’Someone from a small town, from the Baihua Sect, seventeen or eighteen years old... Could it be Luoqing City? Is Luoqing City marrying Zhao Xingpu of the Zhao Family?’ Nie Yun froze.

The person they were describing was a perfect match for Luoqing City. When they had parted two months ago, Qingcheng’s cultivation was still at the Body Emergence Realm. But since she had a Demon Core from a beast at the Peak of the Armor Realm, it wouldn’t be hard for her to advance to the Armor Realm in just two months!

Yangg Yan and Feng Xiao were proof of that!

’Luoqing City marrying Zhao Xingpu of the Zhao Family... That’s just too bizarre!’

Nie Yun knew the Zhao Family well. They were one of the Divine Wind Empire’s three great families. Their ancestor, Zhao Xun, was a Mid-Stage Ultimate Venerable powerhouse—the very same one who had been defeated by the genius Mo Yanqing with a single sword strike.

The Zhao Family controlled the selection and appointment of the Divine Wind Empire’s administrative officials, wielding immense political power. The current Clan Leader of the Zhao Family, Zhao Zhenyu, was the Empire’s vital Lord Left Minister. Subordinate to one man but above all others, his authority was second only to the Emperor’s!

Zhao Xingpu was Zhao Zhenyu’s son. He had reached the Qi Sect level at a young age and held an important position in the Empire.

’But even if the Zhao Family has high status and Zhao Xingpu is exceptional, Luoqing City shouldn’t be the one getting married off!’

’I might not have strong romantic feelings for Luoqing City, but I know she likes me. Besides, her father has been captured and his fate is unknown. Why would she choose to get married at a time like this?’

’This is just too unbelievable!’

’Could she have changed so much in the two months I’ve been gone that I can’t even figure her out anymore?’

’Impossible!’

Nie Yun refused to believe that Luoqing City would change like that. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

’If she wasn’t doing this willingly, then she must have been forced!’

’Of course, their information might not be accurate. And I still need to confirm if it’s even Luoqing City they’re talking about.’

With this in mind, Nie Yun gave a quick command to the three Demon Beasts, then turned and headed for the tavern.

Upon entering the tavern, he walked over to the two men who had been talking. They both wore the distinctive armor of mercenaries and looked to be in their thirties. It was clear at a glance that they were straightforward, hearty men. Nie Yun didn’t bother with any pretense. He walked straight up to them, smiled faintly, and tossed a piece of silver onto their table. "Brothers, let me buy you a drink!"

"You’re treating us?"

The two men paused, surprised that the young man who had just walked in wanted to buy them a drink. They looked at Nie Yun, wondering what he was up to.

"Haha, I’m thinking of becoming a mercenary, but I don’t know much about it," Nie Yun said casually. "I saw that you two are experienced men and thought I’d try to get acquainted!"

"Ah, so that’s it. Well then, little brother, we won’t be shy!"

Hearing the young man’s explanation, the two of them were mostly convinced. It wasn’t uncommon for newcomers who wanted to join a Mercenary Corps but didn’t know the rules to seek out experienced Mercenaries for information. This sort of thing happened all the time.

After buying some wine with the silver taels, the three of them were soon deep in conversation. After a few words about the life of a mercenary, Nie Yun abruptly changed the subject. "By the way, have you heard about Zhao Xingpu of the Zhao Family getting married in three days?"

At this question, both Mercenaries laughed.

"Haha, of course! We were just talking about that."

"I heard the bride isn’t from around here. Do you know where she’s from?" Nie Yun asked.

"Where’s she from? A small town somewhere. Someone mentioned it to me once, but I forgot... I think it was something... Luo-something City. Oh, that’s right, it was Luoshui City! She’s from Luoshui City!" the more well-informed of the two Mercenaries said with a laugh.

’Someone from Luoshui City?’ Nie Yun was now about seventy or eighty percent certain. It seemed this peerless beauty was undoubtedly Luoqing City!

"A girl from a small town and the young master of a great family... how did they meet? It sounds like quite a fairytale!"

Nie Yun asked, deliberately feigning a smile.

"Haha, yeah, I find it strange too. Who knows what’s really going on? Drink up! Drink up!"

After chatting a while longer, Nie Yun was finally certain that the girl they were talking about was, without a doubt, Luoqing City. The well-informed mercenary’s younger brother worked for the Zhao Family, which was why he knew so much about it.

As for whether Luoqing City was a willing participant, that was unclear. After all, the brother’s circle was limited, and the news he heard was just gossip passed around among the servants. It was hard to say how accurate any of it was.

In Nie Yun’s opinion, however, the fact that this was the rumor among the servants probably meant that Luoqing City’s reluctance was real.

’To be unwilling but still agree... something else must be going on. The timing also coincides with her father’s capture. Could the two events be related?’

’Then... could this lead me to some clues about my own father and family?’

’I’ll never find out what’s really going on by asking around here. I’d better go find Luoqing City and ask her face-to-face.’

Nie Yun decided to go find Luoqing City and get some clear answers from her himself.

He had come to the Imperial Capital to investigate the whereabouts of his father and the others. He couldn’t let a potential lead like this slip by.

Besides, if Luoqing City was being forced to marry that Zhao Xingpu against her will, he wouldn’t mind settling the score for her.

He asked a few more careful questions and learned that the bride wouldn’t move to the groom’s home until after the wedding. That meant Luoqing City was surely still at the Baihua Sect. With that, Nie Yun immediately stood up.

"Heh, little brother, we’re with the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps. Thanks to Miss Tie Lan, we’re now the strongest of the Empire’s Three Great Mercenary Corps. If you’re serious about becoming a mercenary, come find us. I’m Jiangg Xuan, and he’s Du Jin. We’re at the Mercenary Corps headquarters. You’ll see us as soon as you get there. If we vouch for you, the assessment should be a breeze!"

The well-informed mercenary said with a smile, seeing the young man was about to leave.

"Jiangg Xuan’s right. Miss Tie Lan came back with a Demon Pet at the Peak of the Qi Sect Realm, and our Iron Rock Mercenary Corps became the leader of the Three Great Mercenary Corps overnight. Joining us is your best bet!"

The other mercenary, Du Jin, nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I’ll definitely stop by!"

From the sound of it, Tie Lan had already returned to Divine Wind City from Jibei City. Nie Yun nodded in acknowledgment.

After killing Liu Chengze, he had made a trip to Two Realms Mountain, which had taken over ten days by itself. It made sense that Tie Lan would have had plenty of time to get back to Divine Wind City from Jibei City.

Having learned what he wanted to know, Nie Yun bid farewell to the two Mercenaries. He left the tavern, summoned his three beasts, and headed straight for the Baihua Sect.

The Baihua Sect was established on Baihua Mountain, near Divine Wind City. The mountain was covered in a vast and wondrous array of flowers and plants, their pervasive fragrance so captivating that visitors found it hard to leave.

After leaving Divine Wind City, it took Nie Yun and his three beasts less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to fly to the foot of Baihua Mountain.

"I’m only going to the Baihua Sect to see Luoqing City. You three wait here. If there’s any danger, I’ll send an urgent signal. Come immediately when I do!"

The Sect Leader of the Baihua Sect was an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse. He was only here to visit Luoqing City, an open and legitimate visit. Bringing three powerful Demon Beasts along would likely arouse her wariness. ’It’s better to have them wait here for my signal.’

After giving his orders, Nie Yun looked up at the flower-wreathed entrance to the Sect and started up the stone steps. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)