Chapter 149: The Marquis of Pingyang?

  Xiao Yun was inexplicably frozen, instinctively wanting to retreat, but the white-robed old man was right beside him. How could he be allowed to escape? With a swift finger point, Xiao Yun felt his whole body stiffen, his blood and energy blocked, just like Wang Tianba's couple earlier, unable to move.

  How could that old man in Chinese clothes recognize her? Xiao Yun's mind was filled with thousands of doubts, wondering if he had mistaken her for someone else.

  Xiao Yun's heart was filled with anxiety and unease, not knowing how these people would deal with him. Facing the powerful later-stage musicians, it could be said that Xiao Yun currently had no power to resist.

  "Let's wait and see, we'll ask Zhou Guan when he gets back to clear up the situation!" The white-robed old man said to Xiao Yun, his heart also filled with some inexplicable confusion.

  Before long, the old man in fine clothes went and came back, bringing with him an old man with a long white beard and hair, who rushed into the backyard.

  "Your Lordship!"

  When they saw the old man in grey clothes, everyone in the courtyard showed respect and bowed.

  "Is this the Marquis of Pingyang?"

  Xiao Yun looked up and saw that the old man had white hair but a youthful face, making it impossible to tell his actual age. He was slightly thin, but his temperament was extraordinary. Although he wore very ordinary clothes, when he walked, he did so with a majestic stride, exuding an aura of authority that ordinary people could not match. Xiao Yun knew that this kind of aura only belonged to those who had been in high positions for many years, far above others.

  Marquis Pingyang, Zhou Wenting, has been garrisoning the city of Pingyang for decades. It is said that he has reached the middle stage of the Music Sect, but as a person, he is very low-key. Specifically, how strong he is, not many people know.

  "Is it this person?"

  Zhou Wenting arrived at the courtyard, his hands still on the buttons of his waistband, looking like he had been woken up by Zhou Guanjia while he was dreaming. His sharp eyes fell on Xiao Yun's body, as if he was scrutinizing him.

  "Master Hou, it's definitely him, look!" Zhou the housekeeper nodded and immediately took out a piece of paper, quickly walking to Xiao Yun's side and holding the paper up to his face.

  "What is it?"

  Xiao Yun couldn't move and therefore couldn't see what was on the paper.

  Zhou Wenting's eyes swept across the paper, on which was drawn a portrait of a person. Although it didn't look very much like him, the spirit and aura emanating from the painting were enough to prove that the young man in front of him was indeed the one depicted in the portrait.

  "Quickly untie!" Zhou Wenting was stunned for a moment, then gestured to the white-robed old man.

  The old man in white robes pointed with his finger, and immediately stood behind Zhou Wentai. Xiao Yun suddenly felt like he had let out a breath of air. His whole body's blood flow suddenly cleared up, and he was able to move freely again.

  "Yunzhou Tianyin Sect's Xiao Yun?" Zhou Wenting asked facing Xiao Yun.

  Xiao Yun nodded and made a mysterious bow to Zhou Wenting, "Junior Xiao Yun has seen the Marquis of Pingyang!"

  In front of him, this seemingly ordinary old man was actually a real and powerful governor. When facing such an elder who combined authority and great power, Xiao Yun's heart felt not only apprehensive and puzzled but also had a thread of reverence.

  "It's really you!" Zhou Wenting's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. "How did you end up here?"

  Xiao Yun was somewhat taken aback. "Does Master Hou know me?"

  Zhou Wenting didn't respond, and Zhou Guanjia handed the paper in his hand to Xiao Yun's face. Xiao Yun unfolded it and took a look, with a surprised expression on her face.

  That was a wanted poster with his and Lin Chunyin's portraits on it, and below that was the brightly colored national seal of Xia Guo.

  "What's going on?" Xiao Yun looked up at Zhou Wenting with a puzzled expression, but her mind was thoughtful.

  Zhou Wenting beckoned to Xiao Yun, "Follow me!"

  Having spoken, Zhou Wenting took Xiao Yun across the corridor bridge in the backyard and entered the inner hall of the Hou Mansion.

  "This notice was sent from Longcheng just two days ago, didn't it say that you were kidnapped by the demon tribe? How can you appear here?" Zhou Wenting asked Xiao Yun after finishing his explanation.

  Because Xiao Yun and Lin Chuoyin were kidnapped by the demon tribe, they might have passed through Pingyang Pass, so Xia Huang ordered people to print wanted notices. However, since Pingyang Pass is located in a remote border area, it took quite some time for the notices to arrive.

  Xiao Yun sighed, "It's a long story. I was taken to Liang Country by that demonic eagle and managed to kill it with a trick. I barely escaped and only returned yesterday. Because I didn't have the proper documents, I almost couldn't enter the city. Then I met those three people, and we immediately clashed, wanting to fight..."

  "Hmph, these two villains are really detestable. I spared their lives back then, but they still haven't changed their ways. This time, I won't let them off!" After hearing Xiao Yun's words, Zhou Wenting felt a surge of anger.

  Zhou Wenting's eyes contained a hint of hidden murderous intent, although it flashed by quickly, but was still captured by Xiao Yun's sharp senses. He knew that Wang Tianba and his wife were probably doomed this time.

  "Wait, wasn't there someone else? The woman who was kidnapped with you?" Zhou Wenting asked after a moment.

  Xiao Yun's eyebrows furrowed slightly as a hint of gloom flashed across his face, "Lin Shi Mei has met with disaster. She fell from an altitude of 10,000 meters and is probably already dead!"

  Every time this matter is brought up, Xiao Yun's mind will flash back to the scene of Lin Chu Yin falling from the clouds, and her heart will feel like it has been suddenly pinched by someone, both painful and aching.

  "This group of demons, under the bright sky, dares to enter our Great Xia and commit murder, it's truly lawless! " Zhou Wenting's tone was soft, but his heart was full of hatred. He had been ordered by the Summer Emperor to guard the Pingyang Pass for many years and had dealt with the demon tribe many times, with countless disputes and battles in between. His hatred for the demon tribe was not much weaker than Xiao Yun's.

  "It's good that you're back, you can stay in my mansion for now and rest for two days. I'll send someone to escort you to Long City to report back!" After a while, Zhou Wenting said to Xiao Yun.

  Xiao Yun listened and said, "No need to trouble Lord Hou, I can go back myself!"

  Zhou Wenting thought for a moment, then said, "Two months later is the seventh princess's birthday. The seventh princess will be holding a marriage ceremony in Long City, and my son also wants to attend. It just so happens that it's on your way, so you can rest for two days first, and then my son will accompany you along the way."

  "Seven Princesses Recruiting Husbands?"

  Xiao Yun was taken aback for a moment. Seventh Princess? Wasn't that the Fragrant Moon Princess she had met before? She's getting married?

  "What? Young brother, you have intentions too?" Zhou Wenting said.

  Xiao Yun snapped back to reality and shook his head, saying, "It's just a bit unexpected."

  "A month ago, Yan Zhou came to ask for a marriage, and Your Majesty was in a dilemma. So I thought of a way to invite the bride, which would not offend either side. If you are willing, you can go with my son together. Anyway, if you want to return to Bo Ya Mountain, you will have to pass through Long City, right?" said Zhou Wen Ting.

  Xiao Yun thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. There was still a distance to go before reaching Long City, and no one could predict what would happen along the way. Having one more person with them would make it safer.

  "Housekeeper Zhou, arrange a place for the young master to stay!" Seeing Xiao Yun nodding, Zhou Wenting instructed Housekeeper Zhou who was standing at attention by his side.

  "Yes!" replied Zhou Guan Jia.

  "You just rest assured, tomorrow I will introduce my son Mingxuan to you!"

  Zhou Wenting said a word to Xiao Yun, Xiao Yun nodded in thanks and then retreated with Zhou's housekeeper.

  ——

  "Quietly, look at how this young man is doing?" Zhou Wenting asked the white-robed old man beside him after Xiao Yun went down.

  The old man in white robes gently stroked his beard, "Although this person's realm is not high, he can escape from the hands of Ling and Xie, which is indeed a bit capable."

  "What about integrity?" Zhou Wenting asked further.

  "As for the others, I couldn't see clearly. This is my first time seeing this person, and I don't dare to comment on his character. However, Master Hou can let Young Master Hou interact with him more."

  Zhou Wenting nodded slightly, "I've heard that this person is a friend of the Flowing Wind Prince, and the Ninth King also attaches great importance to him. It's necessary to get close to him. This time I'll let Mingxuan accompany him on the road. If we can use him to get acquainted with the Flowing Wind Prince, it would be a great gain."

  "Your Excellency is indeed wise!" Mei nodded and smiled calmly.

  "It's really fate, searching everywhere for him but he came knocking on the door himself." Zhou Wenting also shook his head and smiled, "Go take a rest!"

  "Yes!"

  Mei Jingran nodded slightly and immediately retreated as well.

  ——

  Marquis's guest room.

  It must be said that this Hou Mansion is luxurious and grand, but a guest room is even more luxurious than the Tianzi Shangfang he just stayed in. The house is divided into inner and outer rooms, with all kinds of furniture, the inner room is for rest, and the outer room has a round table, on which are placed various fruits and vegetables.

  She carefully took out the sleeping Xiao'er from her arms and placed him lightly on the edge of the pillow, then lay down beside him.