At these words, Zhou Mei’er was not willing, her beautiful eyes flashed, and she said, "What are you talking about, the Leader is skilled in both literature and martial arts, truly a rare extraordinary man among humans."

With a snort, she carefully put away the piece of calligraphy.

"Oh my, Mei’er is unhappy now, haha..."

The group of women burst into laughter.

...

The Starlight Master stepped out and called Zheng Yunqi over.

"Go collect the goods, prepare twenty escort vehicles."

"Chief, what goods should we collect?"

"Collect some local specialties from here, those that are valuable, especially women’s products, make sure they’re premium, not regular ones, and also the best wine from here."

"Or anything else that other places don’t have, especially what the Main Sect doesn’t have."

"Be careful in collecting, don’t care about the money."

Zheng Yunqi instantly understood what to do, his eyes revealing a moved expression, and said, "The Leader is so considerate."

"Go ahead."

Zheng Yunqi swiftly headed out.

Currently, Vice Leader Zheng is a well-known figure in this area, receiving high hospitality wherever he goes, accomplishing these tasks with ease.

Moreover, acquiring them at a price absolutely unattainable by others.

It can be said that the goods are a good bargain.

This work is done very secretly, although the Escort Agency has parked escort vehicles, but isn’t that many every day?

No one noticed.

Thus, it continued until the evening of the third day, during these days, none of those who returned went out on escort missions again.

This day, although there were still those out on escort missions, it was the time when the Escort Agency had the most people gathered.

Completely packed.

A total of 120 tables set up in the courtyard.

Next to the Starlight Master, surrounding more than ten tables, were those who were about to leave.

Everyone knew tonight was a farewell banquet, each person’s mood was very low, the entire process incredibly had few indulging in drink, and even less chatter.

After three rounds of drinks.

The Starlight Master stood up to speak: "Tonight is a great occasion, something we’ve long awaited has finally arrived! So, the first cup of wine, is for congratulations!"

"Everyone, cheers!"

"The second cup of wine is also for congratulations, wishing safety along the way!"

"The third cup of wine is still for congratulations, wishing smooth sailing upon return, with important positions and great success!"

"Many words, I have said countless times before, but now, I won’t say them anymore."

The Starlight Master said in a deep voice: "So tonight, it’s all blessings! All congratulations!"

"Moreover, on such a joyous occasion, no one is allowed to feel sad."

Everyone remained silent, raised their glasses, and drank it all.

"At early dawn tomorrow, you 150 people, the women should dress more plainly, darken your faces a bit, and wrap some towels around your waists, so you don’t look so graceful; you need to look unappealing so rascals won’t be interested in you. This is for safety, understood?"

"Understood."

Naturally, this part should have had someone laugh.

However, not a hint of laughter emerged, each person’s face solemn.

"Any jewelry, don’t wear it if you don’t have to; dress as escort masters or heads of the escort. Drive these twenty escort vehicles, with our Worldwide Escort Agency’s passage documents, just like a normal escort run!"

"The destination is, the Fire Phoenix Mountain Pass."

The Starlight Master said calmly: "Upon arrival, open the escort vehicles, inside are the evenly distributed 150 sets of supplies, take one each, and bring it home. Then burn the escort vehicles and escort flags there."

"Just pretend, our Worldwide Escort Agency, lost the escort there!"

One hundred and fifty people simultaneously knelt on the ground: "Thank you, Leader!"

"In the end, we shared some time together."

The Starlight Master smiled faintly: "During this period, I beat you up so many times, sorted you out countless times, this is just some compensation for you. There aren’t many things, certainly nothing high-end suitable for higher cultivation, but they’re all local specialties here, I hope you brothers and sisters won’t disdain them!"

"Leader’s righteousness, we will always remember in our hearts!"

"Tomorrow when you set off, you don’t need to wait for me."

The Starlight Master was silent for a moment, then said: "I, in my life, don’t like farewells. If we meet again in the future, let’s gather then."

Having said that, he laughed heartily: "Everyone, drink!"

Immediately, everyone raised their glasses in turn.

The atmosphere shifted from gloomy to gradually lively.

After a few more drinks, Zhou Mei’er came over with a cup of wine: "Leader, I offer you nine cups of wine."

Nine cups of wine!

The Starlight Master said with emotion: "Alright!"

With a clink of glasses: "Peace!"

"Smoothness!"

"Good fortune!"

"Happiness!"

"Satisfaction!"

"Joy!"

"Health!"

"Fulfillment!"

"Promotion!"

With the nine cups of wine finished.

Zhou Mei’er drank all nine cups firmly, holding the wine cup, she smiled with tears: "No regrets in this life!"

The atmosphere, for some reason, suddenly became intense.

Everyone began seeking out people to drink with, all kinds of heartfelt words flowed endlessly, as if they cost nothing.

Zhao Wushang, Zheng Yunqi, Zhao Wubai, Tian Wanqing, Jiang Bin, and others began moving from table to table like butterflies among flowers.

The Starlight Master drank halfway, laughed loudly three times: "Everyone, take care!"

With a flash of his body, he dashed into the air and immediately vanished.

The Leader was gone.

Zhao Wushang and others stopped concealing, glaring as they warned: "No one is to speak of the nine cups of wine when we return!"

"It absolutely must be kept a secret!"

"The Leader didn’t know and drank in confusion; but we must not be ignorant."

"Understood!"

"If anyone talks, don’t blame us for collectively dealing with him!"

"Understood!"

The nine cups of wine are a custom of the Wei Wo Zheng Sect, symbolizing endless longevity, generally drank during a couple’s wedding.

But this custom is somewhat ancient, not many adhere to it now.

However, ancient as it may be, it wouldn’t be good if spread out.

But Zhou Mei’er didn’t care at all, her eyebrows and eyes held only smiles.

At ease.

Sweetly smiling, she clinked glasses, drank with everyone, occasionally glancing intentionally or unintentionally at the empty chair in the middle.

As she watched, tears welled up, dropping into her wine cup.

But she stubbornly drank with those who hadn’t received notice.

"Take care of the Leader!"

"He has such a hard time!"

"Report any movements to me immediately."

"Please..."

"..."

The banquet lasted until midnight.

The next morning, before dawn, Zheng Yunqi and others rose collectively, inspected the escort vehicles one more time, and hoisted the escort flags.

One hundred and fifty people were ready to set off.

They lined up in front of the hall for a long time.

The Starlight Master never appeared.

"Let’s depart!"

Zheng Yunqi said: "Don’t miss the hour."

"...Alright."

The group left one after another.

Zhou Mei’er stayed at the end.

The escort vehicles had already traveled hundreds of feet, yet she stood at the Escort Agency’s gate, looking on dazedly.

That person, ultimately did not come.

Finally, she bowed her head, two tears falling to the ground.

With her head lowered, she turned to catch up with the team.

The sending off Zheng Yunqi and others clearly saw, as Zhou Mei’er went further, tears streamed all the way.

Unable to help but sigh in frustration.

...

The escort vehicles left Baiyun State, traveling across the wilderness.

Chanting all the way.

The strong wind blew, the escort flags fluttering crisply.

Yet in the hearts of all 150 people, there was nothing but melancholy. On this journey out of the city, everyone kept turning back to look.

Every one felt an urge to run back desperately.

Baiyun State became smaller and smaller in sight, finally reaching the turn, the team unanimously paused.

After turning this bend, the view would be completely blocked, Baiyun State no longer visible.

And it’s highly likely they’d never see Baiyun State again in this lifetime!

One of the seventy-two blossoms of the Golden Flower began sobbing, then suddenly they all cried together.

Amidst the cries, one escort vehicle after another turned the corner.

Dust rose, obscuring the way back.

Zhou Mei’er always had a peculiar feeling, she constantly felt, that the Starlight Master was secretly escorting them.

She stood on high ground countless times, looking around.

Hoping to see that figure.

But all around was silent empty mountains, nothing ever discovered.

Journeying for hundreds of miles.

Still, nothing found.

But Zhou Mei’er never gave up observing...

Finally, when they crossed the White Water and reached the other shore, from the woods on this side suddenly came a faraway long shout, the long shout resounding through the wind, moving farther and farther, towards Baiyun State.

It was the voice of the Starlight Master.

This was the final farewell.

Zhou Mei’er’s heart felt empty, tears fell like rain.

...