After lingering on the heart island of Hongdong Lake for another three days, Nascent Soul True Lords from Buddhist and Daoist sects took turns using purification spells to cleanse cultivators who had entered the secret realm.
Only when it was confirmed that there were no lingering dangers did all the cultivators depart.
Sect cultivators traveled by flying boats, while rogue cultivators soared on their swords, disappearing almost instantaneously.
Only Yang Hong, a mortal native of the Great Sui Dynasty, was left by the shore of Hongdong Lake.
Mou Jingzhi of the Carefree Pavilion bid Yang Hong a "farewell, perhaps fate will have us meet again" before vanishing with his flying boat.
"These cultivators are truly heartless.
But, this is also good, I am free again."
Watching the flying boats and swords disappear into the sky, Yang Hong revealed a satisfied smile.
His cultivation was incredibly peculiar. Although he had already integrated ten million years of cultivation,
as long as he concealed his aura, even Nascent Soul cultivators could not discern his true cultivation.
He, Yang Hong, was a mortal without any cultivation.
"Then, this mortal will head back slowly."
"Yu Zhi, you all head home first, and then swagger back to Daxing City.
Remember to be careful, don't let anyone know of your cultivation."
As Yang Hong was hitching a horse to a carriage, preparing to drive himself back to Daxing City, he sensed the approach of Song Yu Zhi and the other ten individuals,
and quickly cautioned them again.
"Your Highness, those cultivators have already left. There should be no cultivators within the Great Sui territory now.
Shouldn't it be alright for us to appear now?" Song Yu Zhi asked, confused.
"The sect cultivators might have all left, but the rogue cultivators will definitely resupply somewhere in the Great Sui before leaving."
Yang Hong was not as naive as Song Yu Zhi and the others.
Although he hadn't roamed around much in荒原城 (Huang Yuan City), he had overheard conversations from rogue cultivators,
gaining some understanding of their thoughts and plans.
"Right, if you encounter any rogue cultivators on the road, don't be polite.
Kill them if you can, and flee if you can't."
"Understood."
Although Song Yu Zhi was not entirely convinced by Yang Hong's judgment, she did not argue. She turned and left,
and soon they dispersed, each heading to their own homes.
This had been pre-arranged; Song Yu Zhi and the others had left the imperial palace again under the guise of visiting their families.
Moreover, they had indeed visited their respective families, only to disappear from everyone's sight under the pretext of seclusion.
Despite possessing the ability to be invincible in the Five Dynasties, Yang Hong remained as cautious as ever.
Yang Hong casually picked a carriage and gathered some daily necessities from the area where carriages were parked before officially departing.
"Riding my beloved little motorcycle,
vroom vroom vroom ~ speeding down the road!"
He flicked the horsewhip in one hand, singing cheerfully,
While not exactly a caterwaul, the lyrics and singing style were certainly an anomaly in this world.
Along the way, he attracted many looks as if they were watching a madman.
However, Yang Hong, having just survived an adventure and successfully concealed himself perfectly from high-level cultivators, paid no mind to the gazes of others.
He frolicked joyfully, like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins.
"Riding my beloved little motorcycle,
Unafraid of wind and rain,
Hahaha, almost home."
He sang more and more happily,
This was him releasing the various negative emotions from the secret realm.
He hadn't killed many people this time, perhaps only a dozen or so cultivators,
but he had killed an enormous number of demonic beasts. By his preliminary count, it should be no less than fifty million.
Although he bore no psychological burden from killing demonic beasts,
the sheer volume of them still exerted considerable mental pressure.
With his cheerful and unrestrained singing, Yang Hong's spirit was unknowingly cleansed.
Unbeknownst to him, his divine sense had also grown much stronger.
Due to his seemingly lunatic and carefree demeanor, he still attracted the attention of government yamen runners.
"Where did this fool come from~ Your Highness."
The yamen runner was about to scold them but was terrified upon seeing the carriage driver's appearance, immediately kneeling and bursting into tears.
The Great Sui imperial family would not have failed to inform the Hongdong Prefecture officials about Yang Hong's entry into the Hongdong Secret Realm.
He was a treasure of the Great Sui Yang family, and a disciple of an immortal master, so he had to be protected well!
"Oh ~ you recognize me? Then get out of the way and also send word to Daxing City.
I'll head back slowly on my own, enjoying the sights along the way."
Yang Hong was somewhat surprised that the yamen runners could recognize him, but since his mood was good, he didn't dwell on it.
"Yes, Your Highness. We will immediately have the post station report to the capital at express speed."
The leading yamen runner, seeing that Yang Hong was not holding them accountable for their rudeness, breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.
"Alright, you can leave now. Don't ruin my mood."
"We'll leave now, we'll leave now~~"
The yamen runners scrambled out of the way, rolling and crawling.
Yang Hong cracked his whip and resumed his caterwauling.
"I have a little donkey,
I never ride it..."
Switching to another song, he continued to attract strange glances as Yang Hong, in a cheerful mood, drove the carriage forward.
Soon, Hu Shenglong, the guerrilla general of Hongdong Prefecture, followed Yang Hong's carriage from a distance with three hundred soldiers, escorting him.
"This officer is quite clever."
Yang Hong chuckled, seeing the soldiers behind him with his divine sense, and paid them no mind, continuing forward at his own pace.
By evening, Yang Hong would find lodging in a town or village to rest.
Although he wasn't afraid of wild beasts in the mountains or bandits and thieves,
he also didn't enjoy roughing it. Having a simple place to rest was also good.
Thanks to the Great Sui imperial family's promotion of crops in Hongdong Prefecture, the common people lived relatively well.
That night, Yang Hong was again staying overnight in a small village and, as usual, received a warm welcome.
"Old sir, you've added too much to this bowl, I can't finish it."
Seeing the overflowing rice, which was more than double the usual amount, Yang Hong quickly stopped the old farmer from adding more.
"Heh heh ~ you young man, you should eat more before the New Year to have strength for work."
"Thank you, old sir, but please, don't add any more."
Yang Hong felt warm at the simple intentions of the elder.
When Yang Hong introduced himself, he said he was the coachman who had driven the immortal masters before. The old farmer treated him with extra warmth.
"It's just a bit of rice. Our Wang family village had a bumper harvest this year, yielding over 800 jin per mu. After paying taxes and rent, we still have plenty of rice left."
"Old sir, do you have enough food to eat now?"
"Yes, more than enough. We had enough last year."
When talking about grain, the honest old farmer's eyes lit up, his face full of happiness.
"I am forty-eight years old this year. In my life, I've lived quite long,
but it's only been in the last couple of years that I've been able to eat my fill.
This is thanks to His Majesty. Otherwise, I fear I might have died without ever being able to afford a proper meal."
The old farmer clasped his hands in gratitude towards Daxing City and continued,
"His Majesty is truly a benevolent person. Not only did he sell us good seeds at a low price, reduce taxes, but he also encouraged us to reclaim wasteland.
We can even plant the reclaimed land tax-free for thirty years.
His Majesty is truly a living Buddha!"
Saying this, the old farmer actually shed tears.
"Yes, His Majesty is a good emperor."
"That's right, His Majesty is the best emperor."
The old farmer's family also praised Yang Jian with grateful faces.
Regarding this, Yang Hong nodded.
Although Yang Jian had some flaws, he was very dedicated to governing the realm.
Yang Hong would not deny this.
Especially since Yang Jian was very receptive to advice, which led to the increasing well-being of the common people in the Great Sui Dynasty.
However, this made some people unhappy.