Time quickly arrived at the New Year.

This year, the entire Liu Family planned to celebrate the New Year at Tushan. As the Liu Family's son-in-law, Lu Zheng naturally had to accompany them.

Lin Wan was not going, Shen Ying was not going, and Si Lingxi had to return to Phoenix Mountain to handle some affairs.

As for the safety of Lu Zheng and others, even Si Lingxi was not worried at all.

Thus, the ones heading to Tushan in the Northern Domain were Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan's family, and of course, they would take Du Yueyao's family along to Pingdong Dao in Yuezhou.

...

"Don't be afraid, Uncle Du. Once Yueyao can fly, she'll take you flying every day."

In the sky, amidst the white clouds, Lu Zheng rode on a cloud carrying the Liu Family and Du Yueyao's family.

Du Yuru heard Lu Zheng's words, swallowed hard, and fought the urge to look down before forcing a smile, "Forget it, I'm afraid if I fly too much, I'll lose my life."

Lu Zheng hadn't expected that the usually calm and composed official of Yizhou would have a fear of heights.

In contrast, Madam Du, holding her daughter's hand, joined Madam Liu in appreciating the sights below, pointing out landmarks and discussing places worth seeing.

Elder Liu and Liu Qingquan, though they couldn't fly themselves, had cultivation to rely on. Last time when they flew to the East Sea Dragon Palace, they undertook a long journey, and thus felt neither anxious nor curious; one sipped wine while the other snacked, enjoying themselves.

Only Du Yuru stood in the middle of the cloud, not daring to look downward.

Pingdong Dao is situated north of Sanjiang Dao, slightly north of the Central Plains' core, to the west lie thousands of fertile miles directly under Zhongjing, the political and economic center of the Jing Dynasty.

Now Lu Zheng had led the group past Sanjiang Dao, arriving at the junction of Sanjiang Dao, Zhongjing, and Pingdong Dao.

Looking westward, one could see the official roads bustling with carriages and horses, coming and going between Zhongjing and the other two Dao, the various merchant caravans.

"Speaking of which, we've never been to Zhongjing, have we?" Lu Zheng said to Liu Qingyan with a smile, "Shall we pick a time and visit?"

"Sure!" Du Yueyao chimed in, "I've never been to Zhongjing either, only my father has."

Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan turned to look at Du Yuru, who smiled and said, "There's nothing much in Zhongjing, just a bit larger, sturdier walls, a denser population, and more bustling shops and taverns."

Lu Zheng couldn't help but laugh, "After all, it's where Emperor Jing resides, the core of the Central Plains. If it were less imposing than a local state capital, how could it command respect across the land?"

He had browsed the records concerning Zhongjing. Detailed descriptions of its dominion were scarce, only speaking of Zhongjing itself, which spanned tens of miles, surrounded by several medium-sized cities stretching over ten miles each, with a combined population of several million—its scale utterly dwarfs even the historic Tang Chang'an City.

This wasn't a modern city with skyscrapers, cars, subways, nor electricity, gas, and water; it was purely an ancient city, undoubtedly the largest in Blue Star's history.

Thus, it's evident that the city construction and management of Zhongjing has reached the pinnacle of ancient levels.

"Indeed." Liu Qingyan smiled, "Whenever Lu Lang wishes to visit, we can go together and have some fun."

In the past, there was some reluctance to visit Zhongjing, as the Great Jing was a human dynasty, and Zhongjing was a gathering place for esteemed figures, while Lu Zheng, Shen Ying, and Liu Qingyan were respectively a traveler from another world, a ghost, and a demon.

But now...

Lu Zheng was a prodigious disciple of White Cloud Temple, Shen Ying was an official Peach Blossom Fairy, Liu Qingyan was gifted the plaque of Green Medical Benevolence, Si Lingxi had no enmity with the Great Jing—each held a public identity, so Liu Qingyan naturally wasn't daunted by visiting Zhongjing now.

Lu Zheng nodded, looking westwards towards Zhongjing, "We'll certainly visit when the opportunity arises."

Though naturally not now. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Riding the cloud, they passed Sanjiang Dao, arriving swiftly at Yuezhou in Pingdong Dao.

Du Yuru's clan resided there, with a swath of farmland owned by the Du Family's clan outside the city, and a grand mansion within it, the Du Family's main residence, one courtyard always kept for Du Yuru's family.

Lu Zheng used a blinding technique, directly descending the cloud at the Du Family's gate in the city.

"We won't go in to pay respects." Lu Zheng said with a smile, "After the New Year, we'll pick you up on our way back."

Du Yuru cupped his hands in gratitude, "Thank you, Lu Lang, thank you, Miss Liu."

"No need for formality, Uncle Du, we're one family." Liu Qingyan replied with a smile, making Du Yueyao beam with joy.

Watching Du Yueyao's family approach the gate, Lu Zheng didn't stay any longer, rising on the cloud, bowing towards the direction of the Anomaly Suppression Bureau within the city, then flying straight upwards, heading north.

...

Soon, the group flew to the northerly border of the Central Plains, the Huo Mountain Dao. Near the Northern Domain, a vast range of mountains stretched out, though not as treacherous or picturesque as those south of the Southern Border, yet possessing a unique magnificence and grandeur.

After passing through Huo Mountain Dao, they entered the Northern Domain territory.

In this winter's time, snow covered the mountains, and the Northern Domain consisted chiefly of forests and grasslands, mostly blanketed by snow. Amidst the wind and snow sat cities and tribes, albeit with smaller and more scattered scales than those in the Central Plains, and a significantly lesser population and standard of living compared to the Great Jing.

Nevertheless, the people of the Northern Domain, living amidst mountains and snowy plains, boasted a better average physical condition than the ordinary folk of the Great Jing, even surpassing the Southern Border warriors in some aspects; throughout Lu Zheng's journey, he observed fierce and robust customs, with strong martial prowess.

Given the differing living environments, it's no wonder the Three Northern Countries covet the prosperity of the Central Plains, while the Central Plains regard the Northern Domain as a significant threat.

Of course, there's another crucial point...

As Lu Zheng passed by a small tribe, he saw it conducting a sacrificial ceremony—three oxen, three sheep, three horses, a blood sacrifice with nine animals, and a black wind swept over, not only taking away the nine animals but also drawing out the rich incense from the bronze statue of a serpent at the ceremony's center.

The Demon Race of the Northern Domain and the Da Jing Imperial Family vie for incense offerings!

These offerings can greatly aid cultivation!

Considering that the Da Jing Imperial Family organized the Star Official System and City God System using Central Plains' incense, facilitating the divinity of deceased royal family members, while the Demon Race of the Northern Domain relied on local incense to endure for millennia with unending masters—it's clear cooperation between them is difficult.

Bear in mind, in terms of lifespan, the Demon Race surpasses the Human Race significantly...

Following the route provided by Tu Yuya, Lu Zheng rode clouds and mist with Liu Qingyan, traveling without ostentation or concealing their presence, the thousand-year Dao Practice of White Cloud Qi spread out, and no trouble found them.

"We're at Tushan territory now."

Lu Zheng announced, and Liu Qingyan peered down through the cloud's gaps, seeing below a flag at a tribal encampment, a black flag embroidered with nine white fox tails.