Chapter 35 : Reaching The City Of Memories

Somewhere in the wilderness, there is a carriage next to the road that leads to the City of Memories. Inside that carriage, Wang Qian and Bai Lian are sleeping while cuddling each other. Wang Qian woke up early as usual, he then woke Bai Lian, who was next to him, up.

"Bai Lian, it's time to wake up now."

"A few more minutes, please..." Bai Lian said 

"Fine, but make sure to wake up on your own."

"Okay..."

The two had been on the road for three days. Wang Qian had to wake Bai Lian up everyday early in the morning, which Bai Lian wasn't use to. Wang Qian then got off the carriage as he light up the campfire that was put out by himself to save some wood. After the fire light up, he started to take out the bodies of the wolves that he killed on the first day and cooked some wolf soup for Bai Lian and himself. 

It was then Bai Lian got off the carriage and sat next to Wang Qian. 

"Wait for a few more minutes, the soup will be ready soon."

"Okay..." she said while yawning.

"Papa, how many days are left until we reach the City of Memories?" she asked

"This one day, after that we can go take a shower once we meet Hua Yue."

Wang Qian said as he stirred the soup.

"It's done."

He took up the bowl next to him, and pour the soup into the bowl using a ladle. He then gave the bowl of soup to Bai Lian, who then took it from his hands as she started blowing cold air towards the soup, before taking a sip

"So warm~~~" she said

"Looks like you love soups a lot" Wang Qian said with a smile

"mhmm" she replied

"Well, we need to finish it quickly if we want to take a bath sooner, and can you condense a few mini water ball for me so I can wash the bowls and spoons?"

"Okay"

Once they finished their meals and washed all the utensils used, they pack it up into the carriage and continue on their journey.

On the way, Bai Lian was eating some grapes that was packed along the specialties of City of Snowing Garden by Jian Ze.

"Do you want some, papa?" Bai Lian asked 

"Just a few will do" 

She then plucked a few and place it inside Wang Qian's mouth. He then chewed on the grapes

"These are quite sweet, aren't they?" he commented

"Don't eat too much, we'll be reaching the city in a few more hours."

"Okay, I'll just pluck two more." She said. She then placed the box of grapes back in to carriage.

The carriage continued to move forward as the two got closer to the city

....

Soon, the city wall entered the eyes of Wang Qian and Bai Lian. Just like the time when they we're with the old merchant, there was a line in front of the city's entrance. Compared to the one at the City of Snowing Garden, the line over here was a lot shorter. The two lined up and waited patiently for their turn. 

After waiting for around an hour, it was their turn to be checked.

"3 copper quins per person" the guard said

Wang Qian took out a silver quins and gave it to the guard. The guard took it over from him, and returned 4 copper quins to Wang Qian. He took the change and ordered the horse to move forward. They then stopped at somewhere near the city lord's mansion as Bai Lian took out some carrots stored in the carriage and feed it to the horse.

Wang Qian on the other hand was contacting Hua Yue through the link.

'Hua Yue, are you there?'

'Replying to my lord, your loyal believer is here.'

'I've reached the City of Memories. My carriage is stopped somewhere near your mansion. What do I do now? Should I go find a restaurant to eat first and wait for you to finish your work?'

'My lord doesn't have to do so. I shall let the guards relay my order of letting you into the mansion.'

'So I'll just drive the carriage in to the mansion?'

'Replying to my lord, yes.'

'Okay, I'll be there soon'

"Okay, we're gonna go to the mansion now."

"Yay! I can finally take a bath!" Bai Lian said in happiness as she got back on to the carriage

It wasn't look for the carriage to reach the gate of the mansion. The guards who were stationed there immediately noticed Wang Qian's carriage heading towards their direction.

"HALT! This is the city lord's mansion! Report your reason for coming here!" the guards said

"I came here as a guest of the city lord" Wang Qian said truthfully

"Please wait here" one of the guards say as he entered the mansion and asked for the city lord's permission. He then came back quickly as he shouted.

"Quickly let Mr. Wang Qian in!"

The guard then opened the gate for Wang Qian's carriage to enter. 

"Thanks for your hard work. Can I know where do I leave my carriage?" he asked the guards

"There will be a horse pent on the left side of the mansion. Leave your carriage there and put your horse in to the pent." the guard said

"Thanks again for telling!"

He then drove the carriage to the said spot and released the horse as he brought it inside the pent. After making the doors were locked, he grabbed a carrot and gave it to the horse. He then continue to the door of the mansion and walked in. What greeted him was a woman with pink colored long hair that was wearing white uniform with black long pants and a fur cape on her. Beside her was an old man who seems to be the butler and behind him was two rows of maid.

"Welcome, Mr Wang Qian. I hope you like the welcome ceremony that I gave you."

"I'm very honored to be personally welcomed by the city lord herself. You didn't have to do this much just to welcome me you know."

"Haha, this much is least to be expected when welcoming an important guest. Now, let's continue to talk in my office. Butler Chen, dismiss these maids and don't allow anybody to enter my office while I talk to Mr Wang Qian here" 

"Understood" 

Hua Yue then walked with Wang Qian, who was carrying Bai Lian in his arms, to her office. 

"You first, Mr Wang Qian." Hua Yue said as she opened the door and let him entered first.

Right after all of them entered, she closed the door and locked it. She then suddenly kneeled on the ground as she said

"Forgive my earlier act of disrespect, my lord. I had to do so to maintain my image of the city lord in front of my subordinates. I hope my lord will understand."

"You don't need to plead for forgiveness, I understand what you're doing and I won't stop you from doing so."

"Your loyal believer thanks my lord for your magnanimity."

"It's okay, now get up. I have things to ask'

"Understood" 

Hua Yue then got up as she went behind her desk and pulled the chair for Wang Qian. She then lowered her head as she signaled Wang Qian to sit on it. Wang Qian choose not to sit on it and make Hua Yue suffer standing, so he let Bai Lian get down from his shoulder and sit on the chair.

"Now then, my first question."

"Please ask, my lord."

"Did the previous demon lord gave you anything and said you are to give it back to him if you meet him?"

"This.... I'm not sure. I wasn't the first general of the city. So, it's probably with my late father"

"I see.... sorry if I made you think of unpleasant memories"

"It's okay, my lord can ask any questions to me."

Just then, a knock came on the door. Hua Yue and Wang Qian stopped talking as Hua Yue asked the person outside

"Who is It?"

"It's me, miss"

"Oh, Butler Chen. Hold on"

She then walked towards the door and unlocked it for Butler Chen to enter. She then lock it back up as soon as Butler Chen came in.

"Paying respects to my lord and Princess Bai" Butler Chen said while bowing to Wang Qian and Bai Lian.

"You're a part of the cult too?"

"Replying to my lord, yes. I joined it along the previous general of this city. I suppose my lord was asking for a bamboo slip that the previous demon lord gave to the late father of miss?"

"Yes, I'm looking for that"

"Then I know where it is my lord, but it would take around one night for me to get it for my lord. Is that okay?"

"I can wait. As long as I can get that slip, everything's fine even if you don't rush it"

"Understood. Your loyal believer will later send people to retrieve it for my lord"

"Thanks for your hard work"

It was then that Hua Yue started talking

"My lord, is there anything else you would like to us?"

"Nope, I was just looking for the slip while hiding from the crowd to prevent getting swarmed by them. Those civilians from the City of Snowing Garden are really crazy, swarming a person's room early in the morning..."

Hearing his words, Butler Chen and Hua Yue were speechless as they didn't know what to say. Hua Yue then decided to lead Wang Qian and Bai Lian to their room.

"Since there's nothing left, why don't I lead my lord and Princess Bai to your room?"

"Does that mean we get to take a bath now?" Bai Lian, who was being quiet the whole time, asked

"Replying to Princess Bai, Yes."

"Then let's go, papa. I wanna take a shower right now" she said while pulling Wang Qian's hand

"Okay, okay, let's go. Hua Yue, can you lead us to the place now?"

"Understood"

She then opened the door for Wang Qian and Bai Lian to walk out as she follow behind them...