"You, you!"
Hai Bodong was incoherent, his feet retreating step after step.
Such a strange act made everyone present turn their eyes to him.
Now that she was back at the Miteer family's residence, Cai'er felt it was safe. Seeing the old gentleman in front of her pointing at her, she took off her mask and asked with an innocent face, "Old sir, are you calling me?"
"Ah!!!"
Seeing the face that had appeared countless times in his nightmares, Hai Bodong was instantly triggered.
He roared, and his ice Dou Qi rapidly spread, forming a protective ice mirror.
However, no one present made a move; they just silently watched Hai Bodong's one-man show.
A few seconds later.
The scene was silent.
Ai Lin looked at both sides with some embarrassment, curtsied slightly, and then quietly withdrew.
She had a faint premonition that it was better not to know what was going to happen next.
Seeing Hai Bodong like this, Han Feng also remembered that he had been injured by Medusa before.
Just as he was about to explain, Medusa beside him also took off her mask and snorted coldly.
"Old fellow, you're not dead yet!"
Hearing this familiar tone, Hai Bodong gritted his teeth.
"Medusa!"
"Grandmaster Han, what are you all?"
Han Feng glared at Medusa. She pouted and turned her head to the side.
"Old Sir Hai, come out. It's alright."
Under Han Feng's persuasion, Hai Bodong cautiously walked out.
He would never forget the shadow Medusa had cast over him.
Decades!
It had almost become a heart-demon.
Cai'er showed a friendly smile and waved at Hai Bodong, but it almost scared his soul out of his body.
Looking at Hai Bodong's terrified expression, Han Feng waved his hand and had the big one and the small one go back first.
"Old Sir Hai, they're gone."
Hai Bodong gasped for breath, like a person who had just been saved from drowning.
"I've made a fool of myself in front of you, Grandmaster Han."
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, helplessly self-deprecating.
He hadn't expected to be so scared by a person's name.
Even if she really was Medusa, he was in the imperial capital now. Why should he be afraid of her?
"I understand."
Han Feng nodded slightly.
Some prodigies who prided themselves on their firm will would develop demonic thoughts due to a single failure, let alone Hai Bodong's arduous experience, which was indeed not something an ordinary person could endure.
"Grandmaster Han, Medusa and you?"
Having calmed down, Hai Bodong's ability to think returned.
"They are working for me now," Han Feng said.
"However, I've come this time to say goodbye to you. I'm going back to the Black-Corner Region."
"The Black-Corner Region?"
Hai Bodong swallowed.
"Yes, so you don't have to worry anymore," Han Feng said with a smile.
Hai Bodong shook his head.
"It was just too sudden this time. Actually, I didn't..."
"Han Feng! Give me a storage ring."
Cai'er suddenly came back.
Hai Bodong silently hid behind Han Feng.
"What's wrong?"
Han Feng took out an ordinary storage ring and handed it to Cai'er.
"I need to pack some things. Ai Lin said I can take a lot of books."
Han Feng smiled. After Cai'er left, he looked at Hai Bodong.
"Old Sir Hai, what were you saying just now?"
Hai Bodong was silent for a moment.
"Nothing."
"Then I'll be leaving first. If you need anything in the future, remember to use the token to contact me."
Hai Bodong nodded and watched Han Feng leave.
He stood there for a long time, then sighed, "I've lost a lot of face this time."
———
After Han Feng returned to his room, the women had all packed their luggage and were ready to go.
He spread his soul power to check the whole house one last time to make sure nothing was left behind, then Han Feng walked to the main door.
"Let's go."
At the intersection of the extended path, Ai Lin was waiting. Seeing Han Feng come out, she smiled and walked forward. "Mr. Han, the flying magical beast is ready."
This girl, she had taken the initiative to get things done for him again.
Han Feng sighed in his heart and said to Ai Lin, "I've troubled you again."
"It's what I should do."
Ai Lin smiled lightly, then turned to lead the way.
The group arrived at an open space in the Miteer family's grounds, where a huge Cloud-Patterned Eagle was parked, large enough to carry Han Feng and his group.
"Mr. Han, have a safe journey."
After Han Feng stepped onto the Cloud-Patterned Eagle, Ai Lin said her final farewell from below.
She raised her jade-like head, her snow-white back straight, her hands placed gracefully in front of her abdomen. Her red dress was bright and elegant, just as she was when Han Feng had first seen her.
Han Feng nodded lightly and said goodbye to her.
Hai Bodong and Teng Shan also appeared at this time and gave Han Feng a respectful bow.
The Cloud-Patterned Eagle flapped its wings. A ball of wind-attribute Dou Qi pushed off the ground, and it shot towards the sky.
The Miteer family's grounds became smaller and smaller in Han Feng's eyes. The speed of the Cloud-Patterned Eagle was much faster than the Thick-Winged Bird.
Han Feng took a final look at the city behind him, took a deep breath, and looked ahead.
It was time to begin the next part of the journey.
Jia Nan Academy. This place not only held the secret of the Ancient God's Mansion, but according to the information investigated by his predecessor, there might also be a Heavenly Flame hidden inside the academy!
Although he wasn't sure, Han Feng could go and take a look.
As for how to obtain it, force would definitely not work.
The power behind the academy was connected to the Lei Clan. Putting aside the low probability of success by force, offending the Lei Clan did not fit with Han Feng's future plans.
All in all, this matter had to be considered from a long-term perspective.
At the very least, he had to establish contact with Jia Nan Academy first.
As he controlled the Cloud-Patterned Eagle and flew towards the Black-Corner Region, Han Feng planned his next steps.
About half an hour later.
Cai'er at his side suddenly took out a storage ring and handed it to Han Feng.
"You don't have to return the storage ring to me. You can use it yourself."
Han Feng thought this was the one he had given to Cai'er before.
But Cai'er said, "This is from Ai Lin. She asked me to give it to you after we left the Miteer family's residence."
Han Feng was taken aback. He took the storage ring and found five Heaven Origin Flowers inside, along with a letter.
He took out the letter, opened it, and read.
"Grandmaster Han, these five Heaven Origin Flowers are the last batch that the Black Rock City side gave me, and also the final batch. Our previous transaction may have to end here. Grandmaster Han, actually, there are some things Ai Lin wants to say to you, but I'm too embarrassed to say them in person, so I can only convey them through a letter..."
Han Feng fell silent as he looked at the childish words about love that Ai Lin had written on the paper.
A moment later, Han Feng put the letter away.
Ai Lin... this woman who was so shrewd and capable in her career was so humble when expressing her love.
This was a letter expressing love, and also a farewell letter.
The end of the transaction also represented the end of the intersection between the two people.
Han Feng smiled faintly, looking at the clouds below, and recalled his previous life.
With his status, strength, and position, he naturally did not lack excellent women who took the initiative to seek his love.
But Han Feng had refused them all. Those excellent women, seeing that there was no hope with Han Feng, could only give up.
When he occasionally met them later, most of those women had found suitable Daoist companions.
Ai Lin, the next time we meet, you will probably have found a suitable partner too, right?
At that time, I will bless you both.
———
Miteer Family.
Ai Lin came to her room and took out the fifth-grade Beauty-Retaining Pill Han Feng had given her.
Youthful beauty that does not fade, constant as the vast sea.
Mr. Han, in this life, I will be able to see you again, right?
She smiled slightly, raised her jade-like neck, and swallowed the pill in one gulp.
(End of Volume One, "The Jia Ma Empire")