After a brief respite, the children set off again. By dusk, they had traveled beyond Xuanwu Commandery—— As the bitter cold began to subside, a warm breeze now drifted in from the west. Though dry, the air felt less chilly. Ah Jun found himself more comfortable, his nasal breathing finally pausing for a moment.
Gradually, night began to fall. In ajuns plan, they would stay in a small town on the way tonight, and that was the place the boy had been looking forward to for a long time, because there was a familiar good man waiting for him.
The moon was on the treetops. After walking for a long time in the slightly dim moonlight, Ah Jun and his companions finally saw a group of buildings and lights in the distant valley. The shape and appearance were like a machine in full operation, full of vitality and energy.
At this point, Ah Jun suddenly took three steps in one step, and led a small team toward the town. Slowly, the prototype of a small town began to appear in the eyes of the children, but it was more like a large industrial park composed of many office buildings than a town.
However, Xiao Xi began to think that according to this tone, there might only be working meals in it, so what was there to look forward to? What was wrong with her brother?
Of course, it is not surprising that Xiao Xi does not know the acquaintance of Ah Jun, because he came here before the two children became friends.
"Sir..."
Then, the usually orderly and low-key Ah Jun, was excitedly waving his little hand, shouting at a figure in the doorway of the town, and running over with the kitten, which was a bit unusual.
"Your uncle, heh heh..." At this time, the slightly mature figure also slowly came to the child, smiled for a while, and then touched Ah Juns head.
"Uncle, I havent seen you for a long time!"
"Um! You and Yi, why dont you come to see me..."
His figure gradually emerged in the light of the town. He was the staff officer of the White Tiger County City Guard, the good big brother of Yi, of course, that was a long time ago, the former.
This seemingly modest town, named Wulin Town, serves as the headquarters of the League of Legends Organization—a global network of major cities and martial arts factions. As the administrative hub for jianghu (martial world) organizations, it coordinates operations across various sects while identifying, nurturing, and developing talent. The annual Wulin Grand Tournament, a premier combat arena, provides opportunities for both Guardian members and ordinary citizens under confidentiality agreements to showcase their skills, earn qualifications, and ultimately claim honors.
Now, the old staff officer has become a high-ranking official in this small town, serving as the presidents right-hand man and deputy leader. This is worlds apart from his days back home. Having now attained significant status, hes truly made a remarkable comeback. Of course, it all started with Yis unintentional act years ago–that pivotal moment that not only charted his new life path but also revealed him as a true talent scout.
And those who once looked down on him, excluded him, and suppressed him now flocked to Wulin Town in an endless stream, currying favor. Whether the advisor gave them a good face or not, they would either give gifts or apologize——However, every time he encountered this, the old man felt a headache. All he could think of were his few close friends back home, including his young friend Ah Jun.
"Xiao Jun, who are these people?" At this time, the old staff brushed his slightly gray beard, looked at Ah Juns companions, and said hello kindly.
"Ouch!"
The child glared and suddenly realized, then introduced the cat on his shoulder first: "Uncle... Her name is little dimple, she is my good friend I met on the journey!"
The kitten squatted on Ah Juns shoulder, meowing politely to greet the old man——The advisor found the kitten adorable and reached out to pet her little head, but the kitten darted back into its hat. It seems theyre not yet familiar with each other.
Then, the Holy Maiden and Xiao Xi also arrived. They politely bowed to the Elder Officer——The elder looked around at the two new boy friends before glancing at his own young companion, then gave them a mysterious smile without saying a word, simply nodding to welcome the children.
Then, without delay, the old man took the children into town for a meal. At this hour, the children must have been starving. The old man didnt say it out loud, but he had everything prepared long in advance...
Tonights dinner at the town canteen was no ordinary work meal—it was a gourmet feast. Inspired by Yi, the staffs refined taste had been honed to perfection. Since his arrival, he reformed the dining system, earning unanimous praise from town workers. Now, Wulin Town offers hearty communal dishes, regional specialties, and global cuisines all coming together. Chefs continuously blend culinary traditions, creating a unique flavor profile that defines the town.
And there she was, Xiao Xi happily slapping her face while eating, devouring it with a wolfs mouth.——Of course, this habit was not good, and Ah Jun pointed it out from the side. The kitten and the Holy Maiden laughed on the side, and the advisor felt how gratified he was.
You know, Ah Jun was raised by him, and he knows exactly how difficult it is for this child. So, he feels relieved to see the child now.
Of course, Uncle Advisor was the only person in the family who treated Ah Jun so well, despite the secular prejudice and the pressure of being expelled from the family. In addition to the relationship between Yi and the Guardian Team, it was also related to his own situation at that time. Because of him, he was also a person who was not recognized.
The young staff officer became famous, so he was somewhat expected by his family. However, after years of struggling, he saw the world clearly and became more confused, so he decided to stop at the staff officer of a small guard team.
As the ancient adage goes: "The higher you stand, the more painful the fall." By choosing to maintain the status quo, this free-spirited man—whose nature was inclined toward leisure and freedom—found himself misunderstood and criticized by his clan. What was once their pride had become the familys bitter wound. The strategist ultimately chose silence, living through the pressure with a wisdom that seemed simple yet profound, while awaiting new hope that would come his way.
Perhaps, without Xiao Ajun and Yi, he would still be living that kind of life. So, the old advisor could somewhat sense Xiao Ajuns hardships, and as a kind-hearted person, he was very good to the child. However, this often led Yi to take advantage of him—— For example, Yi would always trick him into coming for family dinners, only to have him help with childcare while Yi slipped away.
On many occasions, the advisor never voiced any objections—whether out of compulsion or habit——. Uncle was far more patient than Yi, with a heart that cared deeply, which is why Ah Jun grew fond of him. Of course, the advisor kept bringing new gadgets, for his family had been in business for generations. Though they were stingy with outsiders, they were generous to their own people.
Tonight, the children will be staying at a luxurious hotel in the town called Konglan—a towering cylindrical tower that seems to pierce the clouds. Their eyes are fixed on the rooftop, which feels like its touching the sky—— The absolute stability and safety come from the powerful alliance between the Lu Ban Family and tech titan Nangong, making this the hotels signature feature and most distinctive attraction.
The interior of the hotel is designed to be both retro and modern, with a strong sense of technology. It not only has one elevator per household, but also has a thoughtful family service and room safety concept.
The staff arranged a high-level suite for the children, which was also taken into account by A Jun. If he was too high, he might feel uncomfortable. So Xiao Xi, who was excited to climb up and look far away, also understood. Otherwise, he would have to stay on the top floor.
With the children settled in with their elders, Shouzhan noticed it was still early and decided to chat with Ah Jun and Xiao Xi in the suites living room over tea. Since the Holy Maiden preferred solitude, she took Xiao Mao back to the girls room.
After a brief conversation, the doorbell suddenly rang. Then, a middle-aged man in a suit and polished glasses barged in rather awkwardly. He fumbled around to find the advisor, bombarding him with questions and rambling on in a rather polite manner, though somewhat impolite.
Uncle Zhi also quickly stood up and returned a bow. He listened carefully to the other mans question, patiently helped him think of a solution, and comforted him not to worry, there will be a way slowly.
Ajun watched from the side, sensing a familiar presence. However, as the elders were engrossed in heated discussions, he refrained from questioning them and waited with Xiaoxi over tea. Accompanying the middle-aged man were two others: a woman—— who appeared sharp and professional, clutching documents that suggested she was an assistant, and a man who looked like a bodyguard with an imposing presence. Though sharing Ajuns baseball cap, his features remained obscured by the visor. His body was oddly proportioned, and he wore a wristband that resembled a bracelet but with a flickering central light.
Arjun noticed that the eyes of the bodyguard were very dominant and not leaking, and there was a faint blue light in his eyes.