After several days of journeying, Zhang Yuan arrived at Yupu County Town.
Yupu County is located in the southwestern part of Daqian’s Qingzhou. Though the county town is not large, it is situated in a place with clear mountains and pristine waters. The local climate and environnt are quite pleasant, making it a very livable place.
Traveling all the way here, Zhang Yuan saw fields crisscrossed on both sides of the official road, with villagers and farrs working in the fields, a stark contrast to the drought-stricken Yongzhou.
Yan Bei situated his family here, clearly after careful consideration.
After getting off the horse at the city gate, Zhang Yuan led his mount into the county town.
When he left Upper Scenic Celestial this ti, he specifically requested a fine horse for traveling.
After all, the Gray-toothed Lynx, in its transford form, is too fierce. While racing across the uninhabited wilderness is no problem, in densely populated areas, it could easily cause panic and chaos.
And Zhang Yuan traveled thousands of miles to Yupu County Town precisely to fulfill his promise to Yan Bei.
Within the county town, there’s only one bustling main street, and he easily found a shop with a banner hanging at the entrance reading "Su’s Cloth Store."
"Welco, is there sothing you need?"
As soon as Zhang Yuan entered, a shop assistant greeted him with a smile.
Zhang Yuan asked, "Is your shopkeeper here?"
No sooner had he spoken than an elderly man checking the accounts behind the counter ca out imdiately, respectfully bowing and saying, "I am the shopkeeper. May I ask what your business is, sir?"
Although Zhang Yuan concealed all his aura, showing no trace of a strong presence, this old shopkeeper had seen many people in his lifeti and had cultivated an astute eye.
His instincts told him Zhang Yuan was no ordinary person!
So the old shopkeeper’s attitude was exceedingly polite and cautious.
"I have business with your owner."
Zhang Yuan nodded and then took out a jade pendant to hand to him.
It was the keepsake left to him by Yan Bei before he died, carved with the character "Su."
When the old shopkeeper saw this jade pendant, his expression imdiately changed.
He received it with both hands, examined it thoroughly, then gestured to the assistant, saying, "Close the doors!"
Once the cloth store’s doors were shut and a "Closed for the Day" sign was hung up, the old shopkeeper first dismissed the two assistants, then asked Zhang Yuan to wait for a mont.
Not long after, the old shopkeeper brought out a pretty-looking woman from inside.
This woman tightly held the jade pendant. She apparently had so guesses about Zhang Yuan’s purpose for coming, her pretty face ashen, eyes brimming with tears.
She gracefully bowed to Zhang Yuan, asking him in a trembling voice, "Young hero, do you have news of my husband?"
Instead of answering directly, Zhang Yuan glanced at the old shopkeeper beside him.
The beautiful woman bit her lip: "Young hero, rest assured. Shopkeeper Su is our loyal old servant, always faithful."
Zhang Yuan nodded, then removed his backpack and took out a box wrapped inside it.
Inside was Yan Bei’s ashes!
Zhang Yuan said, "Sister-in-law, please accept my condolences."
Yan Bei’s widow, Su, was imdiately shocked as if struck by lightning, her eyes rolled back as she fainted instantly.
Luckily, Zhang Yuan, with quick reflexes, imdiately used a gentle power to support her, preventing her from falling to the ground.
"Madam!"
The old shopkeeper hurriedly supported Su, helping her to sit on a chair, tears streaming down his aged face.
Zhang Yuan sighed inwardly, extending his right hand with a sword-pointing gesture, lightly touching her brow.
With a soft "hum," Su woke up.
Her face was ashen with rolling hot tears, covering her face with her sleeve, crying sorrowfully.
Grief reached the extre.
"Sister-in-law."
Zhang Yuan said solemnly, "I beca fast friends with Brother Yan upon eting him. Before his death, he entrusted to care for you and your son. I wonder if you would be willing to take your family and follow to settle in the sect?"
Although Zhang Yuan promised Yan Bei, he could not stay in this small county town indefinitely to protect Yan Bei’s family.
Therefore, bringing them back to Upper Scenic Celestial was the best choice.
Of course, given Zhang Yuan’s current status, he certainly wasn’t qualified to bring people into Upper Scenic Celestial.
Even if it was only to live in Lin Xian Manor.
So he specifically sought help from Mo Huai’an, obtaining a quota for sect outsiders’ families to enter the sect.
In fact, such a quota is extrely valuable, not normally purchasable.
But Mo Huai’an generously offered the quota and even handled the related procedures.
Sparing Zhang Yuan countless troubles.
Although Mo Huai’an didn’t know Yan Bei, after hearing about the exploits of this hero of the martial world from Zhang Yuan, he was greatly impressed.
So he was willing to help.
"Go, go where?"
Su slightly recovered from the imnse grief and asked sowhat bewilderedly.
She was, after all, just an ordinary woman, faced with such earth-shattering news, for a mont utterly at a loss.
"Upper Scenic Celestial."
Zhang Yuan narrated the situation in Upper Scenic Celestial concisely and emphasized, "The sect is the safest place, and Brother Yan’s offspring, if talented, might be able to join the mountain gate."
Su was still in confusion, and the old shopkeeper beside her persuaded, "Madam, listening to the young hero is right!"
Yan Bei settled his wife and children in Yupu County Town, visiting them every so often, under the protection of this Tier Six mighty figure, naturally living peacefully.
But now the towering pillar has fallen. If they continue living here, there’s no short-term problem.
However, over ti, it’s uncertain.
Besides, entering Upper Scenic Celestial is tantamount to ascending to heaven in one step, unless one has a lack of sense, how could one refuse!
The old shopkeeper was also afraid his madam might lose her senses in grief, so he specially reminded her.
Su finally regained so composure, wiped her tears, and said, "Thank you, young hero, no, thank you benefactor. I will entrust everything to you!"
"My surna is Zhang, full na Zhang Yuan."
Zhang Yuan said, "Sister-in-law, just call by my na; I dare not accept being called a benefactor."
Su nodded, "Brother Zhang."
"There’s no ti to lose."
Zhang Yuan said, "The sooner we leave, the better. This shop, if it can be sold, sell it; if not, just leave it."
A shop in a small county town, even in a prosperous location, has limited value.
Zhang Yuan is not short of money, so he doesn’t wish to waste ti.
The old shopkeeper quickly said, "Young hero, leave this matter to !"
Though the scale of Yupu County Town isn’t large, it’s quite bustling.
This shop is not only on the county town’s main street but also has a residence behind it. As long as the price is lowered, selling it is very easy. Many people are willing to take over.
So Zhang Yuan temporarily stayed and let Su arrange things herself.
Three days later, Yan Bei’s widow, Su, accompanied by two children, an old servant, and a maid, set off with Zhang Yuan in a carriage, embarking on the distant journey to Upper Scenic Celestial.
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