Chapter 62 (1/2)

Time flew, and half a month had passed in an instant.

On this day, Gao Guiyong and Zhou Quan arrived at Feiyun Village as scheduled. They were welcomed by the villagers’ warm hospitality and purchased more than two hundred kilograms of Feiyun Fire-copper with seven hundred imperial silver coins.

Meanwhile, Gao Guiyong brought Lin Xun a letter written by Shue Liang. The letter, whose contents were simple, said that there was only a month before the start of “County Test” in Donglin Town. If Lin Xun wanted to take the test, he had to set off for Donglin Town as early as possible.

In general, Lin Xun knew County Test would be held in December of each year, State Test would be held in March of the next year, and Province Test would be held three months after the State Test, i.e. in June. As for Nation Test, it would be in September.

It was said that every year in September, Ziyao Flowers bloomed in the Forbidden City, the imperial city of Ziyao Empire. Embellishing every place in the city, it was a marvelous spectacle in Ziyao Empire, and the period was called “Ziyao Flower Festival.”

Practitioners who passed Nation Test would be honored as “Elites of Ziyao Empire, the Chosen Ones”, and then would be readied to go to the most famous Royal Street in the imperial city to walk among thousands of Ziyao Flowers and receive people’s cheers and praises.

This tradition was also called “Journey of the Chosen Ones”.

Lin Xun read the letter in his hands for a long time. It was dark when he finally made a decision.

……

Three days later.

Before dawn, Lin Xun packed his bags, took Shia Zhi’s little hand, pushed open the door and walked out of the courtyard.

“You have really decided not to tell anyone else?” Shia Zhi asked surprisingly.

“Yes, since it’s not a matter of life and death, it’s better not to disturb them.” Lin Xun shook his head. In fact, he could not bear to see the farewell scene.

However, they were shocked when they came upon the village entrance.

At that time, it was still night and the mountains in the distance were shrouded in darkness. But the blazing flames lit up the area around the village entrance.

Shiao Tianren and other villagers all held torches, and both the elderly and the children stood there quietly.

Every face was filled with sorrow, and many people were already holding back the tears in their eyes, trying not to cry.

No one talked. The atmosphere was quiet, and only the wind was sighing.

Lin Xun was completely stunned. Overcome by mixed emotions, he could not calm down for a long time.

“Go!”

Taking a deep breath, Shiao Tianren said in a low voice, “Do not say any more. We just came here to say goodbye to you.”

Lin Xun nodded, and then rode past them on the scaled-horse with Shia Zhi in his arms. The horse’s hoofs beat on the ground, giving out a crisp clop, which was especially loud in the quiet surroundings.

Many children couldn’t help trying to rush forward, but they were stopped by the adults around them. Some women had already bowed their heads and wept, suffering from unspeakable sadness.

In the firelight, Lin Xun silently looked at each of the faces, and suddenly realized that he had lived in Feiyun Village for half a year…

Half a year!

Not only had Feiyun Village changed a lot, but many changes had taken place in him. Now it was time to leave, and when would he return to this place and see these people again?

“Lin Xun!”

Suddenly, a loud cry resounded in Lin Xun’s ears, waking him up from the muddled  thoughts in his mind. Turning his head, he saw Shiao Tianren, the village head, who said, “Remember, Feiyun Village is always your home. If you are tired outside, do not push yourself too hard. We are here, waiting for you to come back to Feiyun Village!”

“Waiting for you!”

These villagers could no longer hold back their emotions and shouted out in unison, and the voices full of anticipation echoed in the night.

After taking several deep breaths, Lin Xun laughed and waved, and then pushed the scaled-horse to run away.

By that time, it was dawn. The first light of morning pierced the darkness, scattering in all directions and illuminating mountains and rivers, and the young boy riding the horse was enveloped by a dazzling light.

The scene that was forged at that moment was destined to be etched in the memories of all the villagers in Feiyun Village for a lifetime.

Although Lin Xun’s figure had disappeared in the vast horizon, these villagers did not disperse, and they could not help thinking of many past events in their minds.

When Lin Xun came to the village for the first time, who could have imagined that it would be this teenager who helped them resolve one crisis after another?

And who could have imagined that because of his arrival, Feiyun Village had undergone earth-shaking changes within just half a year?

The villagers were not stupid. It was clear that Lin Xun sincerely considered Feiyun Village as his own home, while they also considered Lin Xun as their friend.

The only pity was they all understood that Lin Xun was not doomed to stay in Feiyun Village for a lifetime, since the outside world was his real stage!

……

“Lin Xun, will we come back again?”