111 Meeting with Prince Jian (2/2)

”Rise.” Hartley said as hegrinned at the former bandits who now looked like an organized force, internally pleased with his decision to recruit them.

Some of the men had only glimpsed the lord of the western hills before and now they noticed that the man who was so revered by many was nothing but a teenager.

”How has your stay been?” Hartley spoke directly to Fu Qian.

”Its been ten folds better than camping out in the forest my lord,” Fu Qian answered as he straitened out his robe standing ram rod straight.

”Good,” Hartley smiled.. ”Let the men return to their duties while we walk back” Hartley instructed. The men clumsily bowed their heads and mounted their horses and galloped off.

As soon as they were within ear shot of the manor they started screaming ”The young lord has returned.” This immediately caused a commotion.

People came out and lined the frozen streets dressed in thick furs creating a buzz of excitement around the manor.

Hartley strode forward casually through the frozen tundra dressed in his simple-styled black robe beside Fu Qian in his brocade robe while inquiring about the state of affairs with in the manor for the last month and a half. Hartley had a good impression of this stylish man, it was like when he had met Qin Li for the first time.

Soon they appeared in the world of white casually walking towards the manor amidst the raucous fanfare of excited onlookers, suddenly a white flash dissected the crowd and went straight at Hartley likelightning.

People saw a pair of jade-like pale arms clung around Hartley's neck, the person wearing a long white dress had her face buried in his neck, she held him so close the frigid wind couldn't pass between the two.

”Welcome back, I missed you so much.” a voice sweeter than the sound of a violin whispered.Feeling the warmth from her body radiating through her thin dress, Hartley held her close and stroked her flaming red hair. Zhi ruo face blushed red with all the onlookers watching her intimate moment with Hartley.

”I missed you too, now that I'm back we can go ahead with our wedding soon.”

When the two separated Qin LI stepped forward from the crowd and greeted Hartley with a slap to the shoulder.

”So, how was the savage foreign lands?” Qin Li asked with a playful smile.

”Not that much different from these savage lands.” Hartley replied, they both laughed out at almost the same time.

”Looks like you've been working hard as usual,” Hartley looked at Qin LI who was giving strong fluctuations, in this short time he was more than half way towards the 5th layer of the xiantian realm.

”Hmmn” Qin Li smiled.

” A feast.” Qin Li instructed the serving staff and they quickly scattered to make preparations.

The feast lasted into the night, then Hartley retired to his room with Zhi Ruo and caught up

with his activities.

Three days later a summon was delivered by Prince Jian requesting Hartley's presence in the capital.