Finally Reaching The Imperial Capital

• Chapter 14: Finally Reaching the Imperial Capital

『Thank you DaoistQd3BGY, Favour_Agbaje_9284, Daoist1Xw4PS, Thebestbakaslap, DoctorWhoFan and IonicBeast7410 for your power stones』

PS: Yay!! At last the long (actually short) awaited Su Mu's point of view.

PS: BTW guys, please stop voting !! I really can't do any bonus chapters anymore, Wuwuwu...

(╥﹏╥) and that's what makes me feel guilty.

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"Ahchoo~"

Su Mu sneezed and discreetly pulled a strand of Xiao Bai's fur out of her nose. She sighed, "Alright, Xiao Bai, stop messing around."

Xiao Bai, looking excited, lifted her head from Su Mu's embrace, shaking her head with a smile. She was reluctant to leave the warm hug of her master after finally being able to touch her again.

Just then, Pei Xuanyin's voice came from outside the door, "Little Fox, it's time to eat."

At the moment she was about to open the door, Su Mu transformed into a fluffy, white fox with a poof, pretending to lie bored on a cushion.

Ever since last time, the little girl Pei Xuanyin had been persistently trying to see Su Mu transform.

When the door opened, Pei Xuanyin's eyes couldn't hide her disappointment upon seeing Su Mu still in fox form.

Picking up Su Mu, Pei Xuanyin pouted and muttered, "Stinky Little Fox."

Su Mu lazily glanced at her, then lowered her head again. Pei Xuanyin had no choice but to carry her to the main hall.

The Empress was already seated at the table, which was filled with various delicacies. Su Mu's eyes were already secretly peeking open.

She gracefully jumped down from Pei Xuanyin's arms and strutted to the table. With a disdainful glance at the Empress, she eagerly grabbed a big pork knuckle with her paws and started devouring it, soon getting grease all over her paws and mouth.

Pei Xuanyin looked aggrieved, "Sister, Little Fox refuses to transform for me. Can you think of a way?" She looked at the Empress expectantly, knowing her sister always had a way with Little Fox.

The next moment, the Empress's voice whispered in Pei Xuanyin's ear, "No rush, we'll be home tonight."

Pei Xuanyin immediately beamed, confident her sister had a plan. She then happily picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of a crispy pastry.

The Empress extended her chopsticks and rudely took a piece of meat from the pork knuckle Su Mu was holding, prompting her to bare her teeth in anger.

Su Mu pointed at the dishes on the table with her paw, clearly indicating, "There are so many dishes, why do you have to take mine?"

The Empress gave her a challenging look. Not bad, the taste was indeed good.

From then on, no matter what Su Mu ate, the Empress would calmly extend her chopsticks and take a piece, under Su Mu's furious pink gaze.

Su Mu started to comfort herself, "Endure! I must endure! Great achievements require patience! I'll focus on my cultivation, I'll meditate right after eating!"

The Empress felt a subtle joy watching the furious pink-and-white fox. She didn't need to eat since she had long since overcome the need for food. However, considering Pei Xuanyin and Su Mu, she had ordered the preparation of food. Occasionally eating some felt... quite nice.

After the meal, Su Mu scampered off to find an empty room to cultivate. The Empress watched her small figure with deep thought. Every now and then, Su Mu's presence would mysteriously disappear from her senses, and she could feel her cultivation steadily improving, whether through an absurdly powerful cultivation technique or a mysterious artifact bell. Su Mu's secrets gave the Empress a sense of urgency.

She knew this stinky fox only saw her as a resource provider. But in this world, there's no such thing as a free lunch. You want a free ride? Think again.

Once they reached the capital, she would immediately begin her tribulation. Only absolute power could ensure control over everything. As long as she was strong enough, Su Mu would never escape her grasp.

They had long known each other's names, but always referred to each other as "stinky woman" and "dead fox." This had become a private joke between them, something even Pei Xuanyin couldn't interrupt.

…

Night had fallen, and the floating city illuminated by lanterns looked like a paradise.

The full moon hung in the sky, with countless lights from the homes below. Small boats drifted back and forth on the calm river, while people walked on bridges spanning the river, lanterns swaying gently, painting a picture of prosperity.

Inside the city was a warm scene of melting snow, while outside, cold winds howled. Looking from the high city walls, a faint halo circulated, preventing the cold from rising. A jewel emitting moonlight hung atop the central tower, facing the bright moon in the sky. The array around it breathed in spiritual energy, illuminating the city.

This was the legacy jewel of Da Yong (Great Yong), protecting the enormous floating capital.

Su Mu leaned on the railing of the painting boat, gazing at the magnificent floating city, her eyes full of amazement.

In her memory, no place in Qingzhou could compare to this spectacle. She turned to glance at the Empress, who, sensing her gaze, gave her a faint smile, "Welcome to my realm, Su Mu~"

A chill climbed up Su Mu's spine, and she couldn't help but shiver. But not wanting to show weakness, she raised her head high.

The flying boat soared through the sky, passing through a transparent barrier, causing gentle ripples.

The howling wind instantly quieted, and Su Mu's previously ruffled fur lay flat. Stretching lazily, she looked at the bustling crowd below, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Noticing Su Mu's gaze, Pei Xuanyin whispered, "Sister, I want to take Little Fox out for a walk."

The Empress nodded, "Go ahead. I need to gather the ministers to discuss state affairs, so I won't be joining you."

Though she had expected it, Pei Xuanyin still felt a bit disappointed. But she quickly smiled and said, "Okay, sister, you take care. I'll have Little Fox with me."

The Empress smiled faintly and patted Pei Xuanyin's head.

Soon, the flying boat hovered over the city gate, causing a stir.

"The Emperor is back! Open the gates!" The guarding officer knelt on one knee in excitement, "Welcome back, Your Majesty!"

The soldiers also knelt in unison, "Welcome back, Your Majesty!"

"No need for formalities. I should be thanking you all for guarding the gate."

After that, everyone disembarked from the boat.

Pei Xuanyin, carrying Su Mu, was the last to disembark. She gazed at the radiant Empress, her eyes filled with admiration.

The Empress turned to Pei Xuanyin, "Go ahead, don't come back too late. I'll send someone to fetch you later."

Pei Xuanyin nodded, "Okay."

After giving instructions, the Empress left, while Pei Xuanyin, holding Su Mu, merged into the lively crowd.

…

"Yu'er, slow down! There are too many people, don't get lost."

"Can't hear you, mother! Hehe, come catch me!"

The woman turned to the man beside her in frustration, "It's all your fault!"

"Haha, calm down, dear. I'll go catch the little rascal right now and give him a good spanking."

"Why are you just standing there? Go!" She raised her fist, pretending to hit him.

"Alright, alright, I'm going!" The man laughed, "Calm down, dear..."

Su Mu watched enviously, then lowered her head in sadness. She missed her master and senior brothers and sisters.

She had never known her parents. But at the age of seven, her master, with a bright smile, had asked her, "Little one, would you like to come home with me?"

From that moment, Su Mu had considered her master as family. Later, meeting her senior brothers and sisters, she felt the warmth of being cherished.

Seeing Su Mu's drooping ears, Pei Xuanyin hugged her tighter and said, "Little Fox, did something sad come to mind? How about I buy you a candied hawthorn? After you eat it, don't be sad anymore, okay?"

To be continued...