Cangzhou Demon Market, located within the Qianli Inn.
"Sir Si Er, you can rest assured!"
The mahogany-colored horse spirit, standing shorter than Si Er, smiled and said, "I will definitely safely deliver your brother to the destination!"
"Not only safely, but also quickly."
Si Er wore an unusual serious expression as he faced the chief stationed at the Cangzhou outpost of the Qianli Inn and said, "It must be both fast and safe."
"If my brother doesn't arrive on time or encounters any minor issues along the way, I will go to Juzhou and smash your main gate!"
As Si Er spoke, the mahogany horse spirit hurriedly responded, "Sir Si Er, you can trust me completely."
"On this journey, not only will I personally escort him, but I will also bring the three strongest members of our clan, excluding myself, to accompany your brother to Yunzhou."
"That would be best!"
With that said, Si Er nodded in satisfaction, but he added, "You must do a good job!"
"I will, and you will be rewarded for it!"
"But if you fail..." Si Er chuckled coldly, "Let me tell you, my brother is the most favored one in our family. If he suffers any grievances, more than just me will come to smash your main branch!"
"Ah, yes, yes!"
The mahogany horse spirit wiped the sweat from his forehead and repeatedly assured him.
"Now go and prepare. I still need to bid farewell to my brother."
"Sir, please go ahead!"
After watching Si Er leave, the mahogany horse spirit breathed a sigh of relief.
It is said that Si Er, the Spirit Cat with Four Ears, is generous, righteous, and magnanimous, but why did he seem so intimidating today?
However, as intimidating as Si Er was, he also offered a lot.
The income from this deal alone is equivalent to the entire year's harvest from last year.
But the more so, the mahogany horse spirit knew that he couldn't relax; he must be extra vigilant.
Otherwise, this cat might really go to Juzhou and smash their main branch.
...
Inside the reception hall of the Qianli Inn.
Duke Du was puffing on his cigarette, blowing out clouds of smoke, with a furrowed brow.
After reading the bamboo slip, Duke Du's initial joy about his entry into the sect and his selfless dedication were completely shattered.
The information recorded on the bamboo slip was as sharp as a knife, causing Duke Du great distress.
It detailed the current situation of the girl while also exposing her predicament.
Although the girl has the bloodline of the Yun Family, she is ultimately an outsider.
The fact that the Old Patriarch of the Yun Family allowed her to participate in the struggle for the main branch's position has caused dissatisfaction among the Yun Family.
The matriarch of the main branch of the Yun Family, Kong Xian, is particularly jealous. In her heart, she already sees the future position of the family head as belonging to her own son.
But now, with the girl's involvement in the struggle for the main branch's position, Kong Xian believes that the girl poses a threat to her son's future position.
Although the girl's participation in the struggle for the main branch's position was the intention of the Old Patriarch, everyone in the Yun Family has some reservations about it.
Kong Xian took advantage of this and used her natal family's connections to specifically target the girl, who is currently in the first stage of the struggle for the main branch's position.
And the rest of the Yun family turned a blind eye to this.
After all, this struggle for the Dragon's Heir position was related to the Yun family's highest authority transition, and it concerned everyone's interests.
Even though some members of the Yun family had a favorable impression of the young lady, they couldn't afford to prioritize personal feelings over their own interests.
The Su family, on the other hand, remained silent about the Yun family's actions from the beginning.
The several Young Masters from the Su family who escorted the young lady to Yunzhou were even placed under house arrest, and no information was allowed to leak out.
The young lady's situation now can be described as extremely dangerous, isolated and without any support, with a pack of wolves waiting to devour her.
Everyone wants to remove the young lady from the struggle for the Dragon's Heir position.
"Brother!"
Suddenly, Si Er rushed to Du ke like a gust of wind and exclaimed loudly, "I've arranged everything for you. I will definitely send you to Yunzhou in the shortest time possible."
"Thank you, Si Er," Du ke replied.
Si Er's expression turned somewhat angry, "Why are we talking differently as family members?"
"If I didn't have important matters to attend to and had the time, I would go to Yunzhou with you."
"When the time comes, no matter what happens, your brother will handle it all for you!"
"Even if things don't go well, I'm willing to risk being crippled by Qian Suisui and bring you back to Mao City."
"After returning to Mao City, with Qian Suisui and the stuffy gourd around, even if a cultivator of the Ninefold Heaven comes, they would have to crawl in front of us."
Si Er's words warmed Du ke's heart.
Si Er was most afraid of going home because of Qian Suisui's threat, but now, in order to be able to say the word "home" to Du ke, it showed how important Du ke was in Si Er's heart.
"Thank you, brother!"
"Don't say that."
Si Er sighed at this point.
"Ah, I really cherish our brotherhood, but unfortunately, both you and I have other matters to attend to, and we can't be together for long."
"Si Er, don't say that."
Du ke comforted, "Once I'm done with my business here, I will come find you!"
"Okay, that's settled."
Si Er scratched his ear.
"By the way, brother, do you have anything you want?"
"Just tell your brother, and I will give it to you when we meet next!"
"Well..." Du ke's thoughts turned, and rare enough, he didn't refuse, "In that case, please help me find some spiritual fire and items with a powerful sword intent."
"Just these two things?"
"That's all."
Si Er raised an eyebrow and patted his chest, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
"Um, when we meet next, let's have some fun together, brother!"
Seeing Si Er's signature silly smile, Du ke also laughed, "We'll definitely have a great time next time."
"Si Er, everything is ready!"
A horse spirit came to Du ke and Si Er, speaking softly. At the same time, Du ke stood up and clasped paws with Si Er.
"Si Er, the mountain is high and the road is long. I won't delay any longer."
"Ah, I really want to stay with you a little longer."
Si Er sighed, but in an instant, he put on a smiling face again.
"But you have to go and fulfill the agreement, to do your own thing."
"Brother, then I won't keep you!"
"Then I'm leaving!"
"But you must remember to come find me soon. I'm still waiting to give you a treasure!"
"Definitely, definitely!"
Du Ke nodded, squatting on Si Er's back, and left the waiting hall.
Si Er squatted in front of the door of the waiting hall, watching the fading figure of the cat riding the dog, and couldn't help wiping the corners of his eyes.
"Ah, a truly wonderful brother."
"It's a pity we can't be together all the time. I wish you a smooth journey!"
...........
Yunzhou, Jing Yun City.
Inside a certain inn.
"Miss?"
Yun Shan, wearing a thin cloud-colored garment, stood in front of the door of the guest room, dragging an empty sleeve, softly calling out. She heard a response from inside the room.
"Come in, Aunt Yun."
Yun Shan immediately pushed the door open and entered. Inside the room, a faint fragrance of sandalwood filled the air. Yun Shan closed the door behind her and turned her gaze towards Su Qiluo sitting at the table.
During the days in Yunzhou, Su Qiluo, who appeared somewhat thin, was holding her face with both hands, staring blankly at the teacup on the table.
"Miss..."
Yun Shan walked slowly to Su Qiluo's side and called out in a low voice, "It's time to eat."
"Aunt Yun, you all go ahead. I don't have an appetite."
After saying this, Su Qiluo sighed softly.
"I wonder how the General is doing now, whether he's eating well, sleeping well, and happy."
"Miss, the person we sent to find the General is tirelessly searching for his whereabouts day and night. Please don't worry anymore."
Yun Shan comforted her in a soft voice and changed the subject.
"Let's focus on the current trial."
"But I don't want to stay in the Yun family. The Yun family doesn't have my Langya Palace, my father, the General, or everything familiar to me."
When Su Qiluo said this, her eyes filled with sorrow.
"I want to go home, back to Langya Palace."
"Miss, please endure a little longer!"
Yun Shan didn't know what else to say, so she could only continue to comfort Su Qiluo.
"Did you gain anything from your visit to the Lord's Mansion in Jing Yun City today?"
"No, the Lord of Jing Yun City is still unavailable."
Yun Shan was also angry, frowning and saying, "This Lord of Jing Yun City is really rude."
"You are a noble from the immortal family, but since you arrived in Jing Yun City, the Lord hasn't made an appearance. Not only that, he didn't even arrange a place for you to stay at the inn, making you stay here."
"He's really too arrogant and disrespectful."
"I suppose it's because of Aunt Yun's influence," Su Qiluo sighed softly. "Ever since I came back, Aunt Yun hasn't liked me."
"Add to that my grandfather's insistence on involving me in the Yun family's trial, and the uncles and aunts of the Yun family have become distant towards me."
"As for the other young masters of the Yun family, let's not talk about them for now. The Yun Family's Eldest Young Master and your mother are siblings, your real uncle."
"But now, your real uncle..." Yun Shan sighed heavily, and Su Qiluo propped up her cheeks, appearing indifferent.
"Actually, I don't care about all this."
"I just want the General to come back."
"If General was by my side, no matter how they bully me, I wouldn't be afraid!"
"Unfortunately, General and Thirteen are both lost."
As Su Qiluo spoke, she sniffled and tears streamed down her big eyes.
"Aunt Yun, I miss General so much!"
"Miss, don't be sad. General will come back!"
Yun Shan embraced Su Qiluo, allowing the little girl to cry in her arms.
As Yun Shan gently stroked Su Qiluo's beautiful hair, she couldn't help but sigh.
Where could General the cat be found now?
Ever since the Old Patriarch of Yun Family announced that the demon Su Qiluo would participate in the struggle for the Dragon Throne, all the people who were sent to find General for Su Qiluo were recalled.
Or rather, they were forcibly summoned back.
The people from Yun Family naturally obeyed the order, while the people from Su Family were forcibly brought back to Yun Family and put under strict supervision, with violent repression for those who resisted.
And Yun Shan was the only one who knew about this matter from beginning to end, apart from Su Qiluo.
She had only said those words earlier to comfort Su Qiluo.
To prevent her from being too heartbroken!
Yun Shan lowered her head and looked at the little girl in her arms, unable to help but let out a long sigh.
Oh, Old Patriarch, she is your own granddaughter!
Her mother was also your favorite daughter. Why are you so heartless to drag her into this struggle for the Dragon Throne?
While Yun Shan sighed inwardly, Yue Yun, the chubby boy with black hair, was waiting outside the guest room door with two servants carrying food and wine.
"Guest, when should we bring the food in?"
The servant holding the tray asked softly, and Yue Yun wiped the sweat from his forehead, turning his head to the servant, saying, "Little brother, wait a little longer. Once Aunt Yun finishes comforting Miss, we can bring it in."
"But the food is going to get cold!"
As the servant spoke, he uncovered the lid of the tray with dishes.
"Look, such good food, it would be a shame if it gets cold!"
"I understand what you're saying, but Aunt Yun hasn't given the order, so I can't do anything!"
Yue Yun scratched the back of his head with a particularly simple expression.
"Well, since that's the case, let's wait a little longer!"
As the servant put the lid back on the tray, a strange fragrance wafted toward Yue Yun.
"Let's wait a little longer!"
"Hmm... wait... something's not right... hey, my body... why does it feel so numb..."
Yue Yun's expression turned fearful, and his body stiffened as he fell backward. The servant quickly grabbed the front of Yue Yun's clothes.
Behind Yue Yun, a figure appeared, supporting the chubby Yue Yun under his armpit.
After a moment, a knocking sound came from the room.
Knock, knock, knock...
"Aunt, is it time for the meal?"