At this moment, the night wasn't too deep, and the group hadn't drunk much—just a little to take the edge off.
Since tomorrow would bring a grueling journey, everyone nodded to each other, exchanged reminders to take care and get some rest, and then parted ways.
"Young Master, are we really heading to the Martial Conference?" Aiden Chen followed behind, sounding genuinely confused.
"We are, but not yet!" Eli Crane kept his usual calm, breezy smile as he replied.
"Then, Young Master, where are we packing up to go now?"
"The imperial palace!" Eli Crane suddenly turned very serious.
"The palace? Young Master, what are you going to do in the palace?" The words slipped out and Aiden couldn't help but shiver—why did he suddenly feel so uneasy?
"Obviously, to see her!" My dear Heart, I'm coming for you—please wait for me!
"Young Master, what nonsense are you talking? Didn't you just tell the others you were heading to the Martial Conference? Aren't you—" Suddenly, Aiden thought of something. "You didn't want Young Master Night's people to guide us—is it because you don't want them to know you're going to the palace?"
"Didn't expect you to get smarter," Eli Crane said with a smile at Aiden.
Hearing this, Aiden immediately understood and hurriedly protested: "Young Master, you can't! Didn't Young Master Night say it himself? The palace is insanely dangerous—it's not some ordinary place! Little Bird is safe right now, isn't she? Don't go risking your life! Oh, and Young Master Night also said Little Bird will be out in a few days." Honestly, I'm super grateful she cured Young Master's legs, but that's a separate issue! She has so many husbands, and that seriously annoys me. Young Master is so great—why should he have to share her with anyone else?
And now Young Master actually wants to go risk his life in such a dangerous place—absolutely not!
"Aiden, my life means nothing compared to hers. She already has so many amazing husbands—losing me won't make a difference." He still wore that gentle, faint smile as he spoke.
"Young Master, what nonsense are you saying? Little Bird—Little Bird totally likes you! If something happened to you, she'd cry her eyes out!" Hearing Eli Crane say such things, Aiden blurted out, the uneasiness in his heart growing even stronger.
"I know, that silly girl." Eli took a deep breath, as if picturing that adorable person. The gentle smile lingered on his lips.
Seeing this, Aiden hurried in front of him, anxious: "Young Master, don't go throwing your life away! Besides, you can't even get in, and even if you did, how could you help her? What if—what if you end up causing her trouble? Didn't she say no one should go? You'll just mess up her plans!"
"I've said it before: I want to protect her. Even if I'm not that capable, that's still my choice. If I really become a burden to her, then..."
"Then what?" Seeing Eli Crane fall silent, Aiden pressed for an answer.
"Then I'll end it myself. As long as I don't become her burden, that's all that matters."
"Nooooo—" Aiden cried, dropping to his knees and hugging Eli's legs tightly, sobbing: "I've followed you since I was a kid. I don't want you to die! Young Master, you can't go! Little Bird—Little Bird would never allow it either!"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I promised her." With that, Eli looked out into the pitch-black night beyond the window, silently thinking: Heart, are you still scared and alone? Don't worry, I'll come find you soon. Don't be afraid!
"Young Master..."
Eli Crane didn't say anything more. He just kept gazing out the window. Heart, I promised you—I will get you out, no matter what. If you're ever in danger, I'll come for you. Please believe me!
----
In the darkness of night, a thin figure darted quickly through Draken City's side streets, moving at a brisk, urgent pace as if on a mission.
After a while, he finally reached a place with a sign reading 'Wealth & Glory Inn' and stopped.
He glanced up at the huge signboard. Most inns in Draken City were either rich or fancy, and their names were brutally honest. Wealth & Glory Inn—only the truly loaded could afford to stay here.
Taking a deep breath, the thin figure strode quickly inside.
"Hey there, guest, do you need—" The inn's attendant greeted him with a smile, but froze when he saw who it was. "Saint Willow?"
"Attendant, is Official Gavin Gao still staying here?" Liam Willow tried to steady his breath as he asked.
"Of course he's here—Official Gavin Gao has been staying here just to wait for you! Are you here to see him this time?" The attendant was surprised; after all, Official Gao had been living here for a month, trying to see the Saint every single day, but Liam Willow always refused to meet him. What changed tonight, that made the Saint come looking for the official himself?!
"Could you let him know for me? Tell him I want to meet."
"Sure, sure! Have a seat, I'll go notify Official Gao right away!" With that, the attendant dashed up the stairs.
Moments later, there was a thumping sound upstairs, and a chubby man appeared, rushing down in such a hurry that his clothes weren't even properly on.
"Ah, Top Scholar Willow, Top Scholar Willow!"
Liam Willow frowned, his voice cold: "I'm not the Top Scholar anymore."
Seeing Liam's sudden frown, Official Gavin Gao quickly smiled and said, "Right, right, then I'll call you Saint Willow. Heh. Attendant, bring out the best food and wine!"
"No need," Liam Willow suddenly raised a hand to stop him.
"Uh?" Official Gavin Gao paused, but didn't mind. He waved the attendant away.
It was late, so only a handful of people sat scattered around the lobby.