Chapter 58

Yuming saw the personnel at the post station and the familiar faces, confirming that his journey had not been in vain.

He turned his mount and faced Tie Miaqing, "Madam, I have arrived."

The insect behind him tried to observe his expression but could not see his front.

During their escape from the demon realm, the insect had noticed something: Yuming always stole glances at Tie Miaqing.

The insect sensed something and understood, finding the madam beautiful even though her entire face was not visible.

Tie Miaqing and the others also surveyed the situation at the post station. When they looked at Yuming, they felt the saying "There is no feast that does not end" more profoundly, knowing that it was time to part ways.

The three of them looked at Yuming's face, recalling their encounters and the events that followed, finding it all truly incredible.

Looking back, all three knew that if they had not met this "Asheng," it would have been impossible to catch the three fire crickets. With Cheng Shanping's existence alone, it would have been impossible.

Now, not only Tie Miaqing, but even Sun Ping and Zhu Shangbiao gradually believed the fortune-telling words Yuming had said when they first met. He was indeed someone who could help them.

The facts proved it.

Tie Miaqing also remembered another line from Yuming's fortune-telling: he and she had a connection.

What kind of connection? She was curious.

Women in difficult situations tend to believe in fate, especially beautiful women.

She wanted to ask, "According to your divination, will we meet again in the future?"

But she kept it in her heart and did not ask, maintaining her dignity.

Tie Miaqing: "I can only see you off to here."

Yuming nodded, turned back, and called to the insect, "Dismount!" He grabbed the insect's arm and threw him off the horse.

The insect fell on his bottom, and Yuming chuckled.

Seeing him laugh, the insect also smiled, quickly getting up and dusting off the dirt.

Yuming and Xu Fei then dismounted, each handing their horses to Sun Ping and Zhu Shangbiao to take away, allowing them to change mounts along the way.

As he handed over the reins, Yuming smiled at Sun Ping, "No need to see me off."

Sun Ping took the reins and sighed, "Brother, with your abilities, not joining the martial world..." He originally wanted to say it was a pity, but changed his words at the last moment, "You would also have a bright future in the civil service. May you have a successful career." His gaze then fell on Xu Fei, "May both of you achieve your goals and have a bright future!"

If not for the concern that Yuming was a government official and might cause trouble for Miaqing Hall, she really wanted to recruit Yuming into Miaqing Hall.

Xu Fei bowed in gratitude, "If we have the chance, we will meet again!"

In his heart, he never wanted to meet these people again.

Tie Miaqing took off the "Secluded Residence Token" from her body and threw it to Yuming, "It is inconvenient to vouch for you, and getting entangled with government officials can lead to complications. You know we are in a hurry. If they do not believe your words, you can use this as proof, or have them come to Youjiao Port to ask us. If you have the chance to visit Youjiao Port in the future, you can come to Miaqing Hall. The people in the shop will inform us when they see this token."

Yuming accepted the token, but like Xu Fei, he did not plan to meet these people again.

He had met everyone under the guise of "Asheng" and did not want outsiders to know the truth, as it would harm Asheng.

However, there was something he had always wanted to do. He finally spoke with a smile, "Madam, I have never seen your true face. Can you take off your veil so we can meet properly, so we won't be strangers if we meet again?"

Xu Fei's eyes lit up; he also wanted to see this woman's true face.

The insect pursed his lips and said nothing, only quietly observing Yuming's reaction.

"Let's go!"

Tie Miaqing laughed and said, not fulfilling their wishes, and then galloped away without looking back.

Even though she wanted to thank Yuming, she could not afford to delay.

Under the hat and veil, she seemed like a beauty, but her true face was hidden. Her green cloak fluttered behind her, and her graceful figure on horseback was a sight that no ordinary woman could match. She passed by the post station like a wisp of green smoke, leaving a group of stunned candidates in her wake.

Such a woman, not seen after ten years of study, not remembered by brush and ink, was a dream that captured the heart, a beauty that swayed in the red dust. The candidates seemed willing to be lost in this dream, watching her for a long time.

The red dust was like a dream, a fleeting glimpse of beauty, a moment of splendor that could not be pursued.

The candidates, including Zhan Muchun, gradually came to their senses but were still in a certain mood.

They had never seen such a beautiful woman and were lost in thought for a long time...

The guard at the gate stopped the three as they approached, "The post station is not open to the public today. Please find another place to stay."

Xu Fei replied, "I am Xu Fei, and this is Asheng. We are candidates heading to the capital. We were separated from our group during a sudden event and have finally returned. Please inform the officials."

"Xu Fei, Brother Xu, it really is you!"

A group of candidates ran over, but were stopped by the guard, not allowed to leave the gate.

Zhan Muchun, holding the memorial text he had burned for Xu Fei, stood in shock. Seeing that everyone had run to welcome Xu Fei, his expression became complex, feeling uneasy.

Yuming tried to hide behind Xu Fei's bulk, afraid of being called out and not wanting to be too noticeable.

This was what he had been most worried about, but he had no choice but to return.

It turned out he had overthought it. Most people did not recognize him, at most they found him familiar. Most knew his name but not his face. Those who did recognize him, like Su Yingtao, were not happy and did not bother to welcome him.

After being informed, officials quickly arrived, not giving the candidates a chance to catch up. They directly took Xu Fei and the others to meet the officials responsible for escorting them.

First, they verified their identities.

The main focus was on verifying Yuming's identity, as Xu Fei's was not necessary. Most of the officials present knew him, and even those who did not would ask, "Which one is Xunqiu Xu Fei?" and be pointed out.

Xu Fei had no issues, and the insect was not afraid of verification.

Thus, Yuming met Xue Junning and Tang Bulan from the Sinao Prefecture again.

Seeing Yuming alive, the two were surprised but also happy for him. They confirmed Yuming's identity as "Asheng."

Next, they asked what had happened, how the three had left the group, and how they had returned.

Yuming, Xu Fei, and the insect were well-prepared and had a unified story.

The story was mainly based on Yuming's version, and Xu Fei had no choice but to agree. The insect mentioned the word-guessing game that had fooled the governor.

What could Xu Fei say?

He said they had gone to find the insect, encountered a large number of rats, and were scared into running around, falling into a river and drifting for a long time. They eventually landed in the demon realm and were helped by people from Youjiao Port, who brought them back.

They did not mention the fire crickets.

As long as their identities as candidates were confirmed, how they returned was secondary. The officials just needed to record it for their superiors, who might or might not verify it.

Upon their return, the escorting officials verbally welcomed them, exchanged a few pleasantries with Xu Fei, and largely ignored Yuming, then had them taken to be arranged.

In the corridor, Yuming casually tore a piece of the curtain, covering half his face and tying it at the back of his head, inspired by Tie Miaqing.

What was going on? The clerk, hearing the tearing sound, turned around, paused, and asked, "What are you doing?"

Xu Fei and the insect were also stunned, their faces full of confusion.

Yuming: "I don't want to be asked the same questions by the officials again. Other candidates will definitely ask how we returned. I don't want to repeat myself. By covering my face, they won't remember my appearance, and I can ignore them and focus on my studies."

He had anticipated that the news of his and Xu Fei's return would spread among the candidates, and many would come to visit.

Stuck in this place and having traveled together, he could not avoid them, so he decided to cover his face openly.

"..." Xu Fei and the insect were speechless, finding it hard to understand his logic. Could he really do this?

As for studying, Xu Fei did not believe it. This person did not even carry a pen, studying ghosts.

He then thought about his own lost luggage, now without a pen as well.

"Uh..." The clerk was also speechless, scratching his face, "Tearing the curtain is wrong. You'll have to pay for it when it's discovered."

Seeing this, Xu Fei reached out to Yuming for the remaining curtain, wanting to do the same.

Yuming casually threw the curtain to the top of the beam and pushed Xu Fei's hand away, "You don't need to. Everyone knows you, covering your face won't help. You have many social obligations anyway."

Xu Fei thought about it and felt a bit awkward.

The clerk shook his head and gestured for them to follow.

This time, they were placed wherever there was space. Yuming and Xu Fei were put in the same room, and the insect was given a mat on the floor.

During the attack, the book boys had no protection and no self-defense, suffering heavy casualties, saving a lot of space.

Eight candidates shared a room, but this one only had five, with two currently reading books. They welcomed Xu Fei.

Yuming just greeted them, confirmed his bed, and ignored the others.

As for the face covering, Yuming did not explain it, and when others asked, he did not answer. He did not care about his appearance, and what could the other candidates do? He did not plan to interact with them now or in the future, leaving the relationship repair to the real Asheng.

As expected, the news of Yuming and Xu Fei's return quickly spread among the candidates, with the focus on Xu Fei.

They had just settled in the room when a group of candidates came to visit.