Flamesouth Village. This village was a rural and hidden village in the south of Phoenix Empire. It was a normal one that had people living in it peacefully.

Jin Rou arrived in this place after a few search. It was his destination right now because of his master's stories about it.

The Flamesouth Village, according to Feng Lin, was his natural hometown. This was where he was born and started cultivation. It had so many memories together with the late master that he had always have a story about it everyday. Thus, Jin Rou was curious about this little village. After all, the village existed even before the empire was made.

Jin Rou entered the place and roamed his gaze. There were mortal kids playing, chasing each other with smiles and sweats on their faces. The women were telling stories to each other, smirking and laughing sometimes.

The men were all chopping wood for tonight. It's already winter, so they have to produce fire as much as possible as it was very cold. The village was a mortal place and there were no extravagant places to speak of. But Jin Rou could feel this was home.

Jin Rou passed by with the people. He lowered his existence so much so that he wouldn't be discovered by the people here. He heard from his late master that these people were easily scared by cultivators thus he erased his existence.

Then, he arrived at a statue and a message on a metal plate was written on it, "Great Hero Feng Lin."

The statue looked very old, perhaps billions of years old now and the plaque was the same. This seemed to be the commemoration for his late master as appreciation for his help.

"I didn't expect His Majesty will pay this village a visit. It's a surprise." Suddenly, a feminine voice could be heard. It was only low tone yet Jin Rou could hear it clearly.

He looked at the origin of the voice and observed her for a second, "And you are?"

It was a beautiful lady with a golden short hair. She was one of the knights of the empire stationed in the inner and most important places. She was clad in white armor and a spear behind her.

Jin Rou erased his existence to avoid attention but it was natural that a High God of this level could see him.

"Your Majesty, I am Knight Commander Maya. I am in charge of patrolling this place." Maya said as she bowed respectfully.

"I see. Nice to meet you, Maya." Jin Rou smiled and continued observing the statue.

Maya didn't dare to disturb him and just stood by his side. Now that the emperor was here, she had to be here if ever he needed something. She saw Jin Rou how ruthless he was when dealing with the nobles and it was amazing for her. Those nobles had thought of themselves so high and arrogant that it was only right to place them into their right positions.

Three hours passed, Jin Rou remained standing in the same position and looking at the statue. But he spoke this time, asking Maya, "Do you have a family?"

This startled Maya for a bit. However, she remained composed and answered the question, "I have my mother. But she is very old now because she's only a mortal. My father has been killed during an expedition, and was a knight too."

Jin Rou looked at Maya, "You have a powerful cultivation. You can get elixirs and treasures that could extend the lifespan of your mother despite being a mortal."

"I know, Your Majesty." Maya shook her head and sighed, "However, my mother didn't want it. She wants to die if it's already meant for her. She wants to die as a mortal, without any treasures or elixir to keep her alive. Furthermore, she told me, it's hard to be alive when you're too old to move."

"I see." Jin Rou nodded. It was the mother's decision so he had no comment about it, "Your father seemed had a heroic death."

"Indeed, Your Majesty. He died protecting the late ancestor in the past." Maya nodded in agreement. She used to idolize her father as he was a very powerful knight that even the knights of other empire were threatened. Her father was one of knights who stood at the top of the rankings.

Jin Rou smiled and shared, "I have a family too. However, they are far away from this universe."

"Do you miss them, Your Majesty?" Maya asked out of curiosity.

"I do. I have been away for too long now and after I wrap up the mess in this world, I'm going back home." Jin Rou said. His eyes were filled with countless emotions that had been hidden for too long.

"So you aren't going to stay here..." Maya said in a soft tone.

"I can't. I'm not a person of this world. I'm just a mere passerby that aims to save the empire because it is my master's treasure." Jin Rou shook his head. If it wasn't for his master, would he even be willing to try to save the empire? No, he wasn't that saint that he'd risk himself just for a heroic action. He wasn't that dumb.

There was a long silence again. Jin Rou kept looking at the statue for another two hours while Maya was on standby. The former looked at her and spoke, "You don't have to guard me. I'm fine here."

"Your Majesty, that can't be. This is an imperial rule and I cannot not abide it." Maya said with a stern voice. She was always faithful to her duties and never disappoints. historical

"Okay, then. Suit yourself." Jin Rou returned in looking back at the statue. It looked like he was deeply imprinting the youthful look of his late master in his mind.

"Boom!" The night came over and suddenly, an explosion echoed the entire village which terrified the villagers. Then, a blinding light appeared a few miles away from the village.

Jin Rou looked up and observed the blinding light and couldn't help but chuckle.. He was one lucky guy right now.