always been decisive, so Grandpa won't say much more."
"Xiaoxue, it's important to follow your heart in everything, but you also need to know how to protect yourself and not force things."
"If you can't stay in Tiandou City, come back."
"Yes, I remember." Qian Renxue nodded, finished the cold tea in her cup, and stood up. "Grandpa, I want to... go for a walk near the Papal Palace."
"Now?"
"Yes, right now."
Qian Daoliu did not stop him, but said gently, "Go."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Leaving the Hall of Offerings, the cool night breeze brushed against her face, calming Qian Renxue's somewhat chaotic mind.
She refused to be followed by her attendants and walked alone, step by step, up the winding stone steps leading to the Papal Palace.
The bright moonlight cast a long, thin shadow of hers.
Lush trees lined both sides of the stone steps, rustling softly in the night breeze, occasionally punctuated by the calls of night birds.
She had walked this road since she was a child, and could count the number of steps with her eyes closed. But tonight, the walk felt exceptionally long, and her heartbeat quickened as she approached the Papal Palace.
What kind of expression would she have when she saw him?
Surprise? Joy? Or... distant politeness?
She envisioned all sorts of possibilities in her mind, but her steps never faltered.
Finally, the magnificent outline of the Papal Palace came into view, its interior brightly lit, resembling a luminous fortress perched atop a mountain.
The plaza in front of the temple was empty and quiet, with only the patrolling Templar Knights walking by in orderly steps, their armor making a rhythmic rustling sound.
When they saw Qian Renxue, they were visibly startled, and then they all bowed in respect, but did not make a sound, maintaining the solemnity appropriate for the night.
Qian Renxue nodded slightly to them, then lightly stepped onto the long white jade steps in front of the hall and walked towards the tightly closed gilded door.
(End of this chapter)