After a brief moment of thought, Ian Song said to Venerable Dragon Sword, "Senior Darian, I can't return to Sanctum Martial Academy with you just yet."
Hearing this, Venerable Dragon Sword's expression darkened a bit. "Are you worried the military will deliberately target Sanctum because of you? If that's really the case, I can promise you—so long as us old-timers are around, we'll make sure you're safe!"
Ian was genuinely moved by Darian's words, but he shook his head. "No, that's not it. I plan to go back to New Dawn City for a bit. I'm worried the military might go after my parents and use them to threaten me."
A flash of anger appeared in Darian's eyes. "The military is getting more and more outrageous. How about I go with you and bring your parents back to Sanctum Martial Academy? That way, no matter how overbearing the military gets, they wouldn't dare snatch anyone from Sanctum!"
"That's not necessary," Ian shook his head.
"Alright!" Darian didn't insist further, knowing even Sanctum might not be as safe as imagined. "What are your plans for the future?"
"I'll just take things one step at a time."
Ian said, but he didn't reveal his true intentions. If he told Venerable Dragon Sword that he planned to overthrow the military, the other would just think he was daydreaming.
"Alright then. If you ever run into trouble, just come find us at Sanctum. Oh, and here—these are some of my recent sword insights. Take them."
As he spoke, Darian took out a book and handed it to Ian.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Ian carefully put the book away.
After saying goodbye to Venerable Dragon Sword, Ian didn't head straight for New Dawn City. Instead, he once again transformed into his flood-dragon form and flew toward the Holy City.
Harriet Gu was still in the Holy City. If the military learned about their relationship, they'd probably detain her there. Given the Melody Empress's cultivation, she might not be able to protect Harriet, so Ian decided to take her away with him.
His flood-dragon flight was incredibly fast—ten thousand li passed in barely half a quarter-hour.
Near the Holy City, Ian returned to human form, then used the Art of Great Teleportation to enter the city and arrived near the inn where Harriet was staying.
The entire inn had already been surrounded by military forces.
At that moment, the Melody Empress was confronting a Martial Saint commander leading the troops.
Using lip-reading, Ian saw that the Martial Saint was demanding the Melody Empress hand over Harriet Gu.
Instantly, Ian felt a surge of anger. He'd already guessed the military would pull something like this, but seeing them actually do it still made him furious.
With a thought, Ian teleported straight into Harriet Gu's room.
"Leon, why did you come back? Hurry, get out of here!"
As soon as she saw Ian, Harriet was instantly anxious.
Ian reached out and grabbed both her hands, speaking seriously: "Huayu, the military can't tolerate me anymore. Anyone close to me will get dragged into this. So if I leave, you have to leave with me. Will you come with me?"
"I will." Harriet answered without hesitation.
Ian was moved by how quickly she replied. "Alright, let's go now!"
"Wait, what about Master and the other upperclassmen?" Harriet asked, worried.
Ian reassured her, "Don't worry, the military won't trouble them. Their target is me."
"That's good!"
With another thought, Ian teleported with Harriet to the rooftop of a pavilion several hundred meters from the inn. He called out loudly, "Senior Melody Empress, I'm taking Huayu with me!"
The Martial Saint who was confronting the Melody Empress suddenly turned his head and saw Ian on the rooftop. Delighted, he shot toward Ian, reaching out to grab him.
Unfortunately, he grabbed nothing but air.
In a blur, Ian and Harriet vanished from where they stood.
"Damn it!"
Missing his target, the Martial Saint was furious. With a flick of his palm, he lifted the entire pavilion into the air and crushed it to dust.
Seeing this, the Melody Empress couldn't help but smile knowingly.
It was still that same quiet courtyard.
But this time, it was Serena Xue reporting to Elder Chu, not Vanessa Nangong.
After hearing Serena's report, Elder Chu's expression was grim. Her old eyes, which should have been cloudy, now gleamed with a chilling malice.
"Master, should we send people to New Dawn City to capture that boy's parents?" Serena Xue asked.
Elder Chu waved her hand dismissively. "If you could think of that, so could the boy. Don't bother—it's pointless!" Elder Chu had been the one to push for a hardline approach against Ian Song, but now her plan had failed and driven him to the opposing side. If she couldn't resolve this, the other eight elders wouldn't let it go.
Especially Elder Bu, who might seize the opportunity to make trouble.
"No, that boy must die!"
With that in mind, she barked at Serena Xue, "Split your forces—take several Martial Saints and lay low near the Pristine Way Sect and Sanctum Martial Academy. If the boy shows up, kill him on sight!"
Just then, Vanessa Nangong hurried in.
"Grandmaster, Master—Leon Huang took Harriet Gu away!"
"Bang!"
Elder Chu slammed her palm on the stone table, shattering it to dust. "That little brat actually dared to enter the Holy City—he must think nothing of me!"
Serena Xue tried to calm her. "Master, don't be angry. No matter how skilled his teleportation, he can't escape our assassins. I'll arrange everything now."
Elder Chu nodded. "You have three days. If I don't see that brat's corpse in three days, don't bother coming back!"
"Yes, Master. I'll take my leave!"
Meanwhile, Ian Song was using Great Teleportation to rush Harriet Gu toward New Dawn City.
However, New Dawn City was far from the Holy City. Even though Ian could teleport three hundred li at a time, covering tens of thousands of li would still take a while.
After a quarter of an hour, Ian finally arrived at New Dawn City with Harriet Gu.
"Leon, am I really going home with you?"
Harriet Gu asked nervously.
Ian comforted her softly, "Even an ugly bride has to meet her in-laws. Don't be afraid!"
"Leon, do you really think I'm ugly?" Harriet asked, feeling a little hurt.
Hearing this, Ian was stunned for a moment, then broke into a helpless smile. It seemed no matter what kind of woman, they all cared deeply about their looks.
"Of course you're not ugly. You're beautiful! Come on, let's go!"
After a while, Ian Song led Harriet Gu by the hand to the gates of the City Lord's mansion.
It had been less than a year since Ian left, so the gate guards naturally recognized him.
They quickly bowed, "Young Master, you're back!"
"Thank you for your hard work," Ian replied.
He nodded and led Harriet Gu inside.
Along the way, servants kept greeting Ian, their faces full of surprise.
Soon, his father Yellow Mountain and mother Lydia Liu heard the news and rushed over, dropping everything to greet him.
"Baby, Mama hasn't seen you in so long. I missed you so much! Come give Mama a hug!"
Hearing Lydia Liu call Ian "baby," even Harriet Gu—cold as she was—could barely hold back a smile, doing her best not to laugh out loud and embarrass herself.
Ian's face darkened, but seeing Lydia Liu's genuine affection, all his little grievances instantly vanished. Oh well, "baby" it is—being called that won't hurt him.