Chapter 620 - 207: The Power of the Qi Absorption Realm, To a Banquet in the Prefecture City

Sun Ningxiang’s cheeks flushed a faint red under his direct gaze. She gently twisted the hem of her sleeve and said with a playful pout, "What are you looking at? It’s getting late. We should get going, or it will be rude to arrive late at the Lin Family’s."

Yang Jing snapped back to reality, a frank smile spreading across his lips. "It’s nothing," he said sincerely. "I just feel that you look especially beautiful today, Senior Sister."

These words made Sun Ningxiang’s cheeks even redder. She lowered her gaze, not daring to look at him.

Smiling, Yang Jing stepped forward and made an inviting gesture. The two of them left the small courtyard, one after the other, and followed the mountain path of Yunxi Peak slowly downhill toward the Outer Island Pier of Fushan Island.

By the pier, the surface of Hidden Dragon Lake shimmered, its waters exceptionally clear. The ferry carrying the two of them cut through the water, sending out ripples, and before long, it reached the western shore.

The moment they docked, Yang Jing spotted a horse and carriage waiting on the shore.

A jet-black carriage stood out, its body carved with simple cloud patterns and its wheels wrapped in thick padding. A large, apricot-yellow flag was planted beside it. On its surface, the single, powerful character for "Lin" snapped in the wind, instantly identifying the carriage as belonging to the Lin Family.

The carriage looked both luxurious and stately. With its wide cabin, it promised a remarkably stable ride.

Just as Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang disembarked and stepped onto the stone stairs, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Lin Ziheng stepped out briskly.

Today he wore a sapphire-blue brocade robe, having shed the practical attire of a sect disciple. The change gave him the refined air of a young master from a great family. He strode forward to greet them, clasped his hands, and smiled. "Senior Brother Yang, Senior Sister Sun, it must have been a tiring journey. Please, get in the carriage."

Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang nodded in acknowledgement and boarded the carriage, with Lin Ziheng getting in right after them.

The moment they stepped inside, a faint scent of sandalwood filled the air. The cabin was even more spacious than it looked from the outside, furnished with thick, soft wool cushions. The seating was plush and comfortable, and it didn’t feel the least bit crowded, even with all three of them inside.

Against one wall of the cabin stood a small pear wood table. On it rested an exquisite crystal dish filled with fresh candied fruits, all of them seasonal delicacies from Jintai Prefecture.

Yang Jing leaned back against a soft cushion and smiled at Lin Ziheng. "Ziheng, why did you come to pick us up yourself? Didn’t you say yesterday that you would just arrange for a carriage?"

He had assumed the Lin Family would send a steward or a servant; he never expected that Lin Ziheng, the Patriarch’s own son, would come in person.

Lin Ziheng waved his hand and explained with a smile, "I was originally at home overseeing the preparations for the banquet, but Father handed all the arrangements over to my fifth sister. He specifically sent me to pick up Senior Brother Yang and Senior Sister Sun, insisting that we observe all the proper courtesies."

"We’ve troubled you, then," Yang Jing said with a nod and a smile.

"It’s no trouble at all." Lin Ziheng laughed heartily. Then, worried Yang Jing might get the wrong idea, he quickly added, "Senior Brother Yang, please don’t think we’re slighting you by having my fifth sister make the arrangements. You don’t know her, but my fifth sister is incredibly clever. She knows everything there is to know about Jintai Prefecture City, from which restaurant has the best chef for meat dishes to which shop makes the most authentic pastries. She knows it all inside and out."

"What’s more, my fifth sister is great friends with the second young lady of the Hong Family. She even managed to borrow a master chef from them for tonight—someone who used to be an Imperial Chef. He specializes in Jiangnan cuisine. His cooking is to die for."

The Hong Family was the foremost of the three great families in Jintai Prefecture. They had a deep and rich heritage, with a particular mastery of cuisine and the tea ceremony. Their household employed several master chefs, some of whom had even served in the Imperial Kitchen in the Capital City.

Hearing this, Yang Jing immediately waved his hand in protest. "That’s far too extravagant. It’s just supposed to be a casual meal. There’s no need to go to such lengths."

"How can you say that, Senior Brother Yang?" Lin Ziheng said, his expression turning serious. "Considering your current status—tying for first in the Xuanzhen Sect’s Fushan competition—you’re destined to become a pillar of our sect. In my father’s eyes, these arrangements are already quite modest."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jing didn’t argue further, simply nodding with a smile.

The three of them sat in the spacious carriage, chatting idly about everything from amusing anecdotes about the Xuanzhen Sect disciples to the local customs of Jintai Prefecture City.

Lin Ziheng was worldly and an excellent conversationalist. He occasionally said something that made Sun Ningxiang laugh lightly behind her hand, and the atmosphere in the carriage was exceptionally pleasant.

The horse’s hooves went CLIP-CLOP, CLIP-CLOP as the wheels rolled smoothly over the bluestone road.

The carriage sped northwest toward Jintai Prefecture City. Along the way, the scenery gradually shifted from the lakeside greenery to countryside farmsteads, and then, slowly, scattered houses began to appear.

In the distance, they could see the tall walls of the Prefecture City gleaming a bluish-gray in the sunlight. The city gate was bustling with people coming and going, presenting a picture of prosperity.