You don't want your secret to be revealed by others, right?

Chapter 98 - 40, The Method of Fighting Generals

"It’s quite simple,"

As members of the Tantian Sect turned their attention to him, Lin Yue spoke slowly, "There is a Taoist Priest Tu in Qingdu, who comes from the Shenxiao Sect. I hope everyone will continue pretending to be Patrol Envoys in his presence. Do not expose your identities, and don’t let him know that I will be going to Di Hong City."

The members of the Tantian Sect nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader."

The Master said, "The Shenxiao Sect has always advocated exterminating demons with thunder. Naturally, we know that unless one is a Great Cultivator who has surpassed the Three Talents Heaven Barrier, the disguises afforded by the Greedy Heaven Technique should be enough to deceive Taoist Priest Tu."

Lin Yue nodded slightly and inquired, "Do you think it’s wise to continue staying in Qingdu?"

"It would be best to leave as soon as possible,"

the Master suggested. "After all, you are now a Prince, in a precarious and influential position. If you stay here for too long, you may become a target for those with ulterior motives."

After contemplating for a moment, Lin Yue asked, "If Taoist Priest Tu were to board the Flying Boat, would he be able to tell that you all are from the Tantian Sect?"

"There should be no problem as long as they are beneath the level of a Great Cultivator," the Master replied.

"Good."

Lin Yue said, "Then let’s board the Flying Boat and find a secluded place to engage in cultivation."

After a moment’s reflection, the Master said, "Our Tantian Sect covertly controls a smaller Martial Cultivation Sect in Liangzhou. We have made extensive preparations, and it is also close to Liangzhou City. Perhaps Your Highness could consider that location for seclusion?"

"Very well," Lin Yue gave a slight nod.

...

As dusk fell,

the setting sun painted the corners of the sky red, bursting forth with billions of amethyst hues.

With the sudden disappearance of the huge Flying Boat above Qingdu, the thick white fog that had enveloped the city for days finally dispersed. The remaining twilight bathed Qingdu, lending it a touch of yellow gloom.

"Wooo—"

The deep roar sounded like the horn of farewell.

Unseen to outsiders, the massive Flying Boat, like a whale in the vast ocean, glided away, concealed by the Barrier.

Howling winds brushed past the exterior of the Barrier.

The afterglow turned the waves carved out by the Flying Boat into a golden-red mist, rippling like the sea at twilight.

Lin Yue stood at the edge of the Flying Boat’s deck, which was beginning to ascend, his pupils quietly reflecting the shrinking Qingdu below and the tiny figures on the Green Sparrow Road, each smaller than an ant.

This small border city, where he had lived nearly his whole life, held many memories that he would find hard to forget in a lifetime.

But in the end, he still had to leave.

A melodious flute melody, reminiscent of the vast expanse of the sky, began to play behind him, evoking a sense of a deep and lingering farewell that echoed across the deck.

Lin Yue did not turn around, merely watching quietly with the flute’s sound as the city of Qingdu receded.

Until Qingdu completely disappeared from view, he turned and said, "Old Drunkard, it’s been a long time since I’ve heard you play the flute. What made you think to torment me with it today?"

Taoist Priest Tu was sitting lazily at the railing on the edge of the deck, holding an ordinary bamboo flute in his hand.

After putting the flute down, Taoist Priest Tu took a swig from the wine jug next to him and said, "You’re leaving Qingdu for the first time in your life, kid. Sending you off with a tune is the least I can do."

"Actually, you could retire peacefully in Qingdu."

Lin Yue smiled and said, "In any case, I will come back to fetch you in a year or two. I’m going to live in seclusion for cultivation, and there won’t be much excitement for you to follow."

"Another year or two?"

Taoist Priest Tu gave him a look, "I’m already half in the grave with not much longer to live. What if you lose your way and don’t come back? Forgot about people once you became a Prince, did you?"

Lin Yue rolled his eyes, "I think you’re just longing for the wines I’ve prepared for you, using all these excuses."

"Cough cough, wouldn’t it be a waste not to drink all that wine?" Taoist Priest Tu remarked.

"I can drink them."

"That’s just my point, giving them to you is a waste. You, a Body Refinement cultivator, can’t even get a buzz from drinking, what’s the point? Wouldn’t that be pure waste?"

"I could drink it like water."

"Then go ahead and just drink water."

Lin Yue bantered with the Old Drunkard like he usually did, but he understood in his heart.

The Old Drunkard, knowing that he was a Prince, wouldn’t possibly be at ease letting him leave alone. He would surely follow him, so Lin Yue had made preparations for this as well.

Moreover, to tackle the problem plaguing the Old Drunkard, they would at least need to reach Di Hong City. Even if he left the Old Drunkard in Qingdu, he would have to come back for him before heading to Di Hong City, so he might as well bring him along now.

"I won’t chat anymore, I’m beginning my cultivation,"

Lin Yue decided to ignore Taoist Priest Tu and turned his head to Baili Fengzhi, who had been standing quietly not far behind him.

"By the way, Baili,"

Lin Yue suddenly asked, "You being the commander of the Northwest Pass, wouldn’t there be a problem not staying there on duty?"

Baili Fengzhi shook her head, "Great Yong has the protection of the National Guardian Array. Border threats usually consist of beasts below the Four Symbols Level. My presence at the border is mostly for extra precaution; the main defense relies on the one hundred and fifty thousand border soldiers. It makes little difference if I am absent for ten days or half a month."

She paused, then added, "Besides, I’ve already submitted my resignation notice, specifying that I would follow Your Highness, so there is no need to worry."

Understanding dawned upon Lin Yue.

"That’s good then. Let’s start training in Martial Arts,"

Lin Yue glanced over the spacious, open deck, "The Patrol Envoy said that one could train here unrestrainedly since the Barrier will provide protection."

Baili Fengzhi nodded slightly and said, "Your Highness has already broken through the Five Elements Heavenly Barrier, so your physical foundation is much stronger than most others. Your progress in Martial Arts will likely be swift."

She turned her head to look around, then with a single gesture summoned something from storage treasure.

It was a circular metal plate, about two feet in diameter and half a foot thick, made of purplish-gold color, set within another slightly larger black metal plate, resembling a shield. Baili Fengzhi held it in her hand.